Name: Paula Deen’s Chicken Casserole – Easy Chicken Recipes for Dinner
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 2 cups cooked chicken breast, chopped; 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of chicken soup; 1/2 cup sour cream; 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese; 1/4 cup milk; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/2 teaspoon onion powder; Salt and pepper, to taste; 1 sleeve Ritz crackers, crushed; 4 tablespoons butter, melted

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This creamy and comforting chicken casserole is the ultimate solution for easy chicken recipes. Perfect for busy weeknights or cozy family meals, it features juicy chicken, a flavorful creamy base, and a crunchy topping. If you love easy recipes for dinner, quick and easy recipes, easy casserole recipes, easy chicken dinner recipes, easy meal recipes, and comfort food easy recipes, this one’s for you.

1) Key Takeaways
2) Easy Paula Deen’s Chicken Casserole Recipe
3) Ingredients for Paula Deen’s Chicken Casserole
4) How to Make Paula Deen’s Chicken Casserole
5) Tips for Making Paula Deen’s Chicken Casserole
6) Making Paula Deen’s Chicken Casserole Ahead of Time
7) Storing Leftover Paula Deen’s Chicken Casserole
8) Try these Casserole recipes next!
9) Paula Deen’s Chicken Casserole
10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

This creamy chicken casserole is a family favorite and incredibly easy to make.
Features juicy chicken, creamy sauce, and a buttery Ritz cracker topping.
Perfect for meal prep or serving a crowd on busy weeknights.
Easy chicken recipes like this are pantry-friendly and kid-approved.
Flexible enough to add vegetables or swap cheeses to fit your taste.

2) Easy Paula Deen’s Chicken Casserole Recipe

If you’re searching for a satisfying, easy chicken recipe that your whole family will love, this Paula Deen’s Chicken Casserole from Elena Cooks is just the thing. It’s one of the most comforting meals you can prepare with minimal ingredients. In fact, most of the ingredients are pantry staples, which makes this recipe super convenient. This easy chicken casserole is perfect for busy weeknights or when you’re craving cozy, nostalgic food that hits the spot every time. The combination of shredded chicken, creamy soup, sour cream, cheddar cheese, and buttery cracker topping creates a rich and satisfying texture that’s hard to beat. Easy chicken recipes like this one make life simpler by using pre-cooked or rotisserie chicken, cutting your kitchen time dramatically. The best part? It’s versatile enough to include your favorite vegetables or switch out cheeses depending on what you have on hand. Whether you’re planning dinner for your family or preparing food in advance, this casserole recipe will never let you down.

3) Ingredients for Paula Deen’s Chicken Casserole

Cooked Chicken: Use 2 cups of shredded, cooked chicken breast. Rotisserie chicken is a great time-saving option and adds excellent flavor and moisture.

Cream of Chicken Soup: One 10.5 oz can is all you need to add rich, creamy depth to your casserole base. It binds all the ingredients together beautifully.

Sour Cream: Half a cup brings extra creaminess and a slight tang that balances the richness of the dish. Greek yogurt can be used as a lighter alternative.

Cheddar Cheese: Use 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese to bring that gooey, melty goodness. You can also try Monterey Jack or Colby if you prefer a milder taste.

Milk: A quarter cup of milk loosens the mixture, helping everything blend together smoothly. Whole milk is ideal for flavor and texture.

Garlic Powder: Half a teaspoon of garlic powder enhances the savory flavor without being overpowering. It’s a small touch with a big impact.

Onion Powder: Another half teaspoon of onion powder boosts the depth of the flavor profile. You could also use sautéed onions for a more intense flavor.

Salt and Pepper: Add according to your taste. Be sure to taste the mixture before baking to adjust seasoning as needed.

Ritz Crackers: Use one sleeve of crushed crackers to add the perfect golden, buttery crunch on top of your casserole. This topping truly makes the dish special.

Butter: Four tablespoons of melted butter are mixed with the cracker crumbs to ensure a golden, crispy topping that everyone will love.

4) How to Make Paula Deen’s Chicken Casserole

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray to ensure easy cleanup and prevent sticking.

Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine cream of chicken soup, sour cream, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir until the mixture is smooth and fully blended.

Step 3: Add the shredded chicken and cheddar cheese to the creamy mixture. Mix everything together until the chicken is well coated and the cheese is evenly distributed.

Step 4: Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly to all corners. This ensures consistent baking and every portion gets the same deliciousness.

Step 5: In a separate bowl, stir together crushed Ritz crackers and melted butter. Mix thoroughly so that all the crumbs are coated in butter for maximum crunch.

Step 6: Sprinkle the buttery cracker mixture evenly over the top of the casserole. This topping will bake into a golden crust that adds irresistible texture.

Step 7: Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 25–30 minutes, or until it is hot and bubbly with a beautifully golden top. Let it cool for 5 minutes before serving.

5) Tips for Making Paula Deen’s Chicken Casserole

When preparing this easy chicken casserole, using pre-cooked or rotisserie chicken saves a lot of time and ensures the meat stays juicy. Be sure to taste your filling before baking—this is your last chance to adjust the seasoning. Also, if you’re looking to add vegetables, frozen peas or steamed broccoli work wonderfully in this dish. They add color, nutrition, and flavor while keeping the cooking process easy. If you want an even cheesier result, sprinkle a little extra cheddar on top of the crackers before baking. One of the top tips for making easy chicken recipes successful is balancing the creamy and crunchy elements—and this casserole nails it. For an extra kick, add a few dashes of hot sauce to the filling. Just be sure to mix well! Another great hack: crush your crackers inside a zip-top bag to avoid mess. All these little tips help turn a simple recipe into a family tradition.

6) Making Paula Deen’s Chicken Casserole Ahead of Time

This dish is ideal for preparing in advance, especially when you know you’ve got a packed schedule. To make ahead, simply assemble the casserole as directed but hold off on adding the cracker topping. Cover the baking dish tightly with foil and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to bake it, remove the foil, add the buttery cracker topping, and bake as directed. You may need to add an extra 5–10 minutes of baking time if it’s going straight from the fridge to the oven. That’s it—easy chicken dinner recipes like this one save time and effort while still delivering comfort and flavor. This strategy is perfect for hosting guests or prepping weeknight meals in advance. You can also freeze the unbaked casserole (without the topping) for up to two months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight before adding crackers and baking. The creamy filling holds up beautifully through freezing and reheating.

7) Storing Leftover Paula Deen’s Chicken Casserole

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, simply place a portion in the microwave and heat in 30-second intervals until warm. If you’re reheating a large portion, it’s best to cover the casserole dish with foil and warm it in a 300°F oven for 15–20 minutes. This prevents the topping from burning while allowing the filling to heat through. If you have extra cracker topping on hand, you can always sprinkle on more to refresh the texture after reheating. This makes it one of the best comfort food easy recipes for leftovers. You’ll appreciate how well the dish holds up without getting soggy, making it ideal for meal prep or second-day lunches. And if you want to freeze leftovers, be sure to wrap them well in freezer-safe containers. Thaw in the fridge overnight and follow the oven reheating instructions for best results.

8) Try these Casserole recipes next!

9) Paula Deen’s Chicken Casserole