Chicken Noodle Bake is a comforting casserole that is made with all the chicken noodle soup elements and more. This chicken bake is so delicious and family approved!.
I love a good casserole and I love making them through out the year. They are usually easy recipes all loaded into one baking dish. This Chicken Noodle Bake is the latest casserole I created and it turned out to be even better than I expected.
Chicken Noodle Bake is a fun twist on the classic chicken noodle soup. It’s filled with egg noodles, veggies and my ranch chicken a long with a homemade creamy chicken soup. This recipe is packed full of flavor!.
My family absolutely loved this one. We ate almost the entire thing at dinner. The next day my little Kallen asked me if we had any left. That is a miracle in itself. haha. My kids are not big leftover fans so it really reminded me of how great this was.
Another similar recipe here on my blog is my Chicken Noodle Casserole. It’s always been a favorite of mine and you readers. I received a lot of comments/questions asking if there was a substitute for the canned cream of chicken soup. That’s when I decided that I needed to create a better version of it and take it up a notch by doing a few tweaks.
In this Chicken Noodle Bake I used my Homemade Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup and also added my Ranch Chicken. The results were so flavorful and total perfection!.
The homemade cream of chicken soup in this Chicken Noodle Bake gives this bake so much flavor. It is a little more time consuming than pouring in the canned cream of chicken soups, but it is well worth the time spent.
This Chicken Noodle Bake is comfort food at it’s finest and just absolutely delicious. I’ve now added to our Sunday dinner rotation. It’s definitely family-approved at my house. .
Chicken noodle casserole is a comfort food that will always be in style. This chicken, noodles, and vegetable dish is creamy and cheesy. It’s easy to make and even easier to love. This recipe is perfect for a hearty, crowd-pleasing meal that will feel like a warm hug.
A Brief History of Chicken Noodle Casserole
People first made chicken noodle casserole in the 1950s and 1960s as a creative way to use up leftover chicken and vegetables in a quick baked meal. They mixed cooked chicken, egg noodles, canned soup, cheese, and frozen vegetables to make a filling one-dish dinner. The dish became popular across America as busy moms used more convenience foods like canned soups and frozen vegetables.
Over the decades, chicken noodle casserole became a staple family dinner and potluck contribution. It remains popular today both for its nostalgic appeal and its sheer comforting deliciousness. This classic is here to stay!
Choosing the Right Ingredients
While flexibility is one of the best things about chicken noodle casserole, using high quality ingredients guarantees the best flavor Here are some ingredient tips
Chicken: Rotisserie chicken is an easy shortcut, or poach or bake your own boneless chicken breasts. Dark and white meat provides moisture and flavor.
When it comes to noodles, medium or wide egg noodles work best, but you can use any short pasta shape. Cook until al dente before mixing into the casserole.
Soup: Cream of chicken, celery, or mushroom soup provides a creamy base. Condensed works well but homemade is even better.
Cheese: Sharp cheddar provides the classic cheesy flavor, but swiss, gruyere, and jack also work nicely.
Vegetables: Carrots, onions, celery, and peas are common vegetables to use, but you can mix any frozen or fresh vegetables you want.
Topping: Crushed crackers or buttery breadcrumbs give a crunchy topping when baked.
How to Assemble Chicken Noodle Casserole
Follow these simple steps for easy casserole assembly:
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Cook the noodles: Boil until just al dente, about 2 minutes less than package directions. Drain and rinse.
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Make the sauce: Whisk together soup, milk, cheese, and seasonings.
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Mix it up: Add chicken, veggies, and noodles to the sauce and stir to combine.
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Transfer: Pour mixture into a greased 9×13 baking dish and smooth evenly.
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Top it off: Sprinkle cracker crumbs or breadcrumbs over the casserole.
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Bake: Uncovered at 375°F for 30-40 minutes until hot and bubbly.
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Finish and serve: Let sit for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with parsley if desired.
And that’s it – easy as pie! The casserole can be assembled up to a day ahead and refrigerated until ready to bake.
Cooking Tips for Perfect Chicken Noodle Casserole
Follow these simple tips for casserole success:
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Don’t overcook the noodles so they don’t get mushy when baked. Shoot for just al dente.
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Bake uncovered so the topping gets crispy.
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Bake at 375°F which prevents drying out.
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Let it rest 5 minutes before serving so the sauce sets up.
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Add a splash of milk if the baked casserole is dry.
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Thaw frozen veggies before adding to prevent a watery casserole.
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Season conservatively since flavors concentrate when baked.
Getting Creative with Chicken Noodle Casserole
One of the best things about chicken noodle casserole is how infinitely adaptable it is. Try these creative variations:
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Mexican style with salsa, beans, corn, cumin, and pepper jack
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Buffalo style with hot sauce, blue cheese, and celery
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Italian style with spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and mozzarella
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Pot pie style with peeled potato chunks and puff pastry topping
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Crispy breadcrumb topping flavored with parmesan, parsley, and garlic
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Substitute broccoli, cauliflower, or roasted veggies for all or part of the frozen veggie mix
The possibilities are endless! Use your favorite flavors and ingredients to make this classic comfort food your own.
Storing and Freezing Chicken Noodle Casserole
Chicken noodle casserole stores easily in the fridge or freezer:
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Fridge: Store covered up to 4 days.
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Freezer: Let cool completely then freeze in an airtight container up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in fridge before baking.
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Reheating: Microwave individual portions with a splash of milk. You can also reheat uncovered at 350°F until hot.
Freezing in single portions makes it easy to pull out just what you need for a quick meal any night of the week.
From its humble beginnings to its enduring popularity today, chicken noodle casserole is about as classic as it gets. This meal-in-one is budget-friendly, family-friendly, and satisfaction guaranteed. Follow this easy recipe and make it your go-to for busy weeknights, potlucks, and anytime you need some comfort food. Experiment with different add-ins to make it your own. Baked up hot and bubbly, chicken noodle casserole is the ultimate crowd-pleaser.
Give these other delicious casseroles a try:
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup milk divided
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 4 cups dried egg noodles
- 1 bag (10 ounces) frozen corn
- 1 bag (10 ounces) frozen peas and carrots
- 1 packet (1 ounce) dry ranch dressing/seasoning mix
- 1 ½ cups crushed corn flakes
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup butter melted
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Set aside.
- Chicken Soup Sauce: In a large saucepan, mix chicken broth and 3/4 cup milk. Bring to a low boil over medium-high heat. Let boil for 30 seconds then reduce heat to medium-low.
- Add the last 1/4 cup of milk, flour, onion powder, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, pepper, and salt to a different small bowl. Mix them together using a whisk. Whisk until smooth. Pour this mixture into the chicken broth/milk mixture in saucepan. Continue to stir until mixture is smooth and thickens. About 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand.
- For the filling, boil egg noodles in a large pot of salted water until they are al dente, following the directions on the package. Drain water. Pour cooked egg noodles into the cream sauce. Add frozen corn, peas and carrots. Carefully fold to combine everything. Spread mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Set aside.
- Ranch Chicken: Put ranch seasoning, corn flakes, and Parmesan cheese in a medium bowl or a large ziplock bag. Dip each chicken breast in melted butter, then roll it in the seasoning mix to cover it completely. Place each coated chicken breast on the top of noodles.
- Put foil over the pan and bake for 45 minutes in a hot oven. Carefully take off the foil (it will be hot!) and cook for another 5 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked. Remove from oven and let stand 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!.
Tips on how to make Chicken Noodle Bake in advance:
Cook noodles according to package directions; drain water. Run cool water over the noodles to stop the cooking process and drain again. Place cooked noodles in a large ziplock bag with just a tiny bit of water to prevent them from drying out or getting hard. Place bag in refrigerator until ready to use. I usually do this the morning I plan on making the noodle bake for dinner.
You can also prep the homemade creamy soup in advance as well. Prepare and make soup according to directions. Let stand at room temperature to cool. Then place in a container with a tight lid. Keep in refrigerator until ready to use. It will stay fresh tightly covered in fridge for 3 to 4 days.
Last but not least, you can always bread the chicken ahead of time. Follow the instructions on how to coat the chicken breasts in the breading then wrap them in saran wrap. Keep wrapped and store in the refrigerator until you are ready to bake this wonderful Chicken Noodle Bake.
How to Make Chicken Noodle Casserole | Chicken Recipes | Allrecipes.com
FAQ
How do you make chicken noodle casserole?
Chicken and noodle casserole is the ultimate cozy, cold-weather casserole that everyone wants to come home to. Soften veggies: Cook the veggies until tender. Add flour and seasonings. Make sauce: Whisk in the milk and broth and cook until thickened. Stir in cheese. Combine: Combine cooked noodles, vegetables, and chicken.
What is chicken noodle casserole?
Chicken noodle casserole is the ultimate cozy, cold-weather casserole that everyone wants to come home to. Tender chicken pieces are cooked with vegetables and egg noodles in a creamy sauce. The dish is then baked with a cheese topping that is crispy on top. We Love This Casserole Because… This chicken noodle casserole is made from scratch, yet it’s easy to make.
Can you make chicken noodle casserole from scratch?
This chicken noodle casserole is made from scratch, yet it’s easy to make. It’s made with ingredients you likely have on hand. Use leftover cooked chicken and veggies from the fridge to stretch the budget. Chicken: A rotisserie chicken saves time, but you can also bake chicken breasts or use chicken that has already been cooked.
What ingredients do you need for chicken noodle casserole?
The things you’ll need to make chicken noodle casserole are egg noodles, cooked chicken, cream of chicken soup, milk, shredded cheese, frozen vegetables, parsley, spices, salt, and black pepper.
Can you add cheese to chicken noodle casserole?
Add cheddar cheese: You can try topping the chicken noodle casserole recipe mixture with shredded cheddar cheese before adding the crackers or mix in a cup or two of shredded cheddar with the chicken and noodles. One of the best things about casseroles like this is that they’re so easy to modify to your tastes.
How do I unsubscribe from chicken noodle casserole?
You can unsubscribe anytime by clicking the “unsubscribe” link at the bottom of emails you receive. Chicken noodle casserole is a comforting dish made from scratch with tender chicken, egg noodles, veggies, and a creamy, flavorful sauce.
What are the 4 ingredients in chicken casserole?
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts.
- 1 cup long grain rice , uncooked.
- 2 Tablespoons Ranch seasoning , can also use Italian seasoning or onion soup mix.
- 1 ½ cups water.
- 10 ounces cream of chicken soup , can sub for cream of mushroom or celery.
What are the ingredients for a chicken casserole?
- In a large bowl, stir together the cream of chicken soup, sour cream, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and 1½ cups of cheese.
- Fold in the chicken and transfer the mixture to the prepared 13×9-inch casserole dish.
- In a medium bowl, stir together the crackers and melted butter.
What are the ingredients in chicken casserole mix?
Starch, salt, flavourings, onion powder (5.7%)[1], tomato puree powder (4.4%)[1], sugar, yeast extract, paprika (3%)[1], WHEAT flour, herbs (parsley[1], sage, thyme[1], marjoram), BARLEY malt extract, lemon juice powder (sugar, lemon juice, salt)[1].
What is a 5 ingredient chicken casserole?
- 1 deli rotisserie chicken.
- Ciabatta Rolls one for each person you’re serving.
- 16 oz. tub of spinach artichoke dip.
- 12 oz. package of broccoli florets.
- 1 cup of shredded mozzarella.
- salt & pepper to taste.
- garlic salt to taste.