Description
Hearty Chicken Dinner Casserole is a simple, comforting weeknight meal. Creamy chicken and veggies baked to bubbly perfection for a family favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
- Base Ingredients:
- 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced (rotisserie chicken works great!)
- 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
- 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of chicken soup
- 1/2 cup milk (2% or whole milk preferred)
- 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn, green beans)
- Flavor Boosters:
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
- Finishing Touches:
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Prep Your Oven & Pan:: First things first, get that oven preheating to 375°F (190°C). While it’s warming up, grab a 9×13 inch baking dish. I usually give mine a quick spray with cooking non-stick spray, just to be safe. Nothing worse than a stubborn casserole stuck to the bottom, right? This step is a small one, but it saves so much scrubbing later, trust me on this. It sets the stage for our delicious Hearty Chicken Dinner Casserole.
- Mix the Creamy Base:: In a big mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, cream of chicken soup, and milk. Whisk it all together until it’s super smooth, like a silky dream. This is where the magic starts to happen! Don’t rush this part; you want to make sure there are no lumpy bits of cream cheese hanging around. I once didn’t soften my cream cheese enough, and it took ages to get smooth; totally worth the extra minute in the microwave. This forms the heart of our Easy Chicken Dinner Casserole.
- Add the Good Stuff:: Now for the fun part! Toss in your shredded cooked chicken, those frozen mixed vegetables (no need to thaw, honestly!), garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Give it a really good stir until everything is evenly coated in that lovely, creamy sauce. You want every piece of chicken and every veggie to be covered. I sometimes add a pinch more pepper here, just because! The smell of all these flavors coming together is just so comforting for this Hearty Chicken Dinner Casserole.
- Into the Dish It Goes:: Pour that glorious mixture into your prepared baking dish. Spread it out evenly with a spatula, making sure it’s all nestled in there nicely. This is where you can admire your handiwork before it goes into the oven. I always give the dish a little tap on the counter to settle everything. It just feels right! This step ensures every bite of your Easy Chicken Dinner Casserole is balanced.
- Cheese Please!:: Sprinkle that delicious shredded cheddar cheese all over the top. Don’t be shy! This is going to get bubbly and golden and amazing. I usually go a little heavier on the edges because I love those crispy cheese bits. This is the crowning glory of our Hearty Chicken Dinner Casserole, adding that irresistible, gooey layer.
- Bake Until Bubbly:: Pop the dish into your preheated oven and bake for about 30-35 minutes. You’re looking for that beautiful golden-brown, bubbly top and for the casserole to be heated through. If the top starts to brown too quickly, you can loosely cover it with foil. When it comes out, the kitchen will smell incredible, trust me! Let it rest for a few minutes before serving, it helps everything set for your Easy Chicken Dinner Casserole.