Creamy Chicken Noodle Casserole

Warm, comforting, and utterly satisfying, Creamy Chicken Noodle Casserole stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of classic home cooking. This dish is more than just a meal; it’s a nostalgic journey back to simpler times, offering a rich tapestry of flavours and textures that soothe and nourish. Imagine tender pieces of chicken nestled amongst soft egg noodles, all enveloped in a velvety, flavourful cream sauce, baked to a beautiful golden hue. This casserole is an invitation to experience the heartwarming essence of culinary comfort.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Nostalgic Comfort in Every Bite: This Creamy Chicken Noodle Casserole is pure, unadulterated comfort food. It evokes cherished memories of home-cooked meals and delivers a sense of warmth and well-being with every spoonful. It’s the kind of dish that feels like a hug from the inside out.
• Simple Ingredients, Maximum Flavour: Despite its deeply satisfying taste, this casserole relies on simple, readily available ingredients. The magic lies in the way these humble components are combined to create a dish that is far greater than the sum of its parts, proving that flavourful food doesn’t need to be complicated.
• One-Pan Wonder for Easy Cleanup: Embrace the joy of minimal cleanup with this one-pan casserole. From preparation to baking, everything happens in a single dish, streamlining the cooking process and leaving you with more time to relax and enjoy your meal, rather than facing a mountain of dishes.
• Perfect for Sharing and Gatherings: Creamy Chicken Noodle Casserole is an ideal dish for sharing with family and friends. Its generous portions and crowd-pleasing nature make it perfect for potlucks, holiday gatherings, or simply a comforting meal to bring loved ones together around the table.
• Customizable to Your Heart’s Content: This recipe is a fantastic foundation for culinary creativity. Feel free to personalize it with your favourite vegetables, cheeses, or seasonings. It’s a flexible recipe that adapts beautifully to individual tastes and dietary preferences, allowing for endless variations.

Ingredients

For the Soul-Satisfying Casserole Body

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces. Chicken thighs are chosen for their superior flavour and moisture retention compared to chicken breasts, ensuring the chicken remains tender and juicy throughout baking. Their richness enhances the overall savoury profile of the casserole.
• 1 lb wide egg noodles, dried. Wide egg noodles are the classic choice for chicken noodle casserole, offering a comforting and satisfyingly chewy texture. Their wide surface area effectively absorbs the creamy sauce, delivering flavour in every bite. Dried noodles are convenient and readily available.
• 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of celery soup, forms a key component of the creamy sauce base, providing a subtle celery flavour and contributing to the casserole’s signature creamy texture. Condensed soup simplifies sauce preparation and offers a consistent flavour profile.
• 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup, complements the cream of celery soup, adding an earthy, umami-rich dimension to the sauce. The combination of celery and mushroom soups creates a balanced and flavourful creamy base. Choose good quality condensed soups for optimal taste.
• 1 cup whole milk, contributes to the creamy consistency of the sauce, thinning out the condensed soups and creating a smooth, luscious texture that coats the noodles and chicken evenly. Whole milk enhances the richness and overall flavour.
• 1 cup low-sodium chicken stock, enhances the chicken flavour throughout the casserole and adds depth to the sauce. Low-sodium stock allows for better control over the saltiness of the dish and provides a foundational savoury note. Use a good quality chicken stock for the best flavour.
• 1 cup celery, diced. Celery provides a subtle vegetal freshness and a pleasant crunch that contrasts with the soft noodles and creamy sauce. Diced celery adds texture and a mild, aromatic flavour that complements the other ingredients.
• 1 cup onion, diced. Onion is an essential aromatic base, contributing sweetness and savoury depth as it cooks down in the casserole. Diced onion adds flavour and subtle texture throughout the dish. Use a yellow or white onion for this recipe.
• 2 cloves garlic, minced. Garlic is a foundational aromatic, lending its pungent and savoury notes to the casserole. Minced garlic enhances the overall flavour profile and adds a savoury depth that complements the chicken and creamy sauce. Freshly minced garlic is preferred for its potent aroma.
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter, used for sautéing the celery and onion, adding richness and flavour while preventing them from sticking to the pan. Butter also helps to bloom the aromatics, enhancing their flavour. Unsalted butter allows for control over the overall saltiness.
• 1 tsp dried parsley, provides a fresh, herbaceous note that brightens the casserole and complements the creamy sauce and chicken. Dried parsley is a convenient herb that adds a subtle flavour lift.
• ½ tsp salt, essential for seasoning and enhancing the flavours of all the ingredients. Salt balances the richness and brings out the best in the chicken, vegetables, and creamy sauce.
• ¼ tsp black pepper, adds a touch of subtle spice and complexity, complementing the other seasonings and enhancing the overall flavour profile. Freshly ground black pepper is preferred for its more robust flavour.

For the Golden, Crispy Crown (Optional)

• 1 cup crushed potato chips, plain, unsalted potato chips are recommended for a balanced flavour. Crushed potato chips provide a delightful textural contrast, adding a salty, crispy topping that elevates the casserole. Their subtle potato flavour complements the creamy filling.
• ¼ cup melted butter, butter adds richness and flavour to the potato chip topping, helping it to brown and crisp up beautifully in the oven. Melted butter binds the crushed chips together and creates a golden crust. Unsalted butter is preferred for controlling saltiness.

How to Make Creamy Chicken Noodle Casserole ?

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Step 1: Prepare the Noodles and Chicken

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish to prevent sticking and ensure easy serving.

Cook the egg noodles according to package directions until just al dente. It is crucial not to overcook them at this stage as they will continue to cook in the casserole. Drain the noodles thoroughly and set aside.

In a large skillet, melt unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the cubed chicken thighs and cook until browned on all sides and cooked through, approximately 6-8 minutes. Season the chicken with salt and pepper while cooking to enhance its flavour. Browning the chicken adds depth and richness to the final dish.

Step 2: Sauté Aromatics and Vegetables

Add the diced onion and celery to the skillet with the cooked chicken. Sauté until the vegetables are softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.

Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to let it brown or burn. Sautéing the aromatics in butter releases their flavour and creates a flavourful base for the casserole.

Step 3: Assemble the Creamy Casserole

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked egg noodles, cooked chicken and vegetable mixture from the skillet, condensed cream of celery soup, condensed cream of mushroom soup, milk, chicken stock, dried parsley, salt, and pepper.

Stir all the ingredients together thoroughly until everything is evenly distributed and well coated in the creamy sauce. Ensure the noodles and chicken are fully incorporated into the sauce mixture.

Pour the combined casserole mixture into the prepared greased baking dish, spreading it evenly across the dish.

Step 4: Create the Crispy Potato Chip Topping (Optional)

If you are using the potato chip topping, prepare it now. In a separate small bowl, combine the crushed potato chips with melted butter. Toss to coat the crushed chips evenly with the melted butter.

Sprinkle the buttered crushed potato chips evenly over the top of the casserole mixture in the baking dish, creating a uniform layer of topping.

Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection

Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the casserole is heated through, bubbly around the edges, and the topping (if used) is golden brown and crispy. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C) to ensure the casserole is heated through.

Remove the Creamy Chicken Noodle Casserole from the oven and let it rest for about 10 minutes before serving. This resting time allows the casserole to set slightly and makes it easier to serve.

Tips for Variations

Extra Cheesy Indulgence

Elevate the cheesiness by incorporating shredded cheese into the casserole filling. Stir in 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, or Parmesan cheese into the casserole mixture before baking. You can also create a cheese crust by topping the casserole with shredded cheese instead of potato chips, or in addition to them.

Vegetable Medley Boost

Increase the vegetable content by adding other vegetables to the casserole. Consider incorporating peas and carrots (using a frozen mixed vegetable blend for convenience), green beans, broccoli florets, or mushrooms. Ensure denser vegetables are pre-cooked slightly before adding to the casserole mixture.

Herbaceous Aromatics

Enhance the flavour profile with fresh herbs. Stir in chopped fresh dill, chives, oregano, or basil into the casserole mixture before baking, or sprinkle fresh herbs over the top as a garnish after baking. Fresh herbs add a vibrant and aromatic dimension.

Spicy Heat Infusion

Add a touch of spice for those who prefer a kick. Incorporate a pinch of red pepper flakes into the casserole mixture, add a dash of hot sauce, or include a finely diced jalapeño pepper when sautéing the onions and celery. Adjust the amount of spice to your desired heat level.

Creamy Mushroom Delight

For mushroom lovers, double the amount of cream of mushroom soup and add an extra 8 oz of sliced fresh mushrooms, sautéed with the onions and celery. This intensifies the mushroom flavour and creates a richer, more mushroom-centric casserole. Sauté the mushrooms until browned and softened for optimal flavour.

Serving Suggestions

Simple Side Salad Pairing

Serve Creamy Chicken Noodle Casserole alongside a fresh and crisp side salad dressed with a light vinaigrette. The salad provides a refreshing contrast to the richness of the casserole, creating a balanced and complete meal.

Garlic Bread Companiment

Pair the casserole with warm and crusty garlic bread or dinner rolls for soaking up the creamy sauce and adding a comforting carbohydrate side. Garlic bread enhances the savoury flavours and provides a satisfying accompaniment.

Steamed Green Vegetable Side

Serve Creamy Chicken Noodle Casserole with a side of steamed green vegetables such as green beans, asparagus, or broccoli. Steamed vegetables add a touch of freshness, colour, and nutritional balance to the meal.

Cozy Soup and Casserole Combo

Create a comforting soup and casserole meal by serving Creamy Chicken Noodle Casserole alongside a bowl of tomato soup or cream of vegetable soup. This combination offers a double dose of warmth and comfort, perfect for chilly evenings.

Loaded Baked Potato Partner

For a heartier meal, serve Creamy Chicken Noodle Casserole with a loaded baked potato. Top the baked potato with butter, sour cream, cheese, and chives for a satisfying and customizable side dish that complements the casserole.

FAQ

Can I use different types of noodles?

While egg noodles are classic, you can experiment with other noodles like rotini, penne, or bow tie pasta. Cooking times may need to be adjusted based on the type of noodle used. Ensure the noodles are cooked al dente before adding to the casserole.

How do I make sure the casserole isn’t dry?

To prevent a dry casserole, ensure you use enough liquid (milk and chicken broth) and avoid overbaking. The casserole should be bubbly and heated through, but not dry. If it appears dry before baking, add a splash more milk or chicken broth to the mixture.

Can I prepare this casserole in advance?

Yes, you can assemble the Creamy Chicken Noodle Casserole ahead of time. Prepare all components and assemble the casserole in the baking dish, but do not bake. Cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Bake as directed when ready to serve, adding about 10-15 minutes to the baking time if baking directly from the refrigerator.

What if I don’t have condensed cream of celery or mushroom soup?

You can substitute with other condensed cream soups like cream of chicken, cream of potato, or cream of onion soup. The flavour profile will be slightly different, but still delicious. Alternatively, you can make a homemade cream sauce from scratch using butter, flour, milk, and seasonings.

Can I add a crispy topping without potato chips?

Yes, you can use other crispy toppings. Try French fried onions, crushed crackers, or buttered breadcrumbs instead of potato chips. These alternatives will provide a similar textural contrast and golden-brown crust to the casserole.

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