Chicken Noodle Casserole is the ultimate family-friendly comfort food! My version has tender chicken, veggies, and noodles in a creamy, herby sauce, then it’s topped with a buttery Ritz cracker crumb topping. Not only is this creamy chicken noodle casserole absolutely delicious, it comes together super easily – perfect for busy weeknight dinners.
Casseroles are one of my very main dishes. When I’m brainstorming dinner ideas during the colder months, they’re always top-of-mind.
This recipe for chicken casserole with egg noodles is one that I turn to time and time again. It hits the casserole trifecta: Simple, easy, and creamy comfort-food bliss!
This chicken noodle casserole is similar to classic tuna noodle casserole, but I’ve swapped in shredded chicken and cream of chicken soup for more chicken flavor. It’s kind of like a chicken noodle soup casserole, bringing together the best of both worlds.
Whether you have someone in the family who is not crazy about tuna or you just love chicken, this easy chicken noodle casserole is the answer!
Why I LOVE this recipe!
- Family friendly comfort food – It doesn’t get more nostalgic than chicken pot pie casserole with noodles!
- Simple to make – Just cook your noodles, sauté your veggies, mix it all together, and bake.
- Easy dinner entree – You’ve got protein, veggies, AND carbs in one dish, making dinner easy-peasy. Just add a simple green house salad and maybe some garlic bread. Done!
- Excellent leftovers – This recipe makes a lot – eight generous servings. So it makes perfect leftovers for easy lunches or another dinner later on in the week.
Recipe Notes
This Chicken Noodle Casserole recipe is as simple as promised! Just a few ingredients and 40 minutes for a family friendly meal.
In this section I am going to go through a few tips and tricks I use for how to make Chicken Noodle Casserole to get the absolute best and most delicious results.
Make sure to scroll to the bottom for the FULL recipe card.
Ingredients + Substitutions
- Chicken – You’ll need three cups of cooked, shredded chicken. Rotisserie chicken – either store-bought or leftover homemade rotisserie chicken – is perfect!
- Celery, carrots, & onion – The mix, also known as “mirepoix,” helps build a rich and savory flavor base.
- Olive oil – For sautéing the veggies. Use your favorite olive oil.
- Poultry seasoning – This seasoning mix includes sage, thyme, rosemary, marjoram, black pepper, and a bit of nutmeg. It adds the perfect level of comforting flavor to this chicken noodle soup casserole. You’ll find it in the spice section of most grocery stores.
- Salt – Start with one teaspoon, then taste the filling and add more if you think it’s needed. Remember, thought, that the Ritz cracker topping will add some saltiness, too.
- Cream of chicken soup – You’ll need two cans for this cream of chicken noodle casserole.
- Milk – Whole milk or 2% milk both work well.
- Egg noodles – Wide, flat egg noodles are perfect in this casserole. You’ll use 12 ounces, which is usually one bag.
- Ritz crackers – Salty golden Ritz crackers, crushed into crumbs, make the BEST topper!
- Butter – Mixed in with the cracker crumbs for a buttery, flavorful topping.
Make sure to see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the full quantities and ingredients list.
Recipe Variations
If you love this recipe as much as we do and want some quick ways to change it up for variety, these little tips will do the trick!
- Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Noodle Casserole– Add two cups of broccoli florets with the veggies and stir in a cup of shredded sharp cheddar with the cream of chicken soup. Spread 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar over the top instead of the Ritz cracker crumb topping.
- Mushroom Chicken Noodle Casserole– Use Cream of Mushroom soup instead of Cream of Chicken and sauté two cups of sliced white button mushrooms along with the other veggies.
- Tuna Noodle Casserole– Substitute two 1o-ounce cans of drained tuna for the chicken.
Recipe Step by Step
I am going to highlight a few key steps in the recipe here, but make sure to jump down to the recipe card for comprehensive instructions on how to make Chicken Noodle Casserole.
Add olive oil, celery, carrots, onion, poultry seasoning, and salt to a large pot over medium heat.
Sauté until softened, then add the cream of chicken soup, milk, and chicken broth. Stir to combine.
Stir in the chicken.
Stir in the cooked egg noodles.
Pour the mix into a 9″x13″ baking dish and spread evenly.
Mix together the Ritz cracker crumbs and melted butter, then spread the crumb mixture over the top. Bake until bubbly and warmed through.
Recipe Tips
- Salt your pasta water – Add around a tablespoon of salt to your pasta cooking water for a flavor boost.
- Cook the noodles to al dente – You’ll want to boil your pasta until just about tender, one to two minutes less than cooking time. This way, the noodles will finish cooking in the casserole but won’t overcook, which can lead to a mushy chicken egg noodle casserole.
- Use a zipper bag to crush your crackers – Just place the crackers in the bag, seal it, and use a measuring cup, sturdy drinking glass, or rolling pin to crush the crackers into crumb-size bits.
Recipe Short Cuts
If you need to make this recipe, but are extra short on time, here are a few ideas that can help make this recipe even faster!
- Buy pre-chopped veggies – Some grocery stores offer chopped mirepoix mixes. You’ll want around 5 cups of the pre-chopped vegetables.
- Utilize leftover chicken – If you’re having, say, Crock Pot rotisserie chicken or baked chicken breasts earlier in the week, this easy chicken noodle casserole is the perfect use for some of the leftovers! Just shred three cups of the chicken and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days, until you’re ready to assemble your casserole.
- Meal-prep it – Make the casserole mixture, mixing everything in except the pasta, ahead of time. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. When it comes time to make your casserole, cook the pasta, stir it in with the casserole mix, and pour it into your baking dish. Top with the Ritz crumb mixture and it’s ready to bake!
What to Serve with Chicken Noodle Casserole
Since this protein-based dinner has the delicious flavors of creamy chicken and noodles, it will pair well with many of your favorite traditional side dishes.
Choose one or several of these side dishes to create a wholesome, well-rounded dinner. There are both classic options and some healthy options to keep it light.
Side Dish Ideas
- Roasted veggies are perfect to make with casserole because they can cook in the oven at the same time! Garlic Parmesan roasted broccoli or pesto-roasted vegetables are both solid choices.
- Another veggie option? Crisp green salad! How about Italian house salad or Steakhouse-style house salad?
- Biscuits are the perfect side for creamy chicken noodle casserole. Try my fluffy mile-high biscuits or easy Bisquick cheddar bay biscuits.
Chicken Noodle Casserole Leftovers
If you have leftovers after making this recipe, then it is your lucky day! They save and reheat well, and can make the start of another delicious dish.
To save leftovers, separate into meal sized portions and then place in an airtight container and store:
- in the refrigerator for 3-4 days
Recipe FAQ’s
What are four basic components of most casseroles?
The four components of casseroles are: a protein (such as chicken), a starch (like rice or pasta), vegetables, and sauce.
What’s the difference between chicken soup and cream of chicken soup?
Cream of chicken soup is thick and creamy, generally thickened by a roux, which makes it the perfect easy creamy ingredient for casseroles. Chicken soup generally means a chicken-broth-based soup such as chicken noodle soup.
Can I substitute cream of chicken with cream of mushroom?
Absolutely. A one-for-one substitute will work great in Campbell Soup chicken and noodle casserole.
Why is my chicken noodle casserole mushy?
When chicken noodle casserole turns out mushy, it’s usually because the pasta cooked for too long. You’ll want to drain the pasta 1-2 minutes before it’s fully cooked, for a nice al-dente pasta that will cook the rest of the way when you bake your casserole.
More EASY Casserole Recipes
If you enjoyed this recipe, I really hope you will take a moment to grab a few more easy recipes for another busy night!
You can check out all of my easy casserole recipes here, or see a few of our readers favorite recipes below.
- Oven-Baked Stuffed Pepper Casserole
- Southwest Chicken Casserole
- Chicken Cobbler
- Cheddar Bay Biscuit Chicken Pot Pie
- Baked Tortellini Casserole
Chicken Noodle Casserole
Ingredients
- 3 cups shredded chicken, (I used rotisserie chicken)
- 2 cups celery , finely chopped
- 2 cups carrots , finely chopped
- 1 yellow onion , finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons poultry seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 21 ounces cream of chicken soup, (2 cans)
- 1 cup chicken broth
- ½ cup milk
- 12 ounces wide egg noodles, 1 package
- 1 sleeve ritz crackers
- 4 tablespoons butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350˚F.
- Cook egg noodles per package directions to al dente. Once done, drain and set aside.
- In a large pot, combine celery, carrots, onion, poultry seasoning, salt, and olive oil. Cook over medium heat for 5-8 minutes or until the vegetables have softened.
- Add the cream of chicken soup, milk, and chicken broth and mix to combine. Stir in the chicken and egg noodle. Transfer the mixture to a 9×13 inch casserole dish.
- To make the topping crush the crackers into small crumbs, then combine with melted butter. Spread the crumb mixture over the top of the casserole.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the casserole is piping hot and the crumb topping is crispy and golden brown.
Recipe Notes
- Chicken: Shredded, cooked turkey or drained can tuna can be swapped in for the chicken.
- Poultry seasoning: If you don’t have poultry seasoning on hand, you can substitute 1 teaspoon dried sage, 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, 1/4 teaspoon ground marjoram, 1/4 teaspoon ground dried rosemary, and a pinch of ground nutmeg and black pepper.
- Cream of chicken soup: Cream of mushroom soup will work, too.
- Egg noodles: Another pasta such as penne or rotini can be substituted for the egg noodles.
- Ritz crackers: Bread crumbs or another favorite cracker like Cheez-Its or whole-wheat crackers can be swapped in for a crunchy crumb topping.
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