Description
Comforting chicken noodle casserole brings creamy nostalgia to dinner tables with classic American heartiness. Layers of tender chicken, egg noodles, and rich sauce create a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 cups (473 ml) shredded cooked chicken
Noodles and Vegetables:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) egg noodles, cooked
- 1/2 cup (118 ml) frozen peas (optional)
Sauce and Toppings:
- 1 can (10.5 ounces / 298 grams) cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup (237 ml) sour cream
- 1 cup (237 ml) shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup (118 ml) milk
- 1/2 cup (60 grams) breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) butter, melted
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Warm the oven to a moderate temperature of 350°F and lightly coat a rectangular baking vessel with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Combine creamy chicken soup, tangy dairy cream, and smooth milk in a spacious mixing container, creating a rich base for the casserole.
- Fold tender shredded poultry and vibrant green peas into the liquid mixture, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
- Gently incorporate cooked egg noodles into the creamy blend, carefully stirring to coat each strand with the savory sauce.
- Enhance the mixture with a delicate balance of salt and freshly cracked pepper, adjusting seasoning to personal taste preferences.
- Transfer the entire mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it uniformly to create an even layer of comfort-filled goodness.
- Generously shower the surface with a blanket of shredded cheese, ensuring complete coverage for maximum melty indulgence.
- Create a crispy topping by mixing golden breadcrumbs with melted butter, then sprinkle the crunchy mixture across the cheesy landscape.
- Slide the casserole into the preheated oven, allowing it to bake until the cheese transforms into a bubbling, golden-brown masterpiece and the edges become delightfully crisp.
- Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest briefly, allowing the flavors to meld and the dish to set before serving.
Notes
- Swap cream of chicken soup for homemade white sauce to reduce sodium and control ingredients for health-conscious cooks.
- Replace breadcrumbs with crushed gluten-free crackers or almond meal to make the dish celiac-friendly and add extra nutty flavor.
- Add roasted vegetables like bell peppers or carrots to boost nutritional value and create more colorful, textured layers in the casserole.
- For a lighter version, use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream and incorporate skinless chicken breast to reduce overall fat content while maintaining creamy consistency.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 392
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg