Description
Hearty chicken casserole brings comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen, blending creamy textures with golden-brown crispy edges. Wholesome ingredients and simple preparation make this classic dish a perfect weeknight meal you’ll savor down to the last delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 3 cups (680 grams) shredded chicken
Creamy Base:
- 1 (10.5 ounces / 298 grams) can cream of chicken soup
- 1 (10.5 ounces / 298 grams) can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) sour cream
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) mayonnaise
Pasta and Cheese:
- 2 cups (200 grams) cooked and drained egg noodles
- 1 cup (100 grams) shredded cheddar cheese
Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Optional Ingredient:
- 1 (14.5 ounces / 411 grams) can diced tomatoes, drained
Topping:
- 1 cup (100 grams) crushed cornflakes
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F (175C), ensuring the temperature is consistent for optimal cooking.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, thoroughly blend shredded chicken, cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, mayonnaise, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until the mixture reaches a smooth, uniform consistency.
- Incorporate cooked egg noodles and diced tomatoes into the mixture, gently folding to maintain noodle integrity.
- Coat a 9×13 inch baking dish with grease, then evenly distribute the chicken mixture across the surface.
- Create a generous layer of shredded cheddar cheese, covering the entire casserole top.
- Combine crushed cornflakes with melted butter, ensuring complete coating, then distribute the mixture uniformly over the cheese layer.
- Position the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, monitoring until the top turns golden brown and the edges become bubbling hot.
- Allow the casserole to rest for 3-5 minutes after removing from the oven, which helps stabilize the dish and facilitates easier serving.
Notes
- Swap proteins effortlessly by using turkey, tofu, or plant-based alternatives for different dietary needs.
- Toast cornflakes beforehand to enhance their crunchiness and add extra golden-brown color to the topping.
- Reduce sodium by choosing low-sodium soup varieties and controlling added salt quantity.
- Prep ahead by assembling the casserole a day early and refrigerating, then bake when ready to serve for convenient meal planning.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 440 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg