Dolly Parton’s Chicken Noodle Casserole

Dolly Parton’s Chicken Noodle Casserole is a creamy, cheesy comfort-food dinner filled with tender chicken and wide egg noodles, then finished with a golden buttery cracker topping. This easy Dolly-inspired version turns the popular five-ingredient chicken casserole idea into a complete, family-friendly noodle bake.

The widely shared Dolly Parton-inspired chicken casserole combines shredded chicken, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, cheddar, and buttery crackers. Egg noodles are often suggested as a side. Here, we fold them directly into the creamy filling so every serving includes chicken, sauce, and tender noodles beneath that crisp topping.

Why You’ll Love This Chicken Noodle Casserole

• Easy shortcut dinner: Rotisserie chicken and canned soup keep prep simple.
• Rich and comforting: Sour cream, cheddar, and noodles create a creamy, satisfying bake.
• Family friendly: The familiar chicken-and-noodle flavors appeal to adults and children.
• Make-ahead option: Assemble it earlier in the day and bake when you are ready.
• Great for leftovers: Portions reheat well for an easy lunch.

If creamy chicken casseroles are your kind of dinner, try our chicken casserole with cream of chicken soup. Our Neiman Marcus chicken casserole is another rich, crowd-friendly option.

Ingredients

• 12 ounces wide egg noodles: Cook them just to al dente so they do not become too soft in the oven.
• 3 cups cooked shredded chicken: Rotisserie chicken makes this especially quick.
• 1 can (10.5 ounces) cream of chicken soup: The base of the creamy sauce.
• 1 cup sour cream: Adds tang and keeps the casserole rich without becoming heavy.
• ½ cup chicken broth or milk: Loosens the sauce enough to coat the noodles.
• 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese: Divide it between the filling and topping.
• 1 sleeve buttery round crackers: Crush them into coarse crumbs for texture.
• 3 tablespoons melted butter: Helps the cracker topping brown and crisp.
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper: Simple seasoning for the creamy filling.

How to Make Dolly Parton’s Chicken Noodle Casserole

1. Prepare the oven and pan. Heat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Cook the noodles. Boil the egg noodles in salted water for about 2 minutes less than the package directions. Drain them well.
3. Make the creamy sauce. In a large bowl, stir together the cream of chicken soup, sour cream, broth, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper.
4. Add chicken, noodles, and cheese. Fold in the shredded chicken, drained noodles, and 1 cup of cheddar until evenly coated.
5. Fill the casserole dish. Spread the mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup cheddar over the top.
6. Make the topping. Combine the crushed crackers with melted butter, then scatter them evenly over the cheese.
7. Bake. Bake uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes, until the filling bubbles around the edges and the topping turns golden.
8. Rest before serving. Let the casserole stand for 5 to 10 minutes so the sauce can settle slightly.

Tips for the Creamiest Casserole

• Undercook the noodles slightly. They continue softening in the oven and absorb some sauce.
• Use freshly shredded cheese. It melts more smoothly than many pre-shredded varieties.
• Do not skip the extra liquid. The noodles need broth or milk so the casserole stays creamy after baking.
• Crush the crackers coarsely. A mix of crumbs and small pieces produces the best crunchy texture.
• Taste before adding salt. The soup, cheese, chicken, and crackers may already provide enough seasoning.

Easy Substitutions and Variations

Use cream of mushroom or cream of celery soup if that is what you have. Greek yogurt can replace the sour cream for a slightly lighter, tangier sauce. Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or a cheddar blend all melt well.

For vegetables, fold in up to 2 cups of thawed frozen peas, broccoli, or mixed vegetables. Add them only if you want a complete one-pan meal; the simple chicken-and-noodle version keeps the flavor closest to the popular creamy casserole. For more texture, replace the cracker topping with panko mixed with melted butter.

When you have extra rotisserie chicken, our rotisserie chicken salad is an easy way to use it. You may also like our loaded baked potato and chicken casserole for another hearty dinner.

What to Serve With It

Because this casserole is creamy and filling, pair it with something fresh or green. A simple garden salad, roasted green beans, steamed broccoli, or glazed carrots all work well. Warm dinner rolls are useful for catching the extra sauce, while sliced tomatoes add a bright contrast.

Make Ahead, Storage, and Reheating

To make the casserole ahead, assemble the filling and cheese in the baking dish, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Keep the buttered cracker crumbs in a separate container and add them just before baking. A cold casserole may need 5 to 10 extra minutes in the oven.

Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave, adding a spoonful of broth or milk if the noodles have absorbed the sauce. For a larger portion, cover with foil and warm at 325°F until heated through, uncovering for the final few minutes to re-crisp the topping.

You can freeze the assembled casserole for up to 2 months, preferably without the cracker topping. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator, add fresh buttered crumbs, and bake until the center reaches 165°F.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this an official Dolly Parton recipe?

This is a Dolly Parton-inspired chicken noodle casserole. It adapts the widely shared five-ingredient creamy chicken casserole by adding wide egg noodles and a little extra liquid, turning it into a complete noodle bake.

Can I use uncooked noodles?

No. Cook the egg noodles until slightly firmer than al dente before mixing them into the casserole. Dry noodles would require much more liquid and a different baking time.

Can I use canned chicken?

Yes. Drain it very well and use 3 cups. Rotisserie chicken usually gives better texture, but canned chicken is a useful pantry shortcut.

How do I keep chicken noodle casserole from drying out?

Undercook the noodles slightly, include the broth or milk, and bake only until the edges bubble. Overbaking causes the noodles to absorb too much moisture.

Can I make it without sour cream?

Yes. Plain full-fat Greek yogurt is the easiest substitute. You can also use softened cream cheese mixed with a little extra broth.

Dolly Parton’s Chicken Noodle Casserole

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• Author: Emma & Ella
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 8 servings 1x

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Description

A creamy chicken and wide egg noodle casserole with cheddar cheese and a crisp buttery cracker topping.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 12 ounces wide egg noodles
• 3 cups cooked shredded chicken
• 1 can (10.5 ounces) cream of chicken soup
• 1 cup sour cream
• ½ cup chicken broth or milk
• 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
• 1 sleeve buttery round crackers, coarsely crushed
• 3 tablespoons butter, melted
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• Nonstick cooking spray

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Instructions

1. Prepare. Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Cook noodles. Boil the egg noodles for 2 minutes less than the package directions, then drain well.
3. Mix sauce. Stir together the soup, sour cream, broth, garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper.
4. Combine. Fold in the chicken, noodles, and 1 cup cheddar. Spread in the prepared dish.
5. Add topping. Sprinkle with remaining cheddar. Mix cracker crumbs with melted butter and scatter on top.
6. Bake. Bake uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes, until bubbly and golden.
7. Rest. Let stand for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Cook the noodles slightly under al dente. Taste before adding salt because the soup, cheese, chicken, and crackers may already be salty.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving