Chicken Noodle Casserole Recipe

Introduction

This Chicken Noodle Casserole is a comforting, cheesy dish packed with tender chicken, broccoli, and rotini pasta. It’s easy to prepare and perfect for a hearty family dinner any night of the week.

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups diced uncooked chicken (about 2 small chicken breasts)
• 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
• 3/4 teaspoon garlic salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 3 cups dry rotini pasta
• 10.5 oz. condensed cream of mushroom soup
• 1 cup sour cream (or 8 oz.)
• 1/2 cup milk (any kind)
• 2 cups sharp white cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 cup regular cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 cup French’s crispy fried onions

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Step 2: Season the diced chicken with Italian seasoning, garlic salt, and pepper.
3. Step 3: Heat olive oil over medium-high heat in a large pot or skillet. Add the chicken and cook for 3 minutes.
4. Step 4: Add broccoli florets to the pot with the chicken and cook together for another 3-4 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked. Remove from heat.
5. Step 5: Meanwhile, cook the rotini pasta according to package instructions, but cook it for 1 minute less than al dente.
6. Step 6: To the pot with chicken and broccoli, add the cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, milk, and 2 cups of shredded sharp white cheddar. Stir until well combined.
7. Step 7: Drain the pasta and add it to the pot. Gently mix everything together using a silicone spatula.
8. Step 8: If your pot is not oven safe, transfer the mixture to a lightly greased 9 x 13-inch casserole dish.
9. Step 9: Sprinkle the top evenly with the regular shredded cheddar cheese. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
10. Step 10: Remove the foil and sprinkle the crispy fried onions on top. Bake uncovered for an additional 8 minutes. Serve warm, ideally with garlic bread with cheese.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, add a teaspoon of mustard powder or paprika to the cheese sauce before baking.
• You can substitute the broccoli with cauliflower or green beans if preferred.
• Use leftover cooked chicken to save time during preparation.
• Try topping the casserole with panko breadcrumbs mixed with melted butter for a crunchier topping instead of fried onions.

Storage

Store leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until warmed through, or microwave individual servings until hot. The fried onions topping may lose its crispness upon reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yes, any sturdy pasta like penne, fusilli, or macaroni will work well in this casserole.

Is it possible to make this casserole ahead of time?

Absolutely. You can prepare the casserole up to the point of baking, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking as directed.

Chicken Noodle Casserole Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 99 reviews

• Author: Ben
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x

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Description

This comforting Chicken Noodle Casserole combines tender seasoned chicken, fresh broccoli, and al dente rotini pasta in a creamy mushroom sauce, topped with melted cheddar cheese and crispy fried onions. Baked to perfection, it makes a hearty and satisfying one-dish meal perfect for family dinners.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken & Vegetables

• 2 1/2 cups diced uncooked chicken (about 2 small chicken breasts)
• 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
• 3/4 teaspoon Garlic Salt
• 1/4 teaspoon Pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cups broccoli florets

Pasta

• 3 cups dry Rotini

Sauce & Cheese

• 10.5 oz. condensed cream of mushroom soup
• 1 cup sour cream (or 8 oz.)
• 1/2 cup milk (any kind)
• 2 cups sharp white cheddar cheese (shredded)
• 1 cup regular cheddar cheese (shredded)

Toppings

• 1 cup French’s crispy fried onions

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Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the casserole later.
2. Season Chicken: In a bowl, season the diced chicken with 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 3/4 teaspoon garlic salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper to infuse it with flavor.
3. Sauté Chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat in a skillet or pot. Add the seasoned chicken and cook for about 3 minutes, allowing it to brown slightly.
4. Add Broccoli: Toss the broccoli florets into the pot with the chicken. Cook for an additional 3 to 4 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked and broccoli is tender-crisp. Remove from heat.
5. Cook Pasta: Meanwhile, boil the rotini pasta according to the package directions but cook it for 1 minute less than al dente. Drain the pasta well.
6. Make Sauce: In the pot with chicken and broccoli, combine the condensed cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, milk, and 2 cups of shredded sharp white cheddar cheese. Stir well until all ingredients are incorporated.
7. Combine Pasta: Add the drained pasta into the pot and use a silicone spatula to gently mix everything together until evenly combined.
8. Transfer to Baking Dish: If your pot isn’t oven safe, transfer the mixture into a lightly greased 9 x 13 inch casserole dish.
9. Top and Cover: Sprinkle 1 cup of regular shredded cheddar cheese evenly on top. Cover the dish with a lid or aluminum foil to keep moisture in during baking.
10. Bake Covered: Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 25 minutes, allowing the cheese to melt and flavors to meld.
11. Add Crispy Onions: Remove the cover carefully, sprinkle the crispy fried onions over the top, then bake uncovered for an additional 8 minutes until the onions are golden and crunchy.
12. Serve: Remove from oven and serve the casserole hot, ideally alongside garlic bread with cheese for a complete meal.

Notes

• If preferred, use cooked diced chicken instead of raw to shorten cooking time.
• For a lighter version, substitute sour cream with Greek yogurt and use reduced-fat cheeses.
• You can swap broccoli for other veggies like cauliflower or green beans as per preference.
• Ensure the pasta is slightly undercooked before baking, as it will continue cooking in the oven.
• French’s crispy fried onions add a delightful crunch but can be omitted or replaced with breadcrumbs for a different texture.
• For added flavor, sprinkle some paprika or fresh herbs on top before baking.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Casserole
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: chicken noodle casserole, creamy chicken casserole, broccoli chicken bake, comfort food casserole, easy chicken dinner