Grandma’s Chicken Casserole

Looking for a great tasting easy chicken casserole? You are going to love this amazing chicken casserole. The aroma this simple grandmas chicken casserole meal gives off are reminiscent of homemade pot pie! If you’re a lover of pot pie, you won’t want to skip this recipe. I promise, it’s just as scrumptious, hearty, and filling as any frozen or pre-made pot pie you can buy at your local supermarket.

Best of all, with homemade ingredients, you can be sure you’re serving up only the best foods for your family and loved ones. This family friendly grandmas chicken casserole is also a great choice if you have children. Kids simply love this combination of chicken and savory goodness, they’ll hardly notice it’s also packed with veggies that are good for them!

This is so easy, delicious, and healthy. One bite, and you will know why this is one of the most asked for recipes in my home! I’m sure you’ll want to put this one in your monthly meal rotation or menu. It’s just that yummy!

Chicken is always a good choice. It is inexpensive to buy, goes with almost anything and it is so versatile and easy to make and serve.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• This recipe is just like a large chicken pot pie! Best of all, it’s affordable. If you need economical homemade chicken casserole ideas, don’t miss out.
• Family-friendly–this quick grandmas chicken recipe is suitable for everyone in the family. It’s savory, filling, and nutritious, too!
• Uses simple pantry ingredients–no fuss! It’s a straight-to-the-point casserole.
• You can get creative with added veggies, which allows you to create any flavor combination your household loves.

Ingredients:

4 large skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

4 cups water to cover

1 pinch salt and ground black pepper to taste

2 (15 ounce) cans mixed vegetables (such as Veg-All®), drained2 (10.5 ounces) can cream of chicken soup

1 (8 ounces) container sour cream

1 (8 ounces) can sliced water chestnuts, drained

1 large onion, finely chopped

1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

1 sleeve buttery round crackers (such as Ritz®), crushed

2 tablespoons butter, cubed, or to taste

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

Boneless chicken breasts: If you prefer a more tender, juicy chicken type, consider using rotisserie chicken or chicken thighs. While chicken breast is ideal for a healthy grandmas chicken casserole version, the cut of chicken you use is totally up to you!

Onion: Swap the onion for onion powder if you have picky eaters or if you’re not a fan of the onion’s texture.

Buttery round crackers: You can use standard or Italian breadcrumbs with this recipe. Or opt for panko or pork rind crumbs for a lower-carb option.

Mixed vegetables: If you prefer adding in veggies from single cans, you can do so with this easy grandmas chicken casserole for beginners: Choose to add in diced potatoes, peas, carrots, and even corn to suit your tastes.

Sliced water chestnuts: If you’re not a fan of water chestnuts, due to the taste or texture, you can swap them for chopped, pre-cooked potatoes (a can will work just fine). You can also omit them altogether and still enjoy this savory casserole.

Cheddar cheese: There’s nothing quite like cheddar cheese in this casserole. However, you can add your favorite cheeses, from mozzarella to topping this one with creamy goat cheese, for an even more unique flavor combo.

How to Make It

Step 1. Prepare the oven and preheat it to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. During this time, prepare your other ingredients to make the prep time even faster.

Step 2. Pour enough water into a large pot to submerge the chicken. Turn the heat to high.

Step 3. Add the chicken into the pot. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Then, allow the water to boil.

Step 4. Once the water is boiling, reduce the heat to medium and cover the pot. Simmer for 15 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.

Step 5. Remove the chicken from the pot and let it sit at room temperature to cool for 5 to 10 minutes.

Step 6. Slice the chicken into small cuts. You can use a large kitchen knife or kitchen scissors for an even easier time during this process.

Step 7. In a large mixing bowl, add in the chicken soup, canned vegetables, water chestnuts, cheddar cheese, and sour cream. Stir until well mixed. Combine thoroughly to ensure this best grandmas chicken casserole recipe is blended right!

Step 8. Transfer the mixture to a large baking dish and sprinkle crushed crackers on top and a dollop of butter.

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Step 9. Place your casserole dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes or until it starts to bubble and the top turns brown.

Step 10. Remove from the oven and let it sit at room temperature for at least 5 minutes.

Enjoy!

Now, remember to save this recipe on Pinterest for later 🙂

Tips for Success

Prepare sides such as your sour cream, vanned veggies, chopped onion, and measured-out cheese as you’re preheating your oven. This helps make this recipe a breeze!

Use chicken breasts if you’re trying to make this casserole as healthy as possible. That way, you can enjoy its savoriness without the added fat and calories found in chicken thighs.

Storage & Reheating

Thankfully, this chicken casserole can be stored in your refrigerator for up to 4 days (if you’re lucky to have leftovers). Store servings in airtight containers or cover with a casserole dish lid, if you have one that fits your dish.

You can also store servings of this casserole dish in your freezer for between 2 and 3 months.

To reheat, remove the servings you plan to eat and allow them to rest, or come to room temperature. Then, you can reheat your casserole in the oven at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 to 15 minutes. You can also microwave this grandma’s casserole for 2 to 3 minutes per serving.

Serving Suggestions

If you’re searching for homemade grandmas chicken casserole ideas that involve sides to serve with this dish, consider Dad’s creamy cucumber salad or a summer kidney bean salad recipe! Because of the heartiness of this meal, it’s best to choose a light side dish. Cornbread and even your own fresh green salad are also possibilities.

Notes

This grandma’s chicken casserole is perfect if you grew up loving and enjoying pot pies! You can make this during a cool fall or winter evening or even in the middle of the week during summer. This recipe is delicious year-round!

Grandma’s Chicken Casserole

4 from 1 vote

Review Recipe

Ingredients 

• 4 large skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
• 4 c water to cover
• 1 pinch salt and ground black pepper to taste
• 2 cans mixed vegetables, such as Veg-All®, drained2 (10.5 ounces) can cream of chicken soup
• 1 container sour cream
• 1 can sliced water chestnuts, drained
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 1 c shredded Cheddar cheese
• 1 sleeve buttery round crackers, such as Ritz®, crushed
• 2 tbsp butter

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 200 degrees C or 400 degrees F.
• Submerge the chicken in water. Turn the heat to high.
• Add in the chicken into the pot. Season with salt and pepper to taste then allow the water to boil.
• Reduce the heat to medium and cover the pot.
• Simmer for 15 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.
• Remove the chicken from the pot and let it sit at room temperature to cool for 5 to 10 minutes.
• Slice the chicken into small cuts.
• In a large mixing bowl, add in the chicken soup, canned vegetables water chestnuts, Cheddar cheese, and sour cream. Stir until well mixed.
• Transfer the mixture into a large baking dish and sprinkle crushed crackers on top and a dot of butter.
• Place inside the oven and bake for 30 minutes or until it starts to bubble and the top turns brown.
• Remove from the oven and let it sit at room temperature for at least 5 minutes.
• Enjoy!

Notes

Source: Allrecipes

Author: Laura