Description

Paula Deen’s Amazing Chicken Casserole is a comforting baked dish featuring tender cooked chicken and pasta enveloped in a creamy cheese sauce with a hint of spice. This hearty casserole combines sautéed onions and garlic, a velvety sour cream and milk-based sauce, and a blend of melted cheeses, baked to golden perfection. Perfect for family dinners, it offers rich flavors with simple ingredients and a satisfying texture.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Pasta

2 cups cooked chicken, cut into small bite-sized pieces
4 cups cooked pasta (penne, cavatappi, or rigatoni), drained

Sauce

3 tablespoons butter
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
½ cup sour cream
1 cup milk
3 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, Colby Jack, Swiss, or a combination), divided
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Salt and black pepper, to taste

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Instructions

Make Sauce: Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add finely chopped onion and minced garlic; cook until softened and fragrant. Sprinkle in the all-purpose flour and cook for about 1 minute while stirring constantly to cook out the raw flour taste.
Prepare Cheese Sauce: Gradually whisk in the milk and sour cream until the mixture is smooth. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, stirring constantly until it thickens to a creamy consistency. Remove from heat and stir in 2 ½ cups of the shredded cheese until fully melted and smooth.
Combine Ingredients: Add the cooked chicken pieces, cooked pasta, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper to the cheese sauce in the skillet. Stir well to evenly distribute all ingredients and coat the pasta and chicken thoroughly with the cheesy sauce.
Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to allow it to come to temperature while preparing the casserole dish.
Assemble Casserole: Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish and pour the combined chicken and pasta mixture into it. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of shredded cheese evenly over the top.
Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-30 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese on top is golden brown and slightly crisped.

Notes

You can switch up the cheese blend to your preference or use what you have on hand; a mix of sharp cheddar and Swiss offers a nice balance of flavor.
For extra spice, increase the red pepper flakes to taste.
Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated in the oven to maintain texture.
Make sure the pasta is drained well to avoid a watery casserole.
This dish pairs wonderfully with a fresh green salad or steamed vegetables.

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