This simple Chicken Noodle Casserole recipe is crafted with tender egg noodles, savory chicken breast, a rich, creamy, and flavorful filling, and crowned with a golden, buttery breadcrumb topping. It’s truly a beloved family dinner classic!

Easy Chicken Noodle Casserole: A Family Favorite for Any Occasion

There’s nothing quite like the comforting embrace of a well-made casserole. It’s the quintessential one-dish meal that promises both flavor and convenience, making it a staple in countless homes. This particular chicken noodle casserole stands out for its incredible taste and the sheer ease with which it comes together. We believe that cooking delicious food shouldn’t be complicated or require a special trip to the grocery store for obscure ingredients. In fact, most of what you need for this hearty dish is likely already nestled in your pantry or refrigerator, ready to be transformed into a memorable meal.

“We really loved this!! Perfect recipe – don’t need to change a thing!”
– Debbie

Frequently Asked Questions About Chicken Noodle Casserole

Essential Ingredients for Your Chicken Noodle Casserole

Crafting the perfect chicken noodle casserole starts with a selection of readily available and flavorful ingredients. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need, along with tips for customization:

• Egg Noodles: The foundation of our casserole! A 12-ounce package of egg noodles, cooked al dente and thoroughly drained, provides that satisfying, tender texture. While “no yolk” noodles are a popular choice for their slightly lighter profile, feel free to use your preferred brand and style of egg noodle. Just ensure they are cooked before adding to the mixture to prevent a mushy texture.
• Chunk Chicken Breast: As mentioned, this recipe leans into the “pantry-friendly” concept, making canned chunk chicken breast an excellent, convenient option. It’s pre-cooked and ready to go! However, you can certainly elevate the dish with freshly cooked chicken. About 3 cups of diced, cooked chicken, whether from boiled chicken breasts, a rotisserie chicken, or even leftover grilled chicken, will work wonderfully and add fresh flavor.
• Cream of Chicken Soup: This forms the heart of our creamy sauce. Two (10.5 ounce) cans provide the rich, savory base. If you’re looking to change things up or prefer a different flavor profile, cream of mushroom, cream of celery, or even a mixed vegetable cream soup can be excellent substitutes, each bringing its own unique twist to the casserole.
• Mayonnaise: One cup of mayonnaise contributes to the incredible creaminess and binds the ingredients together. For those who aren’t fans of mayonnaise or are looking for alternatives, sour cream offers a tangy richness, while plain Greek yogurt can provide a lighter, yet equally creamy, consistency and a slight probiotic boost.
• Milk: A cup of milk helps to thin the creamy sauce to the perfect consistency, ensuring it’s not too thick. I typically use whole milk or 2% milk for a richer flavor, but you can use whatever milk you have on hand. For a slightly richer dish, you could even opt for half-and-half.
• Onion: Half a finely diced onion adds a subtle aromatic depth to the casserole. It’s an optional but highly recommended ingredient for enhancing flavor. If you don’t have a fresh onion, don’t worry! A tablespoon of dried minced onion flakes or onion powder can be used as a convenient substitute, ensuring you don’t need to make an extra grocery run.
• Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Two cups of shredded cheddar cheese melt into gooey perfection, adding a salty, sharp, and irresistibly cheesy element. While classic cheddar is fantastic, feel free to experiment with other cheeses. As you can see in some of my pictures, I sometimes use a triple cheese blend, or even Colby Jack, Monterey Jack, or a sharp white cheddar. Use what you love for a personalized touch!
• Frozen Peas and Carrots: One and a half cups of frozen peas and carrots add color, essential vitamins, and a touch of natural sweetness to the casserole. These frozen vegetables are incredibly convenient as they don’t require pre-cooking. If you have other frozen mixed vegetables you prefer, like green beans or corn, those would also be delicious substitutions.
• Panko Bread Crumbs: For that irresistible, golden-brown, crispy topping, one cup of panko bread crumbs is key. Panko provides a lighter, airier crunch than regular bread crumbs. However, standard bread crumbs, crushed Ritz crackers, or even crushed saltine crackers can be used if panko isn’t available, offering their own delightful textures.
• Salted Butter: A full stick (1/2 cup) of melted salted butter is poured over the bread crumbs. This is crucial for achieving that deeply golden, crispy, and flavorful crust. It’s important to use real butter, not margarine, as margarine typically contains more water and won’t brown and crisp up the topping in the same way that real butter does.

How to Make the Best Chicken Noodle Casserole

Creating this delicious chicken noodle casserole is straightforward and incredibly rewarding. Follow these simple steps to bring a comforting and hearty meal to your table:

1. Prepare Your Workstation: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven heats, take a 9×13-inch baking dish and spray it thoroughly with a non-stick cooking spray. This will prevent the casserole from sticking and make for easier cleanup. If you haven’t already, cook your egg noodles according to package directions until they are al dente, then drain them very well to ensure no excess water makes your casserole watery.

2. Assemble the Creamy Base: In a large mixing bowl, combine your primary creamy ingredients. Add the drained chunk chicken breast (or your preferred cooked chicken), two cans of cream of chicken soup, the cup of mayonnaise, and the cup of milk. Next, stir in the finely diced onion (if using), two cups of shredded cheddar cheese, and the one and a half cups of frozen peas and carrots. Mix all these components together until they are well combined and the sauce is smooth and even. This ensures every bite is packed with flavor.

   

3. Incorporate the Noodles: Carefully add the cooked and drained egg noodles into the large bowl with the creamy chicken mixture. Using a spatula or large spoon, gently fold the noodles into the sauce until they are evenly coated. Be gentle to avoid breaking the noodles. This step ensures that every strand of pasta is infused with the delicious flavors of the casserole.

   

4. Transfer to Baking Dish and Add Topping: Pour the entire chicken noodle mixture into your prepared 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it out evenly with your spatula. Next, generously sprinkle the top of the casserole with one cup of panko bread crumbs. This layer will become wonderfully crispy and golden, adding a fantastic textural contrast to the creamy interior.

   

5. The Golden Touch: Melt one stick (1/2 cup) of salted butter. Carefully pour this melted butter evenly over the layer of bread crumbs. The butter will soak into the panko, ensuring a rich flavor and helping it crisp up to a perfect golden-brown during baking. Don’t skip this step – it’s essential for that crave-worthy crunchy crust!

   

6. Bake to Perfection: Place the uncovered baking dish into your preheated oven. Bake for approximately 30-35 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbling around the edges and the breadcrumb topping has turned a beautiful golden brown. The internal temperature should be hot throughout. Keep an eye on it to prevent over-browning of the crust.

   

7. Serve and Enjoy: Once baked, remove the casserole from the oven. Allow it to rest for a few minutes before serving. This brief resting period helps the sauce set slightly, making for easier and cleaner serving. Dig in and savor every comforting bite!

Recipe Card: Chicken Noodle Casserole

This easy Chicken Noodle Casserole recipe is made with egg noodles, chicken breast, a creamy, tasty filling, and topped with buttered bread crumbs!

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Servings: 6

Author: Brandie Skibinski

Ingredients

• 2 (12.5 ounce) cans chunk chicken breast, drained (or about 3 cups of store-bought rotisserie chicken, diced)
• 2 (10.5 ounce) cans cream of chicken soup
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1 cup milk
• ½ onion, finely diced (optional) (you could also use about 1 Tablespoon of dried onion flakes)
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 ½ cups frozen peas and carrots
• 12 ounce package egg noodles, cooked and drained
• 1 cup panko bread crumbs
• 1 stick salted butter (1/2 cup), melted

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
2. In a large bowl, combine the 2 (12.5 ounce) cans chunk chicken breast, drained, 2 (10.5 ounce) cans cream of chicken soup, 1 cup mayonnaise, 1 cup milk, 1/2 onion, finely diced (optional), 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese and 1 1/2 cups frozen peas and carrots.
3. Stir until combined. Gently stir in the 12 ounce package egg noodles, cooked and drained.
4. Pour mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the top evenly with 1 cup panko bread crumbs.
5. Pour the 1 stick salted butter (1/2 cup), melted evenly over the top of the bread crumbs.
6. Bake uncovered for about 30-35 minutes until bubbly and the top is golden brown.
7. Serve hot and enjoy this comforting meal!

Notes

• Feel free to use store-bought rotisserie chicken or any leftover cooked chicken meat you may have (grilled chicken also tastes wonderful with this recipe).
• Cream of mushroom or cream of celery soup are excellent substitutes for the cream of chicken soup, offering different flavor profiles.
• If you prefer softer onions, you can sauté them briefly before adding them to the mixture. Otherwise, they will retain a slight crunch. Onions are completely optional if you prefer to omit them.
• Regular bread crumbs or crushed Ritz crackers can be successfully substituted for the panko bread crumbs for the topping.
• This recipe has not been tested in a slow cooker or Instant Pot.

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Nutrition Information (Estimated Per Serving)

Calories: 745kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 40g | Fat: 51g | Sodium: 1050mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g

Nutritional Disclaimer

“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used for ingredients.

Craving More Delicious Recipes?

If you loved this comforting chicken noodle casserole, you might enjoy exploring some of our other hearty and easy-to-make dishes. Here are a few more recipes to inspire your next family meal:

• Tuna Noodle Casserole
• Beef Noodle Casserole
• Chicken Cobbler
• Crock Pot Chicken and Noodles
• Old Fashioned Chicken and Dumplings
• Sour Cream Noodle Bake
• Cafeteria Noodles
• Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole
• Chicken Enchilada Casserole
• White Chicken Enchiladas
• No Peek Chicken Casserole
• Shepherds Pie
• Ground Beef Stroganoff
• The Best Chicken Spaghetti
• Butter Swim Biscuits

Originally published: June 2012
Updated photos & republished: January 2020