Easy Weeknight Cornbread Chicken Casserole Recipe (2024)

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Chicken cornbread casserole made with a quick and easy homemade filling is topped with a cornbread crust box mix and baked to perfection.

Easy Weeknight Cornbread Chicken Casserole Recipe (1)

This recipe happened quite by accident. Chicken pot pie is one of our favorite recipes. But dealing with the pie crust is somewhat of hassle. One evening I really wanted to make chicken pot pie but not mess with a crust. My neighbor had recently moved and gave me the contents of her pantry which included a box mix of honey cornbread.

Easy Weeknight Cornbread Chicken Casserole Recipe (2)

So I whipped up my pot pie filling, mixed up the cornbread and baked it all together. It was magic! There is no worrying whether the crust is soggy, either. Because it’s not technically a pot pie, we named Chicken Cornbread Casserole.

Easy Weeknight Cornbread Chicken Casserole Recipe

Easy Weeknight Cornbread Chicken Casserole Recipe (3)

Make the Filling

The filling for the casserole is made from scratch, but it’s super easy. Even if you’ve never made anything from scratch before, you can handle this. A bag of frozen veggies means you can skip any chopping.

Melt butter in a large pot on the stove over medium high heat. Add onions and cook for about 2 minutes. Add in bag of frozen vegetables and cook until warmed through and no longer frozen. You can also use frozen diced onions instead of fresh to make this recipe even easier.

You can cook chicken the night you make the casserole, but it’s also a great way to use up leftover chicken. Even better, plan ahead and make sure to have leftover chicken. Cook a Slow Cooker Whole Chicken or Slow Cooker Beer Can Chicken one day and make a casserole within the next week.

Easy Weeknight Cornbread Chicken Casserole Recipe (4)

Cornbread Topping

Once the filling is done pour it intoin a casserole dish.As written, the recipe will easily fit in to a 2 quart dish and will feed 2-3 people. Double it to feed more. You can also bake it in individual ramekins so everyone gets their own casserole. Kids love the individual servings!

Mix up the cornbread mix. We used a 15 oz box of Krusteaz Honey Cornbread mix. The smaller Jiffy mixes can be used, but use at least two boxes. Top the casserole with the prepared cornbread mix by dropping in spoonfuls and gently smooth out. Bake for about 20 minutes until the cornbread is browned and cooked.

This recipe takes about 15-20 minutes hands on time and another 20 or so minutes to cook so it’s pretty quick to make even on a busy weeknight.

Easy Weeknight Cornbread Chicken Casserole Recipe (5)

Freezing for Later

If you’d like to freeze this, we suggest making the filling and freezing that. Warm up on the stove and add cornbread to bake.

Gluten Free Option

Yes you can make this gluten free! Substitute a gluten free flour in the filling and use a gluten free cornbread mix for the top.

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Chicken Cornbread Casserole has been our top recipe for years! It’s been pinned almost half a million times on Pinterest. Many of our readers have made and love this casserole. Find some of their ideas and suggestions below.

  • Add a can of chopped green chilis to the cornbread for a little kick.
  • Add a can of creamed corn to the cornbread mix before baking.
  • Add 1 tablespoon of honey in the Jiffy cornbread mix.
  • Use your favorite homemade corn bread recipe instead of a box.
  • Use whipping cream instead of milk.
  • Make gluten free by using gluten free cornbread and flour for the filling.
  • Add a can of cream of mushroom soup or cream of celery soup to the filling.
  • Add mushrooms to the filling.
  • Chop up 6 baked chicken thighs for the chicken.
  • Use turkey instead of chicken.
  • Triple the recipe to make a 9 x 13 pan to feed a crowd.

Yield: 4-6 servings

Easy Weeknight Cornbread Chicken Casserole Recipe (6)

Chicken cornbread casserole made with a quick and easy homemade filling is topped with a cornbread crust box mix and baked to perfection.

Prep Time20 minutes

Cook Time25 minutes

Additional Time5 minutes

Total Time50 minutes

Ingredients

  • 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut in to cubes OR 2 cups cooked chicken in bite size pieces
  • 1/4 cup diced onions
  • 1/3 cup butter
  • 1 bag frozen mixed vegetables
  • 1/3 cup flour
  • 2/3 cup milk
  • 1 1/4 cup chicken broth
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 box cornbread mix (1 large or 2 small) prepared according to directions on box

Instructions

  1. If cooking chicken: heat 2 Tablespoons of oil in a large pot. Add cubed chicken and season with salt and pepper. Cook until chicken is done, about 10 minutes. Drain chicken from the pot and set aside.
  2. Melt butter in a large pot on the stove over medium high heat. Add onions and cook for about 2 minutes. Add in bag of frozen vegetables and cook until warmed through and no longer frozen.
  3. Stir in flour and cook for 2 minutes, stirring continuously.
  4. Whisk in chicken broth about 1/2 cup at a time to avoid lumps. Once all the chicken broth is added, add in the milk and whisk to combine. Allow mixture cook for a few minutes to thicken. Stir in cooked chicken and cook for another minute or so until the entire mixture is hot. Remove from heat.
  5. Pour the mixture in to a 9 x 9 square baking pan or any baking dish similar in size.
  6. Top the mixture with the prepared cornbread mix, smoothing the mix out to cover the top of the pie.
  7. Bake according to the directions on the cornbread mix. My mix said to bake at 400 degrees for 22-26 minutes. Make sure to bake long enough so that the bottom of the cornbread bakes through.
  8. Once the bread is done, remove from oven and allow to sit for 5 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving:Calories: 559Total Fat: 29gSaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 192mgSodium: 734mgCarbohydrates: 22gFiber: 2gSugar: 2gProtein: 49g

Easy Weeknight Cornbread Chicken Casserole Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How do you make a casserole not soggy? ›

To prevent a soupy casserole, be sure to fully thaw any frozen vegetables in a colander over a bowl, and pat dry, squeeze excess moisture out of greens like spinach or chard, and quickly precook watery fresh vegetables like onions, mushrooms or squashes just until they release their moisture.

What to eat with cornbread casserole? ›

Gravy: If you're serving corn casserole with roast meat, a savory gravy can be a great addition to drizzle over both the meat and the casserole. Rice: My Famous Butter Rice is seriously the best, and it's a family favorite! Add a few simple ingredients to make the most buttery, delicious rice you've ever had!

What do southerners eat with cornbread? ›

In fact, savory cornbread, corn muffins, or even old-fashioned "corn pones" can sometimes be the meal all on its own, maybe with some collard greens, butterbeans, yellow summer squash, or fried okra, plus a tall glass of frosty-cold iced tea.

What goes well with cornbread besides chili? ›

This is one of my personal favorite side dishes to serve at both everyday and special occasions.
  • Chili.
  • Meatloaf.
  • Any hearty soup.
  • Beef stew.
  • Any meaty main protein such as pork, ham or steak.
  • Baked beans, pinto beans or black beans.
  • BBQ meat.
  • Hot dogs.
Mar 4, 2022

Do I bake my casserole covered or uncovered? ›

Uncovering the foods promotes browning and crisping, and reduces the amount of liquid in the finished dish. If a casserole looks soupy when it's ready to bake, bake it uncovered unless the ingredients include pasta or rice, which absorb liquid.

What is the key to making a good casserole? ›

  1. Choose the right baking dish. If you're all about the crunchy topping, use a shallow dish. ...
  2. Undercook your pasta. ...
  3. Drain your meat. ...
  4. Beware of mushy vegetables. ...
  5. Know your cheeses. ...
  6. Master the art of casserole assembly. ...
  7. Don't skip the topping. ...
  8. Make it now, but bake it later.
Nov 1, 2021

What is the difference between corn casserole and cornbread? ›

Corn casserole is a dish that mixes cornbread with whole kernel corn, sour cream, butter, and cheese, along with some creamed corn to form a new dish that has cornbread as its base. This is a Southern favorite that makes an excellent side dish, particularly during the holidays.

Can I leave cornbread casserole out overnight? ›

The simple answer is no. I don't recommend leaving your corn casserole out overnight. Room temperature is the stage where bacterial growth can occur, leading to food poisoning. To ensure the safety and quality of your corn casserole, proper storage is key.

What is cornbread and milk called? ›

Also referred to as “crumble-in,” this hearty snack of cornbread doused in milk is beloved among communities in the Southern United States, stretching from Appalachian West Virginia to the heart of Texas.

What is the difference between Yankee cornbread and Southern cornbread? ›

The thing that distinguishes Southern cornbread from, say Yankee cornbread, or any other cornbread one is likely to eat outside of the southern states, is that it is savory, not sweet, and it is made mostly with cornmeal.

What is the difference between New York cornbread and southern cornbread? ›

While both styles generally use the same ingredients -- cornmeal, flour, eggs, and baking powder -- the variance lies in the flavor and texture. Northern-style cornbread tends to be sweeter, moister, and cake-like compared to its Southern counterpart.

What's another name for Southern cornbread? ›

Corn pones are a staple of Southern U.S. cuisine and have been discussed or referenced by many American writers, including Mark Twain.

Is cornbread healthy? ›

Cornbread is a quick bread usually made using cornmeal, flour, vegetable oil, baking powder, and eggs. Although it's relatively high in carbs and sodium, it contains several important nutrients, including phosphorus, selenium, and B vitamins.

Is cornbread better hot or cold? ›

Bake until the top is golden brown and the edges have pulled away from the sides of the pan, 30-40 minutes. Transfer the baking dish to a wire rack and sit for 30 minutes-1 hour, until just warm. The cornbread is best served warm. Place leftovers in an airtight container and store at room temperature for up to 2 days.

How do you keep a casserole moist? ›

Pro Tip: Avoid Dry Casserole.

The best way to prevent it from drying out is to add a little bit of water, around ¼ cup, to the top of it. Allow the water to seep between the food and the sides of the baking dish. Cover with aluminum foil to seal in the moisture.

Why is my casserole soggy? ›

Your vegetables could be to blame

According to Allrecipes, the vegetables you selected are the most common culprit for your watery casserole, due to the high percentage of moisture that some of them contain in their raw form which seeps out as they cook down in your dish.

Should a casserole be covered in liquid? ›

A tight-fitting lid on your casserole dish ensures the dish doesn't lose moisture during the long cooking process. Size matters. If your dish is too small, the liquid can overflow. If it's too large, the liquid can reduce too quickly and dry out the food.

Is it better to cook casserole the day before or? ›

Make-ahead meals (especially baked casseroles) are terrific because you can completely assemble them in advance and bake them just before serving. They're the ultimate comfort food as they come bubbling hot and delicious straight from the oven to the table to the delight of family and friends.

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