Paula Deen’s Amazing Chicken Casserole Recipe
Paula Deen’s Amazing Chicken Casserole is a comforting and cheesy baked dish featuring tender cooked chicken, perfectly cooked pasta, and a creamy cheese sauce with a hint of spice from red pepper flakes. This easy-to-make casserole is perfect for family dinners, combining simple ingredients into a rich, flavorful meal that’s sure to please everyone at the table.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
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 and Seasoning
- 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 Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s at the right temperature for baking the casserole.
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing 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, whisking continuously until the sauce thickens, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add Cheese to Sauce: Once the sauce has thickened, stir in the grated cheese, allowing it to melt smoothly into the sauce, creating a creamy cheese mixture.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the cooked chicken, cooked pasta, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper to the cheese sauce. Toss everything together until evenly coated with the sauce.
- Prepare for Baking: Transfer the combined mixture to a prepared 9×13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle the reserved 1/2 cup of cheese evenly on top for a golden, cheesy crust.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-30 minutes, or until the cheese on top is bubbling and golden brown.
- Rest and Serve: Remove from the oven and let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving to allow it to set slightly for easier portioning.
Notes
- You can use rotisserie or leftover cooked chicken for convenience.
- For extra flavor, consider adding herbs like thyme or parsley to the cheese sauce.
- Use any pasta shape you prefer, but tubular shapes like penne or rigatoni hold the sauce best.
- Adjust the level of red pepper flakes according to your preferred spice tolerance.
- This casserole can be prepared ahead and refrigerated before baking; just add extra baking time if baking from cold.
Keywords: chicken casserole, baked chicken pasta, cheesy chicken casserole, Paula Deen recipes, comfort food, easy dinner casserole
