Dive into comfort food heaven with the Ultimate Cheesy Chicken Casserole, a creamy, baked dish that's as satisfying as it is simple to make. Packed with tender diced chicken, al dente penne pasta, and a trio of cheeses—sharp cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan—this casserole delivers gooey, melty perfection in every bite. A velvety sauce made with cream cheese, sour cream, and cream of chicken soup wraps everything together, while a crispy, buttery panko breadcrumb topping adds an irresistible crunch. Ready in just under an hour, this family-friendly dinner is ideal for busy weeknights or potluck gatherings. Serve it straight from the oven and watch it disappear—it’s comfort food bliss at its finest!
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
Cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced chicken and season with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Cook until the chicken is fully cooked and no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes. Remove from heat.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, and 1 cup of shredded sharp cheddar cheese. Stir until well blended.
Fold in the cooked chicken, cooked pasta, and optional mixed vegetables (if using) into the cream cheese mixture. Mix together until all ingredients are evenly coated.
Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly.
Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of sharp cheddar cheese, 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, and 0.5 cup of Parmesan cheese over the top.
In a small bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs with the melted butter. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the cheese layer.
Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and the topping is golden brown.
Let the casserole cool for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Calories |
6411 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 336.5 g | 431% | |
| Saturated Fat | 191.3 g | 957% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3.1 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 1454 mg | 485% | |
| Sodium | 9386 mg | 408% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 416.0 g | 151% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 24.2 g | 86% | |
| Total Sugars | 59.1 g | ||
| Protein | 430.6 g | 861% | |
| Vitamin D | 3.9 mcg | 19% | |
| Calcium | 4502 mg | 346% | |
| Iron | 20.5 mg | 114% | |
| Potassium | 4266 mg | 91% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.