Description
This Cheesy Chicken Casserole is a comforting and creamy baked dish featuring tender rotisserie chicken, wide egg noodles, and a rich blend of cheddar and mozzarella cheeses. Topped with a buttery, crunchy poppy seed cracker crust, it’s an easy, crowd-pleasing meal perfect for family dinners or potlucks.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 whole rotisserie chicken
- 1 (16-oz) bag wide egg noodles
- 3 cups sour cream
- 2 (10.5-oz) cans unsalted cream of chicken soup
- 8 oz shredded cheddar cheese
- 8 oz shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ tsp onion powder (or to taste)
- ½ tsp garlic powder (or to taste)
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
Topping
- 1 sleeve Club crackers (crushed)
- ¼ cup butter (melted)
- 2 Tbsp poppy seeds
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350ºF (175ºC) and lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. This will prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Cook Egg Noodles: Bring a large pot of water to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the wide egg noodles and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the noodles well and set aside.
- Prepare Chicken: Remove all meat from the rotisserie chicken, discarding the skin, and chop the meat into bite-sized pieces for uniform texture in the casserole.
- Mix Casserole Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped chicken, cooked noodles, sour cream, cream of chicken soup, onion powder, garlic powder, shredded cheddar cheese, and shredded mozzarella cheese. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to your taste and mix until well incorporated.
- Assemble Casserole: Pour the chicken and noodle mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish, smoothing the top with a spatula for an even surface.
- Prepare Topping: In a small bowl, mix crushed Club crackers, melted butter, and poppy seeds until the crumbs are evenly coated. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top of the casserole to create a crisp, flavorful crust.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the topping is golden and crisp.
Notes
- Using a rotisserie chicken saves prep time and adds extra flavor.
- You can substitute Club crackers with breadcrumbs or crushed Ritz crackers for a different texture.
- For a lower-fat option, use reduced-fat sour cream and cheeses.
- Make sure not to overcook the noodles; al dente texture helps keep the casserole from becoming mushy.
- This casserole can be assembled a day ahead and refrigerated before baking; just increase the baking time by 5-10 minutes if baking cold.
- Feel free to add vegetables like peas or broccoli to add more color and nutrients.
