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    Home » Recipes » Casseroles

    Chicken Noodle Casserole

    Published: Nov 25, 2021 · Modified: Jun 27, 2023 by Heather · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · 881 words. · About 5 minutes to read this article.

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    Chicken noodle casserole recipe.
    Chicken noodle casserole recipe.
    Chicken noodle casserole recipe.

    Chicken noodle casserole is a nostalgic dish made with chicken, egg noodles, veggies, and a creamy, homemade sauce. This filling casserole feeds up to eight and is ready in less than 45 minutes.

    A wooden spoon scooping noodles, chicken, and veggies in a creamy sauce from a white casserole dish.

    Chicken noodle casserole is a classic dish that's easy to prepare for your next family meal. Plus, this chicken noodle casserole is made without canned soups - the cream sauce is made entirely from scratch with simple pantry staples!

    First, you'll cook and shred your chicken (or, use a cooked rotisserie chicken or canned chicken). Then, you'll make a creamy, from scratch sauce that starts with a basic roux, onions, and garlic. Last, you'll assemble your casserole with egg noodles, frozen veggies, and a crunchy panko crust. Your casserole will be on the dinner table in less than an hour!

    Serve a from scratch chicken noodle casserole for your next weeknight meal or Sunday dinner with the family. Leftovers reheat beautifully, so you enjoy your casserole all week long!

    Ingredients and substitutions

    Ingredients on a counter top.
    • Rotisserie chicken - can be substituted with any cooked and shredded chicken. Or, use canned, drained chicken or tuna.
    • Egg noodles - any thickness works, but I prefer medium egg noodles. Or, substitute with any medium sized pasta, like farfalle, shells, or macaroni.
    • Unsalted butter - Can be substituted with salted butter (be sure to omit half of the salt listed in the recipe).
    • Onions and garlic - add flavor to your casserole.
    • Flour - All purpose flour combined with butter makes a roux, which will thicken your homemade cream sauce.
    • Milk - Whole milk makes creamiest sauce, but 2% or 1% will also work (your sauce will be on the thin side).
    • Chicken broth - can be substituted with vegetable broth.
    • Peas and carrots - can be substituted with any frozen mixed vegetables.
    • Panko bread crumbs - They make the best crunchy crust, but can be substituted with traditional bread crumbs or crushed butter crackers (like Ritz brand).
    • Seasoning - You'll also need salt, pepper, and dried thyme.

    Casserole tips and tricks

    Assembling a chicken noodle casserole.
    • Use a 3 quart 9x13 casserole dish.
    • Lightly grease your casserole dish before adding your ingredients. Softened butter or cooking spray work well.
    • When adding the flour to make a roux, whisk until no flour lumps remain. When adding the milk and broth, whisk continuously until smooth and creamy.
    • Cook your pasta to al dente - no more. Overcooked pasta will only get mushier in the oven.
    • When broiling your crust, do not walk away. The broiler can take your crust from browned to burnt in just a few extra seconds.

    Browning the panko crust

    After baking your casserole in the oven, the panko crust may need a little more browning on top.

    Once your casserole is hot and bubbling in the middle, turn the broiler on. Sitting on the middle rack in the oven, your panko crust should turn a lovely golden brown after about 2 minutes under the broiler.

    Do not walk away - the broiler will brown your crust quickly! It can go from browned to burnt with only a few extra seconds under the broiler.

    White casserole dish filled with chicken noodle casserole, with a wooden spoon.

    Leftovers

    Leftover chicken casserole reheats well and will last for 3-4 days in the refrigerator, covered in a tightly sealed container.

    Dairy based and pasta recipes generally do not freeze and thaw well, so I do not recommend freezing this recipe.

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    📖 Recipe

    A wooden spoon scooping noodles, chicken, and veggies in a creamy sauce from a white casserole dish.
    Print Recipe
    4.59 from 12 reviews

    Chicken Noodle Casserole

    Chicken noodle casserole is a nostalgic dish made with chicken, egg noodles, veggies, and a creamy, homemade sauce. This filling casserole feeds up to eight and is ready in less than 45 minutes.
    Prep Time20 minutes minutes
    Cook Time18 minutes minutes
    Total Time38 minutes minutes
    Servings: 8 servings
    Calories: 430kcal
    Author: Heather

    Ingredients

    • 12 ounces egg noodles
    • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
    • ½ medium onion, diced
    • 2 cloves garlic, minced
    • 4 tablespoon all-purpose flour
    • 2 cups chicken broth
    • 1 ½ cups milk
    • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper
    • 2 cups frozen peas and carrots
    • 12 ounces cooked and shredded chicken, *

    Breadcrumb Topping

    • 1 cup panko bread crumbs
    • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
    • ¼ teaspoon salt

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a 9x13 casserole dish and set aside.
    • Cook egg noodles according to package directions for al dente pasta. Drain, pour noodles into 9x13 pan, and set aside.
    • Meanwhile, in a saucepan over medium heat, add butter. Once hot and melted, add diced onions. Cook until onions begin to brown and turn translucent. Add garlic and flour, then cook for 1 additional minute. 
    • Add chicken broth and milk, whisking continuously until incorporated and smooth. Bring to a simmer and cook until sauce has thickened slightly, about 3 to 4 minutes. 
    • Remove from heat and add salt, pepper, thyme, peas and carrots, and shredded chicken, stirring to combine. Pour mixture over noodles and gently toss to coat.
    • In a separate bowl, combine bread crumbs, melted butter, and salt. Sprinkle evenly over casserole. 
    • Bake uncovered for 15-18 minutes, or until casserole is hot and bubbling in the center. Optionally, broil for 2 minutes to brown crust on top. Do not walk away from your oven while broiling, your crust will brown quickly.

    Equipment Recommendations

    • Emile Henry 9x13 Stoneware Baking Dish
    • Pyrex Liquid Measuring Cups
    • Measuring Spoons
    • SS 3-Quart Saucepan

    Notes

    • * A shredded rotisserie chicken, cooked and shredded chicken breast and thighs, or canned, drained chicken will work in this recipe.
    • Leftovers will keep for 3-4 days in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator. Cream based sauces and pasta do not freeze/thaw well, so I do not recommend freezing leftovers.

    Nutrition Estimate

    Calories: 430kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 96mg | Sodium: 721mg | Potassium: 402mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 3807IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 110mg | Iron: 2mg
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American

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    1. Diane Blanshan

      March 16, 2023 at 7:34 pm

      This was an old time dinner as a kid. The casserole was good…..not great. The spices could have used additional amounts for more flavor. The colors were wonderful. I added more chicken because I like my meat, and had leftover rotisserie chicken to use. The total time from starting the prep and getting it to the table was 1 hour 15 minutes. Allow that time……unless you do everything ahead.

      Reply

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    Heather of The Toasty Kitchen

    Hi, I'm Heather of The Toasty Kitchen. I love cooking with real, unfussy ingredients, and I want to help you make homemade meals with ease.

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