Description
Dolly’s Creamy Chicken Noodle Casserole is a comforting and creamy baked dish featuring tender shredded chicken, wide egg noodles, a savory blend of cream of chicken and mushroom soups, and a cheesy breadcrumb topping for added crunch. This hearty casserole is perfect for a family dinner, offering a creamy texture balanced with a crispy golden topping and optional veggies for color and nutrition.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Noodles
- 3 cups Cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 8 oz Wide egg noodles, cooked and drained
Soup and Dairy Mixture
- 1 can (10.5 oz) Cream of chicken soup
- 1 can (10.5 oz) Cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup Sour cream
- 1/2 cup Milk
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Onion powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Cheese and Toppings
- 1 1/2 cups Shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1 cup Frozen peas and carrots (optional)
- 1/2 cup Crushed Ritz crackers or buttered breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons Melted butter
Garnish
- Chopped parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish thoroughly and set it aside for later use.
- Prepare the creamy mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded or diced cooked chicken, cooked and drained egg noodles, cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, and half of the shredded cheddar cheese. Stir everything together until the mixture is fully combined and creamy.
- Add vegetables and seasoning: If desired, gently fold in the frozen peas and carrots for added color and nutrition. Season the mixture with salt and pepper to your taste, adjusting as needed.
- Assemble in baking dish: Pour the creamy chicken and noodle mixture evenly into the prepared greased baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.
- Prepare the topping: In a small bowl, mix the crushed Ritz crackers or buttered breadcrumbs with the melted butter until well combined. Sprinkle this crunchy mixture evenly over the cheese layer.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly throughout and the topping is nicely browned and crisp.
- Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired for a fresh, colorful finish.
Notes
- You can substitute the cream of mushroom or chicken soup with homemade versions for a fresher taste.
- Adding frozen peas and carrots is optional but adds nutrition and color to the casserole.
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free noodles and breadcrumbs or crushed gluten-free crackers.
- The casserole can be made ahead and refrigerated before baking; just add a few extra minutes to the bake time.
- Leftovers keep well covered in the fridge for up to 3 days and can be reheated in the oven.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American