Hearty Creamy Chicken and Noodles Casserole
Delight your family and friends with this Hearty Creamy Chicken and Noodles Casserole, a comforting dish that's perfect for any gathering. This recipe combines tender chunks of chicken breast, fresh vegetables, and wide egg noodles enveloped in a rich and creamy sauce. Ready in under an hour, this delicious meal is both filling and satisfying, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights or special occasions. Serve it in a large dish to encourage family-style sharing, and watch as everyone reaches for seconds!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Yolk-free wide egg noodles
8 ounces (uncooked)
Water
4 cups (for boiling)
Boneless skinless chicken breast
1 lb (cut into bite-sized pieces)
Chopped onions
1 1/2 cups (fresh)
Chopped celery
3/4 cup (fresh)
Salt
1/2 teaspoon (to taste)
Dried thyme leaves
1/2 teaspoon (to taste)
Bay leaf
1 (whole)
White pepper
1/8 teaspoon (to taste)
Reduced-sodium cream of chicken soup
10 ounces (canned)
Fat-free buttermilk
1/2 cup (liquid)
Instructions
1
Begin by cooking the yolk-free wide egg noodles according to the package instructions. Once cooked, drain and set aside.
2
In a Dutch oven or large pot, bring 4 cups of water to a vigorous boil over high heat.
3
Add the boneless, skinless chicken breasts, chopped onions, celery, salt, dried thyme, bay leaf, and white pepper to the boiling water.
4
Return the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer uncovered for 35 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
5
After simmering, carefully remove the chicken from the pot. Let it cool slightly before cutting it into bite-sized pieces (about 1/2-inch). Set the chicken aside.
6
Increase the heat back to high and bring the remaining liquid and vegetables in the Dutch oven back to a boil. Continue to cook until the liquid reduces to about 1 cup.
7
Once reduced, remove the pot from heat and discard the bay leaf.
8
Whisk in the can of reduced-sodium cream of chicken soup and the fat-free buttermilk until the sauce is smooth and well combined.
9
Add the chicken pieces and cooked noodles to the creamy sauce, tossing gently to coat everything evenly.
10
If desired, sprinkle with fresh parsley for added flavor and a pop of color before serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Hearty Creamy Chicken and Noodles Casserole?
It is a comforting dish that combines tender chunks of chicken breast, fresh vegetables, and wide egg noodles in a rich and creamy sauce.
How many ingredients are required for this recipe?
There are 11 ingredients in total, including chicken, noodles, vegetables, and sauce components.
What type of noodles should I use?
The recipe calls for 8 ounces of uncooked yolk-free wide egg noodles.
What kind of chicken is best for this casserole?
The recipe specifically uses 1 lb of boneless skinless chicken breast cut into bite-sized pieces.
How much water is needed to boil the chicken?
You will need 4 cups of water to bring to a vigorous boil.
What vegetables are included in this dish?
The dish includes 1.5 cups of chopped onions and 3/4 cup of chopped celery.
How long should the chicken and vegetables simmer?
The mixture should simmer uncovered for 35 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
To what volume should the cooking liquid be reduced?
After removing the chicken, increase the heat and reduce the remaining liquid and vegetables to about 1 cup.
What spices and herbs are used for seasoning?
The seasoning includes salt, dried thyme leaves, one bay leaf, and white pepper.
When should I remove the bay leaf?
The bay leaf should be removed and discarded after the cooking liquid has been reduced and the pot is removed from the heat.
What makes the sauce creamy?
The creamy texture comes from combining a 10-ounce can of reduced-sodium cream of chicken soup and 1/2 cup of fat-free buttermilk.
How should the chicken be prepared after simmering?
The chicken should be removed from the pot, cooled slightly, and then cut into 1/2-inch bite-sized pieces.
Is this recipe suitable for a quick weeknight dinner?
Yes, it is ready in under an hour, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights.
Can I add a garnish to this casserole?
Yes, you can sprinkle fresh parsley over the dish for added flavor and a pop of color before serving.
What is the first step in the instructions?
The first step is to cook the yolk-free wide egg noodles according to the package instructions, then drain and set them aside.
What cooking vessel is recommended?
A Dutch oven or a large pot is recommended for boiling and simmering the ingredients.
How much salt is used in this recipe?
The recipe uses 1/2 teaspoon of salt, though it can be adjusted to taste.
What type of pepper is used?
The recipe calls for 1/8 teaspoon of white pepper.
How much onion is required?
The recipe requires 1.5 cups of fresh chopped onions.
How much celery is required?
The recipe requires 3/4 cup of fresh chopped celery.
How much buttermilk is used?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of fat-free liquid buttermilk.
How should the soup and buttermilk be added?
They should be whisked into the reduced liquid until the sauce is smooth and well combined.
What is the final step before serving?
The final step is to add the chicken pieces and cooked noodles to the creamy sauce and toss gently to coat evenly.
How much cream of chicken soup is needed?
One 10-ounce can of reduced-sodium cream of chicken soup is needed.
Is this a family-style meal?
Yes, it is described as a comforting dish perfect for family-style sharing.
What are the primary tags for this recipe?
Key tags include chicken, pasta, casserole, comfort food, and easy recipe.
Is this considered a one-pot meal?
Yes, it is tagged as a one-pot meal because most of the cooking happens in a single Dutch oven.
What amount of dried thyme is used?
The recipe uses 1/2 teaspoon of dried thyme leaves.
How should I cook the noodles?
Noodles should be cooked according to their package instructions before being added to the casserole.
How do I serve this dish?
Serve it in a large dish to encourage sharing, ideally while it is still hot and creamy.