Take the flavors of classic country cooking and combine them in one delicious dish with this recipe for easy Chicken Hashbrown Casserole!
If you ask me, casseroles don’t get the respect they deserve. For too long, these amazing creations have been on the receiving end of some undeserved insults, and for what? Because they’re a staple of classic home cooking? Because they’re not fancy enough? Because your grandma and her friends baked them for just about every occasion?
I honestly don’t understand it. Here you have a tray filled with a bevy of delicious, savory, creamy goodness, and yet people turn their noses up at it?
Maybe it’s my country upbringing, but I’ve tasted some casseroles in my day that would make a Michelin-starred chef fall to their knees and weep. For my money, you can take all the truffles and caviar and foie gras—I’ll have a good casserole instead. Whenever I’m feeling lost in the world, some good old-fashioned country cooking always sets me right. There’s a reason they call it “comfort food.” It’s because this recipe will bring you back to the warm days of childhood when your family gathered together over a hot tray, spooning out casserole and eating their fill. Does it look Insta-worthy and beautiful on your plate? Probably not, but I say that’s a good thing. Casserole is no-nonsense food, meant to be delicious and simple, and I believe I’ve found one of the very best casserole dishes around.
By combining the classic diner-style flavor of hash browns with cheesy goodness and chicken, you have a dish that will appeal to just about anyone. Plus, its crispy exterior adds a great crunch, making each bite a perfect combination of flavors and textures.
Do I Have to Bake My Own Chicken?
No, not at all! It’s not a problem if you use canned chicken or—even better, in my opinion—just go ahead and shred up a rotisserie chicken you purchased from your local grocery store. There are a couple of reasons why this is better. First off, it will not only save you time, but the rotisserie chicken often comes seasoned with crispy skin, which will provide your casserole with even more flavor as the ingredients all bake together. Plus, if you have any leftover rotisserie chicken, you can use it for other dishes!
If you do opt to bake your own chicken, I recommend chicken thighs or chicken breasts seasoned simply with salt and pepper. For best results, sear them on the skillet to give your chicken a nice crispness on the outside, which will add extra flavor to the dish.
How Do I Prep and Store This Casserole?
Casseroles are the perfect leftover food, so to store, simply wrap the dish in foil or plastic wrap and slide it into the fridge. A bit of warning, though: Make sure your tray has cooled enough, or put hot pads underneath to ensure it does not damage your fridge. An airtight dish is also an easy storing container.
Serving Suggestions
Casseroles are a perfect all-in-one dish, so if you have friends or family over, don’t feel the need to get too fancy with the side dishes. You can always offer sides like bread, roasted veggies, or rice if you want to add some different elements to your spread. I’d also recommend fresh-chopped herbs like parsley or chives for added flair. But this dish, if served on its own, is more than enough.
Chicken Hashbrown Casserole
Ingredients
- 20 oz frozen hash browns
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups sour cream
- 10.5 oz cream of chicken soup (1 can)
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1 lb cooked chicken shredded
- 2 cups crispy fried onions
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine salt, pepper, sour cream, cream of chicken soup, and milk. Mix well.
- Fold in the shredded chicken, cheddar cheese, and hashbrowns until the mixture is uniform.
- Transfer the mixture to a lightly greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
- Top the casserole evenly with crispy fried onions.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour, or until the top is golden brown and the casserole is heated through.
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