Description
This classic Chicken Noodle Casserole is a comforting, creamy baked dish perfect for family dinners. Combining tender chunk chicken, creamy soup, melty cheddar cheese, and hearty egg noodles, topped with crispy panko bread crumbs and buttery goodness, it’s an easy and satisfying meal ready in under an hour.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 (12.5 ounce) cans chunk chicken breast, drained (or about 3 cups of store-bought rotisserie chicken, diced)
- 2 (10.5 ounce) cans cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 onion, finely diced (optional)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 1/2 cups frozen peas and carrots
- 12 ounce package egg noodles, cooked and drained
Topping
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1 stick salted butter (1/2 cup), melted
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F and lightly spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray to ensure the casserole doesn't stick after baking.
- Mix the main ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the chunk chicken breast, cream of chicken soup, mayonnaise, milk, finely diced onion (if using), shredded cheddar cheese, and frozen peas and carrots. Stir everything together until well blended.
- Add the noodles: Gently fold in the cooked and drained egg noodles into the mixture, making sure they are evenly incorporated without breaking them up too much.
- Assemble the casserole: Pour the combined mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly for uniform baking.
- Add the topping: Sprinkle the panko bread crumbs evenly over the top of the casserole. Then drizzle the melted salted butter all over the breadcrumbs to help them crisp up beautifully during baking.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 30-35 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the bread crumb topping turns a golden brown color.
- Serve and enjoy: Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving this creamy, cheesy, and crunchy casserole to your family or guests.
Notes
- You can substitute canned chicken with about 3 cups of diced rotisserie chicken for a fresher taste.
- If you prefer, dried onion flakes (about 1 tablespoon) can be used instead of fresh diced onion.
- For a crispier topping, make sure to evenly distribute the melted butter over the panko crumbs.
- Feel free to add other veggies like mushrooms or green beans for variation.
- Use low-fat mayonnaise and soup options to reduce fat content if desired.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
