Creamy Chicken Noodle Casserole with Cracker Topping Recipe
This creamy chicken noodle casserole is a comforting dish featuring tender poached chicken, egg noodles, and a rich mixture of cream of mushroom and cream of chicken soups blended with sour cream. Topped with a buttery, crunchy cracker topping, it's perfect for family dinners and makes delicious leftovers with melted cheese on top.
- Prep Time: 30 mins
- Cook Time: 55 mins
- Total Time: 1 hr 25 mins
- Yield: 6 servings (1 2-quart casserole)
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Chicken and Noodles
- 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
- 6 ounces egg noodles
Sauce
- 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup sour cream
- Salt to taste
- Ground black pepper to taste
Topping
- ½ cup butter
- 1 cup crumbled buttery round crackers
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) to prepare for baking the casserole later.
- Poach Chicken: Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a simmer over medium heat. Add the chicken breast halves and poach them until no longer pink in the center, approximately 12 minutes. Remove the chicken using a slotted spoon and set aside, but keep the water in the pot.
- Cook Noodles: Bring the chicken poaching water to a boil. Add the egg noodles and cook until tender but still slightly firm to the bite, about 10 minutes. Drain the noodles thoroughly.
- Combine Chicken and Noodles: Transfer the cooked noodles to a large bowl. Cut the poached chicken into bite-sized pieces and add them to the noodles.
- Prepare Sauce: In a separate bowl, mix together the condensed cream of mushroom soup, condensed cream of chicken soup, and sour cream. Season with salt and ground black pepper to taste.
- Mix Sauce with Chicken and Noodles: Pour the soup mixture over the chicken and noodles, gently stirring until all ingredients are evenly combined. Transfer this mixture to a 2-quart baking dish.
- Make Cracker Topping: Melt the butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Remove from heat and stir in the crumbled buttery round crackers until evenly coated.
- Top Casserole: Sprinkle the buttered cracker mixture evenly over the top of the casserole.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake until the casserole is heated through and the topping is browned and crispy, approximately 30 minutes.
Notes
- Poaching the chicken in water keeps it moist and tender.
- Be careful not to overcook the noodles during boiling; they should have a slight firmness to prevent mushiness after baking.
- You can add a cup of shredded cheese on top during the last 5 minutes of baking for a gooey finish.
- Leftovers reheat well and taste great with additional melted cheese on top.
- Using buttery crackers adds a savory crunch that complements the creamy casserole.
