Continental Chicken Casserole
A creamy chicken casserole with seasoned sauce, eggs, and a golden topping, perfect for comforting family dinners and easy entertaining.
Ingredients
- 3 Tbsp. butter ⓘ
- 6 Tbsp. all-purpose flour ⓘ
- 2 c. chicken broth ⓘ
- 1 c. light cream ⓘ
- 1 tsp. prepared yellow mustard ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. salt ⓘ
- dash of pepper ⓘ
- 1/8 tsp. allspice ⓘ
- 1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. sugar ⓘ
- 1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
- 1/2 tsp. paprika ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. seasoned salt
- 1/4 c. dry sherry ⓘ
- 4 hard-cooked eggs, cubed ⓘ
- 4 c. cooked chicken, chopped ⓘ
Instructions
- Melt butter in a saucepan and stir in flour until smooth.
- Over low heat, slowly blend in chicken broth, then light cream.
- Cook over medium heat until thick, stirring constantly.
- Combine all seasonings, then blend into the sauce.
- Stir in dry sherry; fold in cubed eggs and chopped cooked chicken.
- Turn mixture into a buttered 3-quart casserole dish.
- Top with crumbs and bake at 350°F for 30 minutes.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider using homemade chicken broth. If you don't have dry sherry, a splash of white wine or a bit of apple cider vinegar can work as substitutes. When combining the seasonings, feel free to adjust the cayenne pepper based on your heat preference. For a crunchy topping, add crushed crackers or breadcrumbs mixed with melted butter before baking.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this Continental Chicken Casserole with a simple side salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal. It pairs beautifully with Creamed Chicken Puffs for a delightful dinner spread. Consider offering a light dessert, such as fruit salad or sorbet, to round out the meal.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the casserole in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 20-25 minutes, or until heated through. You can also microwave individual portions; just cover them to retain moisture and heat in short intervals.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Continental Chicken Casserole contains roughly 1171 calories, with 10g protein, 52g carbohydrates, and 113g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin A (140% of the Daily Value), vitamin C (83% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (78% of the Daily Value), and a good source of protein and calcium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1950mg per serving (85% 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 make this casserole ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the casserole up to the baking step, cover it tightly, and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, just add a few extra minutes to the cooking time to ensure it's heated through.
What can I use instead of light cream?
If you don't have light cream, half-and-half or whole milk can be used as alternatives. For a lower-fat option, you could use evaporated milk, but keep in mind that the texture may be slightly different.
Can I add vegetables to this casserole?
Absolutely! Adding cooked vegetables like peas, carrots, or bell peppers can enhance the flavor and nutrition of the casserole. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time if adding fresh vegetables to ensure they are tender.
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).