28 Delicious Chicken Casserole Recipes to Rival Even Your Granny's (2024)

For as long as I remember, every time we have visited my granny or she has visited us we have been treated to two meals without fail: fish and chips and chicken casserole. My favorite has always been the casserole, not because I don’t like fish but because no one can make that stuff quite as my granny does. (Don’t tell my mom I said that.)

I have always been a little nervous to attempt my own chicken casserole purely based on the fact that my granny’ casserole is legendary in my family and I would probably be laughed at regardless of the outcome. When having a look at a few recipes one day, however, I came across multiple ones that were entirely different to her method, putting a new twist on the idea of a chicken casserole.

By trying out something new and exciting I will avoid the possibility of it being compared to another, and also hopefully find a new favorite comfort dish in the process. Now comes the hard part of choosing which one to go for.

Various Other Chicken Casserole Recipes to Pick From

1. Spring Chicken Casserole

All the fresh flavors of spring come together in this Spring Chicken Casserole. Some casseroles can be heavy, and on the brink of stodgy if you’re not careful. This is because all the ingredients are all cooked together, but with a slightly thinner sauce and the addition of fresh green vegetablesin this recipe.

I like that the new potatoes are kept whole as they will still have a bite to them, adding to the already long list of different textures in this casserole. The flavors in here are relatively simple, so it would be a great way to feed all the family.

2. Creamy Chicken and Spinach Casserole

This Creamy Chicken and Spinach Casserole sound like the ultimate comfort food. With cream, cheese and breadcrumbs it isn’t the healthiest, but every now and again we all need a good, wholesome meal that will make us feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

This is pretty close to the casserole that I am used to, apart from we usually add broccoli instead of spinach. I think the spinach would work well, adding an extra bit of texture and flavor but ensuring that the main star of the casserole is still the chicken.

3. Chicken Enchilada Casserole

I hate to blow my own trumpet but chicken enchiladas are one of my best dishes, so I reckon I would be pretty good at making this dish. That doesn’t say too much about my cooking ability however as this recipe looks incredibly simple.

With the layers of tortillas and chicken goodness, this Chicken Enchilada Casserole almost reminds me of a cake, and I most definitely want to try a slice. You have all the classic enchilada ingredients in there like peppers, cheddar cheese, and sour cream, and if you are looking to try something different to your usual chicken casserole recipe, then this is something you should consider.

4. One Pot Chicken Casserole

One pot recipes are a life saver in my opinion, and any recipe which claims to be one pot will always draw me right in. Whether you’re a student with limited equipment, a mom with multiple mouths to feed quickly or someone who merely hates washing up like me, this One Pot Chicken Casserole would make a perfect weeknight meal.

This recipe simply requires all the ingredients to be prepped and then thrown into a pot together and left to cook, so it doesn’t need much time or effort. I can imagine this casserole would also last well refrigerated or frozen, hello leftovers for lunch tomorrow.

5. Buffalo Chicken Casserole

I am a big fan of buffalo chicken and am willing to give anything with the same flavors a go, including this Buffalo Chicken Casserole. The bright orange color is a bit shocking at first, but when you look through the ingredients, you can see that it is all natural and that there are far more flavors in there than you would imagine.

This dish includes some unusual ingredients that I have never seen in a chicken casserole before, like spaghetti squash and ranch dressing, so I am all the more intrigued. The recipe makes a decent sized portion enough to feed a family for dinner or one or two people more than once.

6. Chicken and White Wine Casserole

I like that this recipe has taken a regular chicken casserole that we all know and love and ramped it up a bit to turn it into a more fancy and complicated dish. I wouldn’t previously have considered serving a casserole at a dinner party or occasion, but now that I have seen this one I am having second thoughts

Multiple different flavors are going on in this Chicken and White Wine Casserole other than those mentioned, like salty bacon, sweet shallots and cooling creme fraiche. I would serve this along with new potatoes and some deliciously simple greens on the side.

7. Teriyaki Chicken Casserole

This is entirely different to any casserole I have ever seen, both because of the Asian influences in the flavors and also because it includes rice. I love teriyaki, as does the rest of my family, so I have no doubts that this would go down a treat in my house.

There is a bit of prep involved in this Teriyaki Chicken Casserole, but it is entirely worth it. This dish as a whole is incredibly healthy, therefore a fantastic way to feed a family. I am also sure it would be just as delicious cold as a packed lunch for work the following day. My sister is a vegetarian, and I think this is the first casserole recipe I have seen that would be extremely easy to adapt so that she could enjoy it, either by swapping the chicken for tofu or different vegetables.

8. French Onion Chicken Casserole

Having spent a year living in France I have incredibly fond memories of french onion soup and this French Onion Chicken Casserole is giving me all the same warm feelings. As much as I love the classic onion soup, I do like it when my soup has a bit of meat in it, so this casserole has adapted it perfectly for me.

The fried onions will give the top of this casserole a bit of crunch which I always love. There are multiple other yummy ingredients in there like cheddar cheese and celery. Aside from the time it would take to cook the chicken, which you wouldn’t need to do if you were using leftovers, this casserole takes mere minutes to put together so would make a fantastic last minute dish.

9. Chicken and Dressing Casserole

The dressing is one of my favorite elements of Thanksgiving dinner, and anyone who tells you they don’t share the same feelings is probably lying. It is sad however that it is restricted to one day of the year, and I for one am all for letting it frequent my dinner table more often.

You can easily use a packet of readymade dressing for this Chicken and Dressing Casserole recipe if you would rather, or if your family has a favorite one, then that would be delicious. One of my top tips to make any casserole that little bit more delicious is to sprinkle some cheese on top in the last 5-10 minutes of cooking to give a delightful melted, crispy top.

10. Chicken Noodle Soup Casserole

Just like with the rice, I have never seen nor tried a casserole with pasta or noodles, but this Chicken Noodle Soup Casserole looks like it could convert me. I will accept a bowl of chicken noodle soup any day, so this is bound to be a winner for me.

From first glance, you can tell that this recipe will be simple to make with only two steps, and that is something I love to see. Some delicious flavors are going on in this casserole like garlic and thyme which will elevate the dish, as well as fresh vegetables like carrots and celery to give it a bit of texture. This recipe serves up to four, and I reckon you could refrigerate it and have it on consecutive nights to save yourself a bit of cooking time.

11. Grandma’s Chicken Casserole

If you’re looking for an all-time classic, much-loved chicken casserole recipe then here it is. This recipe is how grandmothers everywhere have been making it for years, and we can trust that they know what’s best because they just do.

This recipe for Grandma’s Chicken Casserole has very few ingredients and is simple to make, meaning that if you’re craving a hearty home cooked meal, you can whip it up in no time at all. It’s creamy and cheesy, topped off with those all-important breadcrumbs that my sister and I always used to fight over.

12. King Ranch Chicken Casserole

This King Ranch Chicken Casserole is positively bursting with flavor with its epic list of ingredients. It may look like a lot but every single thing that goes into this dish contributes towards the end taste, and you will not regret spending the time making it once you pop a forkful into your mouth.

There’s sharp cheddar, crunchy peppers, spicy chili powder, cool sour cream and smokey chicken, everything you want in a good old hearty Tex-Mex dish. I can imagine this recipe would go down well at a potluck meal.

13. Moroccan Style Chicken Casserole

I can tell just by looking at this Moroccan Style Chicken Casserole that my dad would love it. He likes anything that is all cooked together in a big pot so that the flavors merge with one another and that he can pile high on top of rice.

There is a recipe for how to make your own spice paste for this casserole which will likely be far more flavorful than a shop bought paste, and that you can use in other recipes if you wish. It includes various delicious spices, including my favorite; smoked paprika. Because the chicken is marinated and then cooked in water with the other ingredients, it will stay incredibly moist and flavorful.

14. Paella Casserole

Paella is one of my favorite meals and always transports me to a beach in Spain whenever I eat it. I love the combination of the surf and turf with the chicken and chorizo mixed in alongside the cod and shrimp. There are layers of various spices and flavors, making it an impressive meal you could serve to guests.

This Paella Casserole stays true to the classic smokey, tomato flavor of a traditional paella and although it takes a while to prepare I don’t doubt that it would be worth the time and effort. Cooking on a Monday night is one of my least favorite things, I always dread it after a day of work, so the fact that I can make this on a Sunday ready to be heated up the next day is perfect.

15. Italian Chicken Casserole

I don’t think I have ever tried a casserole which is inspired by the flavors of Italy before, but I do love Italian food, and of course, I love casserole so it can’t go wrong.

This Italian Chicken Casserole combines all my favorite flavors of Italy, like pesto, a delicious garlic tomato sauce and of course that all important cheese. Using crescent dinner rolls as a topping for this casserole is an incredibly exciting idea and not one that I have seen before. If I enjoy it, which I am sure I will, I look forward to applying this idea to different casserole recipes as well as this one.

16. Chicken Macaroni Cheese Casserole

I would love to be someone who could say that their favorite dish of all-time is something sophisticated like steak or a fancy fish dish, but in reality, it has to be macaroni cheese. I will never be able to make it as good as my mom does which is devastating, but it does mean that I can request it as a treat every time I go home to visit.

You could add your own adaptations and additions to this Chicken Macaroni Cheese Casserole, maybe some little pieces of bacon or different cheeses mixed in there along with the cheddar. It’s simple to make and would taste delicious as leftovers if you manage to hold any back from being devoured that is.

17. Chipotle Ranch Chicken Casserole

Recipes like this Chipotle Ranch Chicken Casserole are handy to have up your sleeve for when you have leftover chicken and want to give it a new lease of life as a tasty weeknight meal. I tend to be relatively non-creative when it comes to leftover chicken, using it for sandwiches or salads, but I would love to improve at utilizing it better.

This recipe with ranch chicken and vegetables has been transformed into a casserole, but you could get creative yourself. You could use the casserole part of this recipe with any leftover chicken dish.

18. Summer Vegetable Chicken Tortilla Casserole

Casseroles always seem like a dish for the cold months to me, so I am excited to try out more recipes with fresh, summer-inspired ingredients.

ThisSummer Vegetable Chicken Tortilla Casserole is packed full of eggplant and zucchini which will give it a light and unique taste, different to any other casserole you have tried. I can imagine enjoying a slice of this outside on a warm summers evening with some salad and new potatoes, or even by itself as a light lunch. I love the layering of the filling between tortilla wraps, I’ve seen it in a couple of recipes here and there and am desperate to give it a go myself.

19. 4-Ingredient Chicken Rice Casserole

Anything with only four ingredients is worth trying, as it can’t take long to make nor will you have to spend much on making it. This4-Ingredient Chicken Rice Casserole takes the classic flavor combination of chicken and mushrooms and transforms it into an achievable but delicious meal.

With the use of the soups, the rice is bound to have an almost risotto-like consistency which I love and elevated the dish from a simple chicken and rice to something more exciting. It will take you all of five minutes to put together and then you can leave the oven to work its magic.

20. Cheesy Caprese Chicken and Quinoa Casserole

You can’t beat a good Caprese salad with fresh tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella cheese. Add in some, chicken, quinoa and a couple of other yummy bits and bobs, and you have thisCheesy Caprese Chicken and Quinoa Casserole.

Regular cooked chicken would work in this casserole, but I love the suggestion to use rotisserie chicken instead. Although it is an extra thing to go and purchase, the flavor payoff would be entirely worth it, as well as the tenderness you would get from it. I think it is smart to have taken three simple but much-loved ingredients and turned them into a proper meal. By popping some grape tomatoes on top of the casserole, you will get the most delicious pop of flavor as you bite into them.

21. Chicken and Leek Casserole

This Chicken and Leek Casserole sounds simple, and it is in the way that it doesn’t take long to make, but there are still some sophisticated and delicious ingredients in there. The flavors of the white wine, mushrooms, and thyme ramp the dish up a notch from your average chicken casserole.

You could easily have this as a weeknight meal, as it is the oven that does most of the work, but it would also impress at a dinner with friends. The sauce looks deliciously creamy and would be heavenly poured over potatoes, which is what I would serve this with.

22. Chicken and Mushroom Casserole

Because there are so few ingredients in this Chicken and Mushroom Casserole, the main flavors will come through strongly. Aside from the apparent chicken and mushrooms, the additionalflavor comes from a hit of garlic and onion. Despite the simple flavors this casserole should not be underestimated and is bound to pack a punch.

The sauciness of this recipe would make it perfect for pouring over a bed of rice or even mashed potato, and this large patch would do for a couple of nights.

23. Chicken and Red Wine Casserole with Herb Dumplings

I see this Chicken and Red Wine Casserole with Herby Dumplings as more of a dinner party or occasion meal as opposed to one I would make on a regular weeknight, but don’t let me stop you if you want to eat it every night.

Because it is on the slightly more fancy side, there are a few more steps needed to make this casserole, but that isn’t something I ever mind when I have time to do so. Chicken isn’t the first meat I would think to pair with red wine, so I am intrigued to find out how the two work together. I love the addition of the dumplings in this recipe, they give it that extra something special and also provide you with something to mop up that delicious sauce once you’ve finished eating.

24. Pesto Chicken Casserole with Feta and Olives

ThisPesto Chicken Casserole with Feta and Olives is inspired by all the delicious flavors from the Mediterranean. It is more simple to make that I imagined when I first saw it, and the list of ingredients is concise and well thought through.

I like pesto best when it is part of a creamy sauce, as opposed to by itself, so I can see myself enjoying this recipe. The only cooking you need to do yourself is that of the chicken, which is exactly the kind of recipe that I love. A hint of salty flavor will be added to the dish by the feta cheese and olives to balance out that cream and pesto.

25. Layered BBQ Chicken and Sweet Potato Enchilada Casserole

If you are looking to try out an entirely new style of casserole, then I don’t think you could find a better match than this one. The flavors of BBQ and the sweetness from the potatoes are far from those creamy, cheesy ones in a classic chicken casserole.

Again this recipe plays around with tortillas, using them to layer the filling like a cake. BBQ is one of my favorite flavors to match with chicken, so this style of dish appeals to me. My family also likes all the ingredients used in thisLayered BBQ Chicken and Sweet Potato Enchilada Casserole, so I feel like I could make it and be pretty sure that it would evoke smiles all around.

26. Chicken Casserole with Tomato and Basil

No one will argue with a Chicken Casserole with Tomato and Basil, the flavors work well together and aren’t so adventurous that they’re outside anyone’s comfort zone.

This recipe makes a good point of mentioning that using chicken on the bone makes for a far better casserole, as this meat contains the most flavor, retains the most moisture when cooked and has the best texture in my opinion. You could add more vegetables to the bottom of this casserole dish if you wanted to, I think red peppers would work well in amongst all the other ingredients.

27. Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

I love a good cordon bleu, and all-in-all it’s difficult to go wrong with a dish whose main ingredients are chicken, cheese, and ham.

The sauce in this Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole has some dijon mustard and smoked paprika added into it which I like; it means that the sauce itself will have a bit of flavor as opposed being a plain background to the chicken. Kids are bound to love this casserole as the flavors are familiar and straightforward, make sure to serve it with some vegetables and new potatoes to bulk the meal up a bit.

28. Chicken and Waffle Casserole

I know what you’re thinking, I was completely blown away when I saw this recipe too. I can’t say it is something I ever imagined myself making, but that’s what I quite like about it.

This Chicken and Waffle Casserole is both sweet and savory, with maple syrup topped waffles as well as breaded chicken inside. This could be an amusing thing to make for a lunch with friends and to see how they react when you announce what you’ve made for them. I am not sure how to express how I feel about this idea, but I am sure that I have to give it a go.

Conclusion

After seeing how many different styles and flavors of casserole are out there, utterly different to my granny’s one I have grown up with, I am less petrified of cooking one for my family. Most of them are incredibly simple, and those that aren’t, have results which look more than worth the while.

My love of the traditional Spanish dish means that I am going to have to try the Paella Casserole. I am also intrigued by the Buffalo Chicken Casserole, which I am sure would be a crowd pleaser, and the Italian Chicken Casserole too.

Has chicken casserole always been a staple meal in your family? Are you brave enough to try out a Chicken and Waffle Casserole?