Description
Grandmas loaded chicken casserole brings pure comfort straight from family kitchens, packed with cheesy goodness and tender chicken that makes dinner feel like a warm hug. Creamy layers and crispy edges deliver hearty satisfaction your whole family will devour in minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 4 cans (15.5 oz each) kidney beans
Vegetables:
- 2 medium onions, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 1 carrot, diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
Spices and Seasonings:
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 cans (15 oz each) diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon cumin powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried chili flakes
- 3 cups water
Instructions
- Pour 3 tablespoons olive oil into a large pot over medium heat. Add 2 chopped medium onions, 3 finely chopped garlic cloves, 2 diced celery stalks, 1 diced carrot, and 1 diced bell pepper. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until vegetables soften and become translucent.
- Toss 2 bay leaves into the pot. Stir in 2 cans (15 oz each) diced tomatoes, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 2 teaspoons sugar, 1 teaspoon cumin powder, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, and ½ teaspoon dried chili flakes. Mix ingredients thoroughly.
- Pour 3 cups water into the pot with 4 cans (15.5 oz each) drained and rinsed kidney beans. Reduce heat to low and let the mixture simmer for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Remove bay leaves from the pot. Allow the mixture to rest for 5 minutes before serving hot in deep bowls.
Notes
- Use fresh aromatics for the best flavor, chopping them finely to ensure even cooking and maximum taste distribution.
- Let the beans simmer slowly to develop a rich, deep flavor that allows all the spices to blend perfectly.
- Adjust the chili flakes to control the heat level, adding more or less depending on personal spice tolerance.
- Consider topping the casserole with shredded cheese or fresh cilantro for added texture and freshness when serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-30 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6 to 8
- Calories: 192 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 270 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg