Chicken Hashbrown Casserole - Easy Chicken Casserole Recipe! (2024)

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Shelly 47 Comments

★★★★★5 from 10 reviews

This chicken hashbrown casserole is an easy dinner recipe made with tender potatoes, juicy shredded chicken, and veggies baked in a creamy, cheesy ranch sauce. It’s sure to be a family favorite!

Are you looking to cozy up with more chicken casserole ideas? Try my Chicken Cordon Bleu casserole, too!

Chicken Hashbrown Casserole - Easy Chicken Casserole Recipe! (1)

Table of Contents

  • Why You’ll Love This Chicken Hashbrown Casserole
  • Ingredients You’ll Need
  • How to Make Chicken Hashbrown Casserole
  • Tips and Recipe Variations
  • Serving Suggestions
  • Storing and Reheating Leftovers
  • More Easy Casserole Recipes
  • Get the Recipe

Why You’ll Love This Chicken Hashbrown Casserole

I’m not one to pass up a chicken casserole recipe, and this cheesy chicken hashbrown casserole is one of our family favorites. It’s simple to make but packs in SO MUCH flavor into a 9×13” casserole dish. This recipe is:

  • Full of flavor. My casserole combines tender chicken, veggies, and hashbrown potatoes in a rich and creamy sauce packed with shredded cheddar, cream cheese, and ranch seasoning. Who doesn’t love huge forkfuls of melty, cheesy chicken and potatoes? (Correct answer: No one!).
  • Easy. Chicken hashbrown casserole is like a cross between crack chicken and cheesy potato casserole. This recipe uses frozen hashbrowns and condensed chicken soup for extra convenience. Simply mix the ingredients and bake!
  • Make-ahead friendly. Prepare your casserole for the oven the night before, and keep it in the fridge until you’re ready to bake it. It’s perfect for meal prep, and even the leftover casserole tastes great for days.
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Ingredients You’ll Need

I’ve rounded up the ingredients you’ll need to make this casserole below. Scroll down to the recipe card for a printable list of ingredients with amounts.

  • Cream of Chicken Soup–Good ol’ canned cream of chicken soup. You can use cream of mushroom soup if you don’t have cream of chicken. Keep in mind that this will slightly alter the flavor of the casserole.
  • Sour Cream –Regular or reduced-fat sour cream, whichever you prefer. You can also substitute sour cream with Greek yogurt.
  • Cream Cheese –I recommend using cream cheese that comes in blocks. Let it come to room temperature before using.
  • Milk –1% or 2% milk is fine, or you can use whole milk.
  • Seasonings –Dried thyme, black pepper, and a packet of Ranch seasoning.
  • Corn – I like to add one can of whole-kernel corn, drained.
  • Cheese –The best cheese for this casserole is cheddar cheese. Grate the cheese fresh from the block so that it melts smoothly.
  • Chicken –You’ll need 3 cups of cooked cubed or shredded chicken.
  • Potatoes – The easiest way to make this casserole is to thaw out a bag of diced potatoes (like breakfast hashbrowns). You can also chop up the potatoes and par-boil them yourself if you prefer.
  • Topping – I top this casserole with crushed seasoned croutons or butter crackers. I find garlic croutons add lots of flavor. Use more or less depending on how much extra crunch you’re after.

How to Make Chicken Hashbrown Casserole

This easy chicken hashbrown casserole is so quick to make. All you need is a bowl to mix the casserole filling and a dish to bake it in! Below is a short step-by-step. Scroll to the recipe card for printable instructions.

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  • Make the filling. Add the canned soup, sour cream, milk, and cream cheese to a large bowl. Stir in the thyme, pepper, and ranch seasoning. Finally, fold in your drained corn kernels and about 1 cup of shredded cheese.
  • Add chicken and potatoes. Next, stir the hashbrown potatoes and chicken into the sauce. Transfer the filling to an ungreased 9×13” baking dish.
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  • Add the crumb topping. Sprinkle the top of the casserole with additional shredded cheese, along with a topping of crushed crackers or croutons.
  • Bake. Bake the casserole at 350ºF for 30 minutes, or until the filling is hot throughout and bubbling at the edges.
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Tips and Recipe Variations

Ready to make the best hashbrown casserole? Here are some last-minute tips before you get started:

  • Use up leftover chicken. I love having cooked shredded chicken on hand in my freezer to use in recipes like this chicken casserole, chicken noodle soup, and my cheesy chicken crescent bake. You can also use a rotisserie chicken or any other leftover cooked chicken you have on hand.
  • Check the casserole for doneness. After about 30 minutes, the casserole should be bubbling and the top should look browned. If the cheese and filling aren’t bubbly, let the casserole bake for a short while longer.
  • Add bacon. Cooked crumbled bacon is a great way to add even more flavor to this chicken hashbrown casserole. (We all know that bacon and ranch are a match made in heaven. Just ask my cheesy bacon ranch bombs.)
  • Add veggies. Bulk up this casserole with vegetables such as diced carrots, celery, onions, frozen peas, spinach, or kale. If you have leftover roasted veggies, those are also great to add in!
  • Vegetarian. To make a vegetarian hashbrown casserole instead, omit the chicken and replace it with your choice of vegetables (see my previous tip).
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Can I Substitute the Condensed Soup In this Recipe?

Condensed chicken soup acts as a binder for the other ingredients in this casserole. If condensed soup isn’t your thing, there are a couple of ways that you can substitute it:

  • 1 cup of additional sour cream (or Greek yogurt)
  • 2 eggs, whisked into the milk.

Can I Make This Casserole Ahead?

Yes! You can prepare this casserole up to one day ahead. Assemble the casserole as directed, and instead of baking, cover the casserole and refrigerate it until you’re ready to bake. Add a few extra minutes to the baking time if you’re baking this chicken hashbrown casserole cold from the fridge.

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Serving Suggestions

This chicken hashbrown casserole is a filling meal served with steamed broccoli or air fryer asparagus and a side of fluffy cornbread or air fryer biscuits. I also love to pair it with a fresh green salad or a Greek quinoa salad.

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

  • Refrigerate. Store any leftover chicken hashbrown casserole in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
  • Reheat. To reheat leftovers, pop the casserole into the oven at 350°F for a few minutes, with a little extra cheese. You can also warm individual servings the microwave.
  • Freeze. Place the casserole in an airtight container and freeze it for up to 1-2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

More Easy Casserole Recipes

  • Fiesta Chicken Casserole
  • Chicken Divan
  • Doritos Casserole
  • Broccoli Cheese Casserole

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Chicken Hashbrown Casserole - Easy Chicken Casserole Recipe! (10)

Chicken Hashbrown Casserole

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.5 from 10 reviews

  • Author: Shelly
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: serves 8
  • Category: Chicken
  • Method: Oven
  • Cuisine: American

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Description

This chicken hashbrown casserole is an easy dinner recipe packed with tender potatoes, shredded chicken, and sweet corn baked in a creamy, cheesy ranch sauce.

Ingredients

Scale

  • 1 (10 3/4 oz) can cream of chicken soup
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 (8 oz) block cream cheese, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 (1 oz) pkg Ranch seasoning
  • 1 (15 oz) can whole kernel corn, drained
  • 2 cups grated cheddar, divided
  • 3 cups (cooked) shredded or cubed chicken
  • 1 (28-32oz) pkg diced potatoes (like hash browns), thawed
  • 11/2 cup crushed seasoned croutons or butter crackers (I used Garlic Croutons), depending on how much crunch you want!

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°
  2. In a large bowl combine soup, sour cream, milk, cream cheese, thyme, pepper and Ranch seasoning. Stir until smooth. Mix in corn and 1 cup grated cheese.
  3. Next mix in diced potatoes and chicken.
  4. Spread entire mixture into an ungreased 9×13 pan.
  5. Sprinkle remaining cup of cheese on top and finally the crushed croutons or crackers.
  6. Bake for 30 minutes until mixture is hot and bubbly.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size:
  • Calories: 550
  • Sugar: 5.7 g
  • Sodium: 1035.4 mg
  • Fat: 34.7 g
  • Carbohydrates: 44.2 g
  • Protein: 17.2 g
  • Cholesterol: 72.4 mg

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Chicken Hashbrown Casserole - Easy Chicken Casserole Recipe! (2024)

FAQs

Why is my hash brown casserole soggy? ›

Frozen hash browns will leak moisture during cooking, which could leave a soggy, sad mess behind. For the best results, let the frozen hash browns thaw overnight in the fridge, then thoroughly pat them dry to remove as much moisture as possible before cooking them to crispy.

Should I thaw hash browns for casserole? ›

Thaw the hash browns before you start: Thawing the frozen hash browns prevents the sauce from clumping when you mix them in, and helps the casserole cook faster. You can thaw your shredded hash browns overnight in the fridge directly in their bag or for about an hour at room temperature.

What binds a casserole together? ›

The key to a good casserole is the sauce or broth that binds those ingredients together as they bubble in the oven, allowing the flavors to meld together into a harmonious, comforting meal. This can be something as simple as the McCormick Brown Gravy Mix used in this tasty Hamburger Casserole dish.

How do you spice up a bland chicken casserole? ›

Try different herbs for added flavour: sage or lemon thyme work wonderfully well. For a meatier casserole, add chopped sausage or pancetta when cooking the chicken.

What is the secret to crispy hash browns? ›

The secret to the crispiest hash browns? Remove as much moisture as possible before frying.

How to fix watery hashbrown casserole? ›

Make a cornstarch slurry for a fast and easy thickener.

Use one tablespoon of cornstarch per cup of liquid you would like to thicken. Stir out all the lumps. A few minutes before your casserole is done, add it a little at a time until you are happy with the thickness. Then, let the casserole finish baking.

Why are my frozen hash browns not crispy? ›

A: Hash Browns or French fries are usually good in the freezer for 4-8 months at zero degrees F. While still cold, if they are soft to the touch that means they have lost the crispy texture you'll expect of a quick frozen potato. If this occurred over a day or two, you should be fine to heat them up.

Can I use fresh potatoes instead of frozen hash browns? ›

Substitute fresh potatoes for 30 ounces of frozen hashbrowns. Substitute diced green onions for 3 tablespoons dried chives.

Is it better to cook hash browns frozen or thawed? ›

A: Yes, you should because you need to get rid of the. excess moisture.

What liquid to use in casserole? ›

Stir in the liquid ingredients, such as stock, wine and canned tomatoes, and herbs or spices, if desired. Cover tightly and bake in the oven according to your recipe.

What is the key to making a good casserole? ›

  1. Choose the right baking dish. If you're all about the crunchy topping, use a shallow dish. ...
  2. Undercook your pasta. ...
  3. Drain your meat. ...
  4. Beware of mushy vegetables. ...
  5. Know your cheeses. ...
  6. Master the art of casserole assembly. ...
  7. Don't skip the topping. ...
  8. Make it now, but bake it later.
Nov 1, 2021

How can I improve my casserole flavor? ›

Balance Flavors

Casseroles can really shine when they achieve a harmonious balance of flavors. Sweet, salty, spicy, and acidic elements should blend well and complement each other. Add ingredients like caramelized onions, olives, or lemon zest to give your casserole a depth of flavor.

What enhances chicken flavor? ›

Classic Poultry Seasoning: 1 teaspoon dried basil + 1 teaspoon dried rosemary + 1 teaspoon salt + ½ teaspoon garlic powder + ½ teaspoon mustard powder + ½ teaspoon black pepper.

What are the 5 components of a casserole? ›

So what's inside? Let's talk anatomy: A standard dinner casserole usually includes a protein, a starch, a vegetable, a sauce (or other binding ingredient), and cheese.

Why is my chicken casserole tough? ›

Overcooking or cooking at too high a temperature can result in tough, dry chicken. Undercooking can leave chicken undercooked and chewy. Proper cooking techniques, such as roasting, grilling, or braising, can help maintain moisture and tenderness.

How do you keep casserole topping from getting soggy? ›

Nuts. Naturally crunchy and unlikely to get soggy like the other foods on this list, nuts make a delicious choice for casserole topping. Good, neutral options include chopped walnuts or almond slivers. For bolder flavor and color, opt for pistachios, or make it an extra rich dish with a sprinkling of toasted cashews.

How do you thicken a hash brown casserole? ›

Add flour - but rub it into a lump of two of butter 1st. As the butter melts into the stew the flour is absorbed. Then leave lid off for a while to evaporate more liquid if needed. D) mix a little cornflour (or plain flour if no cornflour) into a paste with water and add it whilst stirring.

Are hash browns supposed to be mushy? ›

Hash browns (along with biscuits, which I haven't yet mastered [edit: now I have! see here]), are the holy grail of breakfast. Done right, they are crispy, light, and delicious, worthy of every praise and love-song ever written in honor of food. Done wrong, they are mushy, soaked in oil, half-burned and mangled.

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