Thi Chicken Hashbrown Casserole consists of layers of tender chicken, hashbrowns, crispy bacon, creamy sauce, and melted cheese and is finished off with a crunchy topping made with Cornflakes, making it the ultimate comfort food.
Jump to:
Why you'll love this recipe
One great thing about this easy recipe is that you only need simple ingredients to make it, so you don't have to spend a lot of time combing the aisles of the grocery store looking for fussy ingredients.
Like the Hash Brown Taco Casserole, it's great for busy nights. You can prep it in the morning, cover the casserole dish with plastic wrap, and then bake it when you get home from work.
The combination of soft potatoes coated in a cheesy sauce makes it perfect for picky eaters, so you don't have to deal with mealtime complaints.
Ingredients
Please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for the exact measurements.
- frozen shredded hash browns - you can use cubed hash browns if you prefer.
- shredded chicken - any cooked chicken will work here. Rotisserie chicken will be great in this recipe.
- cream cheese
- melted butter
- cream of chicken soup - cream of mushroom soup or cream of celery are great substitutions.
- powdered ranch dressing mix
- bacon crumbles
- Colby Jack cheese, cheddar cheese, or a combination with mozzarella would be yummy as well.
- Corn Flakes, panko bread crumbs or regular breadcrumbs.
- green onions chopped for an optional garnish
Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions. For complete directions, scroll down to the bottom.
- Preheat the oven.
- Spray the casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray, set aside.
- Combine cream cheese, butter, chicken soup, and ranch dressing. Mix until combined.
- Add hash browns, shredded chicken, bacon, and 1 ½ cups of shredded cheese. Stir until combined.
- Pour into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese and then top with cornflakes. Cover the dish with aluminum foil.
- Bake 20 - 25 minutes, remove the foil, and bake for an additional 10 minutes until hot and bubbly.
- Garnish with green onions, if desired.
Equipment
- 9x13 casserole dish
- Large mixing bowl
Don't forget to check out my Amazon storefront for some of my favorite products! 🛍️
FAQ's
Yes, thawed hash browns work best for this recipe. Don't worry though, hashbrowns don't take long to thaw at all.
If your hash brown casserole is turning out mushy, it could be because the potatoes were not dried enough before cooking. It's important to squeeze out any excess moisture from the thawed hash browns to prevent them from becoming soggy in the dish.
The quickest way is to place them in a microwave-safe dish and use the defrost setting on your microwave. You can also thaw them in the refrigerator overnight or leave them out at room temperature for about 30 minutes. Once they are thawed, make sure to squeeze out any excess moisture before using in your casserole.
Top Tip
If you're going to make this recipe, make sure to follow this top tip!
I used a rotisserie chicken for the chicken in this hearty casserole, however, if you don't have pre-cooked chicken on hand you can poach or bake some chicken breast and shred that instead.
- I've found that the best way to get smooth melted cheese in casseroles like this one is to shred your cheese. Since the pre-shredded kind is coated in an anticaking agent, it can prevent a good melt.
- This cheesy casserole has been known to stick. So, spray your casserole dish well with nonstick cooking spray, or grease it with butter or shortening before you add the ingredients.
Variations
- I prefer to use Colby jack in this casserole, however, you can also use cheddar, pepper jack, or even mozzarella cheese.
- You can turn this into a complete meal in one pot by adding a bag of frozen mixed vegetables to your hashbrown mixture.
- For more flavor, feel free to add your favorite seasonings such as garlic powder, onion powder, or even a dash of hot sauce.
- Want to change up the topping? Swap out the cereal for panko breadcrumbs or even crushed crackers for a different flavor.
Storage
Refrigerate - Store leftover casserole airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. If you manage to have leftovers that is!
Freezer - Another great thing is that this casserole is freezer-friendly so wrap it in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil and pop it in the freezer for 2-3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before baking as directed.
Reheat - Reheat the entire casserole in a 350-degree preheated oven for 10 - 15 minutes, or until hot and bubbly. Alternatively, you can reheat individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Related recipes
- Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole is the perfect recipe to make when you are craving something hearty, but don't want to spend a ton of time in the kitchen slaving over the stove.
- The next time you need an easy family dinner that the entire will enjoy, check out this list of Easy Chicken Casserole recipes. There is bound to be a recipe in this list that will wow your tastebuds.
- This Chicken Bruschetta Casserole is another great casserole the whole family will love. It's full of fresh flavors, and the best part is that it can be made ahead of time and popped in the oven for a quick and delicious dinner.
- Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Bake has the best creamy sauce. Filled with tender chicken and pasta, it has just 10 minutes of prep!
- Looking to add some Mexican flavors to your meal plan this week? Then, you are going to want to try this Chicken Fajita Casserole it's packed with all the delicious traditional flavors of fajitas, but without all the hassle and cleanup.
Serve with
- Are you looking for a simple dish to pair with this easy chicken hashbrown casserole? If so, check out this Cucumber Tomato Salad it's a light and refreshing side dish that pairs perfectly with the creamy and cheesy casserole.
- A simple and easy green side dish is my favorite side dish to pair with a comfort food meal like this one. And, these Steamed Green Beans or these Steamed Brussels Sprouts both taste amazing and can be on the table quickly.
- I don't know about you but I think that Frozen Garlic Bread makes the perfect side dish for just about every meal. The crunchy outside and soft buttery inside is the perfect pairing for any dish. And, it's so easy to just pop it in the oven and have it ready in minutes.
Hey, if you want to catch all my videos, subscribe to my YouTube Channel. You'll be notified each time I share a new video!
If you make this casserole recipe, I would love for you to come back and let me know how it turned out for you.
Hashbrown Chicken Casserole Recipe
Ingredients
- 20 ounce bag frozen shredded hash browns thawed
- 2 to 3 cups shredded chicken
- 8 ounce block cream cheese softened
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted
- 10.5 ounce can cream of chicken soup
- 1 ounce package ranch dressing mix
- 8 -10 slices cooked bacon crumbled
- 3 cups Colby Jack cheese shredded and divided
- 2 cups Corn Flakes
- 4 green onions chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350 degrees.
- Spray 9 x 13 baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
- Using a paper towel blot the potatoes and remove any excess water.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, butter, chicken soup, and ranch dressing. Mix until combined.
- Add hash browns, shredded chicken, bacon, and 1 ½ cups of shredded cheese to the soup mixture. Stir until combined.
- Pour the chicken mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with the remaining shredded cheese and then top with corn flakes. Cover the dish with aluminum foil.
- Bake 20 - 25 minutes, remove the foil, and bake for an additional 10 minutes. The mixture should be bubbly and the corn flake topping lightly browned.
- Garnish with green onions, if desired.
Lois Corliss says
This looks great. Will be making it very soon. Thank you.
Debra Clark says
You're welcome Lois - enjoy the recipe!