Chicken casserole noodle recipe

For two people, you'll need short noodles, chicken, crushed tomatoes, onion, garlic, red bell pepper, chicken broth, olive oil, sweet paprika, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. A touch of fresh parsley at the end adds aroma and freshness to the dish. Without further ado, let's begin!

How to prepare delicious noodle casserole with chicken at home

• 2 people
• Easy
• 650 Kcal
• 180g of short noodles
• 250g of boneless chicken breast or thigh
• 200g of crushed tomatoes
• 400 ml of chicken broth
• 1/2 onion
• 1 clove of garlic
• 1/2 red bell pepper
• 2 tbsp of olive oil
• 1 tsp sweet paprika
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
• Cut the chicken into small pieces and season with salt and pepper.
• Heat a large saucepan with the olive oil and brown the chicken for 3-4 minutes. Remove and set aside.
• In the same saucepan, sauté the chopped onion and red pepper for 4 minutes.
• Add the chopped garlic and cook for 30 seconds, taking care not to burn it.
• Add the paprika, mix quickly and add the crushed tomatoes.
• Cook the sauce for 5 minutes over medium heat to concentrate its flavor.
• Return the chicken to the casserole dish and add the broth and bay leaf.
• Once it starts to boil, add the noodles and oregano. Stir to distribute them.
• Cook over medium heat for the time indicated on the noodle package, stirring occasionally. If they dry out before they are ready, add a little more hot broth.
• When the noodles are al dente and the sauce has thickened, turn off the heat. Let it rest for 2 minutes, remove the bay leaf, and finish with fresh parsley.

Tips for making delicious noodle casserole with chicken

• Use a wide saucepan so the noodles have room to cook evenly.
• First, brown the chicken to give the stew more flavor and prevent it from simply being boiled.
• Don't burn the paprika: add it and stir for a few seconds before adding the tomato.
• Use hot chicken broth so as not to interrupt the cooking process when adding it, and make it homemade if you want a more delicious flavor.
• Do not wash the noodles before cooking them; their starch helps to slightly thicken the sauce.
• Stir occasionally to prevent the noodles from sticking to the bottom.
• Keep an eye on the amount of liquid, because the noodles absorb quite a bit of broth while they cook.
• If the mixture becomes dry before the noodles are ready, add broth little by little, not all at once.
• Taste for salt at the end, especially if you're using a commercial broth that already contains sodium.
• Let them rest for a couple of minutes before serving so that the sauce can fully integrate.

How to prevent noodles in a casserole from drying out?

Monitor the liquid level during cooking and add small amounts of hot broth if needed. Remember that the noodles continue to absorb liquid even after the heat is turned off.

Can I make noodle casserole with chicken without tomato?

Yes. You can substitute the tomato with more broth and add vegetables, paprika, garlic, and spices to prepare a lighter, clearer version.

Can I use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth?

Yes. Vegetable broth works well if you want to adapt the recipe, although chicken broth provides a more intense flavor.

Can I save the noodles from the chicken casserole?

Yes. Once cooled, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator and consume them preferably within 3 days. When reheating, add a little broth or water to restore moisture.