Active Time:25 minsTotal Time:40 minsServings:4
Active Time:25 mins
Active Time:
25 mins
Total Time:40 mins
Total Time:
40 mins
Servings:4
Servings:
4
Jump to recipeThink of ourCreamy Rotisserie-Chicken Noodle Casseroleas the dreamy mash-up of the most comforting chicken noodle soup and your favorite childhood tuna noodle casserole. It’s a one-bowl meal with protein-rich rotisserie chicken, fiber-packed veggies and perfectly cooked whole-wheat egg noodles, held together with a creamy sauce and topped with toasted breadcrumbs. Did someone say seconds, please? The earthy thyme and garlic powder add depth and earthiness to the casserole–elevating and enhancing the flavor. Keep reading for our expert tips, including smart substitutions and additions to make this an easy meal any night of the week with what you already have on hand.Tips from the EatingWell KitchenThese are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too!Be sure to drain the noodles thoroughly after cooking to avoid adding extra moisture to the casserole.There are a few substitutions to consider: You can use leftover chicken or cook chicken breasts instead of rotisserie chicken. You may also use any egg noodles or breadcrumbs you have on hand, but dried egg noodles are preferred. If you have fresh peas, feel free to substitute them for frozen peas.When you bring a hot rotisserie chicken home from the store, allow it to cool for about an hour before removing the meat from the bones. This will make deboning much easier.Place a sheet pan or foil underneath your 8-inch square baking dish during baking to catch any spills. This simple precaution can help you avoid a mess.Nutrition NotesRotisserie chickenis a convenient way to get perfectly cooked chicken into a weeknight meal. Chicken is an excellent source of protein, which helps support muscle growth and repair. It is also a source of B vitamins, essential for good metabolic health. Rotisserie chicken can be an additional source of sodium in the diet—important to know if you are on a low-sodium diet for heart health.Onions, carrots and celerymake up a classic mirepoix, which is used as a base to add flavor to a dish. It does indeed add flavor, texture and nutrition to this casserole. Each of these vegetables adds antioxidants and fiber, which are beneficial for helping to lower inflammation in the body.Whole-wheat egg noodlesare the pasta element that adds a comforting texture to this casserole. Egg noodles are excellent for providing much-needed energy to get through the day and providing additional fiber to this dish—very beneficial for your microbiome and digestive health.If you struggle to get enough dairy in your diet each day, addingwhole milkto recipes like this is a smart way to fit it in. Milk is a rich source of calcium, which is essential for maintaining healthy and strong bones throughout the lifespan. It also provides more protein to this dish, as well as vitamin B-12, potassium and magnesium for good heart health.Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Lauren McAnelly, Prop Stylist: Holly Raibikis
Jump to recipe
Think of ourCreamy Rotisserie-Chicken Noodle Casseroleas the dreamy mash-up of the most comforting chicken noodle soup and your favorite childhood tuna noodle casserole. It’s a one-bowl meal with protein-rich rotisserie chicken, fiber-packed veggies and perfectly cooked whole-wheat egg noodles, held together with a creamy sauce and topped with toasted breadcrumbs. Did someone say seconds, please? The earthy thyme and garlic powder add depth and earthiness to the casserole–elevating and enhancing the flavor. Keep reading for our expert tips, including smart substitutions and additions to make this an easy meal any night of the week with what you already have on hand.Tips from the EatingWell KitchenThese are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too!Be sure to drain the noodles thoroughly after cooking to avoid adding extra moisture to the casserole.There are a few substitutions to consider: You can use leftover chicken or cook chicken breasts instead of rotisserie chicken. You may also use any egg noodles or breadcrumbs you have on hand, but dried egg noodles are preferred. If you have fresh peas, feel free to substitute them for frozen peas.When you bring a hot rotisserie chicken home from the store, allow it to cool for about an hour before removing the meat from the bones. This will make deboning much easier.Place a sheet pan or foil underneath your 8-inch square baking dish during baking to catch any spills. This simple precaution can help you avoid a mess.Nutrition NotesRotisserie chickenis a convenient way to get perfectly cooked chicken into a weeknight meal. Chicken is an excellent source of protein, which helps support muscle growth and repair. It is also a source of B vitamins, essential for good metabolic health. Rotisserie chicken can be an additional source of sodium in the diet—important to know if you are on a low-sodium diet for heart health.Onions, carrots and celerymake up a classic mirepoix, which is used as a base to add flavor to a dish. It does indeed add flavor, texture and nutrition to this casserole. Each of these vegetables adds antioxidants and fiber, which are beneficial for helping to lower inflammation in the body.Whole-wheat egg noodlesare the pasta element that adds a comforting texture to this casserole. Egg noodles are excellent for providing much-needed energy to get through the day and providing additional fiber to this dish—very beneficial for your microbiome and digestive health.If you struggle to get enough dairy in your diet each day, addingwhole milkto recipes like this is a smart way to fit it in. Milk is a rich source of calcium, which is essential for maintaining healthy and strong bones throughout the lifespan. It also provides more protein to this dish, as well as vitamin B-12, potassium and magnesium for good heart health.Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Lauren McAnelly, Prop Stylist: Holly Raibikis
Think of ourCreamy Rotisserie-Chicken Noodle Casseroleas the dreamy mash-up of the most comforting chicken noodle soup and your favorite childhood tuna noodle casserole. It’s a one-bowl meal with protein-rich rotisserie chicken, fiber-packed veggies and perfectly cooked whole-wheat egg noodles, held together with a creamy sauce and topped with toasted breadcrumbs. Did someone say seconds, please? The earthy thyme and garlic powder add depth and earthiness to the casserole–elevating and enhancing the flavor. Keep reading for our expert tips, including smart substitutions and additions to make this an easy meal any night of the week with what you already have on hand.
Tips from the EatingWell Kitchen
These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too!
Nutrition Notes
Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Lauren McAnelly, Prop Stylist: Holly Raibikis
Cook Mode(Keep screen awake)Ingredients3tablespoonsextra-virgin olive oil, divided1cupchopped onion1cupchopped carrots½cupchopped celery2tablespoonsall-purpose flour2teaspoonsfresh choppedthyme1teaspoonsalt½teaspoonground pepper1/2teaspoongarlic powder2cupswhole milk3cupscooked whole-wheat egg noodles2cupsshredded rotisserie chicken¾cupthawed frozen peas½cupwhole-wheat panko breadcrumbs
Cook Mode(Keep screen awake)
Ingredients
3tablespoonsextra-virgin olive oil, divided
1cupchopped onion
1cupchopped carrots
½cupchopped celery
2tablespoonsall-purpose flour
2teaspoonsfresh choppedthyme
1teaspoonsalt
½teaspoonground pepper
1/2teaspoongarlic powder
2cupswhole milk
3cupscooked whole-wheat egg noodles
2cupsshredded rotisserie chicken
¾cupthawed frozen peas
½cupwhole-wheat panko breadcrumbs
Directions
Preheat oven to 400°F.
Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 cup onion; cook, stirring, until softened and beginning to brown, about 4 minutes. Add 1 cup carrots and 1/2 cup celery; cook, stirring, until almost softened, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons flour, 2 teaspoons thyme, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper and 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; cook, stirring, until coated. Increase heat to medium-high and add 2 cups milk. Cook, stirring, until thickened and bubbling, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in 3 cups noodles, 2 cups chicken and 3/4 cup peas. Transfer to an 8-inch-square baking dish.
Combine 1/2 cup panko and the remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a small bowl; sprinkle over the casserole. Bake until browned and bubbling, 15 to 20 minutes.
To make aheadPrepare the casserole up to 3 days in advance of cooking but hold off on the breadcrumbs until right before you pop it into the oven so they remain dry and crispy.
To make ahead
Prepare the casserole up to 3 days in advance of cooking but hold off on the breadcrumbs until right before you pop it into the oven so they remain dry and crispy.
Recipe Updates
Added thyme and garlic powder (to boost flavor).
Nutrition InformationServing size: 1 1/2 cupsCalories 513, Fat 18g, Saturated Fat 5g, Cholesterol 72mg, Carbohydrates 50g, Total Sugars 12g, Added Sugars 0g, Protein 35g, Fiber 7g, Sodium 768mg, Potassium 588mg
Nutrition Information
Serving size: 1 1/2 cupsCalories 513, Fat 18g, Saturated Fat 5g, Cholesterol 72mg, Carbohydrates 50g, Total Sugars 12g, Added Sugars 0g, Protein 35g, Fiber 7g, Sodium 768mg, Potassium 588mg
Serving size: 1 1/2 cups
Calories 513, Fat 18g, Saturated Fat 5g, Cholesterol 72mg, Carbohydrates 50g, Total Sugars 12g, Added Sugars 0g, Protein 35g, Fiber 7g, Sodium 768mg, Potassium 588mg
Frequently Asked QuestionsYou can take this basic chicken noodle casserole and get really creative. However, keep in mind that any additions will change its nutritional profile. You might consider adding ham and freshly shredded cheese and topping it with fried onions or cracker crumbs.Cover the casserole with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator, keeping the temperature at 40°F or lower. The casserole will remain good for about 3 days. When reheating, set the oven to 350°F and heat the casserole until you see it bubbling—this indicates it’s heated all the way through.Absolutely! If you’re preparing one casserole, why not make two? You can freeze a cooked casserole for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe container, or portion it into several containers for easy weeknight dinners and lunches. After thawing it overnight in the fridge, pop the casserole into a preheated 350°F oven and bake until it’s heated.This casserole is a complete meal; however, you could always add asaladand someSlow-Cooker Honey Whole-Wheat RollsorParker House Rollsto complement it.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can take this basic chicken noodle casserole and get really creative. However, keep in mind that any additions will change its nutritional profile. You might consider adding ham and freshly shredded cheese and topping it with fried onions or cracker crumbs.
Cover the casserole with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator, keeping the temperature at 40°F or lower. The casserole will remain good for about 3 days. When reheating, set the oven to 350°F and heat the casserole until you see it bubbling—this indicates it’s heated all the way through.
Absolutely! If you’re preparing one casserole, why not make two? You can freeze a cooked casserole for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe container, or portion it into several containers for easy weeknight dinners and lunches. After thawing it overnight in the fridge, pop the casserole into a preheated 350°F oven and bake until it’s heated.
This casserole is a complete meal; however, you could always add asaladand someSlow-Cooker Honey Whole-Wheat RollsorParker House Rollsto complement it.
EatingWell.com, November 2022
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Linda Frahm
