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Just 10 minutes of prep time and you have a delicious creamy concoction of chicken, celery, and cheese topped with crispy fried onions!
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 French onion chicken casserole!
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.
BAKE. 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 + 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
Serve French onion chicken casserole with any of the following:
Storing info
To make ahead of time, assemble and 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.
To STORE, 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.
For more great chicken casseroles, check out:
- One Pan Chicken Parmesan
- Chicken and Green Bean Casserole
- Parmesan Chicken Bake
- Chicken Tetrazzini
- Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
- Chicken Stuffing Casserole
French Onion Chicken Casserole Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked chicken chopped
- 1 cup celery chopped (or french style green beans)
- 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup mayo
- 1 can cream of chicken
- 1/2 cup slivered almonds
- 6 oz French’s fried onions
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 and coat a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, stir celery, cheese, sour cream, mayo and cream of chicken. Add chicken and almonds. Spoon into dish.
- Bake uncovered for 30 minutes. Sprinkle fried onion and cook another 5 minutes. Let stand 5-10 minutes. Enjoy!
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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 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!
Kristyn, I have a question. Is your grandmother Luna’s first name Jean?
No, it’s Ernestine:) Do you know someone with that name?
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. 😉
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:)
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!!
Joyce did you not read where she said next time she would put frenchb style green beans or broccoli.
She HAs a list of suggestions for making the recipe healthier, like substituting low-fat mayo, low-fat sour cream and one can even substitute low-fat, heart healthy cream soups. There are all kinds of ways to make this healthier, so how about reading the entire post before making your rude comments. And then, how about, if you don’t like what you see just move along, rather than being a rude, condescending jerk!
I made this recipe the other night. It was so good! Next time I think I’ll add some of the hash brown potatoes
I made this for my family tonight. We all loved the flavor, but I think I’ll add some crispy bacon next time for a little extra crunch. Great recipe! I’ll definitely be adding it into my rotation.
Perfect idea! Thanks for sharing that!!
This looks amazing. Pinning it now.
Kristyn, this looks SO good! Pinning and making for my family for sure!! I adore French Fried onions in savory dishes!
Making this next week for dinner! Looks tasty!