Of course! Cheesy Chicken Hashbrown Casserole is the ultimate comfort food casserole. It’s creamy, cheesy, incredibly easy to make, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. It’s perfect for a weeknight dinner, potluck, or using up leftover chicken.
Here is a classic, no-fuss recipe.
Cheesy Chicken Hashbrown Casserole Recipe
This recipe is famously easy and uses mostly pantry-staple ingredients.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45-50 minutes
Total Time: About 1 hour
Serves: 6-8 people
Ingredients
· 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced (rotisserie chicken is perfect!)
· 1 (30-32 oz) bag frozen shredded hash browns, thawed*
· 1 (10.5 oz) can condensed cream of chicken soup
· 1 (8 oz) container sour cream (or Greek yogurt)
· 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
· ½ cup milk or chicken broth
· ½ cup (1 stick) butter, melted, divided
· 1 small onion, finely diced
· 2 cloves garlic, minced
· 1 teaspoon garlic powder
· ½ teaspoon black pepper
· Optional: 1 cup crushed cornflakes, crackers, or French fried onions for topping
Thaw the hash browns overnight in the fridge or spread them on a baking sheet for 30-60 minutes at room temperature.
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Sauté Aromatics: In a small skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for one more minute until fragrant.
- Combine the Filling: In a very large mixing bowl, combine the thawed hash browns, cooked chicken, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, 1 cup of the cheddar cheese, milk, the remaining melted butter, and the sautéed onion and garlic. Season with garlic powder and black pepper. Mix everything together until it is uniformly combined.
- Assemble: Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread it out into an even layer.
- Add Toppings: Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of cheddar cheese evenly over the top. If using a crunchy topping like cornflakes, toss the crushed cornflakes with a tiny drizzle of melted butter and sprinkle them over the cheese.
- Bake: Bake, uncovered, for 45-50 minutes, or until the casserole is hot and bubbly all the way through and the top is golden brown.
- Rest and Serve: Let the casserole stand for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows it to set slightly, making it easier to scoop.
Tips for Success & Variations
· The Key is Thawed Hash Browns: Using frozen hash browns will significantly increase the baking time and can make the casserole watery. Thawing them is a crucial step!
· Rotisserie Chicken is Your Friend: This is the easiest way to get perfectly cooked, flavorful chicken quickly.
· Cream Soup Substitutes: You can use cream of mushroom, cream of celery, or a combination. For a from-scratch version, you can make a simple white sauce (2 tbsp butter, 2 tbsp flour, 1 cup milk).
· Add Vegetables: Feel free to stir in 1-2 cups of frozen mixed vegetables (like peas, carrots, or broccoli), thawed and drained.
· Make it Spicy: Add a 4 oz can of diced green chiles for a mild kick, or a few tablespoons of chopped pickled jalapeños for more heat.
· Different Cheeses: Try a mix of cheeses like Colby Jack, Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, or even a little Gouda for a different flavor profile.
· Crunchy Topping: The buttery cornflake or cracker topping is highly recommended for a wonderful textural contrast to the creamy interior.
Why This Recipe is a Winner
· Ultimate Comfort Food: It’s warm, creamy, cheesy, and incredibly satisfying.
· Incredibly Easy: It’s a simple “mix and bake” recipe with minimal prep work.
· Family-Friendly: Kids and adults alike love this casserole.
· Perfect for Leftovers: It reheats beautifully and often tastes even better the next day.
Enjoy this delicious, easy, and comforting meal