Description
Baked Herb Chicken Casserole is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring tender chicken simmered in a creamy, savory sauce infused with fresh herbs and topped with melted plant-based cheese. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a special occasion, this casserole combines wholesome ingredients and effortless preparation to deliver a delicious, hearty meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1.5 to 2 lbs chicken thighs or breasts, trimmed and patted dry
Fresh Herbs
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
- 1 tsp fresh rosemary, chopped
- 1 tsp fresh oregano, chopped
Aromatics
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 cup plant-based milk alternative
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 tsp vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp paprika
Topping
- 1 cup plant-based cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Prepare and Season the Chicken: Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels. Season generously with salt, black pepper, and paprika to ensure a flavorful crust and enhance the overall taste during baking.
- Sauté Aromatics and Herbs: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onions and garlic, sautéing until fragrant and translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the fresh parsley, thyme, rosemary, oregano, and vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural), allowing the flavors to blend for another 1-2 minutes.
- Make the Creamy Sauce: Sprinkle the flour evenly over the sautéed aromatics and herbs. Stir continuously to form a roux, cooking for about 1 minute. Gradually whisk in the plant-based milk alternative and chicken broth, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens and becomes smooth and velvety.
- Combine and Bake: Place the seasoned chicken pieces in a casserole baking dish. Pour the creamy herb sauce evenly over the chicken. Top the casserole generously with shredded plant-based cheese. Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 30-35 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the topping is golden and bubbling.
Notes
- Use fresh herbs to maximize the dish’s aromatic flavor.
- Do not skip sautéing the aromatics; it deepens the sauce’s flavor.
- Cut chicken pieces uniformly to ensure even cooking.
- Let the casserole rest for a few minutes after baking to allow the sauce to settle.
- For extra crunch, sprinkle a mix of plant-based breadcrumbs and herbs on top before baking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: baked chicken casserole, herb chicken, plant-based cheese casserole, creamy chicken bake, easy dinner recipe, weeknight meal, gluten free chicken casserole
