“Deliciously comforting and easy to make, our Chicken Hashbrown Casserole is the perfect one-pot meal for busy weeknights. Packed with tender chicken, crispy hashbrowns, and a creamy cheese sauce, this hearty dish will satisfy your cravings and leave everyone asking for seconds. Get ready to enjoy a flavorful and satisfying dinner that the whole family will love!”
Chicken Hashbrown Casserole
This Chicken Hashbrown Casserole is a delicious and easy meal that is perfect for a simple family dinner or a potluck. It combines crispy hash browns, shredded chicken, gooey cheese, and bacon for a salty and savory flavor without being overwhelming. The casserole is easy to make by simply tossing the ingredients into a baking dish and baking it in the oven.
To make the casserole, preheat the oven to 350°F and grease an 8×8″ baking dish. In a bowl, whisk together cream cheese, sour cream, butter, salt, and pepper. Stir in half of the bacon and shredded cheese. Add the thawed hash browns and cooked chicken to the mixture and stir to combine. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and bake for 35 minutes.
After 35 minutes, remove the casserole from the oven and top with the remaining bacon and shredded cheese. Return it to the oven for another 15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Allow it to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with green onions if desired.
Ingredients You Need
This Chicken Hashbrown Casserole requires the following ingredients:
- Bacon: adds a nice saltiness and fattiness to the casserole, but feel free to use other meats like turkey bacon or sausage.
- Shredded Cheddar: shred your own cheese to get the best results.
- Cream Cheese: leave your cream cheese out at room temperature to let it soften before adding it into the casserole.
- Sour Cream: the tangy taste of sour cream cuts the richness of the dish, so it doesn’t get overwhelming.
- Butter: you can use unsalted butter if you are watching your sodium intake.
- Salt & Ground Black Pepper: adjust the amount used based on your taste.
- Frozen Hash Brown Potatoes: thaw the hash browns completely before using them, or they won’t be able to cook through in the oven.
- Chicken Breast: use already cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken into the casserole. Don’t put raw chicken into the casserole.
- Green Onion: this is a garnish, so it can be skipped.
How to Make Chicken Hashbrown Casserole
To make Chicken Hashbrown Casserole, start by preheating the oven to 350°F and greasing an 8×8″ baking dish. In a bowl, whisk together cream cheese, sour cream, butter, salt, and pepper. Stir in half of the bacon and shredded cheese. Add in the thawed hash browns and cooked chicken breast, stirring to combine everything.
Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and bake for 35 minutes. Then, remove from the oven and top with the remaining bacon and shredded cheese. Return to the oven for another 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Allow the casserole to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with green onions if desired. This casserole can be made ahead of time by refrigerating it wrapped in cling film for up to 4 days. To reheat, bake it in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes or microwave individual portions for 1-2 minutes.
Overall, this Chicken Hashbrown Casserole is a simple yet flavorful dish that combines crispy hash browns, shredded chicken, gooey cheese, and bacon. It’s perfect for a family meal or potluck gathering.
Substitutions & Variations
Substitutions & Variations:
– For a healthier option, you can use turkey bacon or lean sausage instead of regular bacon. This will reduce the fat content without sacrificing flavor.
– If you prefer a different type of cheese, feel free to swap out the shredded cheddar for your favorite variety. Pepper Jack, Colby, or Swiss cheese would all work well in this casserole.
– If you’re looking to add some extra vegetables to the dish, consider mixing in some green beans or spinach. This will not only add nutritional value, but also some vibrant color to the casserole.
– To give the casserole a Mexican twist, mix in some taco seasoning with the other ingredients. This will add a delicious and spicy flavor profile that pairs well with the chicken and cheese.
– If you like a bit of crunch in your casserole, sprinkle an additional layer of breadcrumbs on top before baking. This will create a crispy texture that contrasts nicely with the creamy filling.
– To save time on prep, use pre-cooked chicken such as rotisserie chicken breast. This eliminates the need to cook raw chicken separately and speeds up the overall cooking process.
Remember to fully thaw the frozen hash browns before using them in the casserole. Failure to do so may result in undercooked potatoes and an uneven texture.
Questions About the Recipe
1. Can I use fresh potatoes instead of frozen hash browns?
No, using fresh potatoes would require additional preparation. You would need to shred the fresh potatoes, rinse them with cold water, drain them, and ensure they are completely dry before adding them to the casserole.
2. Can I cook the casserole if the hash browns are not thawed properly?
No, if the hash browns are not properly thawed before cooking, they will not cook thoroughly in the oven. While they may appear cooked on the outside, you will end up with a cold potato when you take a bite.
3. How long can I store leftovers of this casserole in the fridge?
You can wrap the casserole dish in cling film and store it in the fridge for up to 4 days.
4. How do I reheat leftovers of this casserole?
You can either reheat the whole casserole in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes or until warmed through, or reheat individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
Can I use regular potatoes in this recipe?
Yes, you can use regular potatoes in this recipe. However, using fresh potatoes will require some additional preparation. You will need to shred the fresh potatoes, rinse them with cold water, drain them, and ensure they are completely dry before adding them to the casserole. Keep in mind that using fresh potatoes will take more time and effort compared to using frozen hash browns.
Can I skip thawing the hash browns?
No, it is not recommended to skip thawing the hash browns. If the hash browns are not properly thawed before cooking, they will not be able to cook thoroughly while in the oven. The hash browns may appear cooked on the outside, but once you take a bite, you’ll find that they are still very cold and uncooked on the inside. Thawing the hash browns ensures that they cook evenly and become crispy and delicious.
If you don’t have frozen hash brown potatoes, you can use fresh potatoes instead. However, using fresh potatoes requires more work. You will need to shred the fresh potatoes, then rinse them with cold water to remove excess starch. After rinsing, make sure to drain them thoroughly and pat them dry with paper towels before adding them to the casserole. Using fresh potatoes can add a different texture and flavor to the casserole compared to using frozen hash browns.
To reheat leftover chicken hash brown casserole, you have a couple of options. If you have the whole casserole dish leftover, you can wrap it in cling film and store it in the fridge for up to 4 days. When ready to reheat, preheat your oven to 350°F and bake the whole casserole for about 10 minutes or until warmed through.
If you have individual portions of the casserole leftover, you can reheat them in the microwave for about 1-2 minutes or until heated through. Make sure to cover each portion loosely with a microwave-safe lid or microwave-safe plastic wrap to prevent splattering.
How can I store leftovers?
To store leftovers of this chicken hash brown casserole, first, let it cool completely. Then, you can wrap the casserole dish in cling film and refrigerate it for up to 4 days. When you’re ready to reheat, you have a couple of options. You can either reheat the whole casserole in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes or until warmed through. Alternatively, you can reheat individual portions in the microwave for about 1-2 minutes. Just make sure to cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or microwave-safe plastic wrap to prevent splatters. Enjoy your delicious leftovers!
Tips & Notes
– Thaw the frozen hash browns completely before using them in the casserole. If they are not thawed, they will not cook through properly in the oven.
– Use already cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken in the casserole to save time and effort. Do not put raw chicken directly into the casserole.
– Shred your own cheese for the best results. Freshly shredded cheese melts better and has a better texture than pre-shredded cheese.
– If you want to add some vegetables to the casserole, green beans would be a great option.
– For extra crunch, you can add an additional layer of breadcrumbs on top of the casserole before baking it.
– Allow the casserole to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This will help it set and make it easier to serve.
– Serve with green onions as a garnish for added flavor and freshness.
In conclusion, chicken hashbrown casserole is a delicious and comforting dish that combines the flavors of tender chicken, crispy hashbrowns, and creamy cheese. It is an easy and versatile recipe that can be enjoyed for breakfast, brunch, or dinner. Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly meal or a crowd-pleasing dish for potlucks, this casserole is sure to satisfy everyone’s taste buds. Give it a try and enjoy the mouthwatering goodness!
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