Cheesy Chicken Hash Brown Casserole

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This cheesy Chicken Hash Brown Casserole is a hearty meal the whole family will love! It's make-ahead, freezer-friendly, and reheats beautifully.

If you love cheesy hash brown casserole (also known as funeral potatoes), you will love this chicken version. It brings all of the comfort food vibes that you crave and is filled with hearty ingredients for a satisfying meal.

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Why this recipe is so good

Cheesy potato casseroles are always a crowd-pleaser. Add in chicken and ranch seasoning for an even more crave-worthy, flavor-packed dish.
Rotisserie chicken and frozen hash brown potatoes add ease to this recipe. You can pull this recipe together effortlessly with these ready-to-use ingredients.
Perfect make-ahead dish. Prep the casserole ahead of time and simply bake it when you are ready to eat.
For a complete meal, serve with garden salad and ciabatta garlic bread.

Ingredients and notes

ingredients for chicken hash brown casserole.

Frozen hash brown potatoes are ideal for casseroles like this. Both the shredded and diced varieties work fine in this recipe. Ore Ida O'Brien potatoes can also be used.
Chicken - Rotisserie chicken keeps the prep easy. Leftover chicken, turkey, or ham can also be used.
Cheese - I love cheddar cheese in this casserole. Monterey Jack or Pepper Jack are great options too.
Cream of chicken soup - Condensed soup is a casserole staple. You can also use cream of celery or cream of mushroom.
Sour cream combines with the condensed soup to create the creamy consistency that hashbrown casseroles are known for.
Ritz crackers create a buttery, crispy topping. Crushed potato chips or cornflakes are delicious too.

Step-by-step instructions

See the recipe card for complete instructions and ingredient amounts.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Spray a 9x13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the potatoes, bell peppers, onions, and chicken. Toss to mix together. Add the cheese and toss to combine. (Images 1 and 2)

mixing potatoes with peppers, chicken, and cheese.

In a small mixing bowl, combine the sour cream, condensed soup, ranch seasoning, and pepper. Stir together and add to the potato mixture. (Images 3 and 4)
Fold together until evenly incorporated and spread it in the prepared baking dish. (Images 5 and 6)

mixing soup mixture and adding to potato mixture.

potato mixture combined with soup and spread in baking dish.

Bake uncovered for 45 minutes. Meanwhile, add the crushed crackers and melted butter to a bowl and stir to combine. (Images 7 and 8)
Spread the cracker crumbs over the top of the casserole. Bake for another 15 minutes. (Images 9 and 10)

mixing crackers with butter and adding to top of casserole.

casserole topped with crackers before and after baking.

Serve and enjoy! Once cooled, store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Tips

Add salt sparingly. The ranch seasoning contains a good amount of salt so I don't find it necessary to add more salt.
Use thawed hash browns to ensure all of the ingredients bake evenly.

Freezing and reheating

To freeze, prepare the casserole and transfer it to a freezer-safe dish (without the cracker topping). Wrap the casserole tightly and freeze for up to three months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.

Bring the casserole to room temperature while preheating the oven to 375 degrees. Bake uncovered for 45 minutes. Add the cracker topping and bake for another 15 minutes. NOTE: If the casserole is partially frozen, increase the baking time until heated through.

To reheat, plate individual portions and microwave until heated through. To reheat the whole casserole, cover it with aluminum foil and heat it in a 350-degree oven until warmed through.

Variations

You can customize the flavors in this casserole based on what your family loves.

Swap taco seasoning for ranch seasoning.
Spice it up with diced jalapenos or a can of green chiles (be sure to drain first).
Swap out the chicken for cooked, crumbled sausage.
Skip the cracker topping and instead top with extra cheese and crumbled cooked bacon.

Faq's

What is hash brown casserole made of?

Hash brown casseroles most commonly include cream of chicken condensed soup, sour cream, and shredded cheese combined with thawed frozen hash brown potatoes. Other add-ins and flavorings can be customized.

Can you put raw chicken in a casserole?

Technically, yes, but it's important to use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the chicken is cooked to a minimum 165 degrees. Raw chicken may also give off excess liquid during cooking, causing a soupy casserole. Using cooked chicken adds ease and convenience and will reduce the cooking time.

What mixes well with hash browns?

Cheese always pairs well with hash browns - try cheddar, Monterey or Pepper Jack, Colby, Swiss, or Gruyere. Ingredients that add a creamy consistency are great options to - try sour cream, cream cheese, or condensed soups. Seasonings, scallions, and bacon are also great ways to jazz up hash browns.

Do I have to thaw the hash browns before assembling the casserole?

It's best to use thawed hash browns to ensure the casserole bakes evenly. In a pinch, if you need to use frozen hash browns, cover the casserole with aluminum foil before baking. Remove the foil to add the cracker topping and bake uncovered for the remaining time.