Description
Paula Deen’s Chicken Casserole is a creamy, comforting dish perfect for quick family dinners. This hearty casserole combines shredded chicken, creamy soups, sour cream, and egg noodles, topped with melted cheddar cheese and a buttery cornflake crust, baked to golden perfection in just 45 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Mixture
- 3 cups cooked, shredded chicken
- 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of chicken soup
- 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups cooked and drained egg noodles
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, drained (optional)
Toppings
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup crushed cornflakes
- 2 tbsp melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it is ready for baking the casserole evenly.
- Mix the chicken and soups: In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken with the cream of chicken and cream of mushroom soups. Add sour cream, mayonnaise, garlic powder, onion powder, and season with salt and pepper. Stir until the mixture is well combined and creamy.
- Add noodles and tomatoes: Gently fold in the cooked egg noodles and diced tomatoes (if using), taking care not to over-stir to maintain the texture of the noodles and tomatoes.
- Prepare the baking dish: Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish thoroughly to prevent sticking. Spread the chicken mixture evenly inside the dish, smoothing the surface.
- Add the cheese topping: Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the chicken mixture for a melty, flavorful crust.
- Prepare and add the cornflake topping: In a small bowl, mix the crushed cornflakes with melted butter until evenly coated. Sprinkle this buttery cornflake mixture on top of the cheese layer for a crispy and golden finish.
- Bake the casserole: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the casserole is hot, bubbly, and the topping is golden brown.
- Cool and serve: Remove from the oven and let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving to allow it to set slightly and to avoid burns.
Notes
- You can omit the diced tomatoes if you prefer a less saucy casserole.
- Make sure the egg noodles are well drained to avoid a soggy casserole.
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of paprika or smoked paprika to the chicken mixture.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and can be reheated in the oven or microwave.
