The Best Cheesy Baked Chicken Casserole

Creamy, bubbly, family-friendly comfort

This Cheesy Baked Chicken Casserole is everything you love about cozy, homestyle meals. Tender chicken, al dente pasta, and a rich, velvety sauce come together with layers of melty cheese to create the ultimate easy healthy recipe for any night of the week. It has all the warmth and indulgence of a classic fall dinner idea, yet it’s simple enough to throw together on a busy evening. The combination of creamy soup, sour cream, and two cheeses makes every bite irresistibly comforting. Serve it with a green salad or roasted veggies for a satisfying, crowd-pleasing dinner.

⏱️ Time Breakdown

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Servings: 6

📝 Ingredients

• Cooking spray
• 8 oz uncooked cavatappi pasta
• 3 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 small yellow onion, chopped
• 1 1/2 lb skinless boneless chicken breasts, cut into small bite-size pieces
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 3/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 (22.6 oz) family-size can cream of chicken soup, undiluted
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 12 oz Colby Jack cheese, shredded and divided
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional)

✨ Kitchen Tools You’ll Need

This recipe doesn’t require fancy gadgets, just a few reliable kitchen basics to keep everything simple and stress free.

• Large skillet
• Cutting board
• Sharp knife
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Large mixing bowl
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• 9×13 baking dish
• Colander

Step by Step Beginner Friendly Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly coat a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray.
2. Cook the cavatappi pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook 3 to 4 minutes until softened.
4. Stir in the chicken pieces, salt, and black pepper. Cook 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is lightly golden and mostly cooked through. 🔥
5. Add the minced garlic and cook 1 minute until fragrant.
6. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cream of chicken soup, sour cream, 8 oz of the Colby Jack cheese, and Parmesan cheese. Stir until smooth and creamy.
7. Add the cooked pasta and chicken mixture to the bowl. Stir until everything is evenly coated.
8. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread it in an even layer.
9. Top with the remaining 4 oz of Colby Jack cheese.
10. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the casserole is hot, bubbly, and beautifully melty on top. 😍
11. Let rest for a few minutes, then sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving. 🌿

💡 Pro Tips

• For extra creaminess, add a splash of milk if your mixture feels too thick before baking.
• Want a little kick? Add a pinch of smoked paprika or red pepper flakes before baking.
• This casserole reheats beautifully, making it great for meal prep.
• Add steamed broccoli or spinach directly into the mixture for an easy veggie boost.

📊 Nutrition Table (Estimated)

🍽️ Conclusion

This Cheesy Baked Chicken Casserole is creamy, satisfying, and wonderfully comforting everything a cozy baked dish should be. It blends tender chicken, flavorful sauce, and melty cheese into a one-dish dinner your whole family will love. Save it, share it, and enjoy every cheesy bite!

Cheesy Baked Chicken Casserole

A comforting and creamy casserole featuring tender chicken, pasta, and layers of melty cheese, perfect for a cozy family dinner.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Course Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine American, Comfort Food

Servings 6 servings

Calories 510 kcal

Ingredients

  

Main Ingredients

• 8 oz uncooked cavatappi pasta
• 1.5 lb skinless boneless chicken breasts, cut into small bite-size pieces
• 3 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 small yellow onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 0.75 tsp black pepper
• 22.6 oz family-size can cream of chicken soup, undiluted
• 0.5 cup sour cream
• 12 oz Colby Jack cheese, shredded and divided
• 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional)

For Cooking

• Cooking spray For greasing the baking dish

Instructions

 

Preparation

• Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly coat a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray.
• Cook the cavatappi pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook 3 to 4 minutes until softened.
• Stir in the chicken pieces, salt, and black pepper. Cook 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is lightly golden and mostly cooked through.
• Add the minced garlic and cook 1 minute until fragrant.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the cream of chicken soup, sour cream, 8 oz of the Colby Jack cheese, and Parmesan cheese. Stir until smooth and creamy.
• Add the cooked pasta and chicken mixture to the bowl. Stir until everything is evenly coated.
• Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread it in an even layer.
• Top with the remaining 4 oz of Colby Jack cheese.

Baking

• Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the casserole is hot, bubbly, and beautifully melty on top.
• Let rest for a few minutes, then sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

For extra creaminess, add a splash of milk if your mixture feels too thick before baking. Want a little kick? Add a pinch of smoked paprika or red pepper flakes before baking. This casserole reheats beautifully, making it great for meal prep. Add steamed broccoli or spinach directly into the mixture for an easy veggie boost.

Keyword Casserole, Cheesy Baked Chicken Casserole, chicken recipe, Comfort Food, Easy Dinner