Hey busy folks! Craving a home-cooked meal that's quick, healthy, and bursting with flavor? Let me introduce you to Awesome Baked Chicken Noodle Casserole. This isn’t your grandma's heavy casserole – it’s a lighter, brighter version that’s perfect for weeknights. As a working parent, it's my go-to meal when I want something comforting, nutritious, and easy to clean up after. Trust me, you’ll want to add this to your dinner rotation!
Why You Will Love This Recipe
My earliest memories are filled with the aroma of baking chicken and noodles wafting from my grandmother's kitchen. Her chicken noodle casserole was legendary. Awesome Baked Chicken Noodle Casserole is my modern take on that classic comfort food. It captures the warmth and love of her original recipe, but with a healthier twist and easier prep. Every bite brings back those cherished moments and allows me to share that feeling with my own family.
Ingredients
- Chicken:
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- Noodles:
- 1 (12 ounce) package egg noodles
- Vegetables:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup diced onion
- 1 cup diced celery
- 1 cup diced carrots
- 1 (10 ounce) package frozen peas
- Sauce:
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
- Topping:
- 1/2 cup bread crumbs
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
Step-by-Step Instructions for Making the Recipe
- Preheat: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cook Noodles: Cook the egg noodles according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, celery, and carrots. Cook until tender, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in frozen peas.
- Make the Sauce: In a separate saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour until smooth. Gradually whisk in chicken broth and milk until no lumps remain. Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly.
- Season the Sauce: Add salt, pepper, and thyme to the sauce. Simmer for 2-3 minutes, or until slightly thickened.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine cooked noodles, sautéed vegetables, shredded chicken, and sauce. Mix well.
- Prepare Casserole Dish: Pour the mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Add Topping: In a small bowl, combine bread crumbs and melted butter. Sprinkle evenly over the casserole.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly.
- Serve: Let cool slightly before serving. Enjoy!
Awesome Baked Chicken Noodle Casserole
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cook the egg noodles according to package directions. Drain and set aside.1 (12 ounce) package egg noodles
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, celery, and carrots. Cook until tender, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in frozen peas.1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 cup diced onion, 1 cup diced celery, 1 cup diced carrots, 1 (10 ounce) package frozen peas
- In a separate saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour until smooth. Gradually whisk in chicken broth and milk until no lumps remain. Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly.4 tablespoons butter, 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour, 3 cups chicken broth, 1/2 cup milk
- Add salt, pepper, and thyme to the sauce. Simmer for 2-3 minutes, or until slightly thickened.1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
- In a large bowl, combine cooked noodles, sautéed vegetables, shredded chicken, and sauce. Mix well.2 cups cooked chicken, 1 (12 ounce) package egg noodles, 1 cup diced onion, 1 cup diced celery, 1 cup diced carrots, 1 (10 ounce) package frozen peas, 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Pour the mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
- In a small bowl, combine bread crumbs and melted butter. Sprinkle evenly over the casserole.1/2 cup bread crumbs, 2 tablespoons melted butter
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly.
- Let cool slightly before serving. Enjoy!