This Creamy Chicken Casserole produces big flavor with wholesome ingredients (no canned soup) yet comes together in no time! When your schedule is packed, and there’s little time for getting creative at supper time, you can count on this recipe to help you create a great meal.
If you love easy and filling casserole dinners, definitely try my Easy Broccoli Casserole, Taco Spaghetti Casserole, or Ham and Cheese Croissant Casserole.
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5-Star Reader Comment
Thanks, Donya, you did it again! It turned out sooooo good! Next day, even better! I am going to keep this recipe and use it at least every two weeks. Thank you!
Christine
Dinners that are quick to make and use just a handful of ingredients are always winners in my book. This Creamy Chicken Casserole checks all those boxes! You can create a casserole masterpiece with just a rotisserie chicken, a bag of egg noodles, and a few pantry staple ingredients. This is one hard-working dish at the top of my “family favorite meal” list.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Homemade sauce – This casserole is made with a cream sauce that has extra flavor from sour cream and adds a richness that you just can’t get with canned soup.
- Feed a Crowd – It’s also great for feeding a crowd. I’ve made it for covered dish suppers, school parties, and potlucks.
- Freezes Well – You can make this and freeze it, making it great for prepping or taking friends when a new baby arrives or they need extra TLC.
Chicken Casserole Ingredients
- Leftover or rotisserie chicken makes this casserole super simple to make! You can use white or dark meat, whichever you prefer.
- Egg noodles cook quickly, are cheap, and easily find in stores.
- To make a smooth and luscious sauce, you need sour cream, milk, butter, flour, onion powder, dried thyme, salt, and pepper.
- Day-old bread or chunky breadcrumbs add a lovely little crunch and bump up the casserole to make it a bit more filling.
Recipe Variations
- Crunchy Alternatives: If you don’t have bread or bread crumbs, use crushed Ritz crackers or similar butter crackers.
- Add Veggies: You can mix peas or broccoli into the casserole. This is also a great way to use up anything on its way out in your fridge (some peas, some broccoli, some mushrooms, etc)!
- Try Greek Yogurt: Plain Greek yogurt can be used in place of sour cream. It must be added to pasta that isn’t too hot, otherwise it can curdle.
Step By Step Directions
- Make The Sauce: The secret to a luscious, smooth sauce is letting it cook long enough for the flour to fully incorporate with the butter, then adding the milk.
- Cook The Noodles: Once the sauce is ready, cook the noodles, drain them, and return them to the pot.
- Mix Everything Together: Add the chicken and sauce to the noodles. Fold everything together, then spoon it into a baking dish.
- Bake: Sprinkle over the breadcrumbs or torn day-old bread. Drizzle with melted butter and place in the oven to bake.
- After baking, remove the casserole from the oven, rest for 5 minutes, and then serve. YUM!
Can This Casserole Be Made Ahead Of Time?
Yes, it can! Make the casserole according to the instructions, topping it with breadcrumbs and butter. Cover with foil and place in the refrigerator. When you are ready to bake, uncover the casserole, top with breadcrumbs and butter, and cook until hot and bubbly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sure! Really any noodle will work that can handle the thick and creamy sauce. Pasta shapes like penne, rigatoni, and ziti will all work well.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the fridge. I like to reheat it with a bit of broth in the oven or microwave to bring back the creamy texture.
Definitely! You can actually freeze it cooked or uncooked. Just place it in a freezer safe dish and then wrap tightly in aluminum foil and plastic wrap. It will keep for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, simply thaw it in the fridge the night before then bake as directed.
Serving Suggestions
To make this casserole a full dinner, I love to serve it with Skillet Green Beans or Simple Roasted Broccoli. It’s also tasty with this Tomato Cucumber Salad and this Green Bean Salad for another quick dinner recipe.
Craving More? Try These Comfort Food Recipes
If you tried this Creamy Chicken Casserole Recipe or any other recipe, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. Thanks!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 4 cups milk
- 1 cup sour cream
- 12 ounces egg noodles – about ¾ of regular bag
- 1 ½ cups fresh bread crumbs – 4 to 5 slices
- 2 – 3 cups shredded cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken
- salt & black pepper
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- Heat oven to 400° F. Melt 4 tablespoons of the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour and cook, stirring 1 to 2 minutes until mixture is golden.
- Slowly whisk in the milk. Bring to a simmer and cook, whisking often, until thickened, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat and whisk in the sour cream, 1 teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper.
- While sauce is cooling, cook noodles according to the package directions; drain and return them to the pot.
- Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Add the milk mixture, chicken and thyme to the noodles and toss to combine.
- Transfer to a 9-by-13-inch or some other 3-quart baking dish, sprinkle with bread crumbs, and drizzle with the melted butter. Bake until the bread crumbs are golden and casserole is bubbling, 8 to 10 minutes.
- Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- If you don’t have bread or bread crumbs, use crushed Ritz crackers or similar butter crackers.
- You can mix peas or broccoli into the casserole. This is also a great way to use up anything on its way out in your fridge (some peas, some broccoli, some mushrooms, etc)!
- Plain Greek yogurt can be used in place of sour cream. It must be added to pasta that isn’t too hot, otherwise it can curdle.
- Make the casserole according to the instructions, topping it with breadcrumbs and butter. Cover with foil and place in the refrigerator. When you are ready to bake, uncover the casserole, top with breadcrumbs and butter, and cook until hot and bubbly.
Nutrition
Donya's Top Ten Summer Recipes!
Steal my favorites for a done-for-you menu that packs in the flavor
Recipe calls for thyme and onion powder but doesn’t say when to add it
You add them when you are mixing everything together. Sorry about the confusion! Happy cooking! ~Donya
I tried your recipe and it came out great. NICE and creamy.
Thanks!
~Donya
Delicious
Thanks, Barbara!
~Donya
Can I use full cream instead of sour cream 😋?