Cheesy Chicken & Hash Brown Casserole
This Cheesy Chicken & Hash Brown Casserole is a comforting, hearty meal that's perfect for busy weeknights or family gatherings. With a delightful combination of tender chicken, creamy sauce, and a cheesy topping, all baked together with golden hash browns, this dish is sure to please everyone at the table. It's an all-in-one dish that requires minimal prep and cleanup, making it a go-to recipe for any home cook. Serve it with a side of salsa for an added kick!
4-6 servings
Servings
583
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
Margarine
1/4 cup (Melted)
Red Sweet Bell Pepper
1 (Chopped)
Onion
1 (Chopped)
Celery Ribs
2 (Chopped)
Sour Cream
1 (8 ounce) carton (None)
Half-and-Half Cream
1 1/2 cups (None)
Chopped Green Chilies
1 (7 ounce) can (Drained)
Chicken Bouillon
1 teaspoon (None)
Seasoning Salt
1 teaspoon (None)
Celery Salt
1/2 teaspoon (None)
White Pepper
1/2 teaspoon (None)
Cooked Cubed Chicken
3-4 cups (Cooked and cubed)
Shredded Cheddar Cheese
1 (16 ounce) package (Divided)
Hash Brown Potatoes
1 (2 lb) package (Thawed)
Salsa
To taste (Optional topping)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the margarine. Add the chopped red bell pepper, onion, and celery, then sauté until the vegetables are soft and fragrant, about 5-7 minutes.
3
In a large mixing bowl, combine the sour cream, half-and-half, drained green chilies, chicken bouillon, seasoning salt, celery salt, and white pepper. Whisk until smooth and well combined.
4
Stir in the sautéed bell pepper mixture, cooked cubed chicken, and half of the shredded cheddar cheese until thoroughly mixed.
5
Gently fold in the thawed hash brown potatoes until evenly distributed. Spoon the mixture into a greased 9x13 inch baking dish.
6
Bake the casserole uncovered in the preheated oven for 45 minutes or until it is bubbly and the edges are slightly golden.
7
Remove the casserole from the oven, sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese on top, and return it to the oven for an additional 5 minutes, or until the cheese has melted.
8
Allow the casserole to rest for a few minutes before serving. Top with salsa, if desired.
Nutrition Information
33.3g
Fat
46.7g
Carbs
30g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cheesy Chicken & Hash Brown Casserole?
It is a comforting and hearty all-in-one meal featuring tender chicken, a creamy sauce, golden hash browns, and a melted cheese topping.
What are the main ingredients in this casserole?
The main ingredients include cooked cubed chicken, hash brown potatoes, shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, half-and-half, and a mix of sautéed vegetables like red bell pepper, onion, and celery.
At what temperature should the oven be set?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C).
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes approximately 4 to 6 servings.
Should the hash browns be frozen or thawed before cooking?
The hash brown potatoes should be thawed before being folded into the mixture.
Does the chicken need to be cooked beforehand?
Yes, the recipe calls for 3-4 cups of chicken that is already cooked and cubed.
How long does the casserole need to bake?
It bakes for 45 minutes uncovered, plus an additional 5 minutes after adding the final cheese topping.
What type of cheese is recommended?
The recipe uses a 16-ounce package of shredded cheddar cheese, divided for the filling and the topping.
Can I add a topping for extra flavor?
Yes, serving the casserole with a side of salsa is recommended for an added kick.
What vegetables are sautéed for the base?
One red sweet bell pepper, one onion, and two celery ribs are chopped and sautéed in margarine.
What size baking dish is required?
A greased 9x13 inch baking dish is ideal for this recipe.
Is there any spice in this dish?
The dish contains a 7-ounce can of drained green chilies and white pepper for a mild heat.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 583 calories.
What provides the creamy texture in the sauce?
A combination of sour cream and half-and-half cream creates the creamy base.
How much protein is in this meal?
There are 30 grams of protein per serving.
What seasonings are used?
The recipe uses chicken bouillon, seasoning salt, celery salt, and white pepper.
Do I bake the casserole covered or uncovered?
The casserole should be baked uncovered for the duration of the cooking time.
How long should the vegetables be sautéed?
Sauté the peppers, onions, and celery for about 5-7 minutes until soft and fragrant.
Can I use butter instead of margarine?
While the recipe specifies margarine, butter is a common and suitable substitute for sautéing.
What is the fat content of this dish?
The dish contains 33.3 grams of fat per serving.
Are there any specific tags for this recipe?
This recipe is tagged as comfort food, weeknight dinner, family-friendly, and a one-dish meal.
How do I know when the casserole is finished baking?
It is done when the mixture is bubbly and the edges are slightly golden.
Is the salsa mixed into the casserole?
No, the salsa is an optional topping to be added after the casserole has finished baking.
What is the carbohydrate count?
There are 46.7 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
How much chicken bouillon is needed?
The recipe requires 1 teaspoon of chicken bouillon.
Should the green chilies be drained?
Yes, the green chilies should be drained before being added to the sauce mixture.
How much half-and-half is used?
The recipe calls for 1.5 cups of half-and-half cream.
Can I use rotisserie chicken for this?
Yes, rotisserie chicken is a great time-saving option as it is already cooked.
Should I let the casserole rest after baking?
Yes, allowing it to rest for a few minutes before serving helps the sauce set.
Is this a good recipe for meal prep?
Yes, because it is an all-in-one dish with minimal cleanup, it is perfect for busy schedules.