Step-By-Step Casserole Instructions
. Follow these simple steps:
Prep Chicken & Veg
Chop or shred 2-3 cups cooked chicken. Mince 1⁄2 onion and celery stalks.
Make Chicken Salad
Mix chicken with 8oz softened cream cheese, 1⁄2 cup mayo, 1 Tbsp lemon juice, salt, pepper and any extras like hot sauce or ranch seasoning.
Sauté Veggies
Optional – for crunch and flavor
Cook minced onion and celery in 1 Tbsp oil or butter until softened, 2-3 minutes.
Assemble Casserole
. In a greased 2-quart casserole dish layer as follows:
1⁄3 chicken salad mixture
1 cup shredded cheese
1 cup veggies like peas, broccoli, corn, etc
Repeat layers two more times, ending with chicken mixture.
Top and Bake
Cover top layer with 1 cup crushed crackers, chips, fried onions or toasted breadcrumbs. Bake at 375°F for 30 minutes until bubbly and top is browned.
Cool and Slice
Allow casserole to rest for 10 minutes before scooping out cheesy chicken goodness!
Tips for Best Flavor
. Follow these secrets from grandma:
Amp Up Seasonings
Don’t be shy with savory flavors like garlic, onion and spice blends.
Soften Cream Cheese
Let cream cheese reach room temperature before blending for ultra-smooth results.
Chilled Pie Crust Topping
For an extra special presentation, top hot casserole with chilled, pre-made pie dough cut into strips before baking.
With endless ways to tweak this recipe and use up leftover chicken, this satisfying casserole will become a new family classic! Both the finished casserole and fully cooked, cooled dish can be stored for quick meals later…
Storage and Reheating
. Chicken salad casserole stores easily for grabbing fast meals later on:
Refrigeration
Leftover casserole will keep fresh refrigerated for 3 to 5 days. Cover dish tightly in plastic wrap or foil.
Freezing
The cooked casserole freezes well for up to 3 months. Allow dish to cool completely before wrapping tightly for the freezer.
Thawing
To thaw frozen chicken salad casserole, keep wrapped dish in fridge overnight until fully thawed.
Reheating
Leftover individual portions or fully thawed casserole can be reheated in the microwave with a splash of milk or chicken broth to prevent drying out.
For best results, reheat entire casserole in a 325°F oven, covered in foil, for 15 to 20 minutes until heated through. Broil a final 2-3 minutes if you want the topping extra crispy.
Now that you know how easily this yummy chicken bake comes together, be sure to add hot chicken salad casserole into your regular meal planning rotation. It makes excellent use of leftover chicken or turkey and whips up in just 30 minutes.
Simply switch up the add-in ingredients and crunchy toppings to invent your family’s perfect comforting version to request over and over. Enjoy!
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