Chicken & Kale Casserole with Cheddar Sauce & Parmesan-Thyme Breadcrumbs

(from castro15’s recipe box)

Categories: Meals

Ingredients

  • 4 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts
  • 1/2 Pound Egg Noodles
  • 4 Ounces White Cheddar Cheese
  • 3/4 Cup Milk
  • 3 Cloves Garlic
  • 1 Yellow Onion
  • 1/2 Bunch Kale
  • 1 Bunch Thyme
  • ⅓ Cup Panko Breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 Cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
  • 2 Tablespoons Chicken Casserole Spice Blend (All-Purpose Flour, Ground Mustard, Smoked Paprika & Garlic Powder)

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 450°F. Heat a medium pot of salted water to boiling on high. Once boiling, add the noodles. Cook 5 to 7 minutes, or until al dente (still slightly firm to the bite). Reserving 1¾ cups of the noodle cooking water, thoroughly drain the cooked noodles; rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process.

  2. While the noodles cook, pat the chicken dry with paper towels; season with salt and pepper on both sides. In a large pot, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the seasoned chicken. Cook 3 to 5 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to a plate or cutting board, leaving any browned bits (or fond) in the pot. Using 2 forks, carefully shred the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces.

  3. While the chicken cooks, wash and dry the fresh produce. Peel and mince the garlic. Peel and small dice the onion. Pick the thyme leaves off the stems; discard the stems and roughly chop the leaves. Remove and discard the kale stems; roughly chop the leaves. Grate the cheddar cheese.

  4. Add 2 teaspoons of olive oil to the pot of reserved fond and heat on medium-high until hot. Add the garlic, onion and half the thyme; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, 2 to 3 minutes, or until softened and fragrant. Add the kale; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, 2 to 4 minutes, or until the kale has wilted.

  5. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and the spice blend to the pot of vegetables. Cook, stirring constantly, 1 to 2 minutes, or until thoroughly combined and the spices are fragrant. Add the milk and reserved noodle cooking water; season with salt and pepper. Simmer, stirring occasionally, 3 to 5 minutes, or until the liquid has thickened. Turn off the heat. Add the cheddar cheese, shredded chicken and cooked noodles. Stir until thoroughly combined; season with salt and pepper to taste. Transfer to a baking dish.

  6. While the filling simmers, in a medium bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese and remaining thyme; season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir in enough olive oil to moisten the mixture. Evenly spoon the mixture over the baking dish of finished filling. Bake 8 to 10 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy on top. Let stand for at least 2 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

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