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This chicken noodle casserole is quick and simple to throw together. It’s an easy make ahead dinner that’s creamy, cheesy, and has loads of broccoli!
You may also like my Beef Noodle Casserole, Sloppy Joe Casserole, or Cheesy Chicken Divan.
Why you’ll love it
This chicken noodle casserole recipe is a time saver for when you’ve got hungry people to feed, don’t really feel like cooking, and want something hot and comforting. This is a family favorite that’s great if you have a picky eater or two! It has all the best flavors from Chicken Noodle Soup but in a no-fuss casserole.
A handful of simple grocery store and pantry ingredients is all you need to make this creamy chicken noodle casserole recipe. You can even make it ahead. This chicken noodle bake can be on your table in no time… and your whole family will love you for it. Check out more of my casserole recipes for crowd-pleasing deliciousness.
What you’ll need for this cozy casserole
- Noodles – wide egg noodles work best in this casserole since they hold their shape well
- Broccoli – it’s great paired with chicken and gets in some veggies
- Chicken – you can buy a rotisserie chicken or use up any leftover chicken you have
- Cream of chicken soup – a tried and true shortcut for adding flavor to casseroles
- Sour cream – adds even more creaminess and a touch of tanginess
- Garlic powder – a hint of garlic is my not-so-secret ingredient
- Scallions – these mild green onions add a burst of freshness
- Cheddar cheese – plenty of freshly grated cheddar adds that dreamy cheesiness you crave!
Make ahead tip
- Assemble up to step 4 (before baking), let cool, then cover tightly and refrigerate for up to 2 days ahead or freeze for 2-3 months. Let it thaw on the counter then bake as directed. You may need to add on extra time since it’ll be cold.
How to make chicken noodle casserole
This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.
Boil a pot of water. Cook the egg noodles for 1 minute less than package directions indicate, then add the broccoli in during the last 2 minutes of cooking. Drain and add the noodles and broccoli to a 9×13 casserole dish.
Add the chicken, chicken soup, sour cream, garlic powder, scallions, and half of the cheddar, then toss and smooth it in an even layer.
Top with the remaining cheese, then cover with foil and bake for 25-30 minutes.
Substitutions and variations
- Try swapping the condensed cream of chicken soup with cream of mushroom soup or cream of celery soup.
- Don’t like using canned soup? You can make a Homemade Cream of Chicken Soup if you prefer, or swap it for the sauce in my Tuna Noodle Casserole recipe.
- You can use frozen broccoli if you prefer. I’d thaw it first (drain well) then add to the casserole in step 3, or add it frozen to the boiling noodles, but only for up to a minute or so (frozen broccoli is already partially cooked).
- You could use other vegetables instead of or in addition to the broccoli. Frozen peas, corn, or pre-chopped frozen veggies will work too. I’d add them into the boiling water a minute or so before draining it.
- You can swap the scallions for a 1/2 teaspoon or so of onion powder if you prefer.
- Any pasta will work for this recipe. Just be sure to cook it al dente so it won’t be overcooked in the oven. If using a small shape (like macaroni), use less than 3 cups or you’ll have way too much pasta.
Helpful tips
- Halve the recipe and use an 8×8 baking dish if 6-8 servings is too much.
- If you want a crunchy topping for the top of the casserole, melt 1/4 cup of butter and mix it with 1 cup of panko breadcrumbs, crushed Ritz crackers, crushed potato chips, or plain cornflakes.
- For best results, grate your own cheese. I use this grater. I recommend a good sharp cheddar for this recipe.
What to serve with it
- It’s pretty hearty on its own, but a slice of Cheesy Garlic Bread is great or just a dinner roll.
- Try a light side salad with this Homemade Ranch Dressing, mixed greens, and your favorite veggies.
Leftovers and storage
- Leftovers will last 3-4 days in the fridge. Simply reheat over a low heat for best results.
- If needed, add a splash of milk to give it a little refresh.
- I wouldn’t recommend freezing leftovers of this one. The texture of the noodles and creamy sauce is liable to change.
Questions about this cheesy chicken noodle casserole recipe? Let me know in the comments below! Do you make yours the same way?
Chicken Noodle Casserole
Ingredients
- 3 cups uncooked egg noodles
- 4 cups broccoli florets see note
- 2 cups cooked chicken
- 2 (10.5 ounce) cans condensed cream of chicken soup
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/3 cup scallions chopped
- 2 cups grated cheddar cheese divided
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375F and move the rack to the middle position.
- Boil a pot of water and cook the egg noodles for 1 minute less than the package directions indicate. Add the broccoli to the pot 2 minutes before the noodles are done. Drain and transfer to a 9×13 casserole dish.
- To the casserole dish, add the chicken, condensed soup, sour cream, garlic powder, scallions, and half the cheddar. Toss and then smooth into an even layer.
- Top with the rest of the cheese, then cover with foil and bake for 25-30 minutes. Uncover and broil if desired.
- Serve immediately with extra salt & pepper if needed.
Notes
- Serves 6-8 depending on portion size.
- Use fresh or frozen broccoli:
- Wondering how much fresh broccoli to buy? It’s not an exact science because broccoli comes in all sizes, sometimes has larger or smaller stems, and you also will cut it into different sized florets every time. As a rough guide, 1 pound of broccoli typically yields about 3-4 cups when cut into florets. A little more or a little less than suggested won’t make or break this recipe!
- If using frozen broccoli, thaw it, drain it, and add to the casserole in step 3… or add it from frozen to the boiling water with the noodles, but only cook it for up to a minute since frozen broccoli is already par-cooked and you don’t want it getting mushy in the oven.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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So if everything is cooked already except for can of chicken soup, can I just freeze it and cook it later??
See the “make ahead tip” in the blog post. 🙂
Perfect! This was an easy meal made with things I already had in my kitchen and so delicious. This will definitely be in my meal rotation. 😉
Yay!! Thrilled to hear it! Thank you. 😀
This looks good can it be made in a 9×9 ? Otherwise the 2 of us would indulge in the whole thing at one setting 😀
Haha I think that should work fine. I think you should be able to halve it and that will work. Let me know!
I made this tonight for dinner and it was super easy and tasty! I followed the recipe for homemade cream of chicken and it worked perfectly. I also added French fried onions to the top before cooking (instead of the bread crumbs that were optional) and it was so flavorful and delicious! I loved the extra crunch too. Will definitely be putting this into the rotation of weeknight meals!
Wonderful!! 🙂 Thanks so much for your review!
Chicken and broccoli are so versatile and tasty together Another bonus, Quick and easy like this one. Thanks for sharing
Glad you liked it, Linda!! 🙂
I made this for my wife and she loved it. It’s a keeper for sure.
Yay!! So glad to hear it, Phil! 🙂
Very good! Prep time a bit more than expected, and I mixed everything together in noodle pan before putting in 9×13 pan, much easier.
Glad you enjoyed it!
I make several variations of this, using different rices, vegetables etc.
It is my go to for using leftover turkey and chickens! Delicious!
That’s so nice to hear!! Love that you change it up. Thank you for the review. 🙂
Can I use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream?
I don’t recommend it unless it’s a higher fat one (like 10%). It’ll be a bit grainy and watery otherwise.
I substituted and it was great. I’d be careful if you’re using the nonfat ones as they lack a bit of the creaminess. The one I used was 4%>
Will deff try this, partner not a broccoli fan so will add peas n mushrooms, mayb do half section one side broccoli and other side pease n mushroom.
That works!