Best Do Ahead Chicken Casserole Recipes

CHICKEN CASSEROLE

Steps:

• In a large skillet, saute the celery, onion and green pepper in butter. Remove from the heat; stir in the chicken, mushrooms, olives, soup, milk and noodles. , Transfer to a 2-qt. baking dish. Cover and bake at 325° for 25 minutes. Meanwhile, combine topping ingredients. Sprinkle around edge of casserole; bake 5 minutes longer or until cheese is melted.

DO AHEAD CHICKEN CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Lightly butter a 9x13-inch oven proof dish.
• Cut crusts off the bread and save.
• Place bread slices in a single layer in the bottom of the dish.
• Put chicken on top.
• Sauté mushrooms in 2 tbsp butter and then put mushrooms on top of the chicken.
• Sprinkle water chestnuts and pimentos on top of the mushrooms.
• Dot with mayo and top with cheese.
• Melt two tbsp butter in skillet, stir in flour until smooth.
• Whisk in 2 cups broth, bring to a boil, whisking constantly until thickened, set aside.
• Whisk milk and eggs together and pour over the cheese.
• Spoon chicken broth sauce over the casserole.
• Cover and refrigerate overnight.
• Bring to room temperature and sprinkle with buttered crumbs (see below).
• Bake in 350°F uncovered for 1-1 1/2 hours.
• Buttered crumbs:.
• Crumble the crusts of the bread in 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.

MAKE-AHEAD CHICKEN DIVAN CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Combine Cheddar cheese and 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese in a bowl and set aside.
• Place a steamer insert into a saucepan and fill with water to just below the bottom of the steamer. Bring water to a boil. Add broccoli, cover, and steam until tender, 2 to 6 minutes.
• Meanwhile, melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add mushrooms, onion, and garlic; saute until soft, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Whisk condensed soup, sour cream, milk, and mayonnaise together in a large bowl. Add 1/2 cup of the reserved Cheddar-Parmesan mixture and season with salt and pepper. Add the sauteed vegetables and stir to combine the sauce.
• Spread 1/2 cup of the sauce onto the bottom of a 9x13-inch casserole dish. Add cooked rice as the bottom layer. Add cooked broccoli as the next layer, and then layer on the cooked chicken. Cover with remaining sauce. Pat down evenly and smooth with a spatula.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining Cheddar-Parmesan mixture, plus extra Parmesan if desired, and continue to bake until browned, about 15 minutes more.