Chicken Zucchini Casserole

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by Clare

This chicken zucchini casserole is a straightforward and satisfying dinner bake. It brings together diced chicken and fresh zucchini in a simple, creamy sauce, all finished with a crunchy, buttery stuffing topping.

A serving of golden-brown chicken zucchini casserole on a plate with a fork.
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Putting this dish together is quick, especially if you use pre-cooked chicken. It’s a wonderful way to use up summer zucchini and create a hearty meal that the whole family can enjoy any night of the week.

Why will you love Chicken Zucchini Casserole?

Uses simple ingredients: This recipe relies on pantry staples like canned soup and stuffing mix, making it easy to prepare without a special trip to the store.

Great for leftovers: It’s an ideal way to transform leftover cooked chicken or a rotisserie chicken into a whole new meal.

A complete one-pan dish: With protein, vegetables, and carbs all baked together in one dish, you have a full meal with minimal cleanup.

Chicken Zucchini Casserole Ingredients

• Cooked Chicken: A store-bought rotisserie chicken is a convenient option. You can also use any leftover baked or poached chicken you have on hand.

• Zucchini: There’s no need to peel the zucchini before dicing. If you don’t have zucchini, yellow summer squash is a direct substitute.

• Cream of Chicken Soup: For a different flavor, you can use cream of mushroom or cream of celery soup instead.

• Boxed Stuffing Mix: A classic savory herb stuffing works well, but a cornbread stuffing mix would also be a nice choice.

• Sour Cream: Full-fat sour cream will give the richest result. You can substitute plain Greek yogurt if you prefer.

Exact quantities are in the recipe card below.

How to Make Chicken Zucchini Casserole

Step 1: Prepare the Base and Topping

First, preheat your oven and grease a baking dish. In a large bowl, combine the dry stuffing mix with melted butter. Remove a small portion of this mixture and set it aside to use for the topping later.

Step 2: Mix the Filling

To the same bowl with the remaining stuffing, add the cooked chicken, diced zucchini, mozzarella, soup, onion, and sour cream. Stir gently until all the ingredients are just combined into a thick mixture.

Step 3: Assemble and Bake

Transfer the filling to your prepared baking dish and spread it into an even layer. Sprinkle the reserved stuffing mixture over the top. Bake the casserole until it’s hot, bubbly, and the topping is nicely browned.

What to Serve with Chicken Zucchini Casserole

This casserole is a complete meal on its own, but a simple green salad with a vinaigrette dressing would be a nice, fresh side.

Helpful Tricks for Chicken Zucchini Casserole

Food Safety: Since this dish contains cooked poultry, ensure it is heated through to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) before serving.

Using a rotisserie chicken is a great way to save time on prep.

If you prefer a more seasoned dish, feel free to add 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder or Italian seasoning to the filling mixture.

For a slightly different flavor profile, you can substitute the mozzarella with a shredded cheddar or Colby Jack blend.

How to Store and Freeze Chicken Zucchini Casserole

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place a portion in a microwave-safe dish and heat until warmed through, or bake in an oven at 350°F (175°C) until hot. This casserole can also be frozen for up to 3 months; thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

Chicken Zucchini Casserole Recipe FAQs

Can I use raw chicken for this recipe?

It’s best to use pre-cooked chicken. The baking time is not long enough to safely cook raw chicken pieces all the way through.

Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the entire casserole, cover it, and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. You may need to add 10-15 minutes to the baking time if it’s going into the oven straight from the fridge.

Is this casserole freezer-friendly?

Yes. You can freeze it baked or unbaked. For an unbaked casserole, assemble as directed in a freezer-safe dish, cover tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking. For a baked casserole, let it cool completely before freezing.

A serving of golden-brown chicken zucchini casserole on a plate with a fork.

Chicken Zucchini Casserole

Tender chicken and zucchini in a creamy sauce, baked with a savory stuffing topping.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 8

Ingredients
  

  • 6 ounces boxed savory stuffing mix 170g
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted, 113g
  • 4 medium zucchini diced into bite-sized pieces, about 5 cups / 700g
  • 3 cups cooked chicken diced, about 450g
  • 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese 55g
  • 1 can condensed cream of chicken soup 10.5 ounces / 298g
  • 1/2 medium onion finely diced
  • 1/2 cup sour cream 120g

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  • In a large bowl, pour the melted butter over the dry stuffing mix and toss to combine. Measure out and set aside 1/2 cup of this mixture for the topping.
  • To the large bowl with the remaining stuffing mixture, add the diced zucchini, cooked chicken, mozzarella cheese, cream of chicken soup, diced onion, and sour cream.
  • Stir everything together until it is well combined. Do not overmix.
  • Spread the chicken and zucchini mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
  • Sprinkle the reserved 1/2 cup of stuffing mixture evenly over the top of the casserole.
  • Bake uncovered for 40 to 50 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbly. A thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165°F (74°C).
  • Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Food Safety: Since this dish contains cooked poultry, ensure it is heated through to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) before serving.
Using a rotisserie chicken is a great way to save time on prep.
If you prefer a more seasoned dish, feel free to add 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder or Italian seasoning to the filling mixture.
For a slightly different flavor profile, you can substitute the mozzarella with a shredded cheddar or Colby Jack blend.
Keyword Casserole, Chicken, chicken zucchini casserole, easy dinner, zucchini

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