Cheesy Chicken Bake is a super easy weeknight dinner! Full of chicken, cheese, garlic, crispy fried onions, and more, this dish never disappoints!
This dinner recipe for easy cheesy chicken bake is both delicious and fast. Perfect for any night of the week! This comfort food dish works well served with anything from a salad, to any vegetable, pasta, or rice.
This easy chicken casserole recipe also pairs so well with just about any side dish! The crunch of the topping is what sets this dish apart. I would be happy to eat the topping as a side dish if I could get away with it!
The topping made with crispy fried onions and cheese adds the perfect amount of texture and crunch to this chicken bake.
Weeknights are often hectic and busy around our house. I am always looking for dishes that are full of flavor and taste great but are quick and easy to make. This easy casserole is perfect for a busy weeknight or anytime really!
If you enjoy easy meals like this one, check out simple tortilla casserole or this slow cooker chicken casserole. Serve any dinner casserole with my delicious garlic bread and a side of parmesan green beans.
I hope your busy family enjoys this easy chicken recipe as much as my family does. Check out our video below!
Why You Will Love this Recipe
- It's an easy casserole dish that comes together quickly.
- It's super creamy and cheesy.
- It's full of delicious flavor.
- It makes a great family dinner or addition to any gathering.
Ingredients
It only takes a few simple ingredients to make this delicious recipe. You'll find all of them easily at your local grocery store.
- Shredded chicken: Rotisserie chicken, leftover chicken, or shredded boneless skinless chicken breast
- Sour cream: For richness and tang.
- French onion soup mix: For a great kick of flavor.
- Cream of chicken soup: For a creamy base.
- Swiss, cheddar, or provolone cheese: Adds cheesy flavor and texture to the chicken bake.
- Refrigerated biscuits: For the fluffy biscuit base.
- French fried onions: Makes a delicious, crispy topping.
The full ingredient list with quantities is in the recipe card at the end of the post.
How to Make Easy Cheesy Chicken Casserole
Like all casseroles, this recipe is super easy to make. We're covering the highlights here, but you can find the complete instructions in the recipe card at the end of the post.
- Combine the sour cream and French Onion soup in a large mixing bowl.
- Next add the shredded chicken, cream of chicken soup, and cheese.
- Add the biscuits to the mixture and toss until coated
- Spread everything out in a casserole dish and top with the crispy onions.
- Bake in the oven until bubbly and golden brown on top.
- Serve it up for dinner while hot and enjoy every bite!
Substitutions and Variations
- More Gravy: Add an extra can of chicken soup for a soupier dish.
- Add Vegetables: This is also delicious with some cooked cauliflower or broccoli florets, green beans, peas, corn, carrots, mushrooms, zucchini, or eggplant.
- Change the Protein: Instead of cooked chicken, use cooked ground beef, sausage, pork, or any other leftover chopped-up or shredded meat as well.
- Spicy: Add a teaspoon to a tablespoon of chili pepper flakes while combining the casserole mixture to imbue heat into the dish. I will also use a teaspoon of jalapeno powder, smoked jalapeno powder, or chipotle powder.
- Switch the Soup: Condensed cream of mushroom, celery, broccoli, tomato, cheddar cheese or potato soup will work too. As long as it's a condensed soup.
- More Cheese: Sprinkle another cup of shredded cheese on top of the crispy fried onions on top.
- Your Favorite Cheese: Not only will swiss, cheddar, or provolone cheese work well but mozzarella, jack, havarti, fontina, colby, or smoked or young gouda cheeses work well individually or in combination.
If you think this looks good, then check out this slow cooker ham and rice casserole. You're going to love it too.
Storage
- Refrigerator: Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze this dish in an air-tight, freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
- Reheat: Place leftovers in an oven-safe dish, cover with foil, and bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes or until heated through.
- Make ahead: This chicken casserole makes a great meal prep meal. Mix up all the ingredients for the casserole 24 hours in advance and place in the casserole dish. When ready to bake, let the dish sit on the counter for 30 minutes. Then top with cheese and crunchy onions and place in the oven to bake.
What to Serve with Chicken Casseroles
Casseroles are, of course, great all on their own, but they're even better when you pair them with delicious vegetables like green beans, brussel sprouts, or asparagus. Some other great options include:
If you're in the mood for something cheesy, check out our favorite Cheesy Fall Recipes. I'm pretty sure you'll be glad you did.
Looking for some side dishes? Check out What to Serve With Chicken Marsala or What to Serve With Chicken Piccata for some amazing inspiration.
Tips
- Do not over bake this casserole. The biscuits can get too hard and the bottom will get too dry.
- Shred chicken when it's warm. Cold chicken won't shred as nicely or as easily.
- Make up to 24 hours ahead of time to save even more time during the week!
FAQ
You sure can. I love Grands, but feel free to use any variety you like.
Yes. I like the texture of biscuit dough with this recipe, but you could also use crescent dough.
Easy Chicken Bake Video
More Casserole Recipes
Do you like serving easy casseroles for dinner? Here some other recipes you may also like to try.
Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.
Easy Cheesy Chicken Bake
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken shredded
- 1 ½ cups sour cream
- 1 pkg (1.41 oz) French Onion soup mix or Onion Soup Mix
- 1 can (10.75 oz) cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup swiss cheddar or provolone cheese shredded
- 1 tube (16.3 oz) refrigerated Grands biscuits (8 count) cut into 4ths
- ½ cup French fried onions
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped
- cooking spray
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 350° and spray a 9x13 inch pan with cooking spray.
- In a large bowl combine the chicken, sour cream, French Onion soup mix, cream of chicken soup and cheese. Stir well, then add the biscuits and toss till coated.
- Spread evenly in the pan and top with French fried onions. Place in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the biscuits are lightly browned on top.
- Remove and serve with a sprinkle of parsley.
Notes
- Do not over bake this casserole. The biscuits can get too hard and the bottom will get too dry.
- Shred chicken when it's warm. Cold chicken won't shred as nicely or as easily.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freeze this dish in an air-tight, freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
- Reheat: Place leftovers in an oven-safe dish, cover with foil, and bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes or until heated through.
- Make ahead: This chicken casserole makes a great meal prep meal. Mix up all the ingredients for the casserole 24 hours in advance and place in the casserole dish. When ready to bake, let the dish sit on the counter for 30 minutes. Then top with cheese and crunchy onions and place in the oven to bake.
Nutrition
This post was originally published March 2018. It has been republished with new images and content.
Connie says
I am confused about cutting the biscuits and adding them to the mixture. Do your put the biscuits on the bottom of the dish or do you toss them with all the rest of the ingredients and pour them into the dish?
Karin and Ken says
You toss them with the rest of the ingredients until coated and gently press mixture into your prepared pan. Super easy. I hope that answers your question. Let me know if anything else comes up. All the best. Karin
Lily- ann says
Mu kids are picky eaters but they love this casserole. I get them to help make it too. Do not over cook though. Don't want those biscuits to dry out. I did that once. This casserole is Easy and Yummy!
Karin and Ken says
I’ve over cooked it myself. Lol I’m glad I’m not the only one. We make this casserole regularly. It’s so quick and easy. I’m so happy you enjoyed it. Thank you for letting me know. All the best. Karin
Karin and Ken says
The perfect easy dinner enjoyed by all. I will definitely make it again this time with just one can of soup. I love sauces and figured I’d like it with two. It was really good but I want to see the difference for myself so we’re eating it again tomorrow. No one will mind we really loved it. You will too if you try it. Thank you KD for a weeknight dinner winner. ❤️