Description
Hearty Pioneer Woman chicken noodle casserole delivers comfort from scratch with creamy sauce and tender chicken. Home cooks can savor this classic midwestern dish that warms souls and satisfies hunger with simple ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups cooked, shredded chicken (from 1 rotisserie chicken)
- 12 oz (340 g) wide egg noodles
- 2 cans (10.5 oz/298 g each) cream of chicken soup
- 1 bag (12 oz/340 g) frozen peas and carrots, thawed
- 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 ½ cups coarsely crushed butter crackers (such as Ritz, about 1 cracker sleeve)
- ½ small yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
- 2 tbsps unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- Chopped parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Noodle Preparation: Submerge egg noodles in generously salted boiling water, cooking until perfectly tender. Drain and allow to rest momentarily.
- Flavor Fusion: Whisk cream of chicken soup with whole milk, sharp cheddar cheese, ground black pepper, and kosher salt in a substantial mixing vessel. Integrate cooked chicken, diced onion, chopped celery, and thawed vegetable medley, blending until harmoniously combined.
- Casserole Assembly: Tenderly incorporate cooked noodles into the creamy mixture, ensuring comprehensive coating. Transfer the luxurious blend into a 13-by-9-inch baking dish, distributing evenly to create a uniform layer.
- Crunchy Topping Construction: Merge crushed butter crackers with melted unsalted butter, creating a golden, crisp coating. Lavishly spread this mixture across the casserole’s surface for a textural dimension.
- Baking Transformation: Slide the casserole into a preheated 375°F oven. Bake for 30-35 minutes until thoroughly heated and the topping achieves a delectable golden-brown hue.
- Finishing Touch: Extract the casserole from the oven and embellish with freshly chopped parsley. Serve immediately while the dish radiates warmth and appetizing aroma.
Notes
- Noodle Texture Tip: Cook egg noodles precisely to al dente to prevent mushiness, ensuring they maintain a perfect bite after baking.
- Cheese Selection Strategy: Use sharp cheddar for deeper flavor complexity, enhancing the casserole’s overall taste profile.
- Cracker Topping Trick: Crush butter crackers unevenly for varied texture, creating an extra crispy and interesting golden-brown crust.
- Temperature Check: Allow casserole to rest 5-10 minutes after baking to help it set and make serving easier without falling apart.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 80mg