Creamy Chicken Hashbrown Casserole Recipe: Cozy Comfort Food

Comfort food reaches new heights with this hearty chicken hashbrown casserole that promises to satisfy every craving.

Creamy, cheesy, and packed with robust flavors, this dish brings warmth to your dinner table.

Tender chicken pieces blend perfectly with crispy hashbrowns in a delightful combination.

Every forkful delivers a rich, comforting experience that feels like a warm embrace.

The secret lies in the carefully balanced ingredients that create a harmonious texture and taste.

Layers of melted cheese and golden-brown potatoes make this casserole a crowd-pleasing meal everyone will adore.

Prepare to transform an ordinary evening into a memorable dining experience that sparks joy and conversation.

Chicken Hashbrown Casserole That Brings Comfort

• Quick and Simple Cooking: Transform frozen ravioli into a crispy appetizer with minimal prep work and basic kitchen tools.
• Crowd-Pleasing Party Snack: Delivers restaurant-style fried ravioli with a crunchy exterior and cheesy interior that guests will love.
• Versatile Appetizer Option: Perfect for game day, movie nights, potlucks, or unexpected gatherings where you need a fast, delicious starter.
• Kid-Friendly Crowd Pleaser: Combines familiar pasta with a fun, crunchy coating that appeals to both children and adults, making mealtime exciting.

Ingredients for Chicken Hashbrown Casserole

• Shredded Chicken: A protein-rich ingredient that provides hearty flavor and substance to the casserole.

• Cream of Chicken Soup, Sour Cream, Milk, Cheddar Cheese: These creamy ingredients create a rich, smooth base that binds the casserole together and adds delicious tangy flavor.

• Frozen Hashbrowns: A convenient potato product that forms the foundational starch of the casserole and adds a crispy texture.

• Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Salt, Black Pepper, Paprika: These spices enhance the overall taste profile and provide depth of flavor to the dish.

• Crushed Crackers, Melted Butter: A crispy element that adds a golden-brown crunchy layer to the top of the casserole.

• Fresh Parsley, Extra Sour Cream: These optional toppings provide a fresh and creamy finishing touch to the dish.

How to Bake Chicken Hashbrown Casserole

Step 1: Fire Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 375°F (190°C). Grab a 9×13 baking dish and give it a quick spray or butter rub to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Create Magical Creamy Sauce

• Cream of chicken soup
• Sour cream
• Milk
• Melted butter
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Paprika

Toss in shredded chicken and a generous helping of cheddar cheese. Stir until everything is wonderfully combined.

Step 3: Build Your Casserole Base

Drop frozen hashbrowns into the creamy mixture. Swirl and coat every single potato strand.

Transfer the entire concoction into your prepped baking dish. Sprinkle remaining cheese across the top for extra gooey goodness.

Step 4: Add Crunchy Topping

Crush some crackers and mix with melted butter. Scatter this crispy mixture evenly across the casserole surface.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Cover the dish with foil and slide into the oven. Bake for 30 minutes.

Remove foil and continue baking 15-20 minutes until the top turns golden and edges bubble with excitement.

Step 6: Serve and Savor

Let the casserole rest 5-10 minutes.

Optional: Garnish with fresh parsley or a dollop of sour cream. Dive in and enjoy your comforting creation!

Tips for Chicken Hashbrown Casserole Success

• Marinate chicken in buttermilk or brine beforehand to enhance tenderness and depth of taste.
• Thaw hashbrowns completely and pat dry to prevent excess liquid from making casserole soggy.
• Experiment with different cheese blends like monterey jack, gruyere, or sharp cheddar for unique flavor profiles.
• Toast crushed crackers briefly before adding to topping for extra golden and crispy texture.
• Replace cream of chicken soup with cream of mushroom for vegetarian version or use gluten-free crackers for celiac-friendly adaptation.

Variations on Chicken Hashbrown Casserole

• Vegetarian Potato Swap: Replace chicken with plant-based protein like crumbled tofu or tempeh, using vegetable soup instead of cream of chicken for a meat-free version.
• Gluten-Free Crunch Topper: Substitute crushed crackers with gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed cornflakes to create a crispy layer suitable for gluten-sensitive individuals.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Makeover: Swap hashbrowns with riced cauliflower or cauliflower tots to reduce carbohydrate content while maintaining a similar creamy texture and flavor profile.
• Spicy Southwest Style: Add diced green chiles, jalapeños, and swap paprika for chili powder to create a zesty southwestern-inspired casserole with a kick of heat.

What to Serve with Chicken Hashbrown Casserole

• Pair with Crisp Salad: Create a light, tangy green salad with mixed lettuce, cucumber, and a zesty vinaigrette to balance the rich, creamy casserole.
• Match with Chilled White Wine: Select a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to cut through the dish's richness and provide a refreshing contrast.
• Serve Alongside Roasted Vegetables: Prepare simple roasted broccoli or asparagus with garlic and olive oil to add nutritious, green elements that complement the casserole's hearty texture.
• Complement with Tangy Coleslaw: Whip up a crunchy, vinegar-based coleslaw that provides a sharp, cool counterpoint to the warm, cheesy chicken hashbrown dish.

Storing Chicken Hashbrown Casserole the Right Way

• Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Cool completely before sealing to prevent moisture buildup.
• Wrap tightly in freezer-safe plastic wrap or container. Stays fresh for 2-3 months. Label with date for easy tracking.
• Preheat to 350F. Cover with foil to prevent drying. Warm for 20-25 minutes until heated through. Remove foil last 5 minutes for crispy top.
• Place portion on microwave-safe plate. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each. Add splash of milk to maintain moisture. Total heating time around 1-2 minutes.

FAQs

• Can I use rotisserie chicken for this recipe?

Yes, shredded rotisserie chicken works perfectly and saves time in preparing the casserole.

• Is it okay to substitute ingredients if I don't have exactly what the recipe calls for?

You can replace cream of chicken soup with cream of mushroom, use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream, and swap cheddar with monterey jack or colby cheese.

• Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

Absolutely! Prepare the casserole, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking. Just add 10-15 minutes to the baking time when cooking from cold.

• How can I make this dish gluten-free?

Use gluten-free cream of chicken soup, gluten-free crackers for topping, and ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free.

Chicken Hashbrown Casserole Recipe

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4.7 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Savory chicken hashbrown casserole brings comfort food magic to dinner tables with creamy, cheesy goodness. Crispy edges, tender chicken, and golden potatoes create a hearty meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Proteins:

• 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken
• 1 (32 ounces / 907 grams) bag frozen hashbrowns

Dairy and Creamy Components:

• 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 1 can (10.5 ounces / 298 grams) cream of chicken soup

Seasonings and Spices:

• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and generously coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
2. Create a luscious cream base by whisking together cream of chicken soup, sour cream, milk, melted butter, and a blend of seasonings including garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and paprika.
3. Fold the shredded chicken and one cup of cheddar cheese into the creamy mixture, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
4. Incorporate frozen hashbrowns into the mixture, stirring carefully to coat each potato strand completely.
5. Transfer the combined mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly to create a uniform layer.
6. Sprinkle the remaining half cup of cheddar cheese across the top of the casserole.
7. Prepare a crunchy topping by combining crushed crackers with melted butter, then distribute the mixture uniformly over the cheese layer.
8. Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld and ingredients to heat through.
9. Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15-20 minutes until the top turns golden brown and the edges become bubbly.
10. Allow the casserole to rest for 5-10 minutes after removing from the oven, which helps it set and makes serving easier.
11. Optional: Garnish with fresh chopped parsley or a small dollop of sour cream before serving.

Notes

• Swap regular hashbrowns with cauliflower hashbrowns for a lower-carb version that maintains the creamy, comforting texture.
• Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream to boost protein content and reduce overall fat while keeping the dish rich and tangy.
• Toast cracker crumbs in a skillet before sprinkling to enhance their nutty flavor and ensure extra crispiness on top of the casserole.
• Add diced jalapeños or green chiles for a spicy kick that complements the creamy chicken and cheesy base without overwhelming the dish.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 328 kcal
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 660 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0.3 g
• Carbohydrates: 16 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 21 g
• Cholesterol: 55 mg