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Cashew Chicken Casserole

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Cashew Chicken Casserole will remind you of your favorite Chinese Cashew Dish.  This casserole is loaded with tender chicken in a delightful creamy soy and cashew laden sauce that is nestled between layers of Chow Mien Noodles.

Growing up there were 4 chicken casseroles that rotated around the meal plan menu! Chicken Broccoli Casserole, Chicken Rice Casserole, Chicken Tortilla Casserole, and this personal favorite, Cashew Chicken! It’s a delicious soul warming casserole full of rich creamy flavors.

Cashew Chicken Casserole

I love serving it over steamed long grain white rice. Not a fan of steamed white rice? That’s fine! It can be served over noodles, or even wild rice. (That’s two year old rice high on sugar! Lol…if you don’t get that joke…I can’t help you!) 

It truly leans towards an oriental flavored dish thanks to the addition of soy sauce…so the white rice goes nicely along with it as it’s companion side dish…but you can choose which ever side your family prefers!

How To Make Easy Cashew Chicken Casserole

In a large sauce pan, over medium heat, melt 2 Tablespoons of butter…or as I like to say “Buttah”!

Butter melting in a large sauce pan

Add 1/3 cup Chopped Onion, and 1 cup chopped celery. Sauté until tender and onion is translucent! (Don’t ya just love that word? Translucent. I haven’t heard that word in connection with my beauty in…hmmm…NEVER! Great Onions are more beautiful than I am! Another Life Goal failed! Maybe I should sauté in butter?) 

Sauteed Celery and Onion

Moving along… In a large bowl add 1 can Cream of Mushroom Soup and 1 can Cream of Chicken Soup. (That’s appetizing photography at its best! Still wanting those “step-by-step” instructions?) 

Two cans of soup in bowl

Add 2 Tablespoons of Soy Sauce and mix until well combined.

Soup mixed together with soy sauce

Add in 1 Cup Whole Cashews.

TIP: First you have to find the can of cashews you hid from your husband! (I found this can in my mini roasting oven!)

That’s right… I proudly hide nuts at this Nest! I live with a human Squirrel!! Kid you not. That man can put down an entire canister of roasted nuts in less than 30 minutes! (Yes! I forget where I hide them… I’m 56…I’m lucky if I can remember where I put my glasses! Let’s be real here!) 

Cashews being added to the soup mixture

Add those beautiful “Translucent” veggies and 4 cups of chopped COOKED chicken! (You can use a “live” chicken, however just know that it can get a little messy when their wings and feet get to flapping around in that sauce!)

Chicken and veggies being added to sauce

Mix everything together really well…and PLEASE don’t really use a live chicken! (We don’t need more nuts involved in this dish…the cashews are the only nuts…other than the author!) 

Mixing together the sauce

Preheat your oven to 350°. Spray a 4 quart baking dish with non-stick baking spray. Begin making the casserole with a layer of Chow Mien Noodles. (You just started munching on them didn’t you?)

Layer of Chow Mien Noodles in prepared casserole dish

Add a couple heaping spoonfuls of chicken cashew mixture.

Cashew Chicken Casserole

Alternate with another layer of chow mien noodles and continue ending with Chow Mien Noodles. Start and End with the noodles…in case that point escaped you because you’re chasing a wet live chicken around the kitchen!

Chicken Cashew Casserole

Bake uncovered for 40 minutes until sauce is bubbling.  While casserole is baking make steamed rice, noodles or other side dish to serve casserole over.

One of my favorite things about this dish, besides how easy it is and how tasty, are how those center noodles turn out. They absorb all the spectacular flavorful sauce and become soft…not mushy…just soft and tender.

I don’t want you thinking you’re going to be “crunching” your way through this casserole. There is a little crunch from the noodles on top. Otherwise, the remaining noodles because soft like a pasta noodle.

Cooked Cashew Chicken Casserole

Let’s review a few Tips to help make this dish scrumptious! 

  • Have all your ingredients prepared in advance. Chop onion and celery beforehand.
  • You can make this casserole the day before and keep it chilled in your refrigerator. The leftovers are fantastic!
  • 4 Cups Cooked Chicken can be from a store-bought Rotisserie chicken or from cooked chicken breast. DO NOT USE A LIVE CHICKEN! Lol (wink, wink)
  • You can use low sodium or low-fat soups in this recipe.
  • Use a top quality Soy Sauce. I like the “Aloha” brand. DO NOT ADD additional salt to this dish. There is plenty of salt between the canned soups and the Soy Sauce.
  • Spray your baking dish before assembling casserole. Do not cover when baking.
Cashew Chicken Casserole over rice

This dish is superb served with Asian Coleslaw and steamed snow peas! You can even skip the sides and just make a rice bowl with this casserole served on top!

It’s a true comfort dish thanks to that flavorful creamy lip licking sauce with it subtle hints of soy sauce! The cashews become tender, during baking, like the noodles and add to the rich tastes combined in this simple dish.

Cashew Chicken Casserole

I hope the birds at your nest love this Chinese inspired Cashew Chicken Casserole as much as we do, and I hope it makes its way into your meal plan rotation very soon!

Other Family Favorite Chicken Recipes

Have a GREAT week! Thanks for stopping by.

Happy Nesting!

Norine's Picture with Signature
Yield: 6 - 8 servings

Cashew Chicken Casserole

Cashew Chicken Casserole over rice

Family Dinner just got easier with this luscious Cashew Chicken Casserole with hints of your favorite Chinese Dish. This dish can even be made the day before.

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes

Ingredients

  • 4 Cups Cooked Diced Chicken
  • 1/3 Cup Chopped Onion
  • 1 Cup Diced Celery
  • 2 Tablespoons of Butter
  • 1 Can Cream of Mushroom soup
  • 1 Can Cream of Chicken Soup
  • 2 Tablespoons Soy Sauce
  • 1 Cup Whole Cashews
  • 1 Bag Chow Mien Noodles

Instructions

  1. In a large skillet, over medium heat, melt butter. Saute Onions and Celery until translucent. In a large mixing bowl, mix together both cans of soup, soy sauce, chicken, and sauteed onions and celery. Mix well. Add 1 cup of cashews.
  2. Preheat oven to 350°. Spray bottom and sides of 4 quart baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Layer noodles and chicken mixture. Starting and Ending with Chow Mien noodles.
  3. Bake for approximately 40 minutes until sauce is bubbling.
  4. Serve over steamed rice or noodles.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

1 1/2 cup

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 379Total Fat: 25gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 16gCholesterol: 74mgSodium: 1030mgCarbohydrates: 18gFiber: 2gSugar: 3gProtein: 21g

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Susan

Saturday 4th of February 2023

Love your Sence of humour Norine! 😂 Love that I found my Moms old recipe on your site, thank-you so much! ~Sue

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Tuesday 7th of February 2023

Hi Susan! Thanks so much for sharing! You made my day! I'm glad you found your Mom's old recipe here too. The old recipes are the BEST! Norine

Tammy Siegel

Sunday 21st of July 2019

I love so many of your recipes. Thank you for sharing. I'm making Cashew chicken casserole next. One of our favorites is oven baked squash.

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Wednesday 24th of July 2019

Hi Tammy! You're gonna love this casserole! It's one of my very favorite dishes and I love the leftovers for lunch the next day or two. So good. I love the oven baked squash too...perfect time of year to make that! It's on my dinner menu tonight. Thanks so much for stopping by! Hope you have a GREAT week! Happy Nesting! Norine

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