Amazing Chicken, Cornbread & Mashed Potato Dinner

Oh my goodness, if you’re looking for a meal that just screams ‘cozy hug in a bowl,’ you have *got* to try this Chicken Cornbread and Mashed Potato casserole. Seriously, it’s the kind of dish that makes you want to curl up on the couch with a good book. I remember my grandma making something similar when unexpected guests would drop by – it was her go-to for a reason! It takes simple, familiar ingredients and turns them into something totally magical. This isn’t just dinner; it’s a whole vibe, a perfect trifecta of tender chicken, fluffy cornbread, and creamy mashed potato that I just know your family will adore.

Why You’ll Love This Chicken Cornbread and Mashed Potato Casserole

Trust me, this casserole is a winner for so many reasons!

• It’s incredibly easy to throw together, especially on busy weeknights.
• It’s pure comfort food – warm, hearty, and satisfying.
• Everyone in the family, from the pickiest eaters to Nana, will gobble it up.
• The flavors are just perfect together – that classic combination you can’t resist.

Gather Your Ingredients for Chicken, Cornbread and Mashed Potato

Alright, let’s get our mise en place ready for this amazing Chicken, Cornbread and Mashed Potato casserole! It’s pretty straightforward, which is part of why I love it so much. Here’s what you’ll need to round up:

For the Chicken Mixture

• Cooked chicken: You’ll want about 2 cups, either shredded or diced. Rotisserie chicken is a total lifesaver here!
• Cream of chicken soup: Just one standard can (that’s 10.5 oz) will do the trick to make it super creamy.
• Milk: We need 1/2 cup of regular milk to thin out the soup a bit.
• Chopped onion: About 1/4 cup will give it a nice little savory depth.
• Chopped celery: Another 1/4 cup of finely chopped celery adds a subtle freshness.

For the Cornbread Topping

• Cornbread mix: Grab one box, usually around 8.5 oz, for your fluffy topping.
• Egg: Just one large egg is needed to bind the cornbread batter.
• Milk: You’ll need 1/3 cup of milk for the cornbread batter itself.

For the Mashed Potato Layer

• Mashed potatoes: You’ll need about 2 cups of your favorite prepared mashed potatoes. Leftovers work perfectly!

Essential Equipment for Your Chicken Cornbread and Mashed potato Dish

Okay, so you’ve got your ingredients all ready to go, right? Now, let’s talk about what you’ll need to actually *make* this magic happen. It’s not much, thankfully! You will definitely want a good ol’ reliable 9×13 inch baking dish – it’s the perfect size for this casserole. Grab a nice big large mixing bowl for stirring everything together and a handy saucepan for any little prep steps, though honestly, a bowl and a baking dish will get you most of the way there!

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Chicken, Cornbread and Mashed Potato

Alright, let’s get this deliciousness assembled! Putting together this Chicken, Cornbread and Mashed Potato casserole is honestly a breeze. You’ll feel like a kitchen wizard in no time. I love how the layers come together, and the smells while it’s baking? Pure heaven! Just follow these simple steps, and you’ll have a crowd-pleaser on your hands. If you love casseroles, you might also want to check out Ina Garten’s Chicken Casserole recipe or this hearty Chicken Wild Rice Casserole recipe for more comfort food inspiration.

Preparing the Chicken Mixture

First things first, let’s get that savory base ready. Grab your biggest mixing bowl and toss in that cooked chicken, the creamy soup, milk, and all those yummy chopped onions and celery. Give it all a really good stir until everything is nicely coated. You want it combined, but don’t overthink it – we’re aiming for delicious convenience here!

Making the Cornbread Topping

Now, onto that golden-brown crown! In a separate bowl, whip up your cornbread mix according to the box instructions. Usually, that just means adding the egg and that bit of milk. Mix it until it’s just combined – a few little lumps are totally fine, no need to go crazy here. You just want a nice, pourable batter.

Assembling and Baking the Casserole

Time to put it all together! First, spread that chicken mixture evenly across the bottom of your 9×13 inch baking dish. Make sure it’s a nice, consistent layer. Next, carefully pour the cornbread batter right over the top of the chicken. Try to get it as even as you can. Pop that into your preheated oven at 375°F (190°C). Let it bake for a good 25 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the cornbread is beautifully golden brown and smells absolutely divine. This is the moment your amazing Chicken, Cornbread and Mashed Potato is really starting to shine!

Adding the Mashed Potato Layer

Okay, *almost* done! Carefully take the casserole out of the oven. Now, gently dollop your prepared mashed potatoes all over that gorgeous golden cornbread. Try to spread it out as evenly as you can without digging too much into the cornbread. Pop it back into the oven for just another 5 to 10 minutes, so the potatoes get nice and warm all the way through. Easy peasy!

Tips for the Perfect Chicken, Cornbread and Mashed Potato

You know, I’ve made this Chicken, Cornbread and Mashed Potato casserole more times than I can count, and I’ve picked up a few little tricks along the way. For starters, using pre-cooked chicken is a total game-changer for speed – rotisserie chickens are my best friend here! And trust me on this, make sure your mashed potatoes aren’t too runny. Soggy potatoes will just make things messy. If they’re a bit soft, just add a tablespoon or two of extra milk to your cornbread batter before pouring it over the chicken. It helps keep everything balanced!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Your Chicken, Cornbread and Mashed Potato

When you’re whipping up this glorious Chicken, Cornbread and Mashed Potato casserole, sometimes you gotta get a little creative! Don’t sweat it if you don’t have *exactly* what the recipe calls for. For your cooked chicken, feel free to use leftover baked chicken, boiled chicken, or even some rotisserie chicken – whatever’s easiest! If you’re out of cream of chicken soup, no worries! Cream of mushroom or even cream of celery soup will work in a pinch. And about those mashed potatoes? If you don’t have leftovers, a couple of instant mash packets made up according to their directions work just fine. You could even try my Zucchini Corn Chowder recipe for inspiration on using up veggies!

Serving Suggestions for Chicken, Cornbread and Mashed Potato

This hearty Chicken, Cornbread and Mashed Potato casserole is practically a whole meal in itself, but if you want to round it out, keep it simple! A crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette is always lovely. Steamed green beans or maybe some buttered corn on the cob would be fantastic too. For more family-favorite dinner ideas, don’t forget to browse my dinner recipes!

Storage and Reheating Your Chicken, Cornbread and Mashed Potato

So, you’ve got some delicious Chicken, Cornbread and Mashed Potato leftovers? Lucky you! To store it, just pop any extra into an airtight container and pop it in the fridge for up to 3 days. If you want to freeze it, wrap the casserole tightly with plastic wrap and then foil, and it should keep well for about 2 months. When you’re ready to reheat, just pop it in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until it’s heated through – usually about 20-30 minutes. It’ll taste almost as good as the first time!

Frequently Asked Questions about Chicken, Cornbread and Mashed Potato

Got a few questions swirling around about this delightful Chicken, Cornbread and Mashed Potato casserole? I get it! It’s always good to know the little details. Here are some common ones I hear:

Can I use different kinds of chicken in this casserole?

Absolutely! While the recipe calls for cooked chicken, feel free to use whatever you have on hand. Shredded rotisserie chicken is super convenient, but leftover baked or boiled chicken works just as well. Just make sure it’s about 2 cups, and you’re good to go!

What if I don’t have any cream of chicken soup?

No drama! If you’re out of cream of chicken soup, you can totally swap it for cream of mushroom or cream of celery soup. They’ll give you a similar creamy base for your chicken mixture. You could even try using a homemade béchamel sauce if you’re feeling adventurous!

Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

You sure can! You can prep the chicken mixture and the cornbread batter a day in advance and keep them separate in the fridge. For the mashed potatoes, it’s best to mash them fresh right before assembling, but you can definitely reheat leftovers. Just assemble everything and bake as directed, maybe adding a few extra minutes to ensure it’s all heated through.

Is there a way to make the cornbread topping healthier?

That’s a great question! While this is a comfort food classic, you could try using a whole wheat cornbread mix or even a homemade cornbread recipe that uses less sugar or a bit of honey. You could also reduce the amount of milk in the chicken mixture slightly. For more wholesome ideas, check out my Chicken Orzo recipe or my Chicken Sweet Potato Rice recipe!

Estimated Nutritional Information

Just a heads-up, the nutritional info for this amazing dish can swing a little depending on what brands you use! But, as a rough estimate, one serving of this Chicken, Cornbread and Mashed Potato casserole usually packs around: 450-550 Calories, 25-35g Protein, 20-30g Fat, and 30-40g Carbohydrates. It’s a hearty meal, for sure!