Savory Southern Chicken Salad Casserole
Indulge in the comforting layers of the Savory Southern Chicken Salad Casserole, a delightful blend of flavors that brings together tender chicken, creamy soup, and a crunchy topping. This dish is a nostalgic nod to Southern cuisine, perfect for family gatherings or potlucks. Despite its unusual combination of ingredients, this casserole has proven to be a crowd-pleaser, embodying the spirit of Paula Deen's heartwarming recipes. Each bite is a harmony of textures and tastes, providing a satisfying meal that will leave everyone asking for seconds!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Condensed cream of chicken soup
2 cans (10.75 ounces each)
Mayonnaise
1.5 cups (Low fat version recommended)
Prepared mustard
1 tablespoon
Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon
Potato chips
10 ounces (Crushed, with 1 cup reserved for topping)
Slivered almonds
0.5 cups (Omit if desired, or reserve 2 tablespoons for topping)
Cooked chicken
4 cups (Cubed, leftover chicken or turkey can be used)
Celery
2 cups (Diced, can substitute with celery seed)
Onion
1/4 cup (Finely chopped)
Hard-boiled eggs
4 (Sliced)
Sharp cheddar cheese
1-2 cups (Shredded, to taste)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
Lightly butter a 13x9-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
3
In a large mixing bowl, combine the condensed cream of chicken soup, mayonnaise, prepared mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir until well mixed and smooth.
4
In a separate medium bowl, reserve 1 cup of the crushed potato chips and 2 tablespoons of the slivered almonds for topping later.
5
Spread half of the remaining crushed potato chips evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
6
Layer half of the cubed cooked chicken, diced celery, chopped onion, and sliced hard-boiled eggs over the potato chips.
7
Sprinkle half of the remaining slivered almonds over this layer.
8
Spread half of the creamy soup mixture over the layers.
9
Repeat the layers with the remaining ingredients: add the remaining potato chips, chicken, celery, onion, eggs, and slivered almonds.
10
Finish with the remaining soup mixture, and top with the reserved potato chips and slivered almonds.
11
Sprinkle shredded sharp cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
12
Bake in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes, until the casserole is heated through and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
13
Remove from the oven, let cool slightly, and serve warm. Enjoy this Southern delight!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savory Southern Chicken Salad Casserole?
It is a comforting, layered dish that blends tender chicken, creamy soup, and a crunchy topping, inspired by traditional Southern cuisine.
What oven temperature is needed for this recipe?
The oven should be preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 175 degrees Celsius.
What size baking dish should be used?
A 13x9-inch baking dish is recommended for this casserole.
Should the baking dish be greased?
Yes, you should lightly butter the baking dish to prevent the casserole from sticking.
What kind of soup is required?
The recipe calls for two 10.75-ounce cans of condensed cream of chicken soup.
Can I use low-fat mayonnaise?
Yes, a low-fat version of mayonnaise is recommended for this specific recipe.
What condiments are added to the creamy base?
One tablespoon of prepared mustard and one tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce are mixed into the soup and mayonnaise.
How much chicken is used in the recipe?
The recipe requires 4 cups of cubed cooked chicken.
Can I use turkey instead of chicken?
Yes, leftover turkey can be used as a substitute for the cooked chicken.
How should the celery be prepared?
You should use 2 cups of diced celery, or you can substitute with celery seed if needed.
How much onion is required?
The recipe uses 1/4 cup of finely chopped onion.
Are eggs included in this casserole?
Yes, four sliced hard-boiled eggs are layered within the dish.
What provides the crunchy texture in this casserole?
Crushed potato chips and slivered almonds provide the crunch.
How many potato chips do I need?
A 10-ounce bag of potato chips is used, with 1 cup reserved for the topping.
Can the almonds be omitted?
Yes, you can omit the 0.5 cups of slivered almonds if desired.
What kind of cheese is recommended for the topping?
Shredded sharp cheddar cheese is used for the top layer.
How much cheese should be added?
Use 1 to 2 cups of shredded sharp cheddar cheese, depending on your preference.
How do I prepare the sauce?
In a large bowl, combine the condensed soup, mayonnaise, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce and stir until smooth.
What is the first step in the layering process?
Spread half of the non-reserved crushed potato chips evenly across the bottom of the prepared dish.
What ingredients make up the middle layers?
The middle layers consist of chicken, celery, onion, sliced hard-boiled eggs, and slivered almonds.
How many layers are in this casserole?
The recipe involves repeating the layering process once, creating two distinct layers of ingredients before the final topping.
When do I add the reserved chips and almonds?
The reserved chips and almonds are added as the final topping before the cheese is sprinkled on.
How long should the casserole bake?
Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes.
How do I know when the casserole is done?
The casserole is done when it is heated through and the cheese on top is melted and bubbly.
Should the dish be served immediately?
It should be removed from the oven and allowed to cool slightly before serving warm.
Is this recipe suitable for potlucks?
Yes, its one-dish nature and crowd-pleasing flavors make it perfect for potlucks and family gatherings.
Who is the inspiration behind this recipe style?
This recipe is a nod to the heartwarming Southern cooking style associated with Paula Deen.
Is this considered an easy meal?
Yes, it is tagged as an easy, hearty, one-dish meal.
What is the overall flavor profile?
It is a savory harmony of creamy, salty, and crunchy textures with a rich cheese finish.
What makes this dish unique?
The unusual combination of potato chips, cream of chicken soup, and hard-boiled eggs creates a nostalgic and satisfying meal.