Name: French Onion Chicken Casserole
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 60 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 32 ounces frozen southern hash browns, thawed.; 3 cups cooked shredded chicken.; 16 ounces French onion dip.; 10.5 ounces cream of chicken soup.; 1 cup shredded monterey jack cheese.; 1 teaspoon garlic powder.; 1 teaspoon onion powder.; 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt.; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.; 6 ounces crispy fried onions.

A wooden spoon is lifting a portion of creamy chicken casserole topped with crispy golden-brown ingredients from a white baking dish. | recipesim.com

Oh my goodness you're going to love this French Onion Chicken Casserole! I've combined tender shredded chicken crispy fried onions and the creamiest sauce using simple ingredients from my pantry and freezer. The best part? Everything goes into one dish making cleanup a breeze. My family begs for this cozy dinner at least once a week.

Onion Lovers Dream

If you're obsessed with onion flavor like I am this casserole is your new best friend. I layer in French onion dip for richness then crown everything with those addictive crispy fried onions. Every forkful delivers that amazing onion taste we all crave.

What You'll Need

Frozen Hash Browns: 32 ounces grab the Southern style ones they work perfectly here
Cooked Chicken: 3 cups I usually grab a rotisserie chicken to make life easier
French Onion Dip: 16 ounces use your favorite brand mine's from the dairy aisle
Cream of Chicken Soup: One 10.5 ounce can this makes everything so creamy
Monterey Jack: 1 cup freshly grated please skip the pre shredded stuff
Fried Onions: 1 cup you know those crispy ones from green bean casserole

Let's Put It Together

Mix The Good Stuff: Grab your biggest mixing bowl and combine those thawed hash browns shredded chicken French onion dip and soup. I like getting my hands in there to mix it all up.
Cheese Please: Now fold in that freshly grated cheese. I add my favorite seasonings too garlic powder onion powder salt and pepper make everything pop.
Into The Pan: Give your baking dish a quick spray then spread all this goodness in there. I use my spatula to get it nice and even.
Crown It: Sprinkle those crispy onions all over the top. Cover with foil we don't want those onions burning!

A wooden spoon lifts a portion of a golden-brown casserole from a white dish, revealing layers of creamy filling and crispy topping. | recipesim.com

Time to Bake

Pop your covered casserole into a 350°F oven for about 40 minutes. Then comes my favorite part removing the foil for the final 10 minutes watching those onions get perfectly golden and crispy. Your kitchen will smell amazing.

Choose Your Chicken

Let's talk chicken options! I'm a huge fan of grabbing a rotisserie chicken from the store but any cooked chicken works beautifully here. Sometimes I'll throw chicken breasts in my slow cooker with some broth when I'm planning ahead. Even canned chicken works in a pinch no judgment here!

Freezer Friend

This is my go to freezer meal! I make everything except the crispy onion topping wrap it up tight and pop it in the freezer. It's saved dinner more times than I can count. Just remember to thaw it overnight before baking.

Make Ahead Magic

Want to be super prepared? Assemble everything the night before minus those crispy onions. Cover and refrigerate then just add the onions before baking. Such a lifesaver on busy days!

A variety of ingredients including shredded chicken, diced potatoes, sour cream, yogurt, cheese, seasoning, and salt are arranged in small bowls on a light surface. | recipesim.com

Serving Ideas

While this casserole is definitely filling on its own I love serving it with a fresh green salad. Sometimes I'll warm up some crusty bread too because that creamy sauce is too good not to soak up every last bit.

Save It For Later

If you're lucky enough to have leftovers they'll keep beautifully in the fridge for about 4 days. I just pop individual portions in the microwave for a quick reheat. The onions might not be quite as crispy but trust me it's still delicious.

Mix It Up

Feel free to play around with different cheeses sometimes I use sharp cheddar or spicy pepper jack. The soup can be swapped too cream of mushroom makes it extra savory. And while I love the full fat French onion dip light works too.

Flavor Boosters

Want to take the onion flavor over the top? I sometimes throw in some chopped green onions or caramelized onions. A splash of Worcestershire sauce adds amazing depth and don't be shy with your favorite seasonings.

Two glass bowls on a marble surface contain shredded chicken mixed with sour cream on the left and shredded cheese with chunks of potatoes on the right. | recipesim.com

Family Favorite

This casserole has become legendary in my house. Even my pickiest eater cleans their plate! It's that perfect combination of creamy filling and crunchy top that just makes everyone happy.

No Soggy Bottom

Here's my secret for perfect texture make sure those hash browns are really well drained. I pat them dry with paper towels. If things look a bit wet just add some extra cheese or breadcrumbs it works like magic.

Topping Twists

Out of fried onions? No worries! Crushed butter crackers or seasoned panko work beautifully too. Sometimes I even add crumbled bacon because well bacon makes everything better right?

Perfect for Sharing

When I'm feeding a crowd I double this recipe into two pans. It's always the first empty dish at potlucks! Plus having an extra pan of leftovers is never a bad thing.

A plate of baked chicken with crispy onions on top, accompanied by garlic and green onions in the background. | recipesim.com

Kitchen Essentials

You'll need a nice big mixing bowl for this one trust me! I love using my sturdy rubber spatula for combining everything and a 9x13 baking dish is just right. Don't forget that foil for covering.

Safety First

Since we're using pre cooked chicken the main goal is getting everything hot through and through. I always check that the center is piping hot and the edges are bubbly. Better safe than sorry!

Perfect Your Texture

Like your casseroles extra thick? Just reduce the liquid a bit or add more cheese. Want it a little looser? A splash of milk or chicken broth does the trick. It's all about making it just the way your family loves it.

Pure Comfort

This French Onion Chicken Casserole is pure comfort food magic. It's become my go to when I need something warming satisfying and guaranteed to make everyone happy. Give it a try and watch it become your family's new favorite too!

A fork lifts a portion of creamy chicken casserole topped with crispy golden-brown potatoes from a white dish. | recipesim.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why thaw hash browns first?: Thawing hash browns ensures the best texture and even cooking. It helps them become softer and blend better with other ingredients.
→ Can I substitute the hash browns?: Yes, you can use 4 cups of cooked white rice or any other rice variety instead of hash browns for a different texture.
→ Why cover with foil while baking?: Covering with foil helps everything heat evenly without burning the top. Uncovering at the end allows the onions to get crispy.
→ Can I use different cheese?: While Monterey Jack is specified, other melting cheeses would work well. Choose one that complements the French onion flavor.
→ Can this be made ahead?: You can assemble the casserole ahead, but add the crispy onions just before baking to maintain their crunch.

French Onion Chicken Casserole