Description

Paula Deen’s Amazing Chicken Casserole is a comforting baked dish featuring tender cooked chicken and pasta enveloped in a creamy, cheesy sauce made with butter, onion, garlic, sour cream, and milk. Topped with melted golden cheese and a hint of red pepper flakes for a subtle kick, this casserole is perfect for an easy family dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Pasta

2 cups cooked chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces
4 cups cooked and drained pasta (approximately 2 cups uncooked; penne, cavatappi, or rigatoni works best)

Sauce

3 tablespoons butter
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons flour
1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup milk
3 cups grated cheese (cheddar, Colby jack, Swiss, or a combination), with 1/2 cup reserved for topping
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
Sauté aromatics: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic and sauté until softened and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
Make roux and sauce: Stir in the flour and cook for about 1 minute to form a roux. Slowly add the milk and sour cream while whisking continuously until the sauce thickens, about 3-4 minutes.
Add cheese to sauce: Once the sauce has thickened, stir in the grated cheese and cook until it melts smoothly into the sauce.
Combine ingredients: Add the cooked chicken, cooked pasta, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper to the cheesy sauce. Toss everything until the pasta and chicken are evenly coated with the sauce.
Prepare for baking: Transfer the mixture to a prepared 9×13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle the reserved 1/2 cup of cheese evenly over the top.
Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-30 minutes or until the cheese on top is bubbling and golden brown.
Cool and serve: Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving to allow it to set.

Notes

You can use any combination of cheddar, Colby jack, and Swiss cheese depending on your preference.
For easy shredded chicken, poach chicken breasts in broth and shred before adding.
Make sure to cook and drain the pasta well to avoid excess moisture in the casserole.
Adjust red pepper flakes to taste if you want more or less heat.
Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated for a convenient meal later.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Casserole
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Southern American

Keywords: chicken casserole, baked chicken pasta, cheesy chicken casserole, Paula Deen recipes, comfort food casserole