Description
Comfort meets culinary magic in this creamy chicken noodle casserole, a hearty dish that hugs your soul with nostalgic flavors. Cheesy, tender, and packed with homestyle goodness, you’ll savor every comforting bite of this classic American favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1.5 pounds (680 grams) cooked chicken, shredded or chopped
- 8 ounces (227 grams) egg noodles
- 2 cups (226 grams) freshly grated cheddar cheese
Vegetable and Dairy Components:
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables, thawed
- 2 (10.5-ounce/298 grams) cans cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) sour cream
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) milk
Seasonings and Topping:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 sleeve Ritz crackers
- 1/4 cup (57 grams) salted butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and coat a 9×13 inch baking dish with non-stick spray to ensure easy serving and cleanup.
- Cook egg noodles in salted boiling water for 6 minutes until al dente, then drain and rinse with cold water to stop cooking.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine shredded chicken, mixed vegetables, and diced onions to create a hearty base.
- Create a creamy sauce by whisking together cream soups, sour cream, milk, and selected seasonings until smooth and well-integrated.
- Fold the prepared noodles and 1 cup of shredded cheese into the sauce mixture, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
- Transform crackers into a crispy topping by pulsing them with melted butter in a food processor until they form coarse crumbs.
- Transfer the chicken and noodle mixture to the prepared baking dish, then generously sprinkle remaining cheese and cracker crumbs over the top.
- Bake at 350°F for 35 minutes, watching for a golden-brown crust and bubbling edges that indicate the casserole is thoroughly heated.
Notes
- Choose wide egg noodles and slightly undercook them to maintain firmness during baking.
- Roast chicken beforehand or use rotisserie chicken for deeper, more complex taste profile.
- Swap regular milk with almond milk and use gluten-free crackers for lactose and gluten-sensitive diners.
- Preparation Assemble casserole up to 24 hours in advance, refrigerate, and bake when ready for convenient meal planning.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 411 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 670 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg