Skinny Baked Chicken Potato Casserole
A skinny version of the classic baked chicken potato casserole. Made with lean chicken breast and milk instead of cream. This one is flavored with onions, garlic and three different types of cheese. A simple recipe that involves adding all ingredients to a bowl and baking. Absolute comfort food and perfect any time of the year.
Best Skinny Baked Chicken Potato Casserole, Healthier Chicken and Potato Casserole, Chicken Casserole
Do you have any memories of a baked chicken and potato casserole? Mine is loaded baked chicken and potato casserole with all that wonderful cheesy, creamy, saucy goodness. Well, just let's say it was double loaded. We would make a white sauce as a base, lots of cheese and of course more cream. I love such loaded stuff. So, it was absolute comfort food.
I do miss that and maybe someday, when I make it again, I will share with you my version of the loaded baked chicken potato casserole. Today, I wanted to share with you this skinny version. It's a toned down version of the loaded, but still has enough cheese and all the amazing flavors.
The thing is that over time you have to find ways to keep the balance. With me, as a cake decorator for a job, and desserts in the house all the time, I have to keep the food in check. So, while I do make lasagna for the kids I also make skinny versions of all these comfort foods. Finding that balance between eating healthy and still not feeling deprived.
About this recipe
As you can see from the ingredients below, I'm using lean chicken breast and milk instead of cream. The cornstarch works great as a thickener, so you still have a creamy juicy casserole. It's a very simple recipe and honestly very effortless. Almost like adding all the ingredients into a casserole and baking it.
For our family, this is winter comfort food over the weekend and one I love making when i'm not motivated to cook. Cold rainy winter days are not my best days.
Skinny Baked Chicken Potato Casserole, Healthier Chicken and Potato Casserole, Chicken Casserole
Ingredients and substitutes (Save/Pin)
- Potatoes - I love using baking potatoes because they hold their shape well even after they are cooked fork tender.
- Chicken - For this recipe, lean chicken breast works a treat. While it gives moisture the potatoes it also absorbs all the milk mixture beautifully.
- Onions and garlic - For me, this is that little extra ingredient that takes a regular casserole to the next level. It is very important that you cook the onion and garlic. Cooking it will add a nice sweet onion flavor. Uncooked will add a raw onion flavor. You can't really taste the onion because it cooks into the sauce, but you can also omit it.
- Cheese - I love adding parmesan for that nice nutty flavor. Cheddar has a certain sharpness so a little goes a long way. The Mozarella adds that stringy cheese quality we love in cheese casseroles.
- Milk - You can use cream of course. And yet, I like keeping it light when I can so milk works just as well.
- Cornstarch or cornflour - Don't omit this. You can add one teaspoon of flour if you don't have cornstarch on hand. The cornstarch prevents the milk from splitting while it thickens.
Skinny Baked Chicken Potato Casserole, Healthier Chicken and Potato Casserole, Chicken Casserole
Useful tips and tools
- A 9 x 9-inch casserole or baking pan but would be perfect for this recipe.
- Always use a spatula with a long handle to protect your self from the high heat. Also, make sure you use one that is capable of handling high heat.
- You will need a few bowls to make sure you have everything ready for baking the casserole.
- A chopping board and kitchen knife to chop all the veggies and have them ready on hand.
How to make a skinny baked chicken potato casserole (Save/Pin)
Method
- Preheat the oven at 160 C / 320 F.
- Wipe dry the chicken breasts and chop into bite-size cubes.
- Peel and chop potatoes into bite-size cubes.
- Saute onions and garlic in oil for about 4 to 5 minutes until translucent.
- Combine milk with cornstarch - set aside.
Skinny Baked Chicken Potato Casserole, Healthier Chicken and Potato Casserole, Chicken Casserole
Assemble
- Smear or spray a 9 x 9 casserole or baking pan with olive oil or cooking spray.
- Combine together chicken, potatoes, onion-garlic, and chopped herbs.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Spread evenly making sure everything is well distributed.
Skinny Baked Chicken Potato Casserole, Healthier Chicken and Potato Casserole, Chicken Casserole
- Sprinkle with the three kinds of cheeses starting with the Parmesan, cheddar, and Mozarella.
- Top with any remaining chopped herbs.
- Stir the milk one more time to mix the cornstarch again and evenly spread it all over the casserole.
- Season with salt and pepper again.
Skinny Baked Chicken Potato Casserole, Healthier Chicken and Potato Casserole, Chicken Casserole
Bake
- Cover the casserole with foil and bake for an hour.
- Remove the foil and bake further for 25 to 30 minutes until potatoes are fork tender.
- Best served hot.
- Leftovers are best heated in the microwave covered with a wet paper hand towel or kitchen cloth.
Don't forget to save this recipe on Pinterest for later. You can also find a collection of my tutorials and recipes here on Pinterest.
Best Skinny Baked Chicken Potato Casserole, Healthier Chicken and Potato Casserole, Chicken Casserole
Skinny Baked Chicken Potato Casserole
Print Pin RateDescription
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450 g) Chicken breast about 2 breasts chopped
- 4 cups (4 cups) Potatoes (3 large potatoes -cubed)
- 1 cup (1 cup) Onions diced
- 1/2 tsp (0.5 tsp) Garlic minced
- 1 tbsp (1 tbsp) Olive oil
- 1/2 cup (0.5 cup) Cheddar Cheese grated
- 1/4 cup (0.25 cup) Parmesan Cheese grated
- 1/2 cup (0.5 cup) Mozzarella or similar grated
- 1 cup (250 ml) milk
- 1 tbsp (1 tbsp ) cornstarch
- 1/2 cup (0.5 cup) Fresh Herbs chopped parsley or cilantro
Instructions
- Preheat the oven at 160 C / 320 F
- Wipe dry the chicken breasts and chop into bite-size cubes
- Peel and chop potatoes into bite-size cubes
- Saute onions and garlic in oil for about 4 to 5 minutes until translucent.
- Combine milk with cornstarch - set aside.
Assemble
- Smear or spray a 9 x 9 casserole or baking pan with olive oil or cooking spray
- Combine together chicken, potatoes, onion-garlic, and chopped herbs
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Spread evenly making sure everything is well distributed.
- Sprinkle with the three kinds of cheeses starting with the Parmesan, cheddar, and Mozarella.
- Top with any remaining chopped herbs
- Stir the milk one more time to mix the cornstarch again and evenly spread it all over the casserole.
- Season with salt and pepper again.
Bake
- Cover the casserole with foil and bake for an hour.
- Remove the foil and bake further for 25 to 30 minutes until potatoes are fork tender.
- Best served hot.
- Leftovers are best heated in the microwave covered with a wet paper hand towel or kitchen cloth.
Nutrition Information
The nutrition information and metric conversion are calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee its accuracy. If this data is important to you please verify with your trusted nutrition calculator. Thank you
Looking for more stir-fry recipes?
If you looking to simply and make changes to your diet you may like to read my post 15 tips to healthy eating habits for the family Take a look at some of my soups made with milk, not cream. Make simple changes that will sustain your family longer like, try some new and different salads like my carrot or celery salad. Try whole wheat bread instead of white bread. Bake your veggies instead of deep-frying them. Look for more skinny dessert options like my skinny tiramisu instead of the classic. Substitute the classic vanilla pastry cream in your favorite dessert for the eggless pastry cream which reduces fat and calories drastically.
Amy
Chicken and potatoes is such classic comfort food, I love that you've made it into a casserole!
Veena Azmanov
Absolute classic, Amy.
Nathan Wyper
This looks so delicious and comforting! Such a great version of this recipe!
Veena Azmanov
Thank you, Nathan.
Jacqueline Debono
I've never made a chicken and cheese casserole but this looks delicious and easy to make. Def great for a weeknight meal. Going to give this recipe a try!
Veena Azmanov
Thank you, Jacqueline. Yes, it's very easy to make.
Danielle
This is totally my husband's idea of comfort food. I am going to have to make him some!
Veena Azmanov
Absolutely, Danielle. It's comfort food for us too.
Annissa
Love this healthy version of chicken and potato casserole! Looks so hearty and filling!
Veena Azmanov
Thank you, Annissa.
Danielle Wolter
You had me at creamy, cheesy saucy chicken! This sounds delicious Veena - ultimate comfort food 🙂
Veena Azmanov
Thank you, Danielle. Def comfort food
Cathy
Veena, comfort food at its best! I literally want some right now! Will definitely be making your version, love it!
Veena Azmanov
Thank you Cathy
MIAM sisters
I absolutely love chicken & potato casserole and yours look so yummy, can't wait to try it.
Veena Azmanov
Thank ou Miam
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry
You just can't beat a tasty casserole, it is always a great family dinner option. This looks so good.
Veena Azmanov
I agree. Love casseroles myself.
Neli Howard
My favorite winter comfort dish! I just happen to have these ingredients so am going to make it tonight for dinner – – if I can wait that long!
Veena Azmanov
I hope you enjoy it Neli. Let me know what you think.
Dazrnell
I love chicken and potatoes casserole but avoid making it because it's way too cheesy - This was perfect. Love how light the sauce was. Thank you
Veena Azmanov
Thank you, Dazrnell. So happy you enjoyed this recipe. Thank you for coming back to write this feedback. Love hearing from those who try my recipe. Wish you a Happy New Year.
mutt
I made this recipe today. Was so good. I honestly like this better than the loaded because that is way too heavy for me.
Veena Azmanov
Thank you, Mutt. So happy you enjoyed this recipe. Yes, I do prefer this one to the loaded did version as well. Thank you for coming back to write this feedback. Love hearing from those who try my recipe. Wish you a Happy New Year.
Emmeline
I've never had a chicken & potato casserole - but this looks so yummy I will need to try it! Love how you made it a bit healthier as well, with less fat.
Veena Azmanov
Thanks, Emmeline. It's a very delicious dish you must try it.
Marisa Franca
Frankly, I think some of the skinny versions are just as good as the high calorie ones. Plus you don't have that miserable feeling once you finish. We like to save are higher calorie or more complicated dishes for the weekend and then we watch our intake during the week. The skinny baked chicken potato casserole is ideal for the weekend.
Veena Azmanov
Absolutely Marisa. I love skinny all thru the week. I keep the calories for our desserts.
Mahy Elamin
Made this today for me and my daughter and we loved it. It took a bit longer to cook as I used a slightly smaller baking dish and struggled to make one layer of chicken and potatoes, this is very tasty and will definaltly be making again.
Veena Azmanov
Thank you, Mahy. So happy you enjoyed this recipe. You don't have to make a single layer as it cooks well covered. Every oven is different but as long as the potatoes are fork tender, all it good.
Cheese Curd In Paradise
The cheeses sounds so wonderful blended with the potatoes and chicken. Add the onions and herbs and this sounds like a can't miss recipe!
Veena Azmanov
Thanks, Ashley. I hope you enjoy it.