Description
Hearty hot and cheesy chicken casserole brings comfort and warmth to dinner tables across American kitchens. Savory ingredients blend seamlessly, promising a delightful meal that satisfies hunger and warms souls.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups (1 L) shredded chicken breast
- 2 cups (500 mL) cooked pasta (penne or rotini)
- 2 cups (480 g) shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup (240 mL) sour cream
- 1 can (10.5 oz/298 g) condensed cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup (240 mL) frozen peas
- 1 cup (240 mL) corn kernels
- 1 cup (120 g) breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsps (30 mL) melted butter
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Oven Preparation: Preheat the oven to 350°F, positioning the rack in the center for optimal heat distribution.
- Mixture Creation: In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly combine shredded chicken, pasta, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, cheddar cheese, green peas, corn kernels, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Blend ingredients until a cohesive and creamy mixture forms, ensuring even distribution of flavors.
- Baking Vessel Assembly: Transfer the prepared mixture into a greased rectangular baking dish, spreading evenly to guarantee consistent taste and texture throughout the casserole.
- Crispy Topping Construction: Mix breadcrumbs with melted butter, creating a golden, crunchy layer that will provide a delightful contrast to the creamy base. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese over the breadcrumb topping to create a luxurious, molten cheese coating.
- Baking Process: Slide the casserole into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. Watch for a beautifully bronzed top and bubbling cheese, indicating the perfect melding of flavors and textures.
- Resting and Serving: Remove the casserole from the oven and allow it to rest for a few minutes, enabling the flavors to settle and intensify before serving this comforting, cheese-laden dish.
Notes
- Customize Your Protein: Swap shredded chicken with turkey, rotisserie chicken, or leftover roasted meat for variety and convenience.
- Prep Ahead Strategy: Assemble the casserole up to 24 hours in advance, refrigerate, and bake when ready for a stress-free meal preparation.
- Boost Nutrition Cleverly: Add extra vegetables like diced bell peppers, spinach, or carrots to increase nutritional value without compromising flavor.
- Crunch Control Tip: Store breadcrumb topping separately until just before baking to maintain maximum crispiness and prevent soggy texture.
- Prep Time: 20min
- Cook Time: 30min
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg