Chicken and Hashbrown Casserole

Chicken and Hashbrown Casserole is an easy, cheesy comfort food made with chicken, hashbrowns, bacon, vegetables, and a crispy Ritz cracker topping.

My family loves this casserole because it is creamy, cheesy, and loaded with comforting flavors. It is an easy weeknight dinner that can be prepped ahead, and it is also a great way to use leftover chicken.

This chicken potato casserole is made for busy families. It is a dinner you can put together in a hurry and toss it in the oven. It will be ready to feed your family in a classic comfort food style.

If you like this easy recipe, be sure to try some of our other delicious casserole recipes, including Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole and Chicken Tetrazzini.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Easy Comfort Food: This casserole is the ultimate cozy family dinner.
• Pantry Staples: This recipe uses simple, easy-to-find ingredients you may already have on hand, making it perfect for those nights you need an easy meal.
• Easy Cleanup: Everything comes together in one baking dish, so you can spend less time cleaning and more time enjoying dinner with your family.

What is a Chicken Hashbrown Casserole?

Chicken Hashbrown Casserole is a creamy, cheesy casserole made with diced chicken, frozen hashbrowns, vegetables, bacon, and cream of chicken soup. The ingredients are mixed and baked until hot and bubbly, then topped with buttery Ritz crackers and cheddar cheese for a crispy, golden finish.

ingredients

• Hashbrowns: Partially thawed shredded hashbrowns make this casserole easy! No need to fully thaw them first.
• Chicken: Diced cooked chicken adds lots of protein. I used leftover smoked chicken.
• Bacon: Bacon adds a smoky, salty flavor that pairs perfectly with the creamy sauce and cheddar cheese.
• Cheddar Cheese: Sharp or mild cheddar both work well and add plenty of goodness.
• Cream of Chicken Soup: Helps create the creamy sauce that brings all the ingredients together.
• Milk: Milk helps thin out the cream of chicken soup.
• Frozen Vegetables: A bag of mixed vegetables makes this quick and easy.
• Ritz Crackers: Crushed for the crunchy topping.
• Garlic Powder: Adds extra flavor without overpowering the other ingredients.
• Salt and Pepper: Enhance all the flavors in the casserole.

Tim's Tip: Lightly thaw the hashbrowns before mixing. This makes the ingredients much easier to combine evenly.

How to make Chicken and Hashbrown Casserole

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F. Spray an 8x8 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

2. Mix the Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the diced chicken, partially thawed hashbrowns, cream of chicken soup, bacon, milk, frozen mixed vegetables, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir until everything is well combined.

3. Add to the Baking Dish: Transfer the mixture to your prepared 8x8 baking dish. Spread it out evenly.

4. Add the Topping: Crush the Ritz crackers and combine them with the cheddar cheese. Sprinkle the mixture evenly over the top of the casserole.

5. Bake: Cover the casserole with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for another 15 minutes, or until the casserole is hot and bubbly and the topping is golden brown.

Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Recipe Video

expert tips

• Let it Rest: This will give the creamy filling a chance to set slightly and make it easier to serve.
• Combine Ingredients well: Make sure to combine the ingredients to ensure that everything is fully mixed together.
• Watch the Topping: Keep an eye on the casserole during the final 15 minutes of baking. Once the Ritz crackers and cheese is golden brown and bubbly, it's ready to come out of the oven.

Substitutions and variations

• Use Rotisserie Chicken: You can save time by using shredded or diced rotisserie chicken.
• Change the Cheese: You can try Colby Jack, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican cheese blend instead of cheddar.
• Change the Vegetables: Use your favorite frozen vegetable blend. Broccoli, peas, carrots, and corn are all great options.
• Add More Bacon: If your family loves bacon, add a little more to the casserole or sprinkle some on top before serving.

What to Serve with Hashbrown Casserole

This casserole already has chicken, potatoes, vegetables, and cheese, so you don't need much to make it a complete meal. Try serving it with:

• Garden Salad with Buttermilk Ranch Dressing
• Easy Garlic Butter Rolls
• Sheet Pan Roasted Vegetables
• Crispy Green Beans

STorage

Refrigerator: Store leftover Chicken Hashbrown Casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

Freezer: Chicken Hashbrown Casserole freezes well. For the best results, assemble the casserole without the Ritz cracker and cheese topping. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 2-3 months.

Reheat: Thaw frozen casserole overnight in the refrigerator. Add the Ritz cracker and cheese topping before reheating. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or reheat the casserole in the oven until warmed through and bubbly.

FAQs

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