This ultimate chicken casserole is delicious, creamy, and cheesy. This simple dinner recipe is one you don’t want to miss out on since it’s made with shredded chicken, delicate noodles, bacon, and corn. This foolproof weeknight dinner addition is simple, flavorful, and family-friendly. This no-fuss dish is simple to prepare using essential components and is packed with flavor. A comforting chicken casserole, perfect for when you’re in a hurry and want something simple to prepare, will efficiently serve a crowd at your next potluck or gathering. Even the most discerning taster will appreciate this warm, one-pot dinner.
You could serve your casserole straight from the baking dish for a hearty dinner, including chicken, noodles, corn, and bacon in a creamy, cheesy sauce. If you prefer, you may offer dinner rolls or a fresh garden salad with your chicken casserole.
What are the ingredients for the ultimate chicken casserole?
- Cream of chicken soup
- Half-and-half
- Chicken – it should be cooked, shredded chicken breast
- Wide egg noodles – fully cooked
- Corn – frozen corn only
- Cheese – slightly shredded cheddar cheese
- Onion – a few sweet yellow onions
- Bacon – fully cooked, crumbled bacon
- Salt – kosher salt or any salt
- Pepper – cracked black pepper
- French fried onions
This recipe is a fantastic way to use up egg noodles or any other type of pasta that you don’t want to waste. For example, short spaghetti would be an excellent option.
Feel free to use leftovers, but you may also make this chicken casserole with shredded rotisserie chicken or roast turkey. In the place of the chicken, you might use leftover turkey.
Sweet yellow onions are sliced thinly and deep-fried in batches until crisp, then drained on paper towels. The fried onions may be used as a garnish or in place of finely diced sweet yellow onion. If you can’t find French fried onions, bread crumbs or seasoned crackers may be substituted for the fried onion topping.
How to Make Ultimate Chicken Casserole
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and set it aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the cream of chicken soup and half-and-half until smooth.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add the shredded chicken, egg noodles, corn, cheese, onion, and bacon. Stir until everything is well combined.
- Put the casserole into the prepared baking dish.
- Drizzle the casserole with French fried onions and evenly sprinkle them over the top. Bake for 30 minutes. Serve right away.
All of the components may be combined ahead of time. Cover and chill in the refrigerator overnight before baking. This delicious dinner is simple to make and serves a large group of people. Egg noodles are ideal for this casserole, but you may use any cooked pasta instead. Bow tie noodles, in particular, would be an excellent substitute. You may replace the shredded chicken breast with shredded rotisserie chicken or leftover chicken.
How to store Ultimate Chicken Casserole
Make extra casserole and refrigerate it in an airtight container for up to three days. Cover un-topped and unbaked casserole with plastic wrap and freeze for up to 2 months. Allow the casserole to thaw before topping with French fried onions and baking as directed.
Can we make an Ultimate chicken casserole in a microwave at home?
Yes, making a chicken casserole in a microwave at home is possible. Here is a recipe you can try:
Ultimate Chicken Casserole:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked and shredded chicken
- 2 cups cooked rice
- 1 condensed can of cream of chicken soup (10.75 ounces).
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions:
- Combine the chicken, rice, soup, milk, and mixed vegetables in a microwave-safe dish. Stir until well mixed.
- Secure the dish with a lid or cover it with plastic wrap for an airtight seal.
- Microwave on high for 5 minutes.
- Remove the dish from the microwave and stir.
- Sprinkle the cheddar cheese liberally over the top of your delicious, flavorful casserole.
- Envelop the dish with a lid and microwave for 3-5 minutes until the cheese has melted and your casserole is hot.
- Serve the casserole hot, and enjoy!
To add more depth and flavor to your casserole, don’t forget to incorporate diced onions, bell peppers, or other vegetables. You can also use different types of cheese, such as mozzarella or Monterey Jack, or add a layer of breadcrumbs or crushed crackers on top for a crunchy topping. For best results, adjust the cooking time accordingly. I hope you enjoy your ultimate chicken casserole!
Health Benefits of Ultimate Chicken Casserole
The simple casserole is enjoying a resurgence in popularity, having kissed its crumbled-corn-chip top and canned soup innards goodbye. For a good reason, too.
Casseroles are quick and easy to prepare, yet new casserole recipes include vegetables and whole grains, suggesting they can be nutritious as well, according to Melanie Polk, director of nutrition education at the American Institute for Cancer Research.
A casserole lets you combine various cancer-preventive items in a single dish. It’s a method to mix beans, whole grains, and fruits.
A diet that includes at least five servings each day of a wide range of plant-based foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, may help to prevent cancer. It does not matter whether the meals are raw or cooked.
It’s critical to consume various meals from various culinary traditions, especially ones that haven’t been fried, which adds unnecessary fats. Some of its cancer-preventative components are released when food is cooked, so cooking isn’t always a negative thing. We know that when broccoli is lightly steamed, some of the phytochemicals in it become more available. However, whether they’re cooked or raw is less significant. The critical thing is to obtain them however you can.
One of the benefits of casseroles is personalizing existing recipes to make them more nutritious.
Look for methods to replace higher-fat meals with lower-fat alternatives. Use nonfat sour cream instead of regular sour cream, or try nonfat yogurt in place of mayonnaise.
Ground turkey, chicken, or beef—or a combination of all three—can be used in place of the ground beef. Ham can also substitute ground pork. Another option is to use half the meat called for in old recipes. If you use your slow cooker in the oven, keep these guidelines in mind. You’ll have a lot more flavor and feel of the meat but less of the undesirable components when that happens. Even when you make changes, cooking times generally remain consistent.
Casseroles are an excellent method to incorporate vegetables into your family’s diet. Add cooked broccoli, brown rice, or beans to the mix. You may add all sorts of veggies without altering the cooking time. I have pointed out the health benefits here to have a clear idea.
- Vitamin B6 is abundant in chicken casserole. It’s also high in niacin and selenium, as well as being low in sugar.
- This beautiful chicken soup contains more than 15% protein, which aids in the regeneration of damaged tissues.
- It’s relatively low in sugar.
- THANKS TO THE RICH CHICKEN SOUP; vitamin A, B6, and vitamin C are all present in chicken casserole.
- Vitamin A is required to develop and maintain healthy teeth, bones, soft tissue, mucous membranes, and skin.
- Vitamin B6 is critical for the formation of red blood cells and brain function. This vitamin is also essential in the body’s numerous chemical reactions because it participates in several proteins. The more protein you absorb, the more pyridoxine your body needs.
- Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a nutrient that promotes healthy teeth and gums. It helps in the absorption of iron and the maintenance of good tissue. It also helps with wound healing.
Can we store the ultimate chicken casserole in aluminum or stainless steel?
It is generally safe to store food in aluminum and stainless steel containers. Both materials are non-reactive, meaning they do not react with acidic or alkaline foods and do not leach metal ions into the food. This makes them a good choice for storing food, especially in refrigerators or freezers.
When deciding to store food in aluminum or stainless steel containers, there are a few things you should keep in mind:
- Avoid using aluminum containers with sharp edges, as they can scratch and damage the surface of the container. This can lead to the formation of tiny crevices where bacteria can grow.
- Do not store acidic foods, such as tomato sauce or citrus fruit, in aluminum containers for an extended period of time. The acid in the food can react with the aluminum and cause the metal to leach into the food. This is more concerned with aluminum foil or pots and pans, but it is still worth considering when storing food in aluminum containers.
- Make sure the container is clean and dry before storing food in it. Any leftover food or moisture can encourage the growth of bacteria.
In general, aluminum and stainless steel containers are safe and convenient options for storing food. Just follow the guidelines above to ensure your food stays fresh and safe. I hope this helps!