The Best Chicken Casserole Recipes Quick and Delicious - the Imperfectly Happy home (2024)

by Tiffany Davis Leave a Comment

Chicken casserole recipes can make busy weekday meals quick and delicious. I love a one pot meal and chicken casseroles fit the bill on taste, easy to make and budget friendly. I hope you enjoy these casserole recipes as much as we have.

The Best Chicken Casserole Recipes Quick and Delicious - the Imperfectly Happy home (1)

The Best Chicken Casserole Recipes

Whatisacasserole?

The casserole as we know it became popular in the 1950s and 1960s as a food that can be cooked and served in the same dish (the dish itself is often referred to by the same name or casserole dish). I have the original set of casserole dishes I got at my wedding almost 24 years ago! Most dictionaries define it as a kind of stew or side dish that is cooked slowly in an oven.
Many people, me included, consider a casserole to be a comfort food. Anyway you define casserole, you’re going to love these chicken casserole recipes!

What are some good side dishes for a chicken casserole?

Good side dishes for a chicken casserole will depend greatly on what ingredients are in the casserole itself to begin with. But here are a few ideas for casserole side dishes.

  • A crispy green salad with your favorite raw vegetables (this is my personal preference and it is great made ahead too!)
  • Steamed or oven roasted broccoli, if it isn’t already in the casserole
  • Rice (again, if it isn’t already in the recipe)
  • A baked potato
  • Sauteed asparagus

Would it be okay to use beef in a chicken casserole recipe?

Most casserole recipes are pretty flexible and you could easily replace ground beef or even leftover roast / steak in for chicken. You might find you prefer beef instead of chicken!

What can you make with leftover chicken?

Because you are going to used cooked chicken in almost all chicken casserole recipes they are a great way to use leftover chicken. And you can pick up a rotisserie chicken at the store to make these recipes even faster.

What is a good chicken casserole recipe?

A good chicken recipe, in my opinion, is not only tasty but quick and easy to make. This is not fancy but good homemade food that you can make fast but still feel proud to serve. I am including my recipe for Chicken Mac ‘n Cheese Casserole today but below you’ll also find links to many other fantastic chicken casserole recipes to try (I’ve included some of the best around for you!). Have a weekly casserole night and try them all!

Chicken Casserole Recipes

The Best Chicken Casserole Recipes Quick and Delicious - the Imperfectly Happy home (2)

5 from 1 vote

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Homemade Mac and Cheese Chicken Casserole

Ingredients

  • 2cupsuncooked elbow macaroniI buy a 16 oz package
  • 5tablespoonsbutter
  • 1/3cupall-purpose flour
  • 1teaspoononion powder
  • 1teaspoongarlic powder
  • 1/2teaspoonsalt
  • 1teaspoonblack pepper
  • 3cupsmilk
  • 1.5cupssharp Cheddar cheeseshredded
  • 1.5cupsMonterrey Jack cheeseshredded
  • 2cupscooked chickendiced or chopped
  • Casserole Dish of Your Choice

Instructions

  1. Pre-heat your oven to 375 degrees F

  2. Cook your elbow macaroni to al dente, check the package directions on time. You do not want your pasta fully cooked or it will be overdone.

  3. While the pasta is cooking use about 1 tablespoon of butter to grease your baking dish.

  4. In a large pot melt the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter on a medium heat (do not brown or burn).

  5. Whisk in your flour and spices and continuing whisking until the mixture is thickened.

  6. Add your milk.

  7. Turn your burner to high to bring this mixture to a boil (stirring often).

  8. Allow it to boil 1 minute and then remove it from the heat.

  9. Stir your sharp cheddar and Monterrey Jack cheese into the pot and stir until completely melted.

  10. Add in your cooked chicken and macaroni and stir until the sauce covers everything.

  11. Pour into your prepared casserole dish.

  12. Baked 30 – 35 minutes or until the casserole is bubbly and slightly golden on top.

Recipe Notes

  • I recommend NOT using pre-shredded cheese. It is coasted with starch to keep it from sticking and doesn’t melt as well as shredding your own.
  • You can vary your cheeses to change up the recipe. I love it with all Pepper Jack Cheese or subbing 1/2 to 1 cup with a smoked Gouda.
  • You can use a store-bought rotisserie chicken or leftover chicken for this recipe too.
  • To make in a truly one-dish meal you can add in some chopped broccoli before cooking.

OtherAmazingChickenCasseroleRecipestoTry!

See MORE Casserole Recipes Here!

Chicken Casserole Recipes Shopping List

  • Casserole Baking Dish – a good glass 13 x 9 baking dish is a kitchen essential but I also love enameled cast iron.
  • Casserole Travel – Casseroles are perfect for pot lucks are when taking a sick friend a meal. Having an insulated carrying case is so helpful!
  • Cheese Shredder – I know shredding your own cheese takes more time, but it does make for a better melt and recipe! I use a standard, old-fashioned box grater.

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Breakfast Casserole with Bacon and Hash BrownsInstant Pot Teriyaki ChickenGo-To DinnerIn the Fridge Quiche with Grain-Free Crust

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The Best Chicken Casserole Recipes Quick and Delicious - the Imperfectly Happy home (2024)

FAQs

How to thicken casserole in the oven? ›

Make a cornstarch slurry for a fast and easy thickener.

Use one tablespoon of cornstarch per cup of liquid you would like to thicken. Stir out all the lumps. A few minutes before your casserole is done, add it a little at a time until you are happy with the thickness. Then, let the casserole finish baking.

What are casseroles? ›

In the United States, a casserole or hot dish is typically a baked food with three main components: pieces of meat (such as chicken or ground meat) or fish (such as tuna) or other protein (such as beans or tofu), various chopped or canned vegetables (such as green beans or peas), and a starchy binder (such as flour, ...

What to eat with chicken casserole? ›

The best side dishes to serve with a chicken casserole are French fries, jasmine rice, tater tots, tomato basil soup, green beans almondine, avocado salad, applesauce, coleslaw, butternut squash, mac and cheese, steamed vegetables, garlic bread, roasted Brussels sprouts, southern mash, and baked beans.

What ingredient is added to casseroles to thicken the dish? ›

Using flour as a thickener

It can be added to the meat as it's being fried, before liquid is added, and this way it will thicken a stew as it cooks. We use this method in our beef & vegetable casserole recipe.

Should you rinse canned chicken? ›

Canned chicken is often used as a convenient substitute for fresh chicken in a variety of recipes but it's important to know how to cook with it to maximize flavor and texture. For instance, one common mistake is not draining or rinsing the chicken before use, which can result in a more processed taste.

How to make can chicken taste good? ›

15 Ways To Elevate Canned Chicken
  1. Pair it with textured ingredients in chicken salad. ...
  2. Smother it with cheese and seasonings for a perfect dip. ...
  3. Fry it to give it extra texture. ...
  4. Mix it with other fillings for a flavorful chicken pot pie. ...
  5. Pair it with fresh herbs. ...
  6. Make a high-protein pizza crust.
Jan 9, 2024

Why is my canned chicken pink? ›

The pink tint is just a natural feature of cooked chicken. According to the USDA, it is acceptable and almost expected for canned chicken to be a bit pinkish when the can is first cracked open. After being left to sit out for several minutes, the chicken should take on a less raw appearance.

What is the oldest known casserole? ›

Macaroni and cheese is the oldest written casserole recipe found in 1250.

What are the 5 components of a casserole? ›

Let's talk anatomy: A standard dinner casserole usually includes a protein, a starch, a vegetable, a sauce (or other binding ingredient), and cheese. But making a casserole is not an exact science, and you can definitely break away from this formula. Check out some fun side-dish casseroles and desserts below!

What are the main ingredients of casserole? ›

The main ingredients for a casserole are protein, sauce, vegetable, starch, and topping. After that, you can just choose from each category whatever food is to your family's liking or what you have on hand. Here are some great ideas from each category.

What is the key to making a good casserole? ›

  1. Choose the right baking dish. If you're all about the crunchy topping, use a shallow dish. ...
  2. Undercook your pasta. ...
  3. Drain your meat. ...
  4. Beware of mushy vegetables. ...
  5. Know your cheeses. ...
  6. Master the art of casserole assembly. ...
  7. Don't skip the topping. ...
  8. Make it now, but bake it later.
Nov 1, 2021

How do you make a casserole taste better? ›

Try different herbs for added flavour: sage or lemon thyme work wonderfully well. For a meatier casserole, add chopped sausage or pancetta when cooking the chicken. Stir wholegrain mustard through the casserole at the end of cooking (to taste); this is especially good if you have sausage in the casserole.

How do you fix a casserole that is too dry? ›

The best way to reheat it is to cover it and put it into a cold oven. Covering the dish will trap the steam in and keep it moist while it heats. How do you moisten a dry casserole? Add a little water or milk to the top of the it before reheating.

How to make a casserole less runny? ›

10 Tips To Fix Or Prevent Watery Casseroles
  1. Prep Vegetables Ahead Of Time. Vegetables boiling on a stove - Solstock/Getty Images. ...
  2. Add A Starch. ...
  3. Experiment With Pasta Or Grains. ...
  4. Take The Lid Off. ...
  5. Drain Fat From Meat. ...
  6. Choose A Dry Or Low-Fat Cheese. ...
  7. Sprinkle Seeds Into Your Bake. ...
  8. Remove Excess Liquid.
Oct 29, 2023

How do you make a casserole less soupy? ›

If you're ready to say goodbye to watery casseroles and embrace perfection, let's dive in.
  1. Prep vegetables ahead of time. Solstock/Getty Images. ...
  2. Add a starch. ...
  3. Experiment with pasta or grains. ...
  4. Take the lid off. ...
  5. Drain fat from meat. ...
  6. Choose a dry or low-fat cheese. ...
  7. Sprinkle seeds into your bake. ...
  8. Remove excess liquid.
Oct 29, 2023

How to thicken a sauce in the oven? ›

Flour-Based Thickeners

A general ratio to work with is 2 tablespoons flour for every cup of liquid. Start by adding a little bit, then cook, stirring, for a few minutes to allow the sauce time to thicken and cook off the raw flour taste; if the results are minimal, add more.

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