Creamy chicken casserole

Creamy chicken casserole

30 min
Welcome to the warmth of home-style cooking with our creamy chicken casserole. This dish wraps you in comfort with its rich, creamy flavours. We combine tender chicken with a smooth sauce, spinach, red onion, and a golden mozzarella crust. Serve this family favourite with jasmine rice on the side.
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https://www.arlafoods.co.uk/recipes/creamy-chicken-casserole/

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 200 °C.
  • Prepare jasmine rice according to the instructions on the package.
  • Cut chicken into pieces and brown in a pot over medium heat. When the chicken is done, place on a plate and set aside.
  • Finely chop garlic and rosemary and slice the red onion in half rings.
  • Sauté garlic in the pot for a minute, and then add cream and cream cheese. Stir well with a whisk until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Add spinach and sauté until it wilts slightly, then add the red onions and chicken.
  • Sprinkle with rosemary and mozzarella.
  • Place the pot in the oven for 7–10 minutes until the cheese is golden. Serve with jasmine rice.
Enjoy!

FAQ: Questions about creamy chicken casserole

Below, we answer the most common questions about making creamy chicken casserole. Find the answers you need to prepare this warm, welcoming meal with confidence.

Can I make creamy chicken casserole ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the creamy chicken casserole beforehand. Simply cook it as directed, let it cool, then cover and pop it in the fridge. When you are ready to eat, warm it in the oven at 175 °C for 20–25 minutes or heat on the stove until it is piping hot. If the sauce thickens too much, just mix in a bit more cream to get it back to that creamy consistency.
How should I store leftover creamy chicken casserole?
To properly store the creamy chicken casserole, place it in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. When you are ready to reheat it, you can either use the microwave or the oven. For microwave reheating, cover the casserole and heat it on high for about 2–3 minutes, stirring midway to ensure it heats evenly. Alternatively, you can reheat the casserole in a preheated oven at 175 °C. Just transfer the casserole into an oven-safe dish, cover it with aluminium foil, and heat for 20–25 minutes or until thoroughly heated through.
Can I freeze creamy chicken casserole?
Yes, you can freeze creamy chicken casserole. Let the dish cool, then cover it well and put it in the freezer. When you are ready to eat it, thaw it in the fridge and reheat it in the oven at 175 °C for 20–25 minutes, or warm it in the microwave until it is thoroughly hot.

Ingredients

Chicken
400 g
Red onion
1
Garlic cloves
2
Spinach
200 g
Double cream
300 ml
Apetina® 50% Less Fat Original White Cheese, plain Apetina® 50% Less Fat Original White Cheese, plain
4 tbsp
Butter or oil
1 tbsp
Salt
Pepper
Fresh rosemary or 1 tbsp dried rosemary
2 tbsp
Mozzarella, shredded
100 g
Jasmine rice
300 g
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Tips: Improve your creamy chicken casserole

Our recipe for creamy chicken casserole is pretty straightforward. But to ensure you get it just right, we have prepared some tips for you that will help you along the way.

Let the casserole rest

Allow the casserole to sit for a few minutes after removing it from the oven. This resting period helps the flavours meld together better and makes serving easier as the cheese as time to settle slightly.

Perfectly cooked jasmine rice

Always rinse jasmine rice under cold water until the water runs clear. This removes excess starch, which can make the rice gummy or clumpy. Use the right water-to-rice ratio. For 300 grams of uncooked rice, 500 ml of water should do it, but you can always add more if needed. Once your rice is cooking, avoid stirring it, as this can break the grains and release more starch, which leads to a stickier texture. Bring the rice to a boil, then cover and reduce to a low simmer. Let it cook undisturbed for about 18 minutes, then turn off the heat and let it sit, covered, for another 5–10 minutes to finish steaming. This helps achieve a fluffy texture. Keep a close eye on your cooking time. Overcooked rice becomes mushy, while undercooked rice can be too chewy.

Indulge in a creamy chicken casserole

Nothing comes close to the creamy delight of our creamy chicken casserole. The perfectly cooked chicken turns nice and juicy as the casserole bakes in the oven. This recipe is incredibly easy to prepare, meaning you can make this comfort food favourite in just half an hour and impress your family. The savoury chicken and indulgent sauce create a relaxing, convivial atmosphere, perfect for sharing a meal with your loved ones.

If you are interested in exploring more chicken recipes, consider our easy chicken shawarma and chicken and potato salad. Both dishes are simple to prepare and pretty much guarantee a hassle-free cooking experience at home.

With onion, garlic, and spinach

While the creamy sauce and succulent chicken take centre stage, they are supported by some flavourful ingredients. Red onions and garlic infuse the casserole with a sweet, mellow foundation that adds complexity and depth, contrasting beautifully with the rich cream. The inclusion of spinach introduces a vivid deep-green hue and a hint of bitterness and earthiness that balances the rich taste of the sauce.

Creamy sauce and golden mozzarella crust

Our dish features a lusciously smooth sauce made from double cream and plain cream cheese, enveloping each ingredient in a velvety coating that is rich yet not too heavy. The sauce is packed with vibrant flavours from sautéed vegetables and aromatic rosemary. It is crowned with a generous layer of shredded mozzarella cheese, which not only heightens the dish’s comforting appeal but also bakes into a golden, crispy topping that contrasts beautifully with the creamy sauce.

Serve with jasmine rice on the side

Place a generous serving of creamy chicken casserole atop a warm bed of fluffy jasmine rice. The subtle floral aroma and slightly sweet taste of the rice are great for absorbing all the tasty flavours of the sauce. The rice helps balance out the rich nature of the dish with its perfect fluffy texture, giving every bite a delicate touch against the creamy sauce.

Get creative with the recipe

While this recipe for creamy chicken casserole is rich and satisfying, there is plenty of room for creativity. Consider incorporating earthy mushrooms for their umami quality or roasted sweet peppers for a smoky sweetness. Caramelised onions bring a wonderful transformation, evolving from sharp and pungent to soft, golden, and sweet, while well-drained artichoke hearts introduce a slightly tangy note and a tender texture that melds beautifully with the sauce.

Mozzarella cheese is an excellent choice for a topping as it melts into a gooey layer with a slight crisp finish. However, you can experiment with other cheeses. Gruyère and sharp cheddar offer a nuttier, more intense flavour that enhances the casserole’s overall taste, while Parmesan is a great alternative for achieving an even crispier crust. Sprinkle your choice of cheese on top and enjoy the delicious variety of textures and flavours.

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