Name: Creamy Chicken Casserole Recipe: Cheesy & Comforting
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 60 min
Ingredients: 4 cups cooked chicken; Frozen mixed veggies; Cream of chicken + mushroom soup; Sour cream + milk; 2 cups cheddar cheese; Ritz crackers + butter topping

Introduction

Table of Contents

Creamy Chicken Casserole is the ultimate one-dish dinner: tender chicken, veggies, and pasta (or rice) baked in a rich, cheesy cream sauce with a buttery cracker topping that bubbles and browns to perfection. Easy assembly, make-ahead friendly—this is the casserole that tastes like home. Presented family-style in a white ceramic baking dish straight from the oven, optionally garnished with fresh parsley, this Creamy Chicken Casserole offers a golden, crunchy top and pure cozy comfort that makes everyone ask for the recipe.

Ingredients

For the Creamy Chicken Casserole (9×13 dish, serves 8–10): • 4 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced (rotisserie shortcut)
• 1 (10 oz) bag frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn) or 3 cups fresh
• 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of chicken soup
• 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of mushroom soup (or another chicken)
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup milk
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• ½ tsp black pepper

For the Buttery Topping: • 1½ cups crushed Ritz crackers or butter crackers (about 1 sleeve)
• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
• Optional: ¼ cup grated Parmesan

Serving: • Fresh parsley, green salad, or crusty bread

Step-by-Step Process

Preheat & prep
Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13 baking dish.
Mix the filling
In a huge bowl, combine cooked chicken, cooked noodles (or rice), frozen veggies, both soups, sour cream, milk, 1½ cups cheddar, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir until evenly mixed.
Assemble
Spread the mixture evenly in the prepared dish.
Make topping
Mix crushed crackers with melted butter (and Parmesan if using). Sprinkle evenly over casserole. Top with the remaining ½ cup of cheddar.
Bake
Bake uncovered 35–45 minutes until bubbly, topping golden, and cheese melted.
Rest & serve
Let rest 10 minutes—sets up for cleaner slices. Garnish with parsley.

Tips for Perfect Creamy Chicken Casserole

• Rotisserie chicken—juiciest and fastest
• Don’t overcook noodles—they finish in the oven
• Frozen veggies—no thawing needed
• Ritz crackers = classic buttery crunch
• Make morning-of—bakes perfectly later
• Double cheese if you’re feeling extra

Variations and Customization

• Broccoli Cheddar: add 3 cups broccoli florets
• Mexican: taco seasoning + corn + black beans + pepper jack
• Mushroom Lover: sautéed mushrooms + cream of mushroom
• Light Version: Greek yogurt + low-fat soup + extra veggies
• Crunchy Top: add French-fried onions last 10 min
• Gluten-Free: GF soup + GF crackers/noodles

Storage and Serving Tips

• Tastes better day 2—perfect make-ahead
• Fridge up to 5 days
• Freezes beautifully up to 3 months (bake from frozen +20 min)
• Reheat 350°F covered 20–30 minutes
• Quick refresh: broil 2 minutes for a crunchy top
• Serve with green salad or garlic bread

Nutritional Information

Based on 10 servings:
• Calories: 520 kcal
• Protein: 32g
• Total Fat: 30g (Saturated 15g)
• Carbohydrates: 36g

FAQ

1. Can I use fresh veggies?
Yes—sauté lightly first or add raw (longer bake).

2. Is my casserole dry?
Add ½ cup more milk or broth next time.

3. Make-ahead?
Yes—assemble morning-of or day before (add topping just before baking).

4. Vegetarian version?
Use cream of celery soup + mushrooms/tofu.

5. No Ritz—what topping?
Panko + butter or crushed potato chips.

Conclusion

This Creamy Chicken Casserole is pure one-dish comfort—rich, cheesy, with that irresistible crunchy topping that makes it feel like a hug from the oven. One scoop and suddenly busy weeknights feel easy, potlucks feel winning, and everyone’s asking for the recipe while going back for more. Make it once, and it becomes your signature “I’ve got dinner” that earns happy plates and full bellies every time.