Description
The Ultimate Chicken Casserole is a warm and comforting one-dish meal featuring layers of tender chicken, creamy mushroom sauce, mixed vegetables, and melted cheddar cheese topped with a crispy golden crust. Easy to prepare with simple pantry ingredients, this casserole is perfect for family dinners, meal prepping, and cozy nights in, delivering hearty and satisfying flavors everyone will love.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 1.5 lbs chicken breasts or thighs, boneless and skinless, cubed
Sauce and Dairy
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Vegetables
- 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Base
- 2 cups cooked rice or cooked pasta
Seasonings and Herbs
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp dried thyme or 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Topping
- 1 cup breadcrumbs or crushed crackers
- 2 tbsp butter or olive oil, melted
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken and Veggies: Cube the boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs. In a large skillet over medium heat, sauté the chicken cubes with minced garlic and chopped onion until the chicken is golden and cooked through but still tender, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Mix the Creamy Sauce: In a large bowl, combine the cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, salt, pepper, and thyme or parsley. Stir in the cooked rice or pasta and frozen mixed vegetables until evenly mixed.
- Assemble the Casserole: Grease a baking dish and spread the sautéed chicken evenly across the bottom. Pour the creamy vegetable and rice mixture evenly over the chicken. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese generously over the top.
- Add the Crunchy Topping: In a small bowl, mix the breadcrumbs or crushed crackers with the melted butter or olive oil. Spread this mixture evenly over the cheese layer to form a crispy topping.
- Bake to Perfection: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Cover the casserole loosely with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake uncovered for another 10-15 minutes until the topping is golden brown and the casserole is bubbly.
Notes
- Use fresh chicken to ensure juiciness and better flavor.
- Do not overcook the chicken in the skillet to prevent dryness after baking.
- Opt for sharp cheddar cheese for a bold, rich taste and smooth melting.
- Add fresh herbs like parsley or thyme just before baking for maximum aroma and freshness.
- Cover the casserole with foil for most of the baking time to avoid burning the topping; remove foil near the end to crisp it up.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 17 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg