Turn those boring boneless chicken breasts or that leftover baked chicken into something new, hearty and altogether satisfying with one of these easy chicken casserole recipes. The best part about these casseroles is that they are all virtually a meal in one dish. No need for cooking sides or vegetables if you don't have time. Even better: Virtually all of these casseroles are ideal freezer meals. Just cook according to the recipe directions, let cool completely, wrap tightly in foil (plastic wrap and foil would actually be best) and freeze.
Don't Miss: Casseroles All Day Long From Breakfast Through Dinner
1. King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe
Stephanie Gallagher
No Texas cook is without a recipe for king ranch chicken, but the ingredients and methods for making this savory Mexican casserole vary quite a bit. My version makes use of gourmet salsa or pico de gallo to save time (no need to saute onions, peppers and tomatoes), and the flavor is just outstanding.
2. Slow Cooker Chicken Potato Casserole
Stephanie Gallagher
If the kids have late activities or sports, this is the casserole to make. You only need about 10 minutes to prepare this dish (it is a true dump-and-stir slow cooker recipe), which makes this a perfect recipe for busy weeknights. A topping of crushed potato chips adds kid appeal to this dish.
3. Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole Recipe
Stephanie Gallagher
Chicken and rice casseroles are as old as time. Okay, not really, but it seems like they are. My mother used to make a casserole like this when I was a kid, and with a few minor tweaks, I think it's just as good as it always was. When you brown the chicken breasts, just make sure they're golden. They don't need to be cooked all the way through, as they will continue cooking in the oven.
4. Chicken Pasta Casserole Recipe
Stephanie Gallagher
There's no creamed soup in this savory casserole, just seasoned chicken, pasta, spaghetti sauce, fresh baby spinach, cream cheese and mozzarella and parmesan cheeses. It's a terrific way to get the kids to like spinach and a wonderful dish that is as appropriate for a weeknight dinner as it is for a dinner party or potluck.
5. Chicken Enchiladas Recipe
Stephanie Gallagher
This easy chicken enchiladas recipe is made with corn tortillas and rotisserie (or leftover cooked) chicken. Jarred salsa makes quick work of the filling for these creamy enchiladas. Serve with rice and a green salad if you like.
6. Chicken Casserole with Bacon and Mushrooms
Stephanie Gallagher
This casserole is a creamy, cheesy mixture of cooked chicken (use rotisserie chicken if you don't have leftover cooked chicken), mushrooms, bacon, hash browns and cheddar cheese. Warm and gooey, this casserole has "comfort food" written all over it.
7. Chicken and Rice Casserole with Bacon and Cheese
Stephanie Gallagher
The classic chicken and rice casserole is enhanced with the addition of bacon and a sprinkle of cheddar cheese. The flavor combination is a winner with kids and adults alike.
8. Chicken Manicotti Bake
Stephanie Gallagher
This five-ingredient casserole couldn't be easier to make. You don't even need to pre-cook the noodles before baking this dish. The secret is assembling the casserole the night before. As the noodles sit in the sauce overnight, they soak up moisture and become soft. For variety, try using an Italian blend of shredded cheeses, rather than just shredded mozzarella.
