Chicken and Hashbrown Casserole Recipe
This comforting Chicken and Hashbrown Casserole combines tender cooked chicken, crispy hash browns, mixed vegetables, and creamy condensed soup, all topped with a crunchy Ritz cracker and cheddar cheese topping. Baked to golden perfection, this hearty casserole is perfect for an easy family dinner or potluck dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 3 cups frozen hash browns, thawed slightly (about 8 ounces)
- 2–3 cups cooked chicken, cut up
- ¼ cup bacon bits
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 10.5 ounce can condensed cream of chicken soup
- ½ cup milk
- 12 ounces frozen mixed vegetables, thawed slightly
- ⅛ teaspoon dried thyme
Topping
- 12–14 Ritz crackers (about half a typical sleeve)
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix together the hash browns, cooked chicken, bacon bits, 1 cup cheddar cheese, thawed mixed vegetables, condensed cream of chicken soup, milk, and dried thyme until well combined.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Lightly grease a 7×11″ (or similar sized) baking dish. Spread the hash brown mixture evenly in the dish.
- Make Topping: Crush the Ritz crackers in a small bowl, then add ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese and stir to combine. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top of the hash brown mixture in the baking dish.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. This will allow the casserole to cook through and meld the flavors.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes uncovered to let the topping crisp up and turn golden brown.
- Rest and Serve: Once baked, remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before serving. This rest time helps the casserole set for easier serving.
Notes
- Thaw frozen hash browns and mixed vegetables slightly before mixing to avoid excess water in the casserole.
- You can substitute any cooked chicken, such as rotisserie or leftover chicken breasts.
- Feel free to add other seasonings like garlic powder or paprika for extra flavor.
- Covering the casserole while baking locks in moisture, while finishing uncovered crisps the topping perfectly.
- Letting the casserole rest before serving helps it set, making serving portions cleaner and easier.
Keywords: chicken casserole, hashbrown casserole, easy chicken dinner, comfort food, baked casserole, cheddar cheese casserole
