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Ultimate Chicken Casserole with creamy sauce and crispy onion topping

Ultimate Chicken Casserole

A creamy, cheesy, and comforting chicken casserole that's easy to make and perfect for busy weeknights.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 550
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 3 cups Cooked chicken, shredded or diced Rotisserie chicken is a great shortcut.
  • 8 oz Egg noodles or short pasta Penne works well too.
  • 1 can Cream of chicken soup Cream of mushroom can be used as an alternative.
  • 1 cup Sour cream Greek yogurt is a decent swap.
  • 2 cups Shredded cheddar cheese Sharp cheddar gives the best flavor.
  • 1 cup Frozen peas and carrots Broccoli can also be used.
  • 1 tsp Garlic powder
  • 1 tsp Onion powder
  • to taste Salt and black pepper Season to taste.
  • 1 cup Cracker or breadcrumb topping Buttery crackers work best.
  • 2 tbsp Butter, melted Helps the topping brown.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9x13 baking dish.
  2. Cook the egg noodles in salted water until just tender, then drain.
  3. In a large bowl, stir together the cream of chicken soup, sour cream, half of the shredded cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, and a little salt and pepper.
  4. Add the cooked chicken, drained noodles, and frozen peas and carrots. Stir until everything is evenly coated and creamy.
  5. Scoop the mixture into your baking dish and spread it out into an even layer.
  6. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top.
  7. Crush crackers or measure breadcrumbs into a bowl, then mix with melted butter. Sprinkle that over the cheese layer.
  8. Bake for about 25 to 35 minutes, until hot and bubbly around the edges and the top is golden.
  9. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes before serving to help it set up for easier scooping.

Notes

For a super crispy top, bake uncovered. If it starts to brown too fast, cover with foil for the last 10 minutes. You can assemble the dish earlier and refrigerate it; just add 5 to 10 extra minutes to the baking time if it starts cold.