Ultimate Creamy Chicken Casserole: Easy & Delicious Family Dinner Recipes

Introduction

Embrace the ultimate comfort food with this incredibly satisfying chicken casserole! It’s a beloved family classic, bringing together tender chicken, creamy sauce, hearty noodles, and a delightful crunchy topping. Forget bland, old-fashioned dishes; this recipe elevates a simple weeknight dinner into something truly special, yet remains wonderfully easy to prepare. You’ll love making these homemade chicken casserole recipes from scratch.

Why You’ll Love This Chicken Casserole

• It’s incredibly easy to prepare, making it ideal for busy weeknights when time is short.
• This dish offers the ultimate comfort food experience, hearty and deeply satisfying for everyone.
• You can customize it effortlessly with various ingredients to suit your family’s taste.
• It’s perfect for feeding a crowd or for convenient meal prepping throughout the week.
• The homemade sauce delivers a delicious flavor profile that beats any canned alternative.

Ingredients

Gather these simple ingredients to create one of the best creamy chicken casserole recipes your family will enjoy. Each component plays a crucial role in building layers of delicious flavor and texture.

• Nonstick spray
• 8 ounces egg noodles, cooked
• 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken, breasts or thighs, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
• 3/4 teaspoon ground black pepper, divided
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
• 8 ounces cremini or white mushrooms, sliced
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 8 ounces sour cream
• 1 sleeve Ritz Crackers
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted

Notes & Substitutions

Feel free to adapt this chicken casserole to your pantry! For the chicken, use shredded rotisserie or any leftover cooked chicken. If you don’t have egg noodles, any short pasta, white rice, or even potato chunks work wonderfully. To save time, you can swap the homemade sauce for a can of cream of chicken soup. Omit mushrooms if preferred, or add other diced vegetables like bell peppers. Substitute sour cream with cream cheese or Greek yogurt for a similar creamy texture. For the topping, crushed breadcrumbs, potato chips, or fried onions offer a great crunch. Stir in shredded cheddar cheese, peas, or corn for extra flavor and nutrients.

Equipment

Making this delightful chicken casserole is simple with just a few basic kitchen tools. You will need a standard 9×13-inch casserole dish for baking. A large skillet is essential for browning the chicken and making the creamy sauce. A large pot will handle cooking the egg noodles perfectly. Finally, a whisk helps create a smooth sauce, and a rolling pin is optional for crushing crackers.

Instructions: Making Your Favorite Creamy Chicken Casserole

Follow these step-by-step instructions to create a delicious and comforting chicken casserole that your family will love. This recipe ensures a creamy texture and a satisfying crunch with every bite.

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and spray a 9×13-inch casserole dish with nonstick spray or grease it with butter.
2. Bring water to a boil, add egg noodles, and cook two minutes less than package directions; then drain and set aside.
3. Season cubed chicken with salt and pepper, then sauté in butter and oil in a large skillet until lightly golden brown and no longer pink; remove chicken to a plate and set aside.
4. In the same pan, add more butter and oil, then sauté sliced mushrooms until tender and browned, seasoning with salt and pepper before setting them aside with the chicken.
5. Add butter and oil to the pan, whisk in flour until lightly tan and nutty, then slowly stir in chicken broth and milk until slightly thickened. Reduce heat, stir in remaining seasonings, and simmer until the soup thickens, about 8 minutes.
6. Add the cooked noodles, chicken, mushrooms, and sour cream to the soup in the pan, mixing until combined; taste for seasoning, adjust if needed, then pour into the prepared casserole dish.
7. Crush Ritz crackers and combine with melted butter in a small bowl, then sprinkle this mixture over the casserole. Bake until the topping is browned and the casserole is bubbly, 30 to 40 minutes.

Pro Tips & Troubleshooting

Achieve the perfect creamy chicken casserole every time with these helpful tips.

• Prevent Soggy Noodles: Cook your egg noodles al dente initially; they will soften further in the oven.
• Flavor Boost: Ensure both the chicken and mushrooms are well-browned for deeper, richer flavor.
• Smooth Sauce: Whisk continuously when adding broth and milk to the roux to prevent any lumps.
• Crispy Topping: Do not cover the casserole during the final baking stage to ensure a crunchy topping.
• Internal Temperature: Verify the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) using a meat thermometer. According to the USDA, all poultry should reach a safe minimum internal temperature of 165°F (73.9°C) as measured with a food thermometer.
• Sauce Too Thin: If your sauce is too thin, simmer it longer, or stir in a cornstarch slurry (1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tsp cold water) until thickened.
• Casserole Dry: If the assembled casserole seems dry, add a little more chicken broth or milk before baking.

Serving Suggestions, Storage, and Variations

This versatile chicken and noodle casserole is a fantastic family meal.

Serving Suggestions

Serve your creamy chicken bake with a crisp, fresh green salad for balance. Steamed vegetables like green beans, broccoli, or asparagus also make excellent side dishes. Don’t forget some crusty bread to soak up all that delicious sauce.

Storage

Allow the casserole to cool completely before storing. Transfer any leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. This makes meal prep a breeze!

Freezing

You can easily freeze the baked casserole for longer storage. Once cooled, wrap it tightly or place it in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating, covered, until heated through.

Variations

• Cheesy Delight: Stir in 1-2 cups of shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a blend directly into the casserole mixture before baking.
• Vegetable Boost: Add frozen peas, corn, or steamed broccoli florets during the assembly for extra veggies.
• Spicy Kick: A pinch of red pepper flakes mixed into the sauce adds a subtle warmth.
• Herbaceous: Fresh chopped parsley, thyme, or chives can brighten the flavors.
• Different Toppings: Experiment with Panko breadcrumbs, crushed cornflakes, or even savory crushed stuffing mix.
• Make Ahead: Assemble the entire casserole, cover it tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.

Nutrition Information

Enjoying delicious chicken casserole recipes can also be part of a balanced diet. Here’s an estimated nutritional breakdown per serving, based on the ingredients listed. Please note that these values are approximations and can vary based on specific brands and preparation methods.

Disclaimer: Nutritional values are estimates and may vary.

FAQ

Conclusion

This ultimate creamy chicken casserole truly delivers on its promise of an easy, delicious, and deeply comforting family meal. Its customizable nature, combined with straightforward steps, makes it perfect for both busy parents and beginner cooks. Dive into the warmth and flavor of this homemade favorite tonight and enjoy the simple pleasure of a satisfying, fuss-free dinner.

Ultimate Creamy Chicken Casserole

A comforting and easy-to-make chicken casserole featuring tender chicken, egg noodles, mushrooms, and a creamy sauce, all topped with a buttery Ritz cracker crust.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 50 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Course Dinner

Servings 8 servings

Calories 429 kcal

Equipment

• 9×13-inch casserole dish
• Pot
• Large Skillet
• whisk
• Zip-top bag
• Rolling Pin
• Small Bowl

Ingredients

  

Main Ingredients

• Nonstick spray
• 8 ounces egg noodles cooked
• 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt divided
• 3/4 teaspoon ground black pepper divided
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil divided
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter divided
• 8 ounces cremini or white mushrooms sliced
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 8 ounces sour cream

Topping

• 1 sleeve Ritz Crackers
• 2 tablespoons butter melted

Instructions

 

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350°F and spray a 9×13-inch casserole dish with nonstick spray or grease it with butter.
• Bring water to a boil, add egg noodles, and cook two minutes less than package directions; then drain and set aside.
• Season cubed chicken with salt and pepper, then sauté in butter and oil in a large skillet until lightly golden brown and no longer pink; remove chicken to a plate and set aside.
• In the same pan, add more butter and oil, then sauté sliced mushrooms until tender and browned, seasoning with salt and pepper before setting them aside with the chicken.
• Add butter and oil to the pan, whisk in flour until lightly tan and nutty, then slowly stir in chicken broth and milk until slightly thickened. Reduce heat, stir in remaining seasonings, and simmer until the soup thickens, about 8 minutes.
• Add the cooked noodles, chicken, mushrooms, and sour cream to the soup in the pan, mixing until combined; taste for seasoning, adjust if needed, then pour into the prepared casserole dish.
• Crush Ritz crackers and combine with melted butter in a small bowl, then sprinkle this mixture over the casserole. Bake until the topping is browned and the casserole is bubbly, 30 to 40 minutes.

Notes

For best results, do not overcook the noodles in the initial step, as they will finish cooking in the oven. Adjust seasonings to your preference before baking.