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This Ultimate BBQ Chicken Casserole recipe combines the smoky flavors of barbecue chicken with comforting elements of a classic casserole. It features tender chicken coated in your favorite BBQ sauce. The chicken is layered with a medley of vegetables and a creamy cheese sauce. All of this is topped with a crunchy breadcrumb topping. This dish is perfect for family gatherings, potlucks, or simply indulging in a delicious and satisfying meal. Give it a try and elevate your next dinner with this mouthwatering BBQ Chicken Casserole!

BBQ Chicken Casserole is a delicious and hearty dish. It combines tender chicken, zesty barbecue sauce, and a medley of flavorful ingredients. All these are baked together to create a comforting meal. Typically, it starts with cooked, drumstick chicken, which is mixed with a tangy barbecue sauce, sautéed onions, and bell peppers.

Once assembled, the casserole is baked until bubbly and golden brown, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully. The result is a flavorful, filling dish. It’s perfect for family dinners or potlucks. It offers a delightful balance of savory, sweet, and smoky flavors. BBQ lovers will adore these flavors. Topped with fresh herbs or green onions, it can also make a delightful presentation at the table.

Ingredients for BBQ Chicken Casserole

Directions for Making Delicious BBQ Chicken Casserole

  1. Place whole chicken in 13 x 9 x 2-inch pan.
  2. Arrange onions over top.
  3. Mix together vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, pepper, hot sauce, chili powder, and stock.
  4. Pour mixture over chicken and bake at 350 °F for 1 hour or until safely cooked.
  5. While chicken is cooking, baste with juices occasionally.
A bubbling BBQ chicken casserole and garnished with fresh herbs, displayed in a ceramic baking dish.

Here are some helpful tips for preparing and serving BBQ Chicken Casserole:

  1. BBQ Sauce: Choose your favorite BBQ sauce for personalized flavor. Sweet, smoky, or spicy options can all work well.
  2. Veggies: Feel free to add extra vegetables like corn, black beans, or jalapeños for added nutrition and texture.
  3. Cheese: Mix different types of cheese like cheddar, mozzarella, or pepper jack for a flavorful twist.
  4. Casserole Topping: Consider adding a topping of crushed tortilla chips, breadcrumbs, or fried onions for extra crunch.
  5. Bake Time: Keep an eye on the casserole while baking; it should be bubbly and golden but not overcooked.
  6. Meal Prep: This dish can be assembled ahead of time and baked when you’re ready to serve. Just cover and refrigerate until baking.
  7. Serving Suggestions: Pair with a fresh salad or coleslaw for a well-rounded meal. This casserole also works great as leftovers!
  8. Freezing: You can freeze leftovers in an airtight container for up to three months. Reheat in the oven for best results.
  9. Garnish: Top with fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley for a pop of color and added freshness before serving.

These tips will help you create a delicious BBQ Chicken Casserole that everyone will love!

Video

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about BBQ Chicken Casserole:

1) What ingredients do I need?
Typical base: cooked shredded chicken, BBQ sauce, cheese, onions, and bell peppers. Add a creamy element like sour cream, cream cheese, or cream of chicken soup. Optional: rice or pasta, tortilla chips or cornbread topping, and herbs.

2) Can I use leftovers or canned chicken?
Yes. Leftover rotisserie chicken works great, as does canned or cooked chicken. Adjust seasoning to taste.

3) Is it gluten-free?
It can be. Use gluten-free BBQ sauce and thickener (if using cream soups, check for gluten-free labels). If using biscuits or cornbread toppings, choose gluten-free options.

4) Can I make it ahead?
Yes. Assemble, cover, and refrigerate for up to 1 day before baking. You can also freeze assembled casserole (without delicate toppings) and bake later; thaw before cooking.

5) How do I change the filling?
Add vegetables like corn, black beans, or jalapeños. Switch cheeses like cheddar, mozzarella, or pepper jack. You can also swap in cooked rice or pasta for a heartier base.

6) What’s the best topping?
For crunch: crushed tortilla chips or breadcrumbs. For a softer top: extra cheese or a biscuit/cornbread topping. Garnish with cilantro or green onions.

7) How long to bake and what temp?
Bake at 350°F (175°C) until bubbly and golden, typically 25–40 minutes depending on the bakeware and toppings. If using refrigerated leftovers, you need longer.

8) How should I reheat leftovers?
Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until hot and bubbly (about 15–20 minutes for single portions). Microwave is faster but unevenly heat.

9) What side dishes pair well?
Fresh salad, coleslaw, cornbread, or steamed vegetables. A light vinaigrette can balance the richness.

10) How should I store leftovers?
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3–4 days. For longer storage, freeze (if not using dairy-heavy toppings) for up to 2–3 months; thaw before reheating.

A bubbling BBQ chicken casserole and garnished with fresh herbs, displayed in a ceramic baking dish.

BBQ Chicken Casserole

Yield: 6
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

This Ultimate BBQ Chicken Casserole recipe combines the smoky flavors of barbecue chicken with comforting elements of a classic casserole. It features tender chicken coated in your favorite BBQ sauce. The chicken is layered with a medley of vegetables and a creamy cheese sauce. All of this is topped with a crunchy breadcrumb topping. This dish is perfect for family gatherings, potlucks, or simply indulging in a delicious and satisfying meal. Give it a try and elevate your next dinner with this mouthwatering BBQ Chicken Casserole!

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Place whole chicken in 13 x 9 x 2-inch pan.
  2. Arrange onions over top.
  3. Mix together vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, pepper, hot sauce, chili powder, and stock.
  4. Pour mixture over chicken and bake at 350 °F for 1 hour or until safely cooked.
  5. While chicken is cooking, baste with juices occasionally.

Notes

  • Cooked Chicken: Use leftover rotisserie chicken, shredded chicken breast, or canned chicken to save time.
  • BBQ Sauce: Choose your favorite BBQ sauce for personalized flavor. Sweet, smoky, or spicy options can all work well.
  • Veggies: Feel free to add extra vegetables like corn, black beans, or jalapeños for added nutrition and texture.
  • Cheese: Mix different types of cheese like cheddar, mozzarella, or pepper jack for a flavorful twist.
  • Casserole Topping: Consider adding a topping of crushed tortilla chips, breadcrumbs, or fried onions for extra crunch.
  • Bake Time: Keep an eye on the casserole while baking; it should be bubbly and golden but not overcooked.
  • Meal Prep: This dish can be assembled ahead of time and baked when you're ready to serve. Just cover and refrigerate until baking.
  • Serving Suggestions: Pair with a fresh salad or coleslaw for a well-rounded meal. This casserole also works great as leftovers!
  • Freezing: You can freeze leftovers in an airtight container for up to three months. Reheat in the oven for best results.
  • Garnish: Top with fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley for a pop of color and added freshness before serving.

These tips will help you create a delicious BBQ Chicken Casserole that everyone will love!

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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 25Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 6mgSodium: 61mgCarbohydrates: 1gFiber: 0gSugar: 1gProtein: 2g

**Nutritional information on HRCookery is provided as a courtesy. We can't guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on the site. these figures should only be considered as estimates.

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