>
From My Kitchen To Yours
Easy Recipes

Ultimate Chicken Casserole

 

 

Introduction

The Ultimate Chicken Casserole is a warm and comforting meal that includes tender chicken, creamy sauce, and nourishing vegetables. It is a versatile casserole dish for family dinner parties, potlucks or meal preps that offers easy to eat food without any hassle.

 

Ingredients

2 cups shredded or diced cooked chicken

2 cups cooked rice or pasta

1 cup steamed broccoli florets

1 cup steamed diced carrots

10.5 ounces can of cream of chicken soup

1 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt (optional)

1 cup cheddar cheese grated(cook until melted)

½ Parmesan cheese grated (cook until melted)

1 cup thawed frozen peas

½ bread crumbs (for baking breadcrumbs)

¼ butter melted (melt ¼ butter for this recipe)

1 teaspoon garlic powder

one teaspoon onion salt or onion powder

salt and pepper to taste Salt as well as pepper to taste.

two tablespoons chopped fresh parsley(OPTIONAL garnish it with parsley )

 

Instructions

Heat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

In a big mixing bowl, put in the cooked chicken, rice/pasta, broccoli, carrots, peas, cream of chicken soup and sour cream/Greek yogurt.

Put garlic powder, onion powder and salt and pepper then mix well.

Grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish then transfer this mixture into it.

Top evenly with shredded cheddar cheese.

Crushed fine bread crumbs mixed with melted butter as well as grated parmesan cheese should be sprinkled over the casserole.

Bake at preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes until it is bubbly and its top turns golden brown.

Take out from the oven after that let it rest for some minutes. Add chopped fresh parsley if you need to garnish them.

 

Serving and Storage Tips

Serving: Serve hot with a side salad or crusty bread in order for the meal to be considered complete.

Storage: When storing leftovers in an air-proof container keep them refrigerated for up to three days so as to reheat them through warming them using either microwave or even the oven itself.

Freezing: You can freeze the casserole prior to cooking. Wrap tightly using cling film plus aluminum foil then store this for not more than three months. Thaw overnight under refrigerator before baking as noted above.

 

Tips for Success

Use Rotisserie Chicken: For added convenience, you can buy a store-made chicken of this kind.

Even Cooking: To have an even cooking, make sure all the ingredients are pre-cooked and evenly distributed.

Cheese Blend: A mixture of different kinds of cheese is used for better results in taste.

Crispy Topping: It is good to broil the casserole for about two or three minutes at end stage for a crispy topping.

 

Health Benefits

Protein-Rich: Chicken is rich in protein and is therefore a good source of lean protein.

Vegetable Intake: This recipe includes a number of vegetables thereby adding on daily vegetable intake.

Calcium: Cheese together with yogurt offers calcium which is essential in bone health.

Whole Grains: Use whole grain rice or pasta instead as it contains more fiber.

 

Nutritional Information (per serving, approximately)

Calories: 400

Protein: 25g

Carbohydrates: 30g

Fat: 20g

Fiber: 4g

Sugar: 4g

Sodium: 700mg

 

Variations and Substitutions

Vegetarianism Version – You could replace the chicken with chickpeas or tofu.

Gluten-Free Food – This may include using gluten-free pasta, rice or breadcrumbs made from gluten-free cereal plants.

Non-Dairy Version – Non-dairy cheese substitutes can be used as well as dairy free yoghurts.

Different Veggies – Another possibility to consider includes mushrooms, bell peppers, or zucchini.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I prepare this casserole beforehand? Yes, you can put together the dish up to 24 hours before. Have it wrapped in the refrigerator until ready to be baked.

Can I use fresh vegetables instead of frozen? Absolutely! Fresh veggies are ideal; just make certain that they are cooked well before adding them to the casserole.

How can I make the casserole more spicy? Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or even a spoonful of hot sauce into the mixture.

What can I substitute for cream of chicken soup? You can make your own by mixing one cup of chicken stock with a cup of milk and thickening it with two tablespoons flour.

 

Conclusion:

The Ultimate Chicken Casserole packs in comfort, ease of eating, nutrition. With your family in mind who enjoy taking meals together this will always be your preferred recipe when it comes to serving them. Its simplicity in cooking process together with its taste makes it the best ever thus ultimate in its making.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *