Just 10 minutes of prep time and you have a delicious creamy concoction of chicken, celery, and cheese topped with crispy fried onions! French Onion Chicken Casserole will become a new favorite dinner!
If you think you don’t like casseroles, then you probably just haven’t tried the right one… We have several favorite chicken casseroles, like a chicken crescent roll casserole, chicken and broccoli casserole, and this recipe!
A casserole for even the pickiest eaters
I really don’t like being a picky eater, but I am. Yes, it’s true… I can’t stand onions. They gross me out. BUT, having said that I actually like french fried onions… maybe the fact they’re breaded and fried makes them okay. 😉
This next recipe I’m sharing is topped off with those delicious french fried onions and filled with all sorts of goodness like chicken, cheese, sour cream, mayo and almonds. It is DELICIOUS!
The best thing about this French Onion Chicken Casserole is that it takes little prep time. Literally, it takes minutes to throw together if your chicken is already made. You can buy cooked, chopped chicken, but I like to bake my chicken earlier in the morning.
10 minute prep
Although it takes awhile to bake, it really only takes about 5 minutes of prep work. Add that with the 5 minutes it takes to put this casserole together and you’re looking at about 10 minutes of work.
PREP. Preheat oven to 350 and coat a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray.
CASSEROLE. In large bowl, stir celery, cheese, sour cream, mayo and cream of chicken. Add chicken and almonds. Spoon into dish. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes.
TOPPING. Sprinkle fried onion and cook another 5 minutes. Let stand 5-10 minutes. Enjoy!
Tips and variations
Here are a few ideas to tweak the recipe to make it a little more healthy:
- Use a low fat Mayo and sour cream
- Substitute all or a portion of the Mayonnaise with a low fat greek yogurt
- Add veggies—sliced carrots, peas, broccoli florets, and shredded zucchini are all good choices
- Make it even more keto friendly and sprinkle cooked chopped bacon bits on top
- Serve over white or brown rice, pasta, cauliflower rice, or zucchini pasta
Make it ahead. Assemble the casserole cover with plastic wrap and store in the fridge for a day. If freezing, then add another layer of aluminum foil and freeze for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before baking. Do not add the fried onions until the last 5 minutes of baking time.
Storing Leftovers. I like to divide the leftovers into single serve portions. Store the portions in airtight containers and keep in the fridge for days. To reheat quickly, use the microwave. If you have a little more time reheat in the oven.
The fried onions may become mushy as it sits in the fridge. To crisp them back up simply stick the casserole under the broiler. Watch carefully as they can go from soggy to burnt really quickly.
We used celery for this recipe, but I think I’ll try French Style Green Beans when I make it next. I think even broccoli would be a great addition!
YUM!
Serve french onion chicken casserole with any of the following:
For more great chicken casserole recipes, check out:
- One Pan Chicken Parmesan
- Chicken and Green Bean Casserole
- Parmesan Chicken Bake
- Chicken Tetrazzini
- Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
French Onion Chicken Casserole
Just 10 minutes of prep time and you have a delicious creamy concoction of chicken, celery, and cheese topped with crispy fried onions!
Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked chicken chopped
- 1 cup celery chopped (or french style green beans)
- 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup mayo
- 1 can cream of chicken
- 1/2 cup slivered almonds
- 6 oz French's fried onions
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350 and coat a 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray.
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In a large bowl, stir celery, cheese, sour cream, mayo and cream of chicken. Add chicken and almonds. Spoon into dish.
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Bake uncovered for 30 minutes. Sprinkle fried onion and cook another 5 minutes. Let stand 5-10 minutes. Enjoy!
Making this next week for dinner! Looks tasty!
Kristyn, this looks SO good! Pinning and making for my family for sure!! I adore French Fried onions in savory dishes!
This looks amazing. Pinning it now.
I made this recipe the other night. It was so good! Next time I think I’ll add some of the hash brown potatoes
This is probably good, but I can’t see any reason for it; that is, there is nothing added but a lot of high fat, no-reason mayo, sour cream, french-fried onions, and a bit of celery. If it had VEGETABLES, and maybe either rice or noodles of some kind, it might be worthwhile, but as it stands here, I’d feel as if I was swallowing nothing but mayo and sour cream–both of which I like, in their places–without gaining one bit of real nutritional value.
Here’s a thought, maybe just scroll past it, without your condescending and rude comment! Good grief….
I agree! Joyce, no one is forcing you to make/eat this! I think it looks yummy! Not exactly heart-healthy, but we’re adults here and can decide for ourselves.
You can always take things out or add what you like. That’s whats great about recipes. If you know healthier substitutes, then add those and share what you tried. I’d love to know, so we can pass that along:)
I’m looking to make this as well! That does seem like a lot of mayo… if I take some out do you think it will be missed? And a good substitute for sour cream is plain greek yogurt! I use that on my taco/mexican dishes and you can NOT tell a difference.
You definitely don’t have to add as much! I don’t know if that will change anything, since I haven’t tried. And, yes, greek yogurt is a great substitute!! Let me know what you think!! Thanks a lot!
Agree. Can’t stand someone lingering with snide remarks when it isn’t necessary. Why did you come on here? Not every recipe is for everybody. No need to pretend you are superior and to be rude to the poster over the recipe and others who like it. I generally don’t make comments on Pinterest related sites, but the rudeness is provoking, but then maybe she wanted it that way???
Yes, exactly Leslie! Or how about just don’t make it then.
I agree with Joyce and I am sure many others do also. She has a right to her opinion. Haters gonna hate, hate, hate.
OK Marvin! This kind of talk happens because both were once losers in high school! BTW… My hubby loved this recipe!
????
I don’t usually comment, but this is by FAR the RUDEST most unwarranted comment I have EVER seen from a grown adult! If you “see no need for it” then don’t make it and move along!!! It’s one thing to comment saying you made it and weren’t pleased, or even comment offering up suggestions and changes, but to come here lecturing people with your want-to-be professional dietician opinions is ridiculous! If YOU don’t like it, don’t make it! But don’t think for a second that your snooty comment is going to prevent others from making it! Goodness, go find some happiness in your bitter life!
Well said!!!
Well said!! Her rude comment was unnecessary and unwarranted!! If she doesn’t like it then keep moving along! Smh
Totally agree.
then dont eat it!! we loved it!
There is a reason for everything delicious.
It is perfect for the Keto diet. Different diets require different things. No need to be rude
I added BROCCOLI to mine! The family loved it!!
Tried this tonight and it was amazing! I added a few things to it. I put a layer of white rice on the bottom of the 9×13 pan. Then I added sauteed onions, carrots in addition to the celery. It was amazing!
Did you cook the rice first? If not, did you use instant rice? I love the idea of rice, I’m just not sure how to incorporate it. My chicken dishes always end up dry…
I didn’t use rice in this recipe, but you could probably serve it over minute rice and it’d taste good. It’s whatever you prefer:)
For the French onion chicken casserole, do you mean the Durkee’s fried onions in the can?
We use French’s… haven’t seen Durkee’s before but yes, they are fried crispy onions. 😉
Kristyn, I have a question. Is your grandmother Luna’s first name Jean?
No, it’s Ernestine:) Do you know someone with that name?
This looks delicious – can’t wait to make it! When you listed ‘cream of chicken’ in the ingredient list do you mean a can of cream of chicken soup and if so do I add water or anything to it?
It is!!! Yes, it’s just a can of cream of chicken soup and you add it with the other ingredients in step 2. Hope you like it!
Hi! This looks delicious. Do you know how many carbs per serving on it in? I’m on a low carb diet, but want to try this!! 🙂
I am going to make my own cream of chicken …. with that said it will be fairly low carb with lots of fat!!!!
This was really good! I made it with a can of french-style green beans instead of the celery. My whole family liked it. Even my two little kids, ages 3 and 6, who don’t normally like regular green-bean casserole ate it. (They were hesitant at first but once they tried it, they cleaned their plates!) My 11yo has requested that I make it again for sure!
LOL..I’m glad they cleaned their plates!! We love this! I’ll have to try it with the green beans:) Thanks so much!
Just a hint for those who don’t like “real” onions. To keep the real onions and flavor, AND to please the picky eaters, I use a cheese grater to grate the onion into soups, stews, and casseroles.
Thanks for sharing that tip Tess! That would be me 🙂
Came out fantastic…. but in order for it to be a “casserole” rather than “soup”…. cook it longer….
I used French style green beans instead of the celery, and added mushrooms and penne pasta. It was a little dry. I think baking it covered would help or increase wet ingredients to 1 1/2 cups. Tasty.
Maybe the pasta soaked up all the wetness? I haven’t added pasta before, but it usually isn’t dry. I’m glad you think it’s tasty!! Thanks for sharing!
Going to make this for a friend who lost her husband and I want her to be able to freeze it. If I do the first round of cooking and then add the onions part, will that work? Or will they burn when she heats it back up? Any suggestions most welcome. This looks like a good chix casserole but wanted to make something she could freeze in case she has too much food already. Thanks!
So sorry to hear that!! I haven’t put it in the freezer yet, but I would maybe leave the onions off and give those to her separately to add on. That is only if you are wanting her to freeze it & not eat it, right away. Hope that helps!!
Good idea, thanks!
I just made onion chicken casserole Sorry but it was to soupy and mayo was to over powering
Sorry it didn’t turn out quite how you thought. Haven’t had it come out soupy, so wondering what made it that way. If you like something other than mayo to substitute you could or maybe use a little less. Hope you’ll try it again 🙂
My mother made this for my husband and I to eat after the birth of our son. She gave it to us frozen, cooked, with the onions to add to the top after we reheated it. We’ve eaten a million casseroles in the last month, and this is the winner!! It is incredible, we served with green beans on the side and I will make it again soon.
I love when I find winners!! So glad you liked it! Thanks a lot!!
Made this last night. I used green beans and celery. It was very good. Next time I think I will add hash browns too. Very good recipe as is!! Will definitely make it again!
That sounds great!! I’m so glad you liked it!!! Thanks so much!
I made this tonight with the following changes: added 1/4 cup chopped onion, replaced half the mayo with cheddar cheese soup (Campbell’s canned), added 1 tablespoon garlic powder, 1 tsp black pepper, and sprinkled a little cheddar over the top along with the French onions and used light versions of the sour cream and mayo. It ended up being 8 servings at 361 calories per serving. Definitely not a crazy calorie number for something like this. It was DELICIOUS!!!! Thank you for sharing this wonderful recipe! We’ll definitely make it again!
You’re welcome!! I’ll have to try with your changes!! Thanks so much for sharing!!
OMG! This is to die for! So quick,easy & inexpensive. Great flavors & not too much leftover. Thank you for sharing.
I’m glad you think so!!! Thanks so much for letting me know what you thought and for giving it a try!!
Anyone ever try this in the crockpot? I love recipes that I can through in in the morning and this seems like it would work. Just through everything in except thr onions until the last 30 minutes or so?
I haven’t, but I would love to know, too!!
This one is a keeper! Husband loved it! I don’t understand the comments from the folks who said theirs was soggy. Mine came out perfect. I’m going to stash some of these in the freezer, and add the onions at the end. BTW, I added some of the french fried onions into the actual casserole. Yum!
That’s so good to hear! Thank you so much for sharing!!! I’m glad you liked it!!
I added bacon and bulked it up with 2 cups cooked pasta. It has become my family’s go to comfort food!
I bulked this up with 2 cups cooked pasta and 8 strips thick cooked bacon, chopped up. It is my family’s go to comfort food!
Sounds amazing!! Thank you for sharing..I’ll have to try that!
This was amazing! Made long grain rice and put this over the rice and it was fabulous! And super easy! 5???? In my book.
Great!!! Thanks so much for letting me know! I’m glad it was a hit 🙂
I’ve made this twice now. The first time had too much mayo. I cut it in half and substituted more sour cream. Much better the second time! The men in my house really like it.
I’m so glad they liked it!! I’m glad you found a way to substitute the mayo. Thank you so much for sharing!!
What would you recommend serving with this? Sounds delicious.
You can serve a vegetable, like zucchini or asparagus, a roll..maybe some chicken. Hope those help! Thank you!!
I made this recipe with the french style green beans and won for best side dish at my work. I have so many co-workers that are asking for the recipe. 🙂
Yay..that’s awesome!!! I’m glad it was a hit. Thanks for sharing!
I just made this and my family absolutely loved it! Served tomato cucumber salad and Hawiian rolls on the side. So easy to make and delicious. Thanks so much!
That makes me so happy! Thank you for sharing!
Thanks for the great dinner idea. To make it a little healthier I used 1 and 1/2 cup lite sour cream and 1/2 cup lite cream cheese instead of mayo. It still came out so creamy. This one’s a keeper, thanks!
Thanks for sharing those healthier tips!! I am so happy to hear that you liked it!
I have made this several times, each time tweaking it just a little for our family’s liking 🙂 The 1st time I followed the recipe exactly as is, it was very soupy! I am in weight watchers so I changed up a few things to make it a little healthier. The few changes I used were:
green beans instead of celery (pure preference)
Cut out the mayo completely (honestly couldn’t even tell)
Used Greek yogurt in place of sour cream, dont use quite a full 1/2 cup
So for whoever had negative comments, the way I made it was very healthy, contained chicken, Greek yogurt, green beans, cheese and 1 can of soup, most of which are healthy items 🙂
Thank you Lil Luna for the great recipe!
Oh, thank you so much for sharing that!!! I’m so glad you found a healthier alternative 🙂
Making something new Especially such recipes it is really hard but I can do it. Thank you for Recipe
You can do it 🙂 Thank you for stopping by and let me know how they turn out!
Can you use miracle whip in place of regular mayo?
I haven’t tried, but if that’s what you like, doesn’t hurt to try! Let me know what you think 🙂 Thank you!
Miracle Whip has sugar in it.
I wouldn’t suggest using it.
This is the 3rd time making this. I substitute cream of mushroom for the mayo and use the French style green beans. Delicious!!
Love hearing that!! Thanks so much for letting me know!
Made this tonight and the entire pan was gone!!! I left out the celery cause my crew doesn’t care for it. I added 2 cups shredded zucchini well drained. My picky husband ate 3 helpings!!!! Will definitely make again!!! Thanks!!!
Just made this for dinner tonight and it was very good. Made it with the French green beans instead of the celery, and since husband doesn’t like mayo baked in anything, I substituted it with a cup of Cambells nacho cheese soup. Also added some onion powder. It was a big hit and will be one recipe I’ll make again.
Sounds good! Thank you for sharing 🙂
Huge difference without the slivered almonds? I hardly ever buy those and hate them just sitting in the cabinet for the next recipe I use them with. Can’t wait to make this with the green beans!
Those go great with oriental salads! But, you don’t have to add them 🙂 Let me know what you think 🙂
My husband was very pleased with this dish. I only used a half of stock of celery and a can of mixed vegetables. I also added a little poultry seasoning and garlic and herb seasoning. Very good recipe.
Thanks so much!! I’m glad you liked it and your changes sound great!
So good!! Did fresh green beans and it added a great crunch
Great idea and thank you so much for letting me know!
Really good with green beans. I would just cut back the onions a little the whole container is a bit much.
Green beans are a great choice! You could definitely add as much or as little of the onions, as you like 🙂 Thank you!
Thanks for sharing! I loved the idea, but wanted to slim it down a bit. It’s only me and my husband so I didn’t want to make too much! I used one 12 oz chicken breast, one can of cream of mushroom (it’s what I had in the cupboard), one can of French style green beans, about 1/2 cup cheese and about 1/2 a can of french’s Fried onions, some mixed in and the rest on top. We put the casserole over some rice. It came out perfect! Super yummy! Can’t wait to have leftovers for lunch tomorrow!
Thanks for sharing your changes!! Sounds great! Glad you both liked it!
Excellent casserole! I did not have celery or green beans so I threw in a bag of sweet peas and celery seeds! Love it!!
Great backup choices! Glad you liked it! Thank you so much!
I think Joyce’s comment was very rude as well! There are a lot of things you can do to take out some of the fat. You can use light sour cream and mayo. They even sell heart healthy cream of chicken soup. Just about all recipes can be tweaked for ones dietary life style. Anxious to make this!
Thanks Barbara for sharing. I sure hope you like it. Let me know what you think 😉
Too much liquid. I added wide egg noodles and would still cut the sour cream and mayo to 1/2 cup each. Also added peas instead of green beans and bacon bits.
I feel like this would be even more delicious with a crescent roll crust on the bottom!
You could totally try! That is what’s great about cooking!
I am going to try the French onion chicken recipe tomorrow. Always enjoy new chicken recipes .
Love trying new chicken recipes, too! Let me know what you think! Thank you 🙂
Yum!!
Thank you!! It really is 🙂
This recipe is great for low-carb dieters. I made this dish with 4 chicken breasts, 1/2 cup mayo, and the rest of the ingredients listed. Tasty!
I think so 🙂 Thank you for trying it & letting me know!
This same recipe was served at a dinner party , and the hostess had added chopped green chiles which really zipped it up! That sets it apart from an ordinary chicken casserole.
That would be a great addition 🙂
Can I use rice instead ?
Haven’t tried, but why not? 🙂 That would be good!
I just made this and found it easy & delicious. I halved the recipe, as I’m collecting recipies for 1 or 2. I used leftover rotisserie chicken & baked in a glass loaf pan. It was a bit salty for me, so I’ll look for a low sodium soup next time. Loved the crunch of the nuts & french fried onion rings!
I am glad you liked it 🙂 Halving is perfect for 1 or 2. Thank you for letting me know!
everyone of them lok very deliouis i have to try everye of them
I hope you try this!! It is so good! Thank you 🙂
This is so yummy! Just found the recipe recently and it’s a keeper! Love casseroles for an easy meal! ????????????????????5 star worthy!
Casseroles are great!! I am glad you liked it!! Thank you for trying it!
Thanks for the ebook. Haven’t gotten chance to read it yet, kinda got sick.. hope to read it soon.
I hope you are feeling better!! I also hope you like what you try 🙂
This looks wonderful!! Thanks for the tips on how you prep your chicken. Esy peasy. Making this weekend.
You are so welcome!! I am glad to share 🙂
This Was a big DEAL with my family! It was delicious!
Woohoo!! I am so glad! Thank you for trying it & letting me know 🙂
Excellent recipe! My family loved it!! I made it with green beans instead of celery and it was a huge hut! Definitely going in my recipe box!!
Woohoo!! That sounds perfect!! Thank you for letting me know!
I’ve made this 5-6 times. Soooo yummy. I have made it with celery, fresh BROCCOLI, and canned green beans and they all turned out great, I personally pole green beans bc it reminds me of green bean casserole which I only eat around the holidays. Maybe it’s not the “healthiest”…casseroles usually aren’t, in my experience, but it’s such a great comfort meal, like Mac n cheese or meatloaf.
Those all sounds great!! Thank you for sharing that & giving this a try 🙂
Thank you for the recipe. Cant wait to try it. Looks delicious
You are so welcome!! I hope you like it! Thank you!
I make this all the time it is delicious, i make it in the toaster oven for just the two of us! The next day tastes even better! I don’t meaure everything and i never have almonds but it still tastes great.
Perfect!! Thank you for sharing that!!
I MADE THIS FOR OUR NEIGHBORHOOD POT LUCK AND I ONLY HAVE ONE SERVING LEFT. VERY GOOD AND SO EASY.
That makes me happy to hear! Thank you so much!
Canned Cream of mushroom soup contains gluten so you need to remove the “gluten free” label.
It has really good flavor. I cut 4 chicken breasts into bIte size pieces and made plain (just Salt and pepper) macaroni on the side. Next time i would half or 1/4 the mayo and sour cream. Just too rich and creamy for my family.
Thank you so much for giving it a try 🙂
Love this! Such a hit in my house. Was gone in a few Min. I did only ise 1/2c of mayo and put cream of muShroom in it and added 2 cans of beans and a cup of broccoli 🙂 so delicious!
Sounds perfect!! I am glad you liked it 🙂 Thank you for sharing that!
Verry good! I didn’t have almonds, so I used water chestnuts. Will make again.
That works 🙂 Thank you for sharing!
Love thiS recipe. I have made it twice. It’s Perect and Does not need tWeeking. Thank you.
You are so welcome! Thank you for sharing that! I am glad you love it!
I’VE MADE THIS A FEW TIMES AND THE TASTE IS FANTASTIC, BUT i’M CONCERNED WITH HOW GREASY IT IS. wHAT CAN BE DONE TO LESSEN THE OILINESS? i USED LESS MAYO THE LAST TIME AND IT DIDN’T HELP. sTILL YUMMY, JUST OILY. IDEAS?
I can’t fix my all caps, sorry.
Maybe a little less of all the creams :mayo, cream of chk, etc) Good question? I would need to try a few different things!
Delicious!!
Thank you!! I am glad you think so!
This recipe was absolutely delicious. Not too soupy at all. Used green beans instead of celery. Thank you for sharing.
Perfect!! Thank you for letting me know!
Way too much mayo! Might cut that ingredient down if I make it again!
Thanks for trying it!! You definitely could 🙂
Loved this! I did make it with freNch style gree beans. Great, easy weekend recipe
Glad you liked it!! Thank you so much for letting me know!
Wow, this recipe sounds so good. It might even be better with parmesan cheese as well as cheddar in the recipe.. To make it a notch up from the already goodness of it. Thanks for the recipe.
That would! I am glad to share! Thank you so much!
Excited to try thid recipe, but iS there a Lactose free sub for the sour cream?
I’m not familiar with the substitutions for sour cream for lactose intolerant..what would you normally use?
My family thoroughly enjoyed this casserole. I placed fresh spinach on the dish before adding the chicken etc. Also added chopped onion and 2 chopped garlic cloves. I softened celery, onion, garlic with a little butter in Micro.
Thank you for sharing. I will definitely fix it again.
Sounds great!! Thank you for sharing what you did 🙂 I am glad your family liked it!
Delicious! Just like green beAn CASSEROLE with chicken. DEFINITELY sub the celery With the green beans. Everybody loved it! Paired With a garlic baguette and steamed carrots.
Will make again!
Sounds yum, what you did!! Thanks for sharing!
This was so delicious. EVen my picky 13-year Old eater was going back for seconds.
I added BROCCOLI FLORETS and frozen peas, but left ouT the celery as i forgot to buy it.
Will definitely be making this again!
Great additions! I am glad your picky eater ate it! Thank you for sharing that!