Easy Weeknight Cornbread Chicken Casserole Recipe (2024)

Main Dish Recipes

Created On: &nbsp|Updated: |

I may earn from links that may be a partner or affiliate links. As an Amazon Influencer, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Questions or comments? I’d love to hear from you! Email me at camille@growingupgabel.com.

Jump to Recipe

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.

[dtbaker_line type=”heart”][/dtbaker_line]

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? ›

10 Tips To Fix Or Prevent Watery Casseroles
  1. Prep vegetables ahead of time. Solstock/Getty Images. ...
  2. Add a starch. NIKCOA/Shutterstock. ...
  3. Experiment with pasta or grains. Pidjoe/Getty Images. ...
  4. Take the lid off. ...
  5. Drain fat from meat. ...
  6. Choose a dry or low-fat cheese. ...
  7. Sprinkle seeds into your bake. ...
  8. Remove excess liquid.
Oct 29, 2023

What pairs well with corn bread? ›

10 Ways To Enjoy Cornbread That Aren't Chili
  • CAROLINA-STYLE PULLED PORK.
  • CUMIN CHILI GRILLED CHICKEN WINGS.
  • BOURBON-BROWN SUGAR GLAZED BABY BACK RIBS.
  • CORNBREAD AND SAUSAGE DRESSING WITH PECANS.
  • SAVORY CORNBREAD PUDDING WITH BACON, LEEKS AND SAGE.
  • MINI CORN MUFFINS WITH ROASTED GARLIC AND FRESH HERBS.
  • CLASSIC FRIED CHICKEN.
Apr 11, 2024

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.

Where does cornbread casserole originate? ›

The history of cornbread can be traced back to the Native Americans, who were the first to grind corn into meal and mix it with water to create a simple flatbread. This early version of cornbread was cooked on hot stones or in clay pots over an open fire.

Should you bake casseroles covered or uncovered? ›

Generally, casseroles with grains, rice or pasta that will cook during the baking process are usually covered, for at least part of the time. Casseroles made of cooked ingredients are usually baked uncovered. If you like a crisper, browner top, be sure the casserole is uncovered for at least part of the bake time.

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 spread is good on cornbread? ›

This sweet, creamy honey butter is delicious on cornbread, dinner rolls, and more!

What do Americans eat cornbread with? ›

Cornbread is typically eaten with molasses in the southern states and with butter and honey in the northern states of America.

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.

Why do southerners not put sugar in cornbread? ›

The most common theory is a change in cornmeal itself. Until early in the 20th century, Southern cornmeal was made with sweeter white corn and it was water-ground. When industrial milling came along, that changed. The steel-roller mills used yellow corn that was harvested before it was ripe, so it had less sugar.

What is the oldest known casserole? ›

Macaroni and cheese is the oldest written casserole recipe found in 1250.

What does cornbread mean in slang? ›

The expression "someone's cornbread ain't done in the middle" is a southern American idiom that means that someone is not very smart or intelligent. The metaphor of "cornbread" refers to a popular southern bread made from cornmeal, which is often baked in a pan.

What did Native Americans call cornbread? ›

Among them was a version of Indian bread made of cornmeal, salt and water called pone or corn pone. The name came from the Algonquin word apan, meaning "baked." The Narragansett word for cornbread, nokechick, became no-cake and then hoe-cake.

How do you keep a casserole moist? ›

Covering a casserole (whether with a lid or with aluminum foil) is important because it helps keep moisture and heat inside the baking dish. This encourages even baking throughout, ensuring that noodles come out perfectly al dente and cheese melts uniformly.

How do you keep casserole topping from getting soggy? ›

Assuming that you want to serve the casserole hot and the streusel crispy, keep the casserole and the streusel separate until almost serving time. This means you will have to bake the streusel on a cookie sheet until crisp and ready, then let them cool uncovered and transport them in a separate container.

How do you fix a wet casserole? ›

Just because your casserole is starting to look a bit soupy doesn't mean it's beyond saving. In fact, all you need to do is add some pasta noodles or grains to your base. This trick works for the simple reason that both types of ingredients soak up water as they cook.

How to make a casserole less dry? ›

How do you moisten a dry casserole? Add a little water or milk to the top of the it before reheating. Allow the liquid to seep in between the casserole and the baking dish, without overflowing. Cover the top with aluminum foil.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Madonna Wisozk

Last Updated:

Views: 5290

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (48 voted)

Reviews: 87% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Madonna Wisozk

Birthday: 2001-02-23

Address: 656 Gerhold Summit, Sidneyberg, FL 78179-2512

Phone: +6742282696652

Job: Customer Banking Liaison

Hobby: Flower arranging, Yo-yoing, Tai chi, Rowing, Macrame, Urban exploration, Knife making

Introduction: My name is Madonna Wisozk, I am a attractive, healthy, thoughtful, faithful, open, vivacious, zany person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.