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

Print

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.

Related posts:

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

Previous Post: « The Best Air Fryer Pork Chops Super Quick

Next Post: Essential Oils For Sleep »

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

FAQs

How do you thicken a 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.

Why is my sausage casserole watery? ›

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

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 can I improve my casserole flavor? ›

Sweet, salty, spicy, and acidic elements should blend well and complement each other. Add ingredients like caramelized onions, olives, or lemon zest to give your casserole a depth of flavor.

How can I thicken a chicken casserole? ›

The three main thickening agents for gravies are flour, cornflour and arrowroot. The first two are normally used in savoury dishes while arrowroot tends to be used in sweet dishes – that said, arrowroot will work in a savoury dish as it has no flavour.

How do you thicken chicken casserole sauce? ›

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.

How do you fix dry chicken casserole? ›

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.

What to do if casserole is too runny? ›

Cornstarch is an excellent thickening agent if you want to avoid the taste of a flour mixture. Make sure you mix a solution of cornstarch and water cold, and then add it to your hot dish. Same can be said for flour.

How do you thicken a runny casserole? ›

As a rule of thumb, dissolve 2 parts cold water and 1 part cornstarch. Add the slurry to your sauce as it simmers in the slow cooker. Cornstarch is always a good way to thicken a sauce or soup but personally I would recommend going a different route as the cornstarch slurry may change the flavor of the meal.

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

If you've already cooked your casserole and find out it's too dry, another easy fix is to warm some broth and then pour it over the top of your casserole. Cover the dish with aluminum foil to prevent the liquid from evaporating and wait for 10 minutes or so before serving.

How can I thicken my casserole sauce? ›

Combine 2 tablespoons flour with every 1/4 cup cold water and whisk until smooth. Add the mixture to your sauce over medium heat, and continue to stir and cook until you've reached your desired consistency. Test with a spoon.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Manual Maggio

Last Updated:

Views: 6527

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (49 voted)

Reviews: 88% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Manual Maggio

Birthday: 1998-01-20

Address: 359 Kelvin Stream, Lake Eldonview, MT 33517-1242

Phone: +577037762465

Job: Product Hospitality Supervisor

Hobby: Gardening, Web surfing, Video gaming, Amateur radio, Flag Football, Reading, Table tennis

Introduction: My name is Manual Maggio, I am a thankful, tender, adventurous, delightful, fantastic, proud, graceful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.