Description
Chicken Casserole with Mushrooms is a creamy and comforting baked dish featuring tender diced chicken breast, earthy mushrooms, and crispy smoked turkey bacon, all combined in a savory plant-based cheese sauce. This soulful recipe is perfect for a cozy dinner, offering rich layers of flavor and texture with wholesome, simple ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins and Vegetables
- 2 cups chicken breast (diced)
- 1 ½ cups mushrooms (sliced, fresh cremini or shiitake recommended)
- ½ cup smoked turkey bacon (chopped)
- 1 medium onion (finely chopped)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
Sauce Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups chicken broth (low sodium)
- 1 cup plant-based cheese (shredded)
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour)
- 1 tablespoon vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar (natural)
- 1 teaspoon natural gelling agent
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Dice the chicken breast into bite-sized pieces. Slice the mushrooms evenly. Chop the smoked turkey bacon, finely dice onions, and mince the garlic to have everything ready for cooking.
- Sauté Onions, Garlic, and Bacon: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and cook until translucent and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes. Add garlic and chopped smoked turkey bacon and cook until the bacon crisps slightly, releasing its smoky flavor.
- Cook the Chicken and Mushrooms: Add the diced chicken to the skillet. Brown the chicken on all sides until it starts turning white. Stir in the sliced mushrooms and cook until the mushrooms soften and most of their liquid has evaporated.
- Make the Creamy Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk the flour with a small amount of chicken broth until smooth. Pour this mixture into the skillet along with the remaining chicken broth, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural), apple cider vinegar (natural), fresh thyme, salt, and pepper. Stir continuously to prevent lumps and add the natural gelling agent. Cook until the sauce thickens and becomes creamy, coating all the ingredients thoroughly.
- Assemble and Bake: Transfer the mixture into a casserole dish. Evenly sprinkle shredded plant-based cheese over the top. Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 25-30 minutes or until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese is golden and melted.
- Let it Rest and Serve: Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to settle and make portioning easier.
Notes
- Use fresh mushrooms for the best earthy flavor.
- Do not overcook chicken during browning to keep it juicy after baking.
- Allow the sauce to thicken properly by stirring gently and letting the natural gelling agent work effectively.
- Sprinkle plant-based cheese later in the baking process for a meltier, golden topping.
- Taste and season carefully before baking, as the cheese and vegetarian Worcestershire sauce add saltiness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: chicken casserole, mushroom casserole, plant-based cheese, comforting dinner, creamy casserole, baked chicken dish, easy casserole recipe
