Ultimate Chicken Casserole Recipe (2024)

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission.

This Ultimate Chicken Casserole Recipe is the best comfort food. Loaded with egg noodles, shredded chicken and bacon this casserole is an easy weeknight meal.

Ultimate Chicken Casserole Recipe (1)

Ultimate Chicken Casserole Recipe:

Casseroles are easy to make with simple ingredients. You can add in different ingredients and they come together to make a delicious casserole. Even if you are not a fan of casseroles, you must try this Ultimate Chicken Casserole.

This is a great casserole to make when you have leftover shredded chicken. Cooked noodles are mixed with shredded chicken, bacon, corn, and cream of chicken soup. These ingredients with the seasoning are poured into a baking dish and topped with French Fried Onions.

Creamy, delicious and full of flavor casserole that is now a family favorite. Perfect weeknight meal or to make for a friend. It is a complete meal but we usually add a side salad.

Ultimate Chicken Casserole Recipe (2)

Ingredients:

  • Cooked Chicken (shredded)
  • Wide Egg Noodles (cooked to al dente)
  • Frozen Corn
  • Milk
  • Cream of Chicken Soup (10 oz cans)
  • Onion (diced)
  • Minced Garlic
  • Cheddar Cheese (shredded)
  • Bacon (cooked and crumbled)
  • Salt
  • Black Pepper
  • French Fried Onions

How to Make Ultimate Chicken Casserole:

  • Step 1 – Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and spray a 9X13 baking pan with a non-stick cooking spray.
  • Step 2 – In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the milk and cream of chicken soup. Then stir in the chicken, pasta, corn, onion, garlic, bacon, cheddar cheese, salt and pepper.
Ultimate Chicken Casserole Recipe (3)
Ultimate Chicken Casserole Recipe (4)
  • Step 3 – Spread this mixture evenly into the baking pan and top the soup mixture with the French fried onions.
Ultimate Chicken Casserole Recipe (5)
Ultimate Chicken Casserole Recipe (6)
  • Step 4 – Bake for 30 minutes or bake until bubbly.
Ultimate Chicken Casserole Recipe (7)
  • Step 5 – Remove from the oven. Let the casserole set for 5 minutes. Then serve warm and enjoy!
Ultimate Chicken Casserole Recipe (8)

Substitutions and Additions:

  • Chicken – We used shredded chicken breast in this recipe, but you can use shredded chicken thighs or rotisserie chicken.
  • Pasta – We used cooked egg noodles but you can use any type of long pasta to mix in the creamy sauce. We recommend penne or rigatoni noodles. Bowtie pasta would also be delicious.
  • Cheese – We used shredded cheddar cheese in this casserole. But you can also use mozzarella, pepper jack cheese or monterey jack cheese. We recommend to shred the cheese yourself so that it melts evenly.
  • Chicken Soup – Feel free to change the type of cream of soup you use. Cream of mushroom or cream of celery would also be delicious.
Ultimate Chicken Casserole Recipe (9)

Tips for Chicken Egg Noodle Casserole:

  • Cook Noodles – Before combining the cooked pasta make sure to cook it al dente.
  • Cook Chicken – Make sure that you cook chicken before mixing in with the other ingredients in the large bowl.
  • Baking Dish – Spray the baking dish with cooking spray prior to adding the casserole mixture to the baking dish.
  • Rest Casserole – Once the casserole is done cooking, allow it to rest for about 5 minutes.
Ultimate Chicken Casserole Recipe (10)

How to Store Chicken and Egg Noodle Casserole:

Refrigerate the leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.This casserole is even tasty the next day. The ingredients really marinate together as it refrigerates.

We like to place in individual containers for a quick lunch the next day.

Ultimate Chicken Casserole Recipe (11)

What to Serve with Ultimate Chicken Noodle Casserole:

This chicken noodle casserole is delicious served just as it is. But I like to add a few light sides to complete the meal.

  • Caesar Salad Add a side of caesar salad or a garden salad loaded with vegetables.
  • Garlic BreadThese garlic cheese bread is a delicious side. It is easy to make and pairs perfectly with this casserole.
  • Roasted Vegetables – We love to roast some vegetables to complete meal. Broccoli or asparagus is some of my favorites.
Ultimate Chicken Casserole Recipe (12)

Can you Freeze Chicken Egg Noodle Casserole?

Yes, you can freeze this chicken noodle casserole. Prepare the casserole as indicated but place in a disposable freezer container. Do not add the French Fried Onions to the top if you are going to freeze it.

This casserole will last about 2 months if stored properly. Make sure that it is covered completely before freezing.

When ready to make, thaw the casserole overnight in the fridge. Top the thawed casserole with the French Fried Onions and bake.

Ultimate Chicken Casserole Recipe (13)

Can I Make Casserole in advance?

You can easily assemble this casserole the night before. Do not add the French fried onions. Cover the casserole and store in the refrigerator.

When you are ready to bake, let the casserole sit at room temperature. Then top with French fried onions and then bake.

Ultimate Chicken Casserole Recipe (14)

Easy Chicken Casserole Recipe:

If you are looking for a cheesy, comforting casserole this is the one to make. It is loaded with easy ingredients and full of flavor. Tender chicken, cooked noodles and creamy sauce makes this a crowd favorite recipe.

This casserole is even delicious leftover and can easily be frozen.

Ultimate Chicken Casserole Recipe (15)

Print Recipe here for Ultimate Chicken Casserole:

Ultimate Chicken Casserole Recipe (16)

Review

Pin Print

Ultimate Chicken Casserole

5 from 33 votes

This Ultimate Chicken Casserole Recipe is the best comfort food. Loaded with egg noodles, shredded chicken and bacon this casserole is an easy weeknight meal.

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Let Set 5 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Servings 6

Cuisine American

Course Main Course

Calories 539

Author Carrie Barnard

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and spray a 9X13 baking pan with a non-stick cooking spray.

  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the milk and cream of chicken soup. Then stir in the chicken, pasta, corn, onion, garlic, bacon, cheddar cheese, salt and pepper.

  • Spread this mixture evenly into the baking pan and top the mixture with the French fried onions.

  • Bake for 30 minutes.

  • Remove from the oven. Let the casserole set for 5 minutes. Then serve warm and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

Refrigerate the leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

You can easily assemble this casserole the night before. Do not add the French fried onions. Cover the casserole and store in the refrigerator. When you are ready to bake, let the casserole sit at room temperature to come to room temperature, top with French fried onions and then bake.

Nutrition Facts

Calories 539kcal, Carbohydrates 39g, Protein 29g, Fat 30g, Saturated Fat 12g, Polyunsaturated Fat 4g, Monounsaturated Fat 8g, Trans Fat 0.05g, Cholesterol 102mg, Sodium 1453mg, Potassium 451mg, Fiber 2g, Sugar 3g, Vitamin A 460IU, Vitamin C 4mg, Calcium 219mg, Iron 2mg

Pin This Now to Remember It Later

Pin Recipe

More Easy Chicken Casserole:

  • Easy Chicken Noodle Casserole Recipe
  • King Ranch Chicken Casserole
  • Crock Pot Pesto Chicken Pasta Casserole Recipe

Try these other recipes

Cooking Tips for Beginners

Leftover Pasta Recipes

Quick and Easy Breakfast

Chorizo Breakfast Casserole

Easy Slow Cooker

Slow Cooker Chicken Breast Recipes

Quick and Easy Chicken

Chicken Parmesan Pasta

Easy Casserole

Easy Chicken Enchilada Casserole

Easy Side Dishes

Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe

200+ Easy Italian

Zucchini Lasagna

Quick and Easy Chicken

No Peek Chicken and Rice

About the Author

Ultimate Chicken Casserole Recipe (25)

Hi, I’m Carrie. Welcome to Eating on a Dime!

I’m on a mission to help you cook delicious meals without busting your budget. Together we are going to cook real food… for real families!

About Carrie Page
Ultimate Chicken Casserole Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the key to making a good casserole? ›

  1. Choose the right baking dish. If you're all about the crunchy topping, use a shallow dish. ...
  2. Undercook your pasta. ...
  3. Drain your meat. ...
  4. Beware of mushy vegetables. ...
  5. Know your cheeses. ...
  6. Master the art of casserole assembly. ...
  7. Don't skip the topping. ...
  8. Make it now, but bake it later.
Nov 1, 2021

How does Jamie Oliver make chicken casserole? ›

Add the chicken, celeriac, parsnips and potatoes to the pan. Stir in the Marmite, add a good grinding of black pepper and stir to coat. Pour in the hot stock, bring to the boil, then turn the heat down to low. Crumple up and wet a piece of greaseproof paper, then open it out and place on top of the stew.

How do you make a casserole taste better? ›

Add fresh chilli and coriander to a simple casserole to spice it up. Always add hardy, fresh herbs such as bay leaves and rosemary at the beginning of cooking, and throw in lighter herbs, such as parsley and tarragon, at the end so they keep their flavour.

Should chicken casserole be covered when baking? ›

When chicken is covered while baking, it traps steam and moisture within the dish, resulting in juicier results. The covering helps prevent excessive evaporation and keeps the chicken moist throughout the cooking process. Preventing dryness. Chicken tends to dry out more quickly when exposed to direct heat.

What are 5 components of a casserole? ›

Let's talk anatomy: A standard dinner casserole usually includes a protein, a starch, a vegetable, a sauce (or other binding ingredient), and cheese. But making a casserole is not an exact science, and you can definitely break away from this formula. Check out some fun side-dish casseroles and desserts below!

Do I bake my casserole covered or uncovered? ›

Uncovering the foods promotes browning and crisping, and reduces the amount of liquid in the finished dish. If a casserole looks soupy when it's ready to bake, bake it uncovered unless the ingredients include pasta or rice, which absorb liquid.

Why is my chicken casserole tough? ›

Cooking too quickly

If you taste the casserole and find the meat is still tough, and the sauce isn't thick, simply put it back in the oven for another 15 minutes or until the sauce reaches the right consistency and the meat melts in your mouth.

What thickens chicken casserole? ›

The three main thickening agents for gravies are flour, cornflour and arrowroot. The first two are normally used in savoury dishes while arrowroot tends to be used in sweet dishes – that said, arrowroot will work in a savoury dish as it has no flavour.

Why is my chicken casserole watery? ›

Your vegetables could be to blame

According to Allrecipes, the vegetables you selected are the most common culprit for your watery casserole, due to the high percentage of moisture that some of them contain in their raw form which seeps out as they cook down in your dish.

Why put foil on casserole dish? ›

It protects your food from drying out or burning and helps keep in the heat and moisture, ensuring a perfectly cooked meal. Loosely covering your dish with foil can prevent uneven browning while baking. However, tightly sealing your bakeware with foil is the way to go for more steam.

How do you spruce up a casserole? ›

Balance Flavors

Sweet, salty, spicy, and acidic elements should blend well and complement each other. Add ingredients like caramelized onions, olives, or lemon zest to give your casserole a depth of flavor.

Is it better to cook casserole the day before or? ›

Many casseroles seem to improve in flavour if kept overnight (cool them quickly and keep them in a refrigerator, by the way, once they're cold). This means it's quite possible to make two casseroles while the oven is in full swing, and keep one for the next day.

How do you keep chicken from drying out in a casserole? ›

Brine. Like a marinade, a brine helps chicken breast soak up as much moisture as possible before cooking. It only requires three ingredients: water, salt, and a pinch of sugar.

How do you know when chicken casserole is done? ›

It's important to heat a casserole thoroughly before eating it; use an instant-read thermometer to make sure the casserole is at 165 degrees F for safe consumption. Just don't try to speed things up by cranking up the heat or you can end up with a casserole that's cooked on the outside but uncooked on the inside.

What are the key components of a casserole? ›

In the United States, a casserole or hot dish is typically a baked food with three main components: pieces of meat (such as chicken or ground meat) or fish (such as tuna) or other protein (such as beans or tofu), various chopped or canned vegetables (such as green beans or peas), and a starchy binder (such as flour, ...

What are the basics of a casserole? ›

There are 3 main parts that make up a casserole: the starchy base, the filling, and the sauce. The base: The starchy base is the foundation of the casserole.

What are three guidelines to follow when preparing casseroles? ›

Top tips for casseroles
  1. Cut your ingredients, such as meat, potatoes and parsnips, into similar-sized pieces to ensure they cook evenly. ...
  2. To save time – and washing up – use a flameproof, ovenproof casserole dish. ...
  3. Avoid adding flour after cooking or the raw flour taste will remain.

What are the 4 parts of a casserole? ›

Not every single casserole has all of them, but as a rule of thumb, here's what to look for: a starch, a binding agent or sauce, and a protein or vegetable. Many casseroles also have both vegetables and proteins, as well as a crunchy element to give some textural contrast, and cheese.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Golda Nolan II

Last Updated:

Views: 5951

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (58 voted)

Reviews: 89% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Golda Nolan II

Birthday: 1998-05-14

Address: Suite 369 9754 Roberts Pines, West Benitaburgh, NM 69180-7958

Phone: +522993866487

Job: Sales Executive

Hobby: Worldbuilding, Shopping, Quilting, Cooking, Homebrewing, Leather crafting, Pet

Introduction: My name is Golda Nolan II, I am a thoughtful, clever, cute, jolly, brave, powerful, splendid person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.