Heart Healthy Chicken Casserole
This Heart Healthy Chicken Casserole is a comforting and nutritious dish, perfect for busy weeknights or family gatherings, made with shredded chicken, fresh vegetables, and a crunchy topping.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp olive oil, divided
- 1 medium green bell pepper, stemmed, seeded, and diced
- 1 medium yellow onion, peeled and diced
- 2 medium celery stalks, washed and diced
- 4 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
- 4 cups cooked, shredded boneless, skinless chicken breast (about 1 1/2 lbs)
- 1 can (10.5 oz) unsalted cream of mushroom soup (gluten-free if needed)
- 8 oz reduced fat sour cream
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper, divided
- 1 cup roughly crushed gluten-free corn flakes
- 1/2 Tbsp paprika
- 2 Tbsp chopped fresh chives or parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C) and lightly grease a 2-quart casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a large skillet, add ½ tablespoon of olive oil and heat over medium-high until shimmering. Add the diced bell pepper, onion, and celery, cooking until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Remove from heat.
- Transfer half of the vegetable mixture to the prepared casserole dish. In a mixing bowl, combine the remaining vegetables with shredded chicken, cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, water, and ½ teaspoon of black pepper. Stir until well mixed, then transfer to the casserole dish.
- In a small mixing bowl, combine the crushed corn flakes, smoked paprika, the remaining ½ tablespoon of olive oil, and the remaining ½ teaspoon of black pepper. Stir until the corn flakes are coated, then sprinkle evenly over the casserole mixture.
- Place in the oven and bake for 25 minutes. Afterward, remove it from the oven and lightly spray the cornflake topping with nonstick cooking spray. Return to the oven and bake for another 5 minutes until golden brown and bubbly.
- Once baked, let the casserole rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Pair with a simple side salad or whole-grain bread for a complete meal. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.