Description
Hearty chicken casserole delivers comfort straight from Southern kitchens. Layers of tender chicken, creamy sauce, and crisp vegetables promise a satisfying meal that warms souls and brings families together.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups / 710 ml chicken, shredded or diced (rotisserie recommended)
- 1 ½ cups / 170 g cheddar cheese, shredded (divided)
- ½ cup / 55 g mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 2 cups / 180 g pasta (elbow macaroni, penne, or egg noodles)
- 1 can (10.5 oz / 298 g) cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup / 240 ml sour cream
- ½ cup / 120 ml chicken broth
- 1 cup / 150 g frozen mixed vegetables (optional: peas, carrots, green beans)
- ½ cup / 60 g crushed buttery crackers (like Ritz) or breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsps / 30 ml butter, melted
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Ignite the oven to 375°F (190°C) and softly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish, setting the stage for culinary magic.
- Sauce Alchemy: Whisk cream of chicken soup, sour cream, chicken broth, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and black pepper into a luxurious, velvety sauce that promises depth and richness.
- Harmonious Blend: Combine cooked chicken, pasta, cheddar cheese, mozzarella, and frozen vegetables within the creamy sauce, gently folding each ingredient to ensure a perfect, even distribution of flavors.
- Assemble and Crown: Spread the mixture evenly in the prepared dish, lavishing the surface with an additional sprinkle of cheddar cheese for an extra layer of indulgence.
- Crispy Topping Transformation: Crush crackers or breadcrumbs and meld with melted butter, then generously scatter this golden mixture across the casserole, promising a delightful textural contrast.
- Bake to Perfection: Nestle the casserole in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, awaiting the moment when bubbling edges and a golden-brown topping signal culinary triumph.
- Rest and Serve: Allow the casserole a brief moment to settle and concentrate its flavors before presenting this comforting masterpiece to eagerly waiting diners.
Notes
- Maximize Chicken Tenderness: Shred or dice chicken into uniform, bite-sized pieces ensures even cooking and prevents dry spots in the casserole.
- Customize Vegetable Selection: Swap frozen mixed vegetables with fresh seasonal options like broccoli, carrots, or peas to enhance nutritional value and personalize flavor profile.
- Control Moisture Balance: Drain excess liquid from cooked chicken and frozen vegetables to prevent watery casserole texture and maintain creamy consistency.
- Gluten-Free Adaptation: Replace regular crackers with gluten-free alternatives like crushed rice crackers or almond flour breadcrumbs for individuals with wheat sensitivities.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg