Chicken casserole is the kind of cozy, all-in-one meal that brings everyone to the table with a smile. It’s warm, filling, and packed with comforting flavors. Whether you’re using leftover chicken or cooking it fresh, casseroles are super flexible. Toss in veggies, pasta, rice, or potatoes—whatever you have on hand—and let the oven do the hard work. What makes this dish truly magical is how it transforms simple ingredients into something that tastes like home. From busy weeknights to laid-back weekends, chicken casserole is a real hero in the kitchen.
Quick Facts
A quick glance at everything you need to know:
| Course | Main Course |
|---|---|
| Cuisine | American / Comfort Food |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Servings | 6 |
| Prep Time | 15 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 45 minutes |
| Calories | ~375 per serving |
Equipment Needed
To make a chicken casserole, you don’t need a fancy kitchen setup. Just the basics will do the job. Here’s a list of everything you’ll need:
- Oven: For baking the casserole to golden, bubbling perfection.
- Large Mixing Bowl: To combine the ingredients before placing them into the dish.
- Casserole Dish (9×13-inch preferred): Ceramic or glass works best for even cooking.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: Accuracy counts for seasoning and consistency.
- Cutting Board: For chopping chicken and veggies.
- Sharp Knife: A chef’s knife works best.
- Wooden Spoon or Spatula: To mix everything without scratching your cookware.
- Aluminum Foil (optional): Useful for covering the dish to avoid over-browning.
- Oven Mitts: Always safety first when dealing with hot dishes!
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to whip up a hearty chicken casserole:
- 3 cups cooked, shredded chicken (rotisserie chicken works great!)
- 2 cups cooked rice or pasta (choose your favorite)
- 1 cup frozen peas and carrots (or fresh if preferred)
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (plus extra for topping)
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup crushed crackers or breadcrumbs (for topping)
- 2 tablespoons melted butter (for topping)
Instructions
Let’s break it down into easy steps:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Mix ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the cooked chicken, rice or pasta, veggies, soup, sour cream, milk, cheese, and seasonings. Stir until fully mixed.
- Transfer to baking dish: Pour the mixture into a greased 9×13-inch casserole dish.
- Add topping: Mix crushed crackers or breadcrumbs with melted butter. Sprinkle evenly over the top.
- Bake: Place in the oven and bake uncovered for 35–40 minutes, or until bubbly and golden.
- Cool slightly before serving to let it set.
Essential Note:
For best results, don’t overbake. The casserole should be bubbly, not dried out. If using uncooked veggies, sauté them briefly before mixing to ensure they’re tender. Always taste the mixture before baking and adjust seasoning as needed. If you’re prepping ahead of time, assemble and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Just add 10 extra minutes to the bake time.
