Description
A comforting and hearty chicken casserole combining tender chicken, creamy mushroom sauce, mixed vegetables, and a crispy cheesy topping. Ready in under 45 minutes, this one-dish meal is perfect for busy weeknights and family dinners, adaptable to various dietary preferences including gluten-free options.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs — amount as preferred (about 2-3 pieces)
Sauce and Vegetables
- 1 can (about 10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
- 1 to 1.5 cups frozen mixed vegetables
- Seasonings: 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, salt and pepper to taste
Carbohydrates
- 2 cups cooked rice or pasta
Cheese and Topping
- 1 to 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- Crunchy topping: 1 cup crushed crackers, panko breadcrumbs, or fried onions
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Cook chicken breasts or thighs by baking, boiling, or pan-searing until just done and tender. Then shred or dice the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
- Mix the Sauce and Vegetables: In a large bowl, combine cream of mushroom soup with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir in the frozen mixed vegetables until well incorporated.
- Combine with Rice and Chicken: Add cooked rice or pasta and the prepared chicken pieces into the sauce and vegetable mixture. Stir gently until everything is evenly coated and combined.
- Assemble and Top: Transfer the mixture into a greased casserole dish. Sprinkle a generous layer of shredded cheddar cheese on top, then finish with the crunchy topping of your choice.
- Bake Until Golden: Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for approximately 25 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and the topping is golden brown. Allow the casserole to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Use cooked chicken to shorten baking time and prevent dryness.
- Season each layer separately with salt and pepper to boost flavor.
- Use freshly shredded cheese for better melting quality.
- Let the casserole rest after baking for easier serving and cohesive texture.
- Don’t skip the crunchy topping to add delightful texture contrast.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Keywords: chicken casserole, comfort food, easy dinner, weeknight meal, creamy casserole, gluten free chicken casserole