I share 10 easy chicken casserole recipes which you can make tonight to enjoy now or freeze for later! These are easy one-pan chicken dinner ideas that anyone can make and the whole family will happily devour.
Do you love effortless chicken dinners like we do? Check out my 10 Easy Crockpot Chicken Recipes!
My favorite easy chicken casseroles
Isn’t a casserole a wonderful thing? Just a big ol’ heap of delicious and wholesome ingredients coming together under one roof (made of melted cheese), all baked golden and bubbly. A casserole doesn’t take much effort to prepare, and the result is a filling, one-pan meal that’s packed with flavor and ready to feed a small army.
Today I’m sharing 10 of my best chicken casserole recipes that I just KNOW you’ll love. Because if anything makes a casserole that much better, it’s adding my favorite protein.
Perfect for family dinners, potlucks, and holidays, these chicken casseroles are perfect for making ahead and freezing for all your future nutritional needs. Make one tonight and save it for a busy weeknight!
Be sure to check out my casserole tips below, along with a guide to storing and freezing your chicken casseroles later in this post.
Why you’ll love these casserole recipes
So what makes this roundup of chicken casseroles reign supreme? So many things! But here are some of the best:
- Zero effort. If you have an oven and a casserole dish, you can make any of these delicious chicken casserole recipes.
- basic ingredients. Simple ingredients are the name of the game here. Any ingredients you don’t already have in your pantry are almost guaranteed to be found at your local supermarket.
- Healthy feel-good food. It doesn’t get any cozier or more satisfying than tucking into an oven-hot chicken casserole. These recipes are the definition of healthy home cooking.
- Minimal cleaning. A chicken casserole is a one-pan meal that feeds the whole family (and then some), with fewer dishes at the end of the day.
Tips for the best chicken casserole
Before we dive into this list of easy dinner ideas, here are some clever tips and tricks for baking the ultimate homemade chicken casserole:
- Choose the right baking pan. Ceramic casserole dishes tend to heat up more slowly than metal or glass and can affect baking time. If you’re in a hurry for a hot casserole, opt for the latter.
- Avoid overcooking your pasta. For casserole recipes that call for pasta, try cooking the pasta 2-3 minutes less than the package says. The noodles will be slightly undercooked, but this leaves room to finish cooking them once they’re baked in the casserole.
- Choose melty cheese. Not all cheeses are baked goods! Unless a recipe calls for something specific, stick to meltable cheeses like cheddar and grate fresh for best results.
- Get creative with ingredients. The beauty of making casseroles from scratch is how easily they can be customized. I often add suggestions for additions and ideas for variations to every recipe. But you can mix up your chicken casseroles with your favorite ingredients like veggies, spices, and more.
- Do not overfill the casserole dish. When assembling your chicken casserole, be sure to leave enough room in the casserole dish to accommodate any bubbles. If you’re concerned your casserole might overcook, place the casserole dish on a baking sheet to catch any spills.
- Should you cover a chicken casserole while baking? Most of the following recipes are baked open to achieve that golden and bubbly, crispy casserole top. Be sure to follow the instructions for each recipe.
- On that note, if your casserole is browning too quickly, You may want to cover it with aluminum foil or tent while it finishes baking. You can always remove the foil in the last few minutes to allow the top to crisp up again.
10 Chicken Casserole Recipes You Must Try
Let’s get down to some of my best ever chicken casserole recipes that hardly take any time or energy. Keep scrolling down for fun side casserole ideas and serving suggestions!
Cheesy Ranch Chicken Hash Brown Casserole
I love creamy casseroles and this Roesti Chicken Casserole has to be one of my best ever. The delicious flavors, the make-ahead factor, the fact that it’s basically crack chicken paired with potatoes…everything about this recipe is a winner.
Salsa Verde Chicken Casserole
This recipe turns my favorite chicken salsa verde recipe into a delicious and savory Mexican Chicken Casserole. This is a dinner full of bold flavors and lots of melty cheese.
Chicken Crescent Casserole
My mom used to make this recipe all the time and it has seen many variations over the years! This chicken crescent casserole is a family favorite casserole that’s kid friendly and always a hit at potlucks.
Easy Chicken Divan
Chicken Divan, but take it up a notch! This easy recipe skips the condensed soup in an updated version of the classic creamy chicken and broccoli casserole.
Chicken Cornbread Casserole
This Chicken Cornbread Casserole is one of my family’s favorite chicken dinners. It’s a true classic that even the pickiest eaters can’t resist, made with buttery cornbread stuffed with chicken and cheese.
poppy chicken
Poppy Chicken is a classic so obviously it made the top 10! I mean, what’s not to love about creamy chicken baked under a crunchy layer of buttery Ritz crackers and poppy seeds? Get your floss ready and dig in.
Fiesta Chicken Casserole
With just 5 minutes of prep, you’ll have this fiesta chicken casserole in the oven and on its way to your table. And speak of a feast of flavor: this Tex-Mex-inspired recipe packs a punch.
Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas
Turn leftover rotisserie chicken into the chicken enchiladas of your dreams with this finger-licking recipe. Baked in a casserole dish and topped with bubbly cheese.
Chicken cordon bleu casserole
All the flavors of the classic chicken dish come together in this irresistible Homemade Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole: salty ham, hearty filling and layers of juicy shredded chicken.
Easy Chicken Spaghetti Casserole
When it comes to recipes for busy weeknights, it doesn’t get easier or more delicious than this Creamy Chicken Spaghetti Casserole. This easy dinner idea is great for leftovers too!
What goes with a chicken casserole?
A homemade chicken casserole is a meal in itself, but many of the recipes I’ve included can be served with rice to spice up a meal. Or pair a casserole with savory dishes at your next family dinner or potluck. Here are simple side dishes for a hearty chicken casserole:
Storing and reheating leftovers
Most leftover chicken casseroles can be stored airtight in the refrigerator for a few days after baking. Seal leftovers in an airtight container or wrap in plastic wrap or foil.
My favorite way to reheat a chicken casserole is in the oven, covered, at 350ºF until heated through again. If necessary, cover the casserole for the last few minutes if you want to add some extra crunch to the topping.
Be sure to check each recipe for specific storage and reheating instructions.
How to freeze chicken casserole
Freezing is a great option when it comes to storing chicken casseroles. Who doesn’t love having a casserole (or five) in the freezer ready for a last-minute Hail Mary dinner? Freezing is as simple as bagging your chicken casserole either whole or in portions and storing in the freezer for up to 3-4 months.
Planning to freeze more than one casserole? Here’s a helpful “hack” on how to store casseroles without sacrificing your bakeware for months in the freezer:
- Line the casserole dish with foil before assembling the pot. Leave a few inches of extra foil on all sides.
- assemble pot, and either bake it or fold the foil over it to freeze it as is.
- Place the whole casserole in the freezer. Once set, lift the casserole out of the pan, foil and all. Wrap it in another layer of foil and then put it back in the freezer.
Voila! Your casserole dish is free for even more of your favorite dishes. Whenever you are ready to bake your frozen chicken casserole, remove the aluminum foil and place the casserole back in the casserole dish. Thaw the casserole in the fridge, then bake!