potato and chicken casserole Recipe

  • By Zain123
  • /

🥔 Potato and Chicken Casserole

A warm, cheesy, and hearty casserole packed with tender chicken, thinly sliced potatoes, and a rich, creamy sauce. Perfect for family dinners, cozy nights, or meal prep!

🕓 Recipe Overview

  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Rest Time: 5 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Servings: 6

🧄 Ingredients

Main Ingredients

  • 1 ½ lbs (700g) boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, diced
  • 1 ½ lbs (700g) potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced (Yukon Gold or Russet)
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • ½ tsp paprika
  • ½ tsp dried thyme (optional)

Creamy Cheese Sauce

  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ cups milk (whole or 2%)
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Garnish

  • Chopped parsley or green onions
  • Extra cheese for topping (optional)

🔥 Instructions

1️⃣ Preheat the Oven

Preheat to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish with olive oil or butter.

2️⃣ Prepare the Potatoes

  • Slice potatoes thinly (~⅛ inch).
  • Soak in cold water for 10 minutes to remove starch, then pat dry.

3️⃣ Cook the Chicken

  • Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
  • Sauté onion for 2 minutes until soft.
  • Add chicken, garlic, salt, pepper, paprika, and thyme.
  • Cook 6–8 minutes until lightly golden (chicken will finish cooking in oven).
  • Set aside.

4️⃣ Make the Cheese Sauce

  • Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
  • Whisk in flour for 1 minute to make a roux.
  • Gradually add milk while whisking to prevent lumps.
  • Stir in heavy cream and cook until slightly thickened (~3–4 minutes).
  • Remove from heat and stir in cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan until melted and creamy.
  • Season with salt and pepper.

5️⃣ Assemble the Casserole

  1. Layer half of the potatoes on the bottom of the dish.
  2. Spread the cooked chicken mixture on top.
  3. Pour half of the cheese sauce over chicken.
  4. Layer the remaining potatoes.
  5. Pour remaining sauce over top and spread evenly.
  6. Optional: sprinkle extra cheese on top for a golden crust.

6️⃣ Bake

  • Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
  • Remove foil and bake an additional 15–20 minutes until:
    • Top is golden and bubbling
    • Potatoes are tender
    • Cheese is melted
  • Optional: broil 2–3 minutes for extra crispiness (watch closely).

7️⃣ Rest and Serve

  • Let rest 5–10 minutes before slicing.
  • Garnish with parsley or green onions.

🍽️ Serving Suggestions

  • Steamed green beans, broccoli, or roasted carrots
  • Crisp green salad with lemon dressing
  • Garlic bread or dinner rolls

🧊 Storage & Reheating

  • Refrigerate: Up to 4 days in an airtight container
  • Freeze: Up to 2 months (cool completely first)
  • Reheat: Oven at 350°F (175°C) until hot and bubbly, or microwave individual portions

💡 Tips

  • Slice potatoes evenly for consistent cooking
  • Don’t overcook chicken on stove; oven finishes it
  • Use sharp cheese for best flavor and melt
  • Sneak in veggies like spinach, mushrooms, or peas
  • Swap heavy cream with low-fat milk or Greek yogurt for lighter version

🧀 Variations

  • Spicy Kick: Add red pepper flakes or hot sauce
  • Bacon Twist: Mix in crumbled bacon
  • Veggie Boost: Include zucchini, cauliflower, or bell peppers
  • Herb Lovers: Sprinkle rosemary or Italian seasoning

💪 Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

  • Calories: 410 kcal
  • Protein: 33 g
  • Carbs: 26 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Sugars: 4 g
  • Fat: 20 g (Saturated: 9 g)
  • Cholesterol: 95 mg
  • Sodium: 550 mg
  • Calcium: 230 mg
  • Iron: 1.6 mg

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