Description
This Pioneer Woman Chicken Noodle Casserole is a comforting, hearty dish featuring tender egg noodles, shredded chicken, and vegetables in a creamy cheddar and cream of chicken soup sauce, topped with a buttery cracker crust. Perfect for family dinners, it combines classic flavors with an easy baking method for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Base
- 12 oz wide egg noodles
Sauce
- 2 cans (10.5 oz each) cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- ½ tsp kosher salt
Protein & Vegetables
- 3 cups cooked, shredded chicken (rotisserie works great)
- ½ small yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
- 1 bag (12 oz) frozen peas and carrots, thawed
Topping
- 1½ cups crushed butter crackers (such as Ritz)
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
Garnish
- Chopped parsley
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Cook Noodles: Bring salted water to a boil and cook the wide egg noodles until al dente, about 7 minutes. Drain the noodles thoroughly and set aside.
- Prepare Sauce: In a large bowl, combine the cream of chicken soup, whole milk, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, ground black pepper, and kosher salt. Mix well until you have a smooth sauce base.
- Add Protein and Vegetables: Stir the cooked, shredded chicken, finely chopped onion, celery, and thawed peas and carrots into the sauce mixture. Ensure all ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Combine with Noodles: Fold the cooked egg noodles into the sauce and chicken mixture gently until everything is well coated and mixed. Transfer this mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
- Prepare Topping: In a small bowl, mix the crushed butter crackers with the melted unsalted butter. Sprinkle this buttery cracker topping evenly over the casserole.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the casserole is heated through and the topping is golden brown and crisp.
- Serve: Once baked, remove the casserole from the oven and garnish with freshly chopped parsley. Serve warm for a comforting meal.
Notes
- Using rotisserie chicken saves time and adds flavor.
- Make sure to thaw the frozen peas and carrots before mixing to avoid excess moisture.
- You can substitute the butter crackers topping with breadcrumbs for a different texture.
- To make this dish ahead, assemble it and refrigerate before baking. Add a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking from cold.
- For a lighter version, use reduced-fat cheese and low-fat milk.
