Hairy Bikers Old-Fashioned Chicken Casserole Recipe

This Hairy Bikers Old-Fashioned Chicken Casserole is a creamy and comforting recipe, which is made with tender chicken, mixed vegetables, and a crunchy cracker topping. It’s the perfect easy weeknight dinner, ready in about 50 minutes.

Hairy Bikers Old-Fashioned Chicken Casserole Recipe Ingredients

• 4 large skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
• 2 (15 ounce) cans mixed vegetables, drained
• 2 (10.5 ounce) cans cream of chicken soup
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 1 (8 ounce) container sour cream
• 1 (8 ounce) can sliced water chestnuts, drained
• 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
• 1 sleeve buttery round crackers (such as Ritz), crushed
• 2 tablespoons butter, cubed
• Salt and ground black pepper to taste
• Water to cover chicken

How To Make Hairy Bikers Old-Fashioned Chicken Casserole

1. Preheat Oven and Cook Chicken: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the chicken breasts in a large pot and cover them with water. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through.
2. Chop the Chicken: Drain the chicken and let it cool for 5 to 10 minutes. Once cool enough to handle, chop the chicken into small, bite-sized pieces.
3. Combine the Casserole Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix together the chopped chicken, drained canned vegetables, cream of chicken soup, chopped onion, sour cream, drained water chestnuts, and shredded cheese until everything is well combined.
4. Assemble the Casserole: Pour the mixture into a 9×13-inch baking dish.
5. Add Topping and Bake: Sprinkle the crushed crackers evenly over the top of the casserole and dot with the cubed butter.
6. Serve: Bake for about 30 minutes, or until the filling is hot and bubbling and the cracker topping is golden brown. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving.

Recipe Tips

• How can I save time on this recipe? For a super quick version, you can use a store-bought rotisserie chicken instead of cooking the chicken breasts. Simply shred the meat and you can skip the first step entirely.
• What are water chestnuts? Water chestnuts are an aquatic vegetable that, even when cooked, retain a wonderful crisp, crunchy texture. They are a classic ingredient in many retro-style casseroles and add a delightful crunch.
• Can I use a different kind of soup? Yes, this is a very flexible casserole. You could substitute one or both of the cans of cream of chicken soup with cream of mushroom, cream of celery, or even cheddar cheese soup for a different flavor profile.
• How do I get the topping extra crispy? For an even crunchier topping, you can toss the crushed crackers with the 2 tablespoons of melted butter before you sprinkle them over the casserole.

What To Serve With Old-Fashioned Chicken Casserole

This is a hearty, all-in-one casserole that is a complete meal in itself. It’s often served with:

• A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette
• Dinner rolls or biscuits
• Steamed rice

How To Store Chicken Casserole

• Refrigerate: Let the casserole cool completely, then cover it tightly or transfer slices to an airtight container. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Freeze: You can freeze the baked and cooled casserole. Wrap it well in both plastic wrap and foil. It will keep for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheat: Reheat individual portions in the microwave or place the casserole dish back in a 350°F (175°C) oven until warmed through.

Old-Fashioned Chicken Casserole Nutrition Facts

• Serving Size: 1/10 of recipe
• Calories: ~550 kcal
• Protein: 35g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fat: 30g
• Saturated Fat: 15g

Nutrition information is an estimate and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

Try More Recipes:

• Hairy Bikers Chicken and Ham Pie Recipe
• Hairy Bikers Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe

Hairy Bikers Old-Fashioned Chicken Casserole Recipe

Author: Alex Saidani Cooking Method:Baking Cuisine:American Courses:Dinner

Difficulty:BeginnerPrep time: 15 minutesCook time: 30 minutesRest time: 10 minutesTotal time: 55 minutesCooking Temp:100 CServings:10 servingsEstimated Cost:25 $Calories:550 kcal Best Season:Available

Description

A creamy and comforting one-dish meal with tender chicken, mixed vegetables, and a savory sour cream sauce, all baked under a crunchy, buttery cracker topping.

Ingredients

• 4 large skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
• 2 (15 oz) cans mixed vegetables, drained
• 2 (10.5 oz) cans cream of chicken soup
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 (8 oz) container sour cream
• 1 (8 oz) can sliced water chestnuts, drained
• 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
• 1 sleeve buttery round crackers (like Ritz), crushed
• 2 tbsp butter, cubed
• Salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Boil the chicken in seasoned water for about 15 minutes until cooked through. Drain, cool, and chop.
2. In a large bowl, mix the chopped chicken, drained vegetables, soup, onion, sour cream, water chestnuts, and cheese.
3. Pour the mixture into a 9×13-inch baking dish.
4. Sprinkle the crushed crackers over the top.
5. Dot with the cubed butter.
6. Bake for about 30 minutes, until the filling is bubbly and the topping is golden brown.
7. Let rest for a few minutes before serving.

Notes

• For a quick shortcut, use a store-bought rotisserie chicken instead of boiling the chicken breasts.
• The water chestnuts add a classic, delightful crunch to the creamy casserole.
• This casserole is a great make-ahead meal; assemble it and refrigerate, then top with crackers and bake when ready.
• For an extra crispy topping, toss the crushed crackers with melted butter before sprinkling them on top.