Irresistibly Cheesy Chicken Casserole Recipe For Cozy Nights

Chicken casseroles revolutionize weeknight dinner strategies with their comforting and hearty appeal.

Bold flavors mingle beautifully in this hot and cheesy chicken casserole, creating a mouthwatering experience that satisfies deep hunger pangs.

Creamy textures and robust seasonings redefine ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal that feels both familiar and exciting.

Professional home cooks understand the magic of combining simple components to craft something truly memorable.

Layers of tender chicken, melted cheese, and rich sauce promise a delightful culinary adventure that speaks directly to comfort food lovers.

Each forkful promises warmth, nostalgia, and pure deliciousness that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Families and friends gather around this irresistible dish, knowing something special awaits their taste buds.

Cheesy and Comforting: Hot Chicken Casserole Wins Hearts

• Whip Up Comfort Food Magic: This casserole transforms simple ingredients into a soul-warming meal that hugs your taste buds with creamy, cheesy goodness and hearty chicken.
• Create Effortless Deliciousness: The recipe requires minimal cooking skills, combines everything in one bowl, and bakes quickly, making it perfect for busy weeknight dinners or last-minute meal planning.
• Customize Your Flavor Adventure: Versatile ingredients allow easy swaps like different vegetables, proteins, or cheese types, ensuring the dish never gets boring and matches your pantry's contents.
• Deliver Crowd-Pleasing Textures: Crispy breadcrumb topping provides a delightful crunch against the smooth, rich interior, while tender chicken and soft pasta create a satisfying multi-layered eating experience.

What You’ll Need for Cheesy Chicken Casserole

• Shredded Chicken: Tender and flavorful protein that forms the main body of the casserole.
• Pasta: Hearty base that adds texture and helps bind the casserole together.

• Cream of Chicken Soup, Sour Cream: Provides rich, creamy consistency and enhances overall flavor.
• Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheese that melts beautifully and adds depth to the dish.

• Peas, Corn: Sweet vegetables that add color, nutrition, and mild flavor.
• Garlic Powder, Salt, Pepper: Classic seasonings that boost the overall taste profile.

• Breadcrumbs: Adds crispy, golden texture to the casserole surface.
• Melted Butter: Helps breadcrumbs brown and become crunchy.

Instructions for Hot and Cheesy Chicken Casserole

Step 1: Prepare the Oven

Warm up your oven to a cozy 350°F (175°C). Get ready for some delicious comfort food!

Step 2: Create the Flavor Base

• Shredded chicken
• Cooked pasta
• Cream of chicken soup
• Sour cream
• Cheddar cheese
• Peas
• Corn
• Garlic powder
• Salt
• Black pepper

Stir everything together until the ingredients are perfectly blended and looking scrumptious.

Step 3: Transfer to Baking Dish

Grab a 9×13 inch baking dish and give it a light greasing. Carefully spread the chicken mixture evenly across the dish, making sure every inch is covered with goodness.

Step 4: Craft the Crispy Topping

• Breadcrumbs
• Melted butter

Sprinkle this magical mixture over the top of the casserole, creating a golden, crunchy layer.

Step 5: Add the Cheese Finale

Shower the remaining cheddar cheese over the breadcrumb layer, ensuring maximum cheesy coverage.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Slide the baking dish into the preheated oven. Let it bake for 25-30 minutes, watching for a beautiful golden-brown top and bubbling cheese that signals it’s ready to devour.

Step 7: Rest and Serve

Allow the casserole to cool for a few minutes after removing from the oven. This helps the dish set and makes serving easier. Get ready to dig into a mouthwatering meal that’ll have everyone asking for seconds!

Smart Tips for Chicken Casserole That’s Gooey and Good

• Shred Chicken Perfectly: Use two forks to pull apart warm, cooked chicken for the most tender, even texture.
• Prevent Dry Casserole: Cover with foil during the first 15 minutes of baking to lock in moisture and prevent burning.
• Cheese Melting Hack: Let cheese reach room temperature before adding to ensure smooth, creamy distribution throughout the dish.
• Breadcrumb Crunch Tip: Toast breadcrumbs in a skillet before sprinkling for extra golden, crispy topping with deeper flavor.
• Veggie Swap Trick: Feel free to substitute frozen peas and corn with fresh seasonal vegetables to customize the casserole and add more nutrition.

Best Storage and Reheating for Cheesy Chicken Casserole

• Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for up to 3-4 days.
• Freeze: Wrap casserole tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Label with the date for easy tracking.
• Reheat: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Warm in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes, covering with foil to prevent drying. Add a splash of milk or broth to maintain moisture and restore creamy texture.

Delicious Pairings with Cheesy Chicken Casserole

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: A chilled Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio cuts through the rich, creamy casserole, balancing its heaviness with bright, zesty notes.
• Serve alongside Fresh Garden Salad: A light, tangy green salad with vinaigrette dressing provides a refreshing contrast to the warm, cheesy chicken dish.
• Complement with Buttery Chardonnay: An oaked Chardonnay matches the casserole's creamy texture, enhancing the comfort food experience with its smooth, buttery profile.
• Add Crisp Vegetable Slaw: A crunchy coleslaw with a touch of acidity helps cleanse the palate between bites of the rich, cheesy casserole.

Cheesy Chicken Casserole with a Twist

• Spicy Southwest Chicken Casserole: Replace peas and corn with black beans, diced bell peppers, and add jalapeños for extra heat. Mix in taco seasoning and top with crushed tortilla chips instead of breadcrumbs.
• Mediterranean Herb Chicken Bake: Swap cream of chicken soup with Greek yogurt, add spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and oregano. Replace cheddar with crumbled feta cheese and sprinkle with fresh basil before serving.
• Protein-Packed Quinoa Chicken Casserole: Substitute pasta with quinoa for added protein. Include diced zucchini, use low-fat cream soup, and top with a mix of parmesan and mozzarella cheese for a lighter version.
• Creamy Mushroom Chicken Casserole: Add sautéed mushrooms and swap some cream soup with mushroom soup. Include thyme and use a blend of Swiss and cheddar cheese for a rich, earthy flavor profile.

Hot and Cheesy Chicken Casserole Recipe

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4.7 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Southern comfort shines through this hot and cheesy chicken casserole, packed with creamy textures and rich flavors. Hearty layers of tender chicken, melted cheese, and crispy breadcrumbs promise a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein and Carbohydrates:

• 4 cups shredded chicken breast
• 2 cups cooked pasta (penne or rotini)
• 1 cup breadcrumbs

Dairy and Cheese:

• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 can (10.5 ounces/298 grams) condensed cream of chicken soup
• 2 tablespoons melted butter

Vegetables and Seasonings:

• 1 cup frozen peas
• 1 cup corn kernels
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Ignite the oven to a warm 350°F, creating the perfect environment for a comforting culinary experience.
2. In a spacious mixing vessel, gently combine tender shredded chicken, al dente pasta, velvety cream of chicken soup, tangy sour cream, rich cheddar cheese, vibrant green peas, sweet corn kernels, aromatic garlic powder, and a delicate balance of salt and pepper until the ingredients harmonize into a luxurious mixture.
3. Lovingly transfer the creamy concoction into a generously greased rectangular baking vessel, ensuring an even distribution that promises consistent flavor in every bite.
4. Craft a crispy topping by blending golden breadcrumbs with melted butter, creating a textural crown that will transform the casserole’s surface into a crunchy masterpiece.
5. Elegantly cascade the remaining cheddar cheese across the breadcrumb landscape, allowing for a molten cheese blanket that will bubble and brown during baking.
6. Slide the casserole into the preheated oven, allowing 25-30 minutes for the ingredients to meld, the top to transform into a bronzed canvas, and the cheese to reach a mesmerizing, bubbling crescendo.
7. Pause momentarily after removing from the oven, letting the casserole settle and intensify its flavors before serving this comforting, cheese-laden creation.

Notes

• Customize this casserole by swapping vegetables based on family preferences or seasonal availability.
• Prep ingredients ahead of time to make weeknight cooking faster and easier.
• Quickly shred rotisserie chicken for a time-saving protein option that adds extra flavor.
• Ensure even cooking by spreading the mixture uniformly in the baking dish.
• Breadcrumb topping adds delightful crunch and golden texture to the creamy base.
• Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, making great next-day lunch.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 480
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 850 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 42 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg