Creamy Chicken Casserole Recipe

chicken casserole in a white baking dish with a spoonful being scooped out

Creamy Chicken Casserole Recipe

This creamy Chicken Casserole is Comfort Food at its best! It's made with simple ingredients: cheddar cheese, creamy soups, elbow noodles and shredded chicken.

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Prep Time 30 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Total Time 1 hour

Servings

Calories 549kcal

Author Sherri Hagymas

Ingredients

1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts cooked and shredded or diced
10.5 ounces cream of mushroom soup 1 can
10.5 ounces cream of chicken soup 1 can
8 oz shredded cheddar cheese
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp pepper
1 TBSP olive oil
1 1/2 cups Panko bread crumbs or regular bread crumbs
1 lb elbow macaroni cooked per package directions
1/2 cup milk optional

Instructions

Dice boneless, skinless chicken into 1 inch pieces and cook in a saute pan with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, sprinkle with garlic powder and pepper. Cook for about 10 minutes over medium heat or until no longer pink.
OR place chicken breasts in a 9x13 baking dish and sprinkle with garlic powder and pepper. Drizzle with olive oil. Cover with foil and bake at 350 F for 30-40 minutes or until no longer pink.
Cook the elbow noodles per package directions.
When the chicken is done, shred it with a fork or put it in a food processor to shred quickly. Save the juices to use as well
In a medium bowl., mix the cream of mushroom and cream of chicken soups, cheese, cooked chicken and the broth from cooked chicken (for extra flavors)
Place the cooked elbow macaroni into a 9x13 baking dish.
Add in the cooked, shredded chicken.
Pour the cheese/soup mixture over top and mix together well.
Sprinkle the top with panko or bread crumbs and bake at 350 degrees F for 25-30 minutes.
To brown the panko topping, turn the oven on broil on low for about 3 -5 minutes to get it extra crispy. Just watch very closely. It can burn quickly. I usually leave the oven door cracked and watch it the entire time.

Notes

Add 1/2 cup of milk for a little extra creaminess.

Make batches of crock pot shredded chicken and freeze it in separate bags to use in recipes like this casserole.

Make your own homemade cream of mushroom soup (and cream of chicken soup if you leave out the mushrooms). I had no idea it was so easy!

You can also substitute crushed Ritz crackers for the crunchy topping too!

Nutrition