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Swiss Chicken Casserole is a comfort food classic, perfect for weeknight dinners or cozy family get-togethers. With tender chicken, gooey Swiss cheese and a rich, creamy sauce, this casserole is as easy to make as it is impossible to resist. It’s finished with a crispy stuffing of herbs that is light and crunchy, just enough to make each spoonful crunchily addictive.
The prep could not be easier — layer the chicken, cheese and creamy sauce in a baking dish, and then top with a scattering of herb-seasoned stuffing mix and a drizzle of melted butter. As it cooks, the cheese renders into the chicken while the stuffing gets crunchy and golden, absorbing enough of the creamy sauce as it bakes to remain unapologetically moist and flavorful.
It’s a satisfying dish that provides all the comfort of a home-cooked meal, with little or no muss. Pair it with steamed vegetables, a green salad or something mashed for a plate that delivers a supper that everybody will get full up on. And if you want to incorporate some color, a shower of chopped parsley on top just before serving gives a fresh finish that pulls it all together. Great for those evenings when you’re craving something wholesome and filling, but don’t want to spend all night in the kitchen!
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Why You’ll Love It
- Quick and easy: Simple ingredients, minimal prep time, lifesaver on a busy night. Classic dish even novice cooks can make well.
- Kid-Approved Flavors: Without fail, everyone loves this dish with its savory chicken, melted Swiss cheese, and crunchy buttery stuffing topping.
- Family-Friendly: This dish is perfect for feeding a family, as it goes with a variety of sides, whether they be mashed potatoes, green beans or a fresh salad. It’s a simple way to get kids to eat a deliciously cheesy dinner.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: The casserole can be prepped ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator until ready to bake, making it an easy choice for busy weeknights.
Key Ingredients
- Chicken Breast: For this recipe, we will need boneless, skinless chicken breasts. If you have thick chicken breasts, pound them to an even thickness. This helps them cook evenly and soak up the creamy sauce nicely.
- Swiss Cheese: This cheese has a nutty, mild, somewhat sweet flavor which goes well with the chicken. If you want something a little more toneless, you could use provolone or mozzarella.
- Cream of Chicken Soup: The base of the creamy sauce for these chicken enchiladas is canned soup. You can also sub in a cream of mushroom or cream of celery soup as this adds richer flavor.
- Herb-Seasoned Stuffing Mix: This topping provides a savory crunch that complements the creamy layers beneath. You could also use plain stuffing mix, adding your chosen dried herbs — thyme or sage, say.
- Butter: Melted butter is key to get that crispy, golden topping. Use unsalted butter for better control of saltiness in the dish. For a lighter version, try a reduced-fat butter or half butter, half olive oil.
Ingredients list with quantities and instructions can be found located in the recipe card below.
Instructions: How to Prepare Swiss Chicken Casserole
Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Dish
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This will ensure that the casserole has an even cooking temperature.
- As the oven is preheating, grease a 9×13-inch baking dish lightly so casseroles do not stick and cleanup is easier.
Step 2: Assemble the Chicken
- Arrange the chicken breasts in a single layer in the greased baking dish.
- If any chicken breasts are fat, pound them to an even thickness for even cooking.
- Top each chicken breast with a slice of Swiss cheese to compete; cover them completely. As it cooks, the cheese will melt into a gooey, rich layer on top of the chicken.
Step 3: Create the Sauce
- In a medium bowl, stir or whisk together the cream of chicken soup and milk until smooth.
- This mixture, when combined, makes up the base of the casserole’s sauce.
- Drizzle the sauce evenly over the chicken and spread it out with a spatula to cover every piece.
Step 4: Add the Stuffing
- Evenly spread the herb-speckled stuffing mix over the top of the casserole. This adds a savory, crunchy layer that complements the creamy sauce perfectly.
- The stuffing will absorb some of the sauce while baking, producing a lovely textural contrast.
Step 5: Bake
- Drizzle melted butter over stuffing to moisten it evenly. The butter allows the stuffing to crisp and brown in the oven.
- Bake the dish in the oven for 45-50 minutes.
- You can tell the casserole is done when the chicken has an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the topping is nice and golden brown.
Step 6: Rest and Serve
- After taking the casserole out of the oven, let it rest for a few minutes. This lets the flavors meld and makes it easier to serve.
- Sprinkle chopped parsley over the top for a fresh finish just before serving.
- Serve this creamy, cheesy, crispy chicken casserole with whatever side you like!
Serving Suggestions
- Classic Sides: Swiss Chicken Casserole works well with mashed potatoes or steamed rice to sop up the extra sauce. It also goes nicely with a side of roasted green beans or broccoli steamed for balance in a meal.
- Crisp garden salad: The bright, clean flavors of a fresh vege salad with a sharp vinaigrette balance the rich creamy flavors of the casserole. A basic salad of lettuce, cucumbers and cherry tomatoes with a balsamic dressing works well, for example.
- Warm Dinner Rolls: Warm dinner rolls or garlic bread is great for mopping up the last bit of creamy sauce. Accompany it with a basket to make it a meal.
- Holiday Side Dish: This casserole could play a supporting role in a holiday meal. It makes a perfect contribution to a Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner spread, adding a warm, comforting flavor that works beautifully with turkey or ham.
Storage/Meal Prep Tips
- Refrigeration: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in a refrigerator for 3-4 days. To reheat, microwave a portion or cover with foil and warm in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through.
- Freezing: Freeze unbaked casserole for up to 2 months. Prepare the casserole through the step of adding the stuffing mix and melted butter, then wrap tightly in plastic wrap, followed by aluminum foil. To bake, thaw in the refrigerator overnight, stir in the stuffing mix and butter, then bake as instructed.
- Make-Ahead: Assemble the casserole completely and cover, then refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. It’s therefore a handy make-ahead choice for dinner parties or hectic evenings. Just be sure to throw in a few extra minutes of baking time if you’re starting from cold.
- Leftover Ideas: Shred any leftover chicken and toss with the leftover sauce and stuffing, adding the mixture to sandwiches or wraps. It’s a wonderful way to have the leftovers again, but different.
Variations
- Mushroom Swiss Chicken Casserole: Before topping with the cream of chicken soup mixture, stir in as much as 1 cup sliced mushrooms into the dish.
- Spicy Twist: If you like a little heat, sprinkle red pepper flakes or add a dash of hot sauce to the cream of chicken soup mixture before pouring it over the chicken.
- Cheesy Upgrade: For an extra cheesy bite, sprinkle some shredded cheddar or mozzarella on top of the Swiss cheese layer before adding the sauce.
- Herbed Chicken Variation: Stir 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning or dried thyme into the cream of chicken soup mixture for an herby variation.
- Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free cream of chicken soup and swap in gluten-free stuffing mix to make this dish gluten-free.
Conclusion
Swiss Chicken Casserole literally has it all—cheesy and comforting, combining creamy sauce with crunchy topping all in one dish! It’s the type of recipe that will soon be a favorite in your house, rich in flavor and easy to prepare.
So preheat that oven and get ready to devour a hearty cheesy meal that will warm you from the inside out, one cheesy bite at a time!
Swiss Chicken Casserole
This Swiss Chicken Casserole is the perfect comfort food, combining tender chicken breasts, melty Swiss cheese, and a creamy sauce topped with a crispy, herb-seasoned stuffing. It’s an easy and satisfying dish that’s ideal for family dinners or a cozy night in.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 8 slices Swiss cheese
- 1 can cream of chicken soup 10.75 oz
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 cups herb-seasoned stuffing mix
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
- fresh parsley chopped, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray.
- Lay the chicken breasts flat in the greased baking dish. If needed, pound thicker pieces to an even thickness. Place a slice of Swiss cheese on each chicken breast.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the cream of chicken soup and milk until smooth. Pour the sauce evenly over the cheese-covered chicken.
- Sprinkle the herb-seasoned stuffing mix evenly over the top of the casserole.
- Drizzle melted butter evenly over the stuffing. Bake for 45-50 minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the topping is golden brown.
- Let the casserole rest for a few minutes after removing from the oven. Garnish with chopped parsley before serving, if desired.
Notes
This casserole pairs wonderfully with steamed vegetables or a fresh salad for a complete meal. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
Nutrition
Calories: 450kcal
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