Description
Comfort meets classic with this hearty Chicken Noodle Casserole that brings warmth to family dinner tables. Creamy, cheesy layers blend perfectly with tender chicken and pasta, creating a soul-satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 lbs chicken breast, boneless and skinless
- 1 cup shredded rotisserie chicken
Noodles and Pasta:
- 12 oz egg noodles
- 1/2 cup pasta water
Vegetables and Seasonings:
- 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
- 1 cup diced onions
- 1/2 cup diced celery
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried parsley
Dairy and Binding:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup milk
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 2 large eggs
Pantry and Seasoning:
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Topping:
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish thoroughly.
- Cook egg noodles in salted water until al dente, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, sauté onions, celery, and garlic until softened and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
- Poach chicken breasts in chicken broth until fully cooked, then shred or dice into bite-sized pieces.
- In a massive mixing bowl, whisk together cream of chicken soup, heavy cream, milk, sour cream, and eggs until smooth and well combined.
- Fold in shredded chicken, rotisserie chicken, frozen mixed vegetables, dried thyme, and parsley into the creamy mixture.
- Add cooked noodles and pasta water to the mixture, stirring gently to ensure even coating.
- Incorporate shredded cheddar cheese, salt, and black pepper, mixing thoroughly.
- Transfer the entire mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly.
- Combine breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, and melted butter in a small bowl, then sprinkle the topping evenly over the casserole.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes until the top is golden brown and the casserole is bubbling around the edges.
- Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow it to set and cool slightly.
Notes
- Customize chicken selection by using rotisserie for time-saving or poaching fresh breasts for controlled seasoning.
- Swap egg noodles with gluten-free alternatives like zucchini noodles or rice noodles for dietary restrictions.
- Reduce dairy content by using low-fat cream of chicken soup, Greek yogurt instead of sour cream, and skim milk for lighter version.
- Enhance vegetable variety by incorporating seasonal or roasted vegetables for added nutrition and complex flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg