Description

This Chicken Hashbrown Casserole is a hearty and comforting dish combining tender cooked chicken, crispy hash browns, chewy beef bacon bits, mixed vegetables, and creamy cheese sauce. Topped with a crunchy Ritz cracker and cheddar cheese mixture, it bakes to a golden, bubbly perfection—perfect for family dinners or potlucks.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

3 cups frozen hash browns, thawed slightly (about 8 ounces)
2–3 cups cooked chicken, diced
1/4 cup beef bacon bits
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup milk
12 oz frozen mixed vegetables, thawed slightly
1/8 tsp dried thyme

Topping

12–14 Ritz crackers (about half a sleeve), crushed
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the thawed hash browns, diced cooked chicken, beef bacon bits, 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, thawed mixed vegetables, condensed cream of chicken soup, milk, and dried thyme. Stir well to create an evenly mixed casserole base.
Prepare Baking Dish: Lightly grease a 7×11-inch baking dish to prevent sticking, then spread the prepared mixture evenly across the dish.
Make Topping: In a small bowl, mix the crushed Ritz crackers with 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese. Evenly sprinkle this mixture over the casserole to form a crispy topping.
Cover and Bake: Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld and ingredients to heat through.
Uncover and Finish Baking: Remove the foil and bake the casserole for an additional 15 minutes, until the top is golden brown and bubbly.
Rest and Serve: Let the casserole rest for 10 to 15 minutes after baking to firm up, then serve warm and enjoy your delicious meal!

Notes

Be sure to slightly thaw frozen hash browns and mixed vegetables to ensure even cooking.
If you prefer, substitute cooked turkey or ham for the chicken.
For a crispier topping, broil the casserole for 2-3 minutes after baking, watching carefully to prevent burning.
Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free crackers or crushed gluten-free bread crumbs instead of Ritz crackers.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Category: Casserole
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Chicken hashbrown casserole, cheesy chicken casserole, easy chicken dinner, comfort food casserole, baked hashbrown chicken