Ultimate Chicken Casserole
The Ultimate Chicken Casserole is a creamy, cheesy, and comforting one-dish meal featuring tender chicken, a medley of vegetables, and a crispy breadcrumb topping. Ideal for family dinners or cozy nights, this easy-to-make casserole blends rich flavors and simple ingredients into a hearty dish everyone will love.
- Author: Lina
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Protein
- 2 cups chicken breast or thighs, cooked and shredded
Sauce & Dairy
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter, divided
Vegetables
- 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, and corn)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Topping & Seasoning
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (use gluten-free if needed)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme or parsley
- Prepare and Cook the Chicken: Season chicken breasts or thighs with salt, pepper, and dried thyme. Cook in a skillet over medium heat until golden brown and cooked through. Let rest, then shred or cut into bite-sized pieces.
- Sauté the Aromatics: In the same skillet, sauté finely chopped onions and minced garlic until soft and fragrant, about 3 minutes, creating a flavorful base.
- Mix the Sauce and Vegetables: In a bowl, combine cream of mushroom soup and milk. Stir in the sautéed onions, garlic, frozen vegetables, and shredded chicken until evenly coated.
- Assemble the Casserole: Pour the mixture into a greased baking dish and spread evenly. Top with shredded cheddar cheese, sprinkle breadcrumbs evenly, and dot with small pieces of butter to ensure a golden crust.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 30-35 minutes until cheese is melted, bubbling, and breadcrumbs are golden brown. Let cool a few minutes before serving.
Notes
- Use pre-cooked chicken to ensure tender meat.
- Let the casserole rest after baking for easier slicing and serving.
- Add fresh parsley or thyme to brighten the dish.
- Dot breadcrumb topping with butter to achieve a crispy crust.
- Swap breadcrumbs for gluten-free crackers or nuts to make it gluten-free.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: chicken casserole, creamy chicken casserole, easy chicken dinner, comfort food, cheesy casserole, gluten-free casserole