Healthy Chicken Casseroles

January 28, 2013
Photo: Randy Mayor
For a heart-warming dinner full of delectable flavors, try one of these healthy chicken casserole recipes.
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Lighter Casserole Options

Photo: Brian Woodcock
View Recipe: Tortilla Chip Casserole

Traditionally high in calories, fat, and cholesterol, casseroles have long-since been a healthy eating faux-pas. However, our lighter, nutritionally healthier options offer exciting twists on the classics and equally desirable results for a meal the whole family will enjoy.

Our Tortilla Chip Casserole recipe retains all the full-flavor of this popular chicken comfort dish but with lighter ingredients, coming in at just around 380 calories per serving.

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Broccoli-Quinoa Casserole with Chicken and Cheddar

Photo: Brian Woodcock
View Recipe: Broccoli-Quinoa Casserole with Chicken and Cheddar

Instead of using condensed cream soup and processed cheese, we make a luscious white sauce with a touch of Parmesan to bind the casserole, and we use all the cheddar on top. You get a wonderful blanket of gooey cheese atop this pot of comfort.

 

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Chicken Enchilada Casserole

Photo: John Autry
View Recipe: Chicken Enchilada Casserole

This Tex-Mex chicken enchilada casserole is a delicious dinner option when you're craving Southwestern-style comfort food. Full of flavor from the cilantro, cumin, chopped onion, and pickled jalapeño pepper, it’s a dish that is well worth the preparation time in the kitchen.

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Chicken Enchilada Casserole

Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Chicken Enchilada Casserole

These enchiladas are a cinch to assemble and easy to freeze—just cover one of the pans with foil. If you plan to serve a crowd, bake in one (13 × 9-inch) baking dish. The chicken stays moist throughout baking and reheating, thanks to a gentle poach and a creamy verde sauce. Fresh cilantro stems have tons of favor; make sure to include them in the sauce.

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Chicken, Broccoli, and Brown Rice Casserole

Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Chicken, Broccoli, and Brown Rice Casserole

This healthy whole-grain spin on a comfort food classic is indulgent, creamy, and a guaranteed family-pleaser.

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Stacked Chicken Enchiladas

Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Stacked Chicken Enchiladas

Because you layer this Tex-Mex dish, lasagna-style, instead of rolling each enchilada individually, you save time in the kitchen, and the results are ultimately healthier because the tortillas don't have to be fried or softened in oil before you assemble the casserole.

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Spanish Chicken and Rice with Saffron Cream

Photo: Jennifer Davick
View Recipe: Spanish Chicken and Rice with Saffron Cream

This rich, creamy twist on traditional chicken paella gets an alluring Spanish accent from smoky cured chorizo and the unmistakable fragrance and flavor of saffron.

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Mom's Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Casserole

Photo: Brian Woodcock
View Recipe: Mom's Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Casserole

Traditional creamy chicken casserole can have more than 800 calories per serving, but we’re serving up this classic comfort dish with a fraction of the calories.

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Mexican Chicken Casserole with Charred Tomato Salsa

Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Mexican Chicken Casserole with Charred Tomato Salsa

Instead of the usual jarred salsa often called for in Mexican casserole, this recipe features a homemade salsa made with charred tomatoes that are mixed with cilantro and fresh lime juice. Charring the tomatoes gives a rich flavor to the salsa, which is a good match for this chicken-and-veggie-packed dish.

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Chicken Tetrazzini

Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Chicken Tetrazzini

A classic that makes great use of leftover turkey or chicken. It’s so creamy and comforting that you’ll be glad it makes two casseroles—one for now and one for later.

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Chicken and Rice Casserole

Photo: John Autry
View Recipe: Chicken and Rice Casserole

This comfort classic recipe is the perfect dish for dinner during the week. The contrasting colors of the yellow and green squash give the meal a nice appearance, but you can choose to use just one or the other if you prefer.

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Aunt Liz's Chicken Spaghetti Casserole

Photo: Melissa Springer
View Recipe: Aunt Liz’s Chicken Spaghetti Casserole

This chicken spaghetti casserole is low in calories and can easily be made ahead. The recipe makes two casseroles so enjoy one for dinner and freeze the other for later, or serve as a main course at large family gatherings.

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Chicken Tamale Casserole

Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Chicken Tamale Casserole

This Chicken Tamale casserole is a quick and easy swap for more traditional tamales - but just as delicious! Original tamale recipes are too time-consuming for weeknight meals, but corn bread mix approximates the flavor and speeds up the cook time.

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Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas
Trade the traditional enchilada sauce for a creamy, cheesy topping on this Mexican chicken casserole recipe. Your family will never know they're enjoying a lightened version of this delicious meal.

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Chicken and Broccoli Casserole

View Recipe: Chicken and Broccoli Casserole

Traditionally served during holidays, this casserole is perfect for dinner year-round. Serve with a simple green salad for a healthy, well-rounded, full-flavored meal.

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Parmesan Chicken and Rice Casserole

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: Parmesan Chicken and Rice Casserole

Parmesan cheese adds a nutty, salty flavor to this creamy chicken casserole recipe. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s a great option for weekday family dinners or to serve to company.

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Chicken Poblano Casserole

Photo: Jeff Kauck
View Recipe: Chicken Poblano Casserole

Not only is this casserole a good source of niacin (mainly from the chicken), but one serving also supplies about 60 percent of your daily calcium needs. Fresh corn and corn tortillas offer an ample amount of folate, too, and the best part is, it tastes great!

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Green Chile-Chicken Casserole

Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Green Chile-Chicken Casserole

Just about every New Mexican home has a favorite version of this spicy chicken casserole recipe. This one features the convenience of canned cream of chicken soup, and you can make it a day ahead.

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Hot Chicken and Chips Retro

Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Hot Chicken and Chips Retro

Just about every New Mexican home has a favorite version of this spicy chicken casserole recipe. This one features the convenience of canned cream of chicken soup, and you can make it a day ahead.

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