Easy Pioneer Woman Chicken Noodle Casserole Recipe for Cozy Nights

Pioneer Woman’s chicken noodle casserole brings comfort straight to your dinner table with its hearty, soul-warming ingredients.

Creamy textures and rich flavors define this classic American dish that feels like a warm embrace.

Soft noodles nestle beneath a golden, crispy cracker topping, promising delightful contrasts in every forkful.

Home cooks adore this casserole for its simplicity and crowd-pleasing appeal.

Robust chicken, tender vegetables, and a velvety sauce create a symphony of tastes that dance across your palate.

Seasonal ingredients transform this meal into a nostalgic experience that connects generations around the family table.

Families will gather eagerly when this bubbling, fragrant casserole emerges from the oven: prepare for requests of second helpings!

Why Pioneer Woman’s Chicken Noodle Casserole is a Comforting Classic

• Craft Comfort in a Dish: This chicken noodle casserole transforms classic comfort food into a creamy, hearty meal that wraps you in warmth and nostalgia with every single bite.
• Texture Symphony: Combining crispy cracker topping, tender chicken, soft noodles, and smooth creamy sauce creates a delightful multi-textural experience that keeps your taste buds excited and engaged throughout the meal.
• Quick and Easy Family Feast: Requiring only one hour of total preparation and cooking time, this recipe offers a delicious solution for busy weeknight dinners that delivers maximum flavor with minimal kitchen effort, making it perfect for families craving a satisfying homemade meal without complex cooking techniques.

Must-Have Ingredients for Pioneer Woman’s Chicken Noodle Casserole

• Egg Noodles: Classic pasta base for the casserole, provides hearty texture and absorbs delicious flavors.

• Cooked Chicken: Tender protein that adds substance and makes the dish filling.
• Onion, Celery: Classic aromatics that build a rich, savory flavor foundation.
• Peas and Carrots: Colorful vegetables that provide nutrition and sweet, gentle taste.

• Cream of Chicken Soup, Whole Milk: Smooth base that creates a creamy, comforting texture.
• Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Adds tangy, rich flavor and helps bind the casserole together.
• Kosher Salt, Ground Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance overall taste.

• Butter Crackers: Provides a crunchy, golden-brown layer with buttery richness.
• Unsalted Butter: Helps crackers become crisp and adds extra flavor.

• Parsley: Fresh herb that adds bright color and light herbal note.

Step-by-Step Guide to Pioneer Woman’s Chicken Noodle Casserole

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Crank your oven to 375°F (190°C). This gets the kitchen ready for deliciousness.

Step 2: Cook The Noodles

Grab a large pot and fill with salted water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Drop in egg noodles and cook for 7 minutes until slightly firm. Drain and set aside.

Step 3: Create The Creamy Mixture

• Cream of chicken soup
• Whole milk
• Shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• Ground black pepper
• Kosher salt

• Cooked chicken
• Chopped onion
• Chopped celery
• Thawed peas
• Thawed carrots

Gently fold in cooked noodles until everything is beautifully blended.

Step 4: Prepare The Baking Dish

Transfer the mixture to a 13-by-9-inch baking dish. Spread evenly across the surface.

Step 5: Make The Crunchy Topping

In a separate bowl, mix crushed butter crackers with melted unsalted butter. Sprinkle this golden mixture over the casserole.

Step 6: Bake To Perfection

Slide the casserole into the preheated oven. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until the top turns a lovely golden brown and the casserole is thoroughly heated.

Step 7: Garnish And Serve

Pull the casserole from the oven. Sprinkle chopped parsley on top for a pop of color. Serve piping hot and watch everyone dig in!

Secrets to Making the Best Chicken Noodle Casserole

• Maximize Flavor Depth: Combine store-bought rotisserie chicken with homemade shredded meat for a more complex taste profile.
• Elevate Soup Selection: Pick premium cream of chicken soup brands that offer richer, more nuanced flavor layers.
• Create Golden Crunch: Expose the casserole's top during baking to develop a perfectly crispy, appetizing exterior.
• Brighten with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle vibrant, finely chopped parsley right before serving to add color and bright notes.
• Streamline Chicken Preparation: Pull apart chicken using two forks or clean hands, removing skin for smoother shredding technique.

How to Keep Pioneer Woman’s Chicken Noodle Casserole Fresh

• Meal Prep Containers: Divide cooled casserole into individual portions using clear, stackable glass containers. Seal each compartment tightly, ensuring no air enters. Perfect for grab-and-go lunches or quick weeknight dinners during busy work weeks.
• Vacuum Sealing: Utilize a vacuum sealer to remove all air from the casserole before freezing. This method prevents freezer burn and maintains the dish's original flavor and texture for up to 3 months. Label containers with date and contents for easy tracking.
• Freezer Layering: Place parchment paper between casserole portions to prevent sticking. Stack containers horizontally in the freezer to maximize space and maintain organization. Rotate older meals to the front, ensuring nothing gets forgotten in the back of the freezer.

Fun Variations of Pioneer Woman’s Chicken Noodle Casserole

• Southwestern Spice Boost: Replace ground black pepper with chipotle powder and add diced green chilies for a zesty kick. Swap sharp cheddar for pepper jack cheese to enhance the Mexican-inspired flavor profile.
• Mediterranean Herb Fusion: Incorporate crumbled feta cheese and mix in chopped fresh oregano, basil, and sun-dried tomatoes. Use whole wheat noodles for added nutrition and a rustic texture.
• Protein Power Upgrade: Substitute chicken with rotisserie turkey or shredded rotisserie chicken. Add quinoa alongside noodles for extra protein and a nutty undertone. Include diced bell peppers for additional crunch and color.
• Vegetarian Veggie Celebration: Replace chicken with plant-based protein like chickpeas or cubed tofu. Mix in roasted zucchini, mushrooms, and spinach. Use vegetable broth instead of cream of chicken soup to maintain moisture and flavor.

Final Thoughts on Pioneer Woman’s Chicken Noodle Casserole

Chicken noodle casserole emerges as pure comfort cuisine, blending classic American home cooking with soul-satisfying ingredients.

Pioneer Woman’s recipe transforms humble pantry staples into a memorable meal that whispers nostalgic kitchen stories.

Creamy cheese and tender chicken create harmonious layers of deliciousness beneath buttery cracker crumbs.

Nourishing vegetables peek through each forkful, promising warmth and satisfaction with every bite.

Home cooks can master this straightforward recipe that celebrates family-style dining with minimal effort.

Passionate kitchen enthusiasts: share this culinary gem across social platforms, spark conversation with fellow recipe lovers, and let the delicious memories begin!

Pioneer Woman Chicken Noodle Casserole Recipe

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4.8 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Pioneer Woman Chicken Noodle Casserole delivers pure comfort on a plate, blending tender chicken, creamy sauce, and hearty noodles in a classic American dish. Home cooks savor this nostalgic recipe that warms hearts and satisfies hungry families with its rich, homemade goodness.

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Ingredients

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Main Protein:

• 3 cups cooked, shredded chicken (from 1 rotisserie chicken)

Pasta and Vegetables:

• 12 ounces (340 grams) wide egg noodles
• 1 bag (12 ounces/340 grams) frozen peas and carrots, thawed
• ½ small yellow onion, finely chopped
• 2 celery stalks, finely chopped

Sauce and Additional Ingredients:

• 2 cans (10.5 ounces/298 grams each) cream of chicken soup
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) whole milk
• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 ½ cups coarsely crushed butter crackers (such as Ritz, about 1 cracker sleeve)
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• Chopped parsley, for garnish

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Instructions

1. Boil the egg noodles in a large pot of salted water over medium-high heat until they reach a tender al dente texture, approximately 7 minutes. Carefully drain and set the noodles aside, allowing them to cool slightly.
2. Create a creamy mixture by whisking together cream of chicken soup, whole milk, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, ground black pepper, and kosher salt in a spacious mixing bowl. Incorporate the cooked chicken, finely diced onion, chopped celery, and thawed vegetable medley of peas and carrots.
3. Gently fold the prepared egg noodles into the creamy mixture, ensuring each strand is evenly coated with the savory sauce. Transfer the entire blend to a 13-by-9-inch (33-by-23-centimeter) baking dish, spreading it uniformly to create an even layer.
4. Craft the crispy topping by combining crushed butter crackers with melted unsalted butter. Distribute this golden mixture evenly across the surface of the casserole, creating a tempting crunchy layer.
5. Position the casserole in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C). Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the dish is thoroughly heated and the topping transforms into a light golden-brown crust.
6. Once baked, remove the casserole from the oven. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley to add a vibrant pop of color and fresh herbaceous note. Serve immediately while the dish is piping hot.

Notes

• Save Time with Precooked Chicken: Grab a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store for quick and flavorful shredded meat that instantly elevates the casserole’s taste and cuts down on preparation time.
• Enhance Creaminess with Soup Selection: Select a high-quality cream of chicken soup to create a smooth, rich base that guarantees a luxurious texture and deepens the overall flavor profile.
• Create Crispy Golden Topping: Baking the casserole uncovered allows the surface to transform into a beautiful golden-brown crust, adding delightful crunch and visual appeal to the dish.
• Add Fresh Herbal Finish: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the baked casserole to introduce a bright, clean flavor and create an inviting, restaurant-worthy presentation.
• Master Chicken Shredding Technique: Pull apart chicken meat using two forks or your hands, removing skin and bones efficiently while preparing a perfectly textured protein for your recipe, and save those bones for future homemade stock.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 430 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg