Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 40 mins
Total: 55 mins
Servings: 4 to 6 servings
This chicken noodle casserole is filled with all the flavors of classic Chicken a la King, with pimientos, celery, and an easy, creamy sauce. We used wide noodles, but medium or wide may be used.
We adapted this chicken and pasta recipe from a vintage community cookbook from North Carolina. It’s an easy preparation and makes an excellent family meal for any night of the week. It’s great for potlucks, too.
Convenient, condensed cream of chicken soup makes the sauce super easy, and the ingredients are quite versatile. Add some canned or sautéed mushrooms or sauté some green onions and add them to the sauce. We used sharp cheddar in the casserole, but you might have another favorite cheese. It would be great with American cheese or a cheddar jack blend. It’s also a great way to use leftover turkey or ham.
Ingredients
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2 teaspoons kosher salt, more to taste
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6 ounces noodles
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2 large stalks celery, diced
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1 (10 3/4-ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup
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2/3 cup evaporated milk, or light cream
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1 (4-ounce) jar diced pimientos. drained
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2 cups diced cooked chicken
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1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
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1/2 cup toasted slivered almonds, optional
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1 cup soft fresh breadcrumbs
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2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Steps to Make It
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Gather the ingredients.
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Heat the oven to 375 F. Lightly butter a 2-quart baking dish or spray it with nonstick cooking spray.
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Put about 2 to 2 1/2 quarts of water in a large saucepan with 2 teaspoons of salt. Place the saucepan over high heat and bring the water to a boil. Add the noodles and reduce the heat to medium. Boil the noodles following the package directions.
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Drain well and transfer them to a large bowl. Set aside.
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In the same saucepan, combine the celery with the condensed soup and evaporated milk or light cream; simmer over low heat for about 5 to 7 minutes.
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Add the pimientos, diced cooked chicken, and cheese. Continue cooking, stirring, until the cheese has melted.
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Pour the sauce over the noodles and stir until well combined.
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Spoon the chicken and noodle mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with the toasted almonds, if using.
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Combine the fresh breadcrumbs with the melted butter. Stir with a fork until the crumbs are well coated with butter.
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Sprinkle the crumbs evenly over the casserole.
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Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 25 to 35 minutes, or until the breadcrumb topping is browned.
Tips
- Use poached or baked chicken breasts, the meat from a rotisserie chicken, or convenient fully cooked chicken breast strips.
- To toast slivered on the stovetop put them in a dry skillet over medium heat. Cook, shaking the skillet and stirring frequently until the nuts are golden brown and aromatic.
Recipe Variations
- Add 4 to 6 ounces of sautéed sliced mushrooms to the sauce mixture or add 1 small can or jar of drained sliced mushrooms.
- Add 1/2 cup of finely chopped onion to the sauce along with the celery.
- Replace the chicken with diced leftover turkey or ham.
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Servings: 4 to 6 | |
| Amount per serving | |
| Calories | 415 |
| % Daily Value* | |
| Total Fat 24g | 31% |
| Saturated Fat 11g | 56% |
| Cholesterol 90mg | 30% |
| Sodium 989mg | 43% |
| Total Carbohydrate 27g | 10% |
| Dietary Fiber 2g | 7% |
| Total Sugars 3g | |
| Protein 21g | |
| Vitamin C 17mg | 86% |
| Calcium 212mg | 16% |
| Iron 3mg | 15% |
| Potassium 274mg | 6% |
| *The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. | |
