Description
A comforting and creamy chicken casserole loaded with shredded chicken, tender egg noodles, and a cheesy, crunchy cornflake topping. This Paula Deen classic is perfect for quick family dinners, combining savory soups, sour cream, and mayonnaise to create a rich and satisfying dish that’s easy to prepare and bake to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked, shredded chicken
- 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of chicken soup
- 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 cups cooked and drained egg noodles
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, drained (optional)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Topping
- 1 cup crushed cornflakes
- 2 tbsp melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it is hot and ready for baking the casserole.
- Mix Chicken and Cream Soups: In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken with both cans of cream of chicken and cream of mushroom soups. Add sour cream, mayonnaise, garlic powder, onion powder, and season with salt and pepper. Stir until the mixture is well combined and creamy.
- Add Noodles and Tomatoes: Gently fold in the cooked egg noodles and the drained diced tomatoes if using. Take care not to over-stir to preserve the noodle texture.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish to prevent sticking and spread the chicken mixture evenly inside the dish.
- Add Cheese Layer: Evenly sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the chicken mixture in the baking dish.
- Prepare Topping: In a small bowl, mix the crushed cornflakes with melted butter, then sprinkle this mixture evenly over the cheese layer for a crispy, golden topping.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the casserole is hot, bubbly, and the topping is golden brown.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from the oven and let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving to allow it to set and enhance the flavors.
Notes
- You can omit the diced tomatoes if you prefer a creamier casserole without the added acidity.
- Make sure the egg noodles are well-cooked but not mushy before adding to maintain texture.
- Use freshly shredded cheddar cheese for the best melt and flavor.
- For a lower fat version, substitute sour cream and mayonnaise with low-fat alternatives.
- This casserole can be prepared a day ahead and baked just before serving for convenience.
