Do Ahead Chicken Casserole 🍗🧀
Description: This is another do-ahead casserole, making life so easy! The water chestnuts give a nice crunch, and the casserole has a smooth, gentle taste. Hope you enjoy it.
- Recipe Category: Lunch/Snacks
- Keywords: Chicken, Poultry, Cheese, Vegetable, Meat, Canadian, Weeknight, Oven, < 4 Hours, Easy
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 304.9
- Fat: 17.1g
- Saturated Fat: 8.9g
- Cholesterol: 130.4mg
- Sodium: 413.5mg
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Fiber: 1.3g
- Sugar: 2g
- Protein: 20.3g
Servings: 12
Yield: 2 cups
Ingredients:
| Quantity | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 4 | Butter |
| 9 | Margarine |
| 1/4 | Butter (for sauce) |
| 4 | Fresh mushrooms |
| 8 | Sliced water chestnuts |
| 1 | Pimiento |
| 1 | Mayonnaise |
| 1/2 | Cheddar cheese |
| 3/4 | Flour |
| 1/4 | Chicken broth |
| 2 | Eggs |
| 4 | Milk |
| 2 cups | Bread slices (crusts off) |
Instructions:
-
Preparation: Lightly butter a 9×13-inch ovenproof dish. Cut crusts off the bread slices and save. Place bread slices in a single layer in the bottom of the dish. Put chicken on top.
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Layering: Sauté mushrooms in 2 tbsp butter and then place them on top of the chicken. Sprinkle water chestnuts and pimientos on top of the mushrooms. Dot with mayonnaise and top with cheddar cheese.
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Prepare Sauce: Melt 1/4 cup butter in a skillet, stir in flour until smooth. Whisk in 1/4 cup chicken broth, bring to a boil, whisking constantly until thickened, then set aside.
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Egg Mixture: Whisk milk and eggs together and pour over the cheese.
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Add Sauce: Spoon chicken broth sauce over the casserole.
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Chill: Cover and refrigerate overnight.
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Preheat: Bring the casserole to room temperature before baking.
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Buttered Crumbs:
- Crumble the crusts of the bread into crumbs.
- Melt 1/4 cup butter, add crumbs, and toast for 10-15 minutes.
- The crumbs can be made ahead and stored in a jar in the fridge. Do not add crumbs to casserole until just before baking.
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Baking: Bake uncovered in a preheated 350°F oven for 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
Enjoy this flavorful Do Ahead Chicken Casserole, perfect for any weeknight meal or gathering! 🍽️🥂
