Description
Paula Deen’s Amazing Chicken Casserole is a comforting, cheesy baked dish featuring tender cooked chicken, hearty pasta, and a creamy cheese sauce infused with garlic and onion. It’s perfect for a family dinner, delivering rich flavors and satisfying textures in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Pasta
- 2 cups cooked chicken, cut into small bite-sized pieces
- 4 cups cooked pasta (penne, cavatappi, or rigatoni), drained
Sauce and Seasonings
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 cup milk
- 3 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, Colby Jack, Swiss, or a combination), divided
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Make Sauce: Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add finely chopped onion and minced garlic, cooking until softened and fragrant. Sprinkle in the all-purpose flour and cook for about 1 minute while stirring constantly to avoid lumps.
- Add Dairy: Gradually whisk in milk and sour cream until the mixture becomes smooth. Continue to cook and stir constantly, bringing it to a simmer until the sauce thickens slightly. Remove from heat and stir in 2 ½ cups of shredded cheese until fully melted and smooth.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the cooked chicken pieces, cooked pasta, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper to the cheese sauce. Stir gently but thoroughly to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated with the creamy cheese mixture.
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Assemble Casserole: Pour the combined chicken, pasta, and cheese sauce mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of shredded cheese evenly over the top to create a golden crust.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 20-30 minutes until the casserole is bubbly around the edges and the cheese topping has turned a delicious golden brown.
Notes
- You can use any short pasta such as penne, cavatappi, or rigatoni for this casserole.
- Feel free to mix cheeses like cheddar, Colby Jack, and Swiss for the best flavor combination.
- Adjust red pepper flakes according to your spice preference; omit for a milder dish.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
