Potluck Chicken Casserole
I never bring home leftovers whenever I take this creamy, stick-to-your-ribs casserole to a potluck. Its mild flavor has broad appeal. I especially like the way that the crumb topping adds a bit of crunch to each meaty serving.
I never bring home leftovers whenever I take this creamy, stick-to-your-ribs casserole to a potluck. Its mild flavor has broad appeal. I especially like the way that the crumb topping adds a bit of crunch to each meaty serving.
- Carbohydrate 1.0774025 g
- Cholesterol 15.070625 mg
- Fat 6.05870125 g
- Fiber 0.165200002670288 g
- Protein 0.63417375 g
- Saturated Fat 3.4731845 g
- Serving Size 1 1 Serving (21g)
- Sodium 32.384 mg
- Sugar 0.912202497329712 g
- Trans Fat 0.60847075 g
- Calories 59 calories
Step-by-step
- Combine chicken, soup and sour cream; spread into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Combine crumbs, butter and celery seed; sprinkle over chicken mixture.
- Bake, uncovered, at 350? for 30-35 minutes or until bubbly. Garnish with parsley and red pepper if desired.
How does a high-moisture casserole maintain structural integrity after hours in transit or days in cold storage? When combining dense proteins like eight cups of cubed cooked poultry with canned condensed soup and dairy, moisture migration threatens to render the topping soggy before the dish reaches the table. Managing this moisture requires separating components or understanding how starches in the soup bind free water during baking at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Make-Ahead and Freezing Protocols
Assembled unbaked casseroles tolerate refrigeration for up to 24 hours if wrapped tightly in heavy-duty aluminum foil to prevent surface desiccation. Freezing requires omitting the crushed cracker topping entirely, because low-fat or standard wheat crackers absorb ambient moisture during thawing and lose their crispness entirely. Wrap the unbaked, topping-free base in a layer of plastic wrap followed by a layer of foil for up to three months. Thaw the frozen casserole in the refrigerator for 24 hours before applying freshly tossed buttered crumbs and baking.
- Bake straight from a refrigerated state by extending the standard 30 to 35 minute cooking window by 10 to 15 minutes, ensuring the center reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Reduce all ingredient quantities proportionally by half to fit a standard 8-inch square baking dish without altering the baking temperature.
- Stir the undiluted cream of chicken soup and sour cream thoroughly until completely homogeneous to prevent localized boiling spots during heating.
