Heavenly Chicken & Veggie Mash Bake
Indulge in the comfort of 'Heavenly Chicken & Veggie Mash Bake,' a delightful casserole that combines tender chicken and vibrant mixed vegetables in a rich, creamy sauce, all nestled under a cloud of velvety mashed potatoes. With a luscious topping of melted sharp cheddar cheese, this dish is the epitome of coziness and satisfaction. Perfect for family dinners or gatherings, this recipe allows you to prepare it ahead of time and simply pop it in the oven an hour before serving. Serve it alongside warm, buttered biscuits for the ultimate comfort food experience. For a twist, try adding a breadcrumb topping for extra crunch! Leftover rotisserie chicken works beautifully for this dish, making it both practical and delicious. Enjoy every bite!
N/A
Servings
333
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
Hot Mashed Potatoes
3 1/2 cups (Prepared with chicken broth, cream cheese, and seasonings, if desired.)
Cooked Cubed Chicken
2 cups (Use 3 skinless boneless chicken breasts or leftover rotisserie chicken.)
Frozen Mixed Vegetables
1 (16 ounce) package (Thawed and drained.)
Cream of Chicken Soup
1 (10 3/4 ounce) can (Regular or reduced sodium, based on preference.)
Sour Cream
1/2 cup (Regular or reduced fat.)
Minced Onion Flakes or fresh chives
2 tablespoons (Use chives if preferred for a fresher taste.)
Dry Mustard
1/2 teaspoon (Or substitute 2-3 teaspoons of Dijon mustard for added flavor.)
Garlic Powder
1/4 teaspoon (Adjust according to taste.)
Ground Black Pepper
1/4 teaspoon (More can be added if desired.)
Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese
2 cups (Preferably freshly shredded for best melting.)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
Grease a 13-by-9-inch shallow baking dish with butter.
3
Spread the hot mashed potatoes evenly across the bottom of the baking dish, pressing them slightly up the sides to form a 'cloud' around the edges.
4
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked cubed chicken, thawed mixed vegetables, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, minced onion (or chives), dry mustard (or Dijon), garlic powder, and ground black pepper. Mix well until everything is evenly coated.
5
Carefully spoon the chicken and vegetable mixture over the layer of mashed potatoes, spreading it out evenly.
6
Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese generously over the top of the chicken mixture.
7
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil (optional) and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes. If the casserole has been assembled ahead of time and refrigerated, bake for about 1 hour until it is hot and bubbly.
8
Remove the casserole from the oven and allow it to rest for 10 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld.
9
Serve hot, ideally alongside warm buttered biscuits for a truly comforting meal.
Nutrition Information
13g
Fat
37g
Carbs
20g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Heavenly Chicken & Veggie Mash Bake?
It is a comforting casserole that combines tender chicken and mixed vegetables in a creamy sauce, topped with mashed potatoes and sharp cheddar cheese.
What are the primary ingredients?
The main ingredients include mashed potatoes, cooked cubed chicken, frozen mixed vegetables, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and shredded sharp cheddar cheese.
How much chicken is required for this recipe?
You will need 2 cups of cooked cubed chicken, which is approximately 3 skinless boneless chicken breasts.
Can I use leftover chicken?
Yes, leftover rotisserie chicken works beautifully and makes the recipe very practical.
What kind of vegetables should I use?
A 16-ounce package of frozen mixed vegetables is recommended.
Do the vegetables need to be prepared before mixing?
Yes, the frozen mixed vegetables should be thawed and drained before being added to the mixture.
How much mashed potatoes are needed?
The recipe calls for 3 1/2 cups of hot mashed potatoes.
How should the mashed potatoes be prepared?
They can be prepared with chicken broth, cream cheese, and seasonings for added flavor.
What type of soup is used in the sauce?
One 10 3/4 ounce can of cream of chicken soup is used; you can use regular or reduced sodium.
Can I use low-fat sour cream?
Yes, you can use either regular or reduced-fat sour cream for this dish.
What seasonings are added to the chicken mixture?
The mixture is seasoned with minced onion flakes, dry mustard, garlic powder, and ground black pepper.
Can I substitute fresh chives for onion flakes?
Yes, you can use 2 tablespoons of fresh chives instead of onion flakes for a fresher taste.
What is a good substitute for dry mustard?
You can substitute 2 to 3 teaspoons of Dijon mustard for added flavor.
How much cheese is needed for the topping?
The recipe requires 2 cups of shredded sharp cheddar cheese.
Is it better to shred the cheese myself?
Yes, freshly shredded cheese is preferred as it melts better than pre-shredded varieties.
What size baking dish is used?
A 13-by-9-inch shallow baking dish is required.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
How do I layer the casserole?
Spread the mashed potatoes on the bottom first, then spoon the chicken and vegetable mixture on top, followed by the cheese.
How do I create the 'cloud' effect with the potatoes?
Press the mashed potatoes slightly up the sides of the dish to form a border around the edges.
How long does the casserole take to bake?
It typically takes 45 minutes in the oven.
Can I prepare this dish in advance?
Yes, you can assemble it ahead of time and keep it in the refrigerator until ready to bake.
How long should I bake it if it was refrigerated?
If assembled ahead and refrigerated, bake for about 1 hour until hot and bubbly.
Should I cover the dish while it bakes?
Covering the dish with aluminum foil is optional.
How long should the casserole rest after cooking?
Allow the casserole to rest for 10 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld.
What side dishes pair well with this bake?
It is ideally served with warm, buttered biscuits.
How can I add extra crunch to the dish?
You can try adding a breadcrumb topping before baking for extra texture.
How many calories are in a serving?
There are approximately 333 calories per serving.
What is the protein content of this recipe?
Each serving contains approximately 20g of protein.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 13g of fat.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
There are approximately 37g of carbohydrates per serving.