Ultimate Chicken Casserole

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Cheesy, creamy, and loaded—this Ultimate Chicken Casserole is a comforting baked dish with tender noodles, juicy chicken, crispy bacon, and crunchy fried onions.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes

  • Cook Time: 30 minutes

  • Total Time: 45 minutes

  • Servings: 8

  • Calories per Serving (~1½ cups): 368 kcal

  • Dietary Badges: Comfort Food, Make-Ahead Friendly

📝 Ingredients

(Checklist-style for easy prep)

  • Dried egg noodles (3 cups)

  • Bacon slices, diced (6 slices)

  • Yellow onion, diced (1 cup)

  • Garlic cloves, minced (2 cloves)

  • Cream of chicken soup (2 × 10 oz cans)

  • Half-and-half (1½ cups)

  • Frozen corn (2 cups)

  • Cooked chicken, diced or shredded (2 cups)

  • Shredded cheddar cheese (1 cup)

  • Salt (½ tsp)

  • Black pepper (¼ tsp)

  • French-fried onions (2 cups, for topping)

🔄 Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 °F (175 °C).

  2. Cook noodles until al dente. Drain and set aside.

  3. Crisp bacon in a skillet on medium–high heat, then drain on paper towels.

  4. Sauté onion & garlic in 1 Tbsp bacon grease for 2–3 minutes, until softened. Set aside.

  5. Make creamy base: Whisk together soups and half-and-half in a large bowl.

  6. Combine casserole: Fold in noodles, bacon, onion–garlic mix, corn, chicken, cheese, salt, and pepper.

  7. Bake: Pour into a 9×13″ dish, top with fried onions, and bake 30 minutes until bubbly.

  8. Serve warm and enjoy!

📌 Additional Notes

  • Ingredient subs:

    • Swap cream of chicken with celery or mushroom soup.

    • DIY half-and-half: mix 1 cup whole milk + 1 cup heavy cream.

    • Use rotisserie chicken to save time.

Introduction

Meet your new weeknight hero: the Ultimate Chicken Casserole. It’s a triple-threat of creamy, cheesy, and crunchy, combining pantry staples and leftover chicken into a dish the whole family will devour. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or craving easy comfort food, this casserole delivers with zero fuss.

I came up with this recipe on a hectic night—leftover chicken, bagged noodles, and a few pantry staples turned into pure magic. Now, it’s a staple around our table when everyone needs something hearty and homey.

Step‑by‑Step Cooking Guide

1. Prep & Boil Noodles

Cook noodles to just al dente—overcooked ones will get mushy in the bake.

2. Cook the Bacon

Dice and fry bacon until crisp. Drain it well—no one wants soggy bacon bits!

3. Sauté Aromatics

Use bacon grease to sauté onion and garlic briefly—this builds deep flavor.

4. Mix the Creamy Sauce

Whisk soups and half‑and‑half until smooth. This is the rich, luscious base that pulls it all together.

5. Combine Everything

Layer everything into a big bowl—no need to mix like a pro. Just fold gently, so all parts are incorporated.

6. Bake It Up

Sprinkle the top with fried onions for crunch, then bake until bubbly and golden. Let it rest 5 minutes so it sets up for cleaner serving.

Ingredient Insights & Substitutions

Ingredient Why It Matters Substitutions / Swaps
Egg noodles Hold sauce well and stay tender Any pasta: shells, penne
Bacon Adds smoky richness Turkey bacon or smoked sausage
Cream soup Key to creamy texture Celery or mushroom soup
Half‑and‑half Balanced richness without heavy cream Mix milk + cream or use whole milk
Corn Sweet pop of texture Peas or green beans
Fried onions Adds crisp topping and flavor Panko breadcrumbs, cheese-only topping

Tip: Use cast-iron or enamelware for even heating and easier cleanup.

Variations & Serving Suggestions

Flavor Twists:

  • Southwest: Add diced green chiles, cumin, and cilantro—top with corn chips before baking.

  • Broccoli Chicken Bake: Substitute corn for 2 cups of chopped broccoli florets.

Dietary Tweaks:

  • Lower Fat: Use reduced-fat soup and milk, fewer fried onions.

  • Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free pasta and GF cream soups.

Serve With:
Green salad, steamed veggies, or warm dinner rolls round out the meal. A crisp Chardonnay or light lager elevates it for gathering occasions.

Storage & Make-Ahead

  • Refrigerate: Cool fully, then store covered for up to 3 days.

  • Freeze: Freeze pre-bake (covered) for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight before baking.

  • Reheat: Bake at 350 °F for 20–25 minutes. Or microwave in portions—just watch the cheese melt.

Chef Tip: If the topping softens in storage, crisp up under broiler for 1–2 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Overview (per 1.5 cups)

  • Calories: 368 kcal

  • Carbs: 42g

  • Protein: 22g

  • Fat: 24g (Saturated: 10g, Polyunsat.: 13g)

  • Fiber: 3g

  • Sugar: 6g

  • Sodium: 612mg

  • Cholesterol: 89mg

A comforting, hearty dish—moderate protein and carbs, with rich fats and satisfying comfort-food vibes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Can I use leftover rotisserie chicken?
A: Yes! Diced or shredded rotisserie chicken works beautifully.

Q: My casserole was runny—why?
A: Check noodle doneness (should be al dente) and avoid overloading with corn or soup.

Q: Can I make it gluten-free?
A: Absolutely, swap in GF pasta and soups labeled gluten-free.

Q: Can I prep ahead?
A: Yes—assemble the casserole (without onions), cover, refrigerate up to 24 hours, then bake and top when ready.

Personal Tangent

I first whipped up this casserole on a busy Sunday before my daughter’s basketball game. With juggling lunch, twins, and practice schedules, I needed something quick and predictable. Turns out—it became everyone’s favorite. That crispy onion topping is her favorite part, and I love that it freezes perfectly for future game days.

More Cozy Casserole Recipes

  • Creamy Chicken & Broccoli Bake

  • One-Pot Mexican Chicken Rice

  • Turkey Tetrazzini Casserole

  • Vegetarian Loaded Potatoes Casserole

Call to Action

If this casserole warmed your heart and your belly, leave a rating below or snap a pic and tag me @KristyCooksW-W on Instagram. What’s your favorite casserole twist? I can’t wait to hear and share with our community! 💛

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