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Green Bean Chicken Casserole

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This Green Bean Chicken Casserole is a creamy, hearty comfort bake featuring tender green beans, juicy chicken, and a crunchy fried onion topping. Perfect for holidays or cozy weeknight dinners, it’s a crowd-pleasing main course that comes together in about an hour.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced (rotisserie or leftover grilled/baked chicken)
  • 1 1/2 pounds fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces (or frozen, thawed and patted dry, or canned, drained and rinsed)
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
  • 1 cup whole or 2% milk (or unsweetened almond/oat milk for dairy-free)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme or 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh thyme, chopped
  • 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional, or nutritional yeast for dairy-free)
  • 1 1/2 cups crispy fried onions (French’s or similar, or homemade)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add green beans and cook for 3-4 minutes until bright green and just tender. Drain and set aside. (If using frozen, thaw and pat dry. If using canned, rinse and drain well.)
  2. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.
  3. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add chopped onion and sauté until soft and golden, about 4-5 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
  4. Sprinkle in flour and stir constantly for about 1 minute. Gradually whisk in chicken broth, then milk, whisking to remove lumps. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes until thickened. Season with salt, pepper, and thyme.
  5. In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked chicken, blanched green beans, and creamy sauce. Stir until evenly coated. Taste and adjust seasoning. Stir in Parmesan cheese if using.
  6. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and smooth the top. Sprinkle crispy fried onions evenly over the top.
  7. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes, until bubbling and the onions are deep golden brown. If onions brown too quickly, tent with foil for the last 5 minutes.
  8. Let casserole cool for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with extra thyme or fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

For best results, blanch fresh green beans just until tender-crisp. Make the creamy sauce from scratch for superior flavor. Add crispy onions just before baking for maximum crunch. To make ahead, assemble without onions and refrigerate up to 2 days; add onions and bake before serving. For gluten-free, use GF flour and certified GF onions. For dairy-free, use plant-based milk, cheese, and butter alternatives.

Nutrition

Keywords: green bean chicken casserole, holiday casserole, comfort food, chicken casserole, Thanksgiving, Christmas, easy dinner, creamy casserole, crowd-pleaser, make ahead

Find it online: https://hungermind.com/green-bean-chicken-casserole-best-holiday-comfort-bake-recipe/