Description
This Old-Fashioned Chicken and Noodles Casserole is a comforting, creamy dish that combines tender chicken, wide egg noodles, and a cheesy, savory sauce topped with a crispy breadcrumb crust. Perfect for a family dinner, it comes together quickly and bakes to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Noodle Mixture
- 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 8 oz wide egg noodles, cooked and drained
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1 cup frozen peas and carrots (optional)
Topping
- 1/2 cup crushed Ritz crackers or buttered breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
Garnish
- Chopped parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and set it aside to ensure the casserole won’t stick during baking.
- Mix main ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked chicken, cooked egg noodles, cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, and half of the shredded cheddar cheese. Stir until the mixture is fully combined and creamy.
- Add vegetables and season: Fold in the frozen peas and carrots if using, adding extra color and nutrition. Season the mixture with salt and pepper to your taste preference.
- Assemble casserole: Pour the combined mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish and sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese on top for a cheesy finish.
- Prepare topping: In a small bowl, mix the crushed Ritz crackers or breadcrumbs with the melted butter until well combined. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the casserole to create a crunchy and golden topping.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until the casserole is bubbly and the topping has turned a light golden brown.
- Cool and garnish: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired before serving.
Notes
- Using freshly cooked chicken or leftover roasted chicken works best for flavor and texture.
- For a lower-fat version, substitute sour cream with Greek yogurt and use reduced-fat cheese.
- Feel free to customize with other vegetables like mushrooms or bell peppers.
- Make sure noodles are cooked al dente, as they will continue to soften during baking.
- Allow casserole to rest briefly after baking to set for easier serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
