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Ultimate Chicken Casserole

Ultimate Chicken Casserole

Get ready to discover your new favorite weeknight meal with this Ultimate Chicken Casserole! This recipe is designed to be incredibly easy to prepare, yet delivers a deeply satisfying and flavorful dish that will have everyone asking for seconds. Perfect for busy families or anyone craving a hearty, home-cooked meal, the Ultimate Chicken Casserole is a truly essential addition to your recipe repertoire.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Resting Time 10 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 3 cups Cooked Chicken, shredded or diced rotisserie chicken is a fantastic shortcut!
  • 2 cans (10.5 oz each) Cream of Chicken Soup, undiluted
  • 1 cup Sour Cream
  • 2 cups Cooked Rice white or brown rice work well
  • 1 cup Frozen Peas
  • 1 cup Frozen Corn
  • 1.5 cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese, divided
  • 1 cup Crushed Butter Crackers or Potato Chips for topping
  • 4 tablespoons Melted Butter
  • 1/2 teaspoon Salt (or to taste)
  • 1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper (or to taste)

Equipment

  • 9x13 inch baking dish
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Small Bowl

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the two cans of undiluted cream of chicken soup and the 1 cup of sour cream. Stir until well blended and smooth.
    2 cans (10.5 oz each) Cream of Chicken Soup, undiluted, 1 cup Sour Cream
  3. Add the 3 cups of cooked chicken, 2 cups of cooked rice, 1 cup of frozen peas, and 1 cup of frozen corn. Gently stir everything together.
    3 cups Cooked Chicken, shredded or diced, 2 cups Cooked Rice, 1 cup Frozen Peas, 1 cup Frozen Corn
  4. Season the casserole mixture with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
    1/2 teaspoon Salt, 1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper
  5. Stir in 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese into the chicken and vegetable mixture.
    1.5 cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese, divided
  6. Pour the entire mixture into the prepared 9x13 inch baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
  7. In a separate small bowl, combine the 1 cup of crushed butter crackers or potato chips with the 4 tablespoons of melted butter. Stir until the crumbs are evenly coated in butter.
    1 cup Crushed Butter Crackers or Potato Chips, 4 tablespoons Melted Butter
  8. Sprinkle the buttered crumb topping evenly over the surface of the casserole.
  9. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the crumb topping.
    1.5 cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese, divided
  10. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the casserole is heated through, bubbly, and the topping is golden brown and crispy.
  11. Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Refrigeration: Allow the Ultimate Chicken Casserole to cool completely before storing. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or transfer to an airtight container. Properly stored, leftovers will stay fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheating: To reheat individual portions, microwave on medium power until heated through, about 1-2 minutes. For larger portions or to re-crisp the topping, reheat the entire casserole in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through and bubbly. You may want to cover it with foil for the first 10 minutes to prevent the topping from burning. Freezing: Assemble and bake the casserole as directed. Let it cool completely. Cover tightly with plastic wrap, then with aluminum foil, or transfer to a freezer-safe airtight container. It can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. To reheat from frozen, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and then reheat as directed above, or bake directly from frozen at 350°F (175°C) for 45-60 minutes, covering with foil to prevent excessive browning, until heated through.