Description
Hearty Ultimate Chicken Casserole delivers comfort on a plate with layers of creamy goodness. Homemade flavors blend perfectly, promising a satisfying meal you’ll savor to the last delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups (710 ml) chicken, cooked and shredded or diced
- 1 ½ cups (340 g) cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 cups (450 g) pasta (elbow macaroni, penne, or egg noodles), cooked
- 1 cup (240 ml) mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, or green beans), frozen
- ½ cup (115 g) mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 can (10.5 oz / 298 g) cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup (240 ml) sour cream
- ½ cup (120 ml) chicken broth
- ½ cup (60 g) buttery crackers (like Ritz) or breadcrumbs, crushed
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) butter, melted
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Preparation: Generously grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C), creating the perfect thermal environment for this comforting culinary creation.
- Sauce Fusion: Whisk cream of chicken soup, sour cream, chicken broth, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and black pepper into a luxuriously smooth sauce, blending flavors with expert precision.
- Ingredient Symphony: Combine cooked chicken, pasta, cheddar cheese, mozzarella, and frozen vegetables into the creamy sauce, ensuring each component is thoroughly coated and integrated.
- Assembly: Transfer the mixed ingredients into the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly and sprinkling additional cheddar cheese across the surface for an extra layer of indulgence.
- Crispy Topping: Blend crushed crackers or breadcrumbs with melted butter, then scatter this golden, crunchy mixture uniformly over the casserole to create a textural contrast.
- Baking Transformation: Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until edges bubble vigorously and the topping achieves a rich, golden-brown complexion, signaling the dish’s readiness.
- Resting Period: Allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes, letting the flavors meld and settle before serving this ultimate comfort dish.
Notes
- Optimize Chicken Protein: Choose rotisserie or freshly shredded chicken for maximum tenderness and flavor depth, ensuring each bite remains juicy and succulent.
- Customize Vegetable Variety: Swap frozen vegetables with seasonal fresh produce like broccoli, bell peppers, or asparagus to enhance nutritional profile and add vibrant color complexity.
- Manage Moisture Balance: Drain frozen vegetables completely before mixing to prevent excess liquid from making the casserole watery, maintaining a creamy, rich consistency.
- Explore Dietary Adaptations: Replace regular pasta with gluten-free alternatives, use low-fat dairy options, and substitute cream of chicken soup with homemade healthier versions for specialized dietary needs.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg