3 Cheese Chicken
A comforting, cheesy chicken casserole layered with tender noodles, creamy sauces, and a blend of three cheeses. Perfect for family dinners, it offers rich flavors of chicken, mushrooms, and vegetables, all baked to bubbly perfection. An easy, crowd-pleasing dish with a hearty, cheesy taste.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Cook chopped onions and green pepper until tender.
- Stir in cream of chicken soup, milk, drained mushrooms, chopped pimento, and basil.
- Spread half of the cooked noodles in a 13 x 9-inch baking pan.
- Top with half of the sauce mixture, cottage cheese, diced chicken, American cheese, and Parmesan cheese.
- Repeat the layers with the remaining noodles, sauce, cottage cheese, chicken, American cheese, and Parmesan cheese.
- Bake at 350°F until bubbly and heated through.
Tips & Substitutions
For a creamier texture, consider using ricotta cheese instead of cottage cheese. You can also add spinach for extra nutrition or substitute the chicken with cooked ground turkey. To save time, use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken. If you don't have American cheese, cheddar or mozzarella can also work well. This dish can be served alongside Creamed Diced Carrots With Green Pepper for a delightful combination.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this 3 Cheese Chicken with a side of garlic bread or a fresh garden salad for a complete meal. A light vinaigrette can complement the richness of the dish. For a heartier option, try pairing it with Hash Brown Potatoesfort Morgan, Colorado, which adds a nice crunch to the meal.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, place in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 20 minutes or until heated through. You can also microwave individual portions, covering them to retain moisture, for 2-3 minutes or until warm.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of 3 Cheese Chicken contains roughly 829 calories, with 24g protein, 120g carbohydrates, and 29g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (56% of the Daily Value), calcium (56% of the Daily Value), and protein (47% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1513mg per serving (66% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use other types of cheese in this recipe?
Absolutely! While American and Parmesan are traditional, you can experiment with cheeses like mozzarella, gouda, or even pepper jack for a spicy kick. Just keep in mind that the flavor and texture may slightly change based on your substitutions.
Is there a vegetarian version of this dish?
Yes! You can easily make this dish vegetarian by omitting the chicken and adding more vegetables such as zucchini, bell peppers, or mushrooms. You can also increase the amount of cheese and use vegetable broth instead of cream of chicken soup for the sauce.
Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the dish a day in advance. Just cover it tightly with plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator. When ready to bake, remove the plastic wrap and bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes to ensure it’s heated through.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).