Description
A comforting and creamy Cheesy Chicken Noodle Casserole that combines tender chicken, fresh broccoli, and egg noodles baked with a rich cheese sauce topped with crispy fried onions. Perfect for a hearty family dinner, this dish is easy to prepare and sure to satisfy everyone’s cravings.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Vegetables
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (or butter)
- 1-pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into 1-inch pieces)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 2 ½ cups broccoli florets
Pasta and Sauce
- 1 bag (12 ounces) dried egg noodles
- 2 cans (10.75 ounces each) condensed cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup milk
Cheeses and Toppings
- 1 cup shredded sharp white cheddar cheese (divided)
- 1 cup shredded mild cheddar cheese (divided)
- 2/3 cup French’s crispy fried onions
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking. Set it aside while you prepare the other ingredients.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil or butter in a large 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and season with Italian seasoning, minced garlic, seasoned salt, and pepper. Stir and cook for about 5 minutes until lightly browned.
- Add Broccoli to Chicken: Stir in the broccoli florets and continue cooking until the chicken is no longer pink inside. Once cooked, turn off the heat.
- Boil Egg Noodles: While cooking the chicken and broccoli, boil the dried egg noodles in water until they are al dente, drain them, and cover to keep warm.
- Combine Ingredients: Into the skillet with chicken and broccoli, add the condensed cream of chicken soups, sour cream, milk, and half of the shredded sharp white cheddar and mild cheddar cheeses (1/2 cup each). Mix well, then fold in the cooked egg noodles carefully to avoid breaking them.
- Assemble Casserole: Pour the combined mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly. Sprinkle the remaining shredded sharp white cheddar and mild cheddar cheeses evenly on top. Cover the dish with foil.
- Bake Covered: Place the casserole in the oven and bake for 20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the cheese to melt.
- Add Topping and Bake Uncovered: Remove the casserole carefully from the oven, take off the foil, and sprinkle the crispy fried onions on top. Return the dish to the oven, uncovered, and bake for an additional 5 minutes to crisp up the onions.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it stand for about 5 minutes to cool slightly, making it easier to serve. Enjoy your warm, cheesy chicken noodle casserole!
Notes
- You can substitute broccoli with other vegetables like peas or green beans if preferred.
- For a richer flavor, use butter instead of olive oil to cook the chicken.
- Make sure not to overcook the noodles; al dente texture works best to avoid mushy casserole.
- Covering the casserole while baking helps keep it moist.
- Use gluten-free noodles and soup varieties to adapt this recipe for gluten-free diets.
