Barbara's Comforting Chicken Noodle Casserole 🍗🍜

This Chicken Noodle Casserole is the ultimate comfort food that brings warmth and satisfaction to your dinner table. Easy to prepare, it's the perfect dish for family gatherings, potlucks, or a cozy night in. The creamy textures combined with tender chicken and noodles create a hearty meal that everyone will love!

Consider serving it with a fresh side salad or some crusty bread for a complete meal. 🥗🍞

Ingredients

For the casserole

• 1 (3-4 lb.) chicken
• 2 cans cream of mushroom soup
• 1 cup sour cream
• 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
• 1 small onion, minced
• ½ tsp. garlic salt
• ½ tsp. salt
• 8 oz. egg noodles

For the topping

• Buttered bread crumbs or sliced almonds

Instructions

1. Cook the chicken: Place the chicken in a large pot with water and cook until tender. Remove the meat from the bones and chop it into bite-sized pieces.

   🔥 Tip: Save the cooking water for boiling the noodles. It adds extra flavor to the dish!

2. Prepare the noodles: In the same pot used for the chicken, bring the reserved water to a boil and cook the noodles according to package instructions. Drain and return them to the pot.

3. Make it creamy: Stir in the softened cream cheese until melted and well combined. Then, add the chopped chicken, cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, minced onion, garlic salt, and regular salt.

4. Mix it all together: Combine everything until well blended, then transfer the mixture into a greased 13x9x2 inch baking pan.

5. Add toppings: Sprinkle the top with buttered bread crumbs or sliced almonds for an added crunch.

6. Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake the casserole for one hour, or until bubbly and golden brown on top.

   ⏰ Reminder: Keep an eye on it in the last few minutes to avoid over-browning!

Serving Suggestions

• This casserole serves about 12, making it perfect for sharing!
• Pair it with a light salad or some roasted veggies for a balanced meal.

Variations

• Healthier option: Replace the cream of mushroom soup with a homemade version or a lower-fat alternative.
• Add veggies: Incorporate frozen peas, carrots, or spinach for extra nutrition and color.
• Spice it up: Add some diced jalapeños or a pinch of red pepper flakes for a kick of heat.
• Slow cooker: Combine all ingredients (except the topping) in a slow cooker and cook on low for 4-6 hours. Add the topping for the last 30 minutes to crisp up.

This Chicken Noodle Casserole is sure to be a crowd-pleaser, warming hearts and filling bellies with every bite! Enjoy! 🍽️❤️