Best 2 Dinner Essentials Yummy Cheesy Chicken Casserole Recipes

**Introducing the Cheesy Chicken Casserole: A Comforting and Flavorful Dish for Any Occasion**

Indulge in the delectable Cheesy Chicken Casserole, a culinary masterpiece that combines tender chicken, a creamy and flavorful cheese sauce, and a crispy golden-brown topping. This classic casserole is a versatile dish perfect for busy weeknight dinners, potlucks, or special occasions. With its rich and comforting flavors, it's sure to be a hit with family and friends. Discover the secrets behind this beloved recipe, along with variations and tips to elevate your casserole to new heights. From a classic creamy version to a cheesy broccoli variation and a healthier, gluten-free option, this article offers a range of recipes to suit every taste and dietary preference. Embark on a culinary journey and uncover the secrets to creating the ultimate cheesy chicken casserole that will leave your taste buds craving more.

Let's cook with our recipes!

DINNER ESSENTIALS: YUMMY CHEESY CHICKEN CASSEROLE

Dinner Essentials: Yummy Cheesy Chicken Casserole image

This recipe is simple to put together, and it serves one hungry person, or two folks with a side salad. It includes ingredients that you probably have in the cupboards, so you will not need to go out to the store. So, you ready... Let's get into the kitchen.

Provided by Andy Anderson !

Categories Chicken

Time 35m

Number Of Ingredients 9

Ingredients

PLAN/PURCHASE
1 Tbsp grapeseed oil, or another non-flavored variety
1 large chicken thigh, skin on, bone in
1/2 tsp cajun spice
1/4 tsp white or black pepper, freshly ground
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 c mayonnaise or greek yogurt
1/4 c parmesan cheese, freshly grated
1 oz cheddar cheese, sharp variety, freshly

Steps:

1. PREP/PREPARE
2. Use whatever chicken that you have on hand; dark meat, white meat, or a combination. Then pan cook, or bake, dice or shred.
3. I used Greek yogurt; however, you could just as easily use plain mayonnaise.
4. The spices used represent what I thought would make a good combination, and were items I had on hand.
5. Gather your ingredients (mise en place).
6. Optional Step: Pull the skin off the chicken before cooking, then chop up, fry in a bit of oil until crispy, and reserve. When the chicken comes out of the oven, sprinkle them on top before serving. They are called cracklings, and they are yummy good.
7. Sprinkle the chicken with some salt and pepper and add the oil to a pan over medium heat. Cook the chicken, turning several times, until the internal temperature reaches 160f (71c).
8. Remove chicken from the pan, and chop.
9. Place a rack in the middle position and preheat the oven to 375f (190c).
10. Add the remaining ingredients, except the cheddar cheese, to a bowl, and fold together with the chopped chicken.
11. Place the mixture into an ovenproof dish, and top with the shredded cheddar cheese.
12. Place into the preheated oven, and bake until the cooked through, and the cheese is beginning to brown, about 25 - 30 minutes.
13. Allow to rest for 5 - 7 minutes before serving.
14. PLATE/PRESENT
15. Sprinkle with the cracklings, if using, and serve with some crusty bread. Enjoy.
16. Keep the faith, and keep cooking.

CASSEROLE ESSENTIALS: CHEESY CHICKEN, AND VEGGIES

Casserole Essentials: Cheesy Chicken, and Veggies image

Made this up the other day. It is layers of marinated chicken, veggies and two cheeses. It actually was a collaboration between my lockdown houseguests and myself. It was a lot of fun, and I think that we will get together and create a new recipe once a week. So, you ready... Let's get into the kitchen.

Provided by Andy Anderson ! @ThePretentiousChef

Categories Casseroles

Number Of Ingredients 15

Ingredients

PLAN/PURCHASE
1 tablespoon(s) grapeseed oil, or another non-flavored variety
1 1/2 cup(s) veggies, more on this later
2 medium boneless skinless chicken breasts
4 ounce(s) cream cheese, softened
4 ounce(s) mozzarella cheese, shredded or in slices
THE MARINADE
2 tablespoon(s) olive oil, extra virgin variety
3 clove(s) garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon(s) red pepper flakes, or to taste
1 teaspoon(s) lemon pepper spice
1/4 teaspoon(s) dried basil
1/4 teaspoon(s) dried oregano
salt, kosher variety, to taste
white pepper, freshly ground, to taste

Steps:

PREP/PREPARE
You will need a baking dish, or ovenproof skillet to make this recipe. If you go the route of using an ovenproof skillet, you can make this a one-pan dish.
The Veggies You can use any veggies that suit your taste, just make sure that they are evenly diced, and come out to about 1 1/2 cups in volume. I chose carrots, celery, onions, and broccoli.
I chose a combination of cream cheese and mozzarella; however, it you do not have those, just use what you have. HEY, it is a casserole... have fun with it. No lemon pepper spice? No worries just add about an additional 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper, and about a teaspoon of lemon juice.
Gather your ingredients (mise en place).
Dice the chicken into bite sized pieces.
Add the marinade ingredients to a small bowl, add the diced chicken, and toss to combine.
Add the oil to a saucepan over medium heat and heat up the veggies for 2 - 3 minutes.
Do not cook until softened, just warm it up a bit.
I am using an 8 x 8-inch (20 x 20cm) glass baking dish, so I added the chicken. If you are using an ovenproof skillet remove the veggies and add the chicken.
Divide up the softened cream cheese, evenly dot it over the top of the chicken, then add the veggies.
Add the mozzarella on top.
Place into the preheated oven and cook until the chicken is cooked through and the cheese is bubbly and browned, about 25 - 35 minutes.
Allow the casserole to rest for, 10 minutes before serving.
At the very last minute, my gardener suggested pepperoni, so I topped half of the casserole with pepperonis. Next time this recipe is made, the whole top will have them... So yummy.
PLATE/PRESENT
Serve this cheesy dish with crusty bread, a small side salad, and great conversations. Enjoy.
Keep the faith, and keep cooking.

Tips:

For a crispy, golden brown crust, use a combination of grated Parmesan and Panko breadcrumbs.
To make the casserole extra creamy, use a combination of heavy cream and cream cheese.
Add a layer of cooked bacon or sausage to the casserole for a smoky, savory flavor.
If you don't have a casserole dish, you can use a 9x13 inch baking dish.
To save time, you can use pre-cooked chicken.
Serve the casserole with a side of roasted vegetables or a salad.

Conclusion:

This Cheesy Chicken Casserole is a delicious and easy-to-make meal that is perfect for a weeknight dinner. It is also a great way to use up leftover chicken. The casserole is packed with flavor and is sure to be a hit with the whole family. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy dinner recipe, give this Cheesy Chicken Casserole a try. You won't be disappointed!