Green bean casserole is a must have recipe for the holidays! For more holiday recipes, check out this Corn Casserole, it’s buttery and cheesy. Glazed Brown Sugar Carrots will give a pretty pop of color to your table. This Fresh Cranberry Sauce will add a tart and refreshing flavor.
This classic holiday casserole is simple, as well as delicious. There is a reason that it has withstood time and been around as long as it has.
Those tender green beans and crispy fried onions all swimming in that thick cream sauce make it the perfect side dish to go along with your Thanksgiving turkey or Christmas ham. It is a crowd pleasing recipe for the holiday table.
This version is a little bit different from the classic green bean casserole recipe, but is made with a can of cream of chicken instead of cream of mushroom. This makes it a great alternative if 1. you don’t like mushrooms or you are allergic to them 2. you have picky eaters. 3. you just ran out of cream of mushroom soup.
What is Green Bean Casserole?
The original green bean casserole was created in 1955 by Dorcas Reilley for Campbell’s. This dish became a hugely popular recipe and helped the company sky rocket their sale of cream of mushroom soup during the holiday season.
In a traditional green bean casserole, cooked green beans get mixed into a creamy mushroom sauce along with a dash of soy sauce. French fried onions get mixed in, too, plus some more on top for added crunch!
Best Green Bean Casserole Recipe
This casserole dish is a classic for a reason, it is seriously one easy side dish! In this recipe, we use frozen green beans which have to be cooked for a few minutes before using.
This extra step is so worth it to get the great texture of the green beans. Of course, canned beans could be swapped in instead for super soft beans.
This green bean recipe is similar to this French’s green bean casserole but, instead of using a can of cream of mushroom soup, we are going to use cream of chicken instead. We also add garlic for a pop of flavor!
In the United States, it is considered one of the best casseroles for Christmas or Thanksgiving dinner.
Green Bean Casserole Ingredients
Here are the simple ingredients needed to make cream of chicken green bean casserole. Check out the recipe card below for full ingredient amounts.
- Green beans: The star of the show! I like to use a bag of frozen green beans, I like the cut version. But, you can also use canned green beans or fresh green beans. 16 ounce frozen cut green beans
- Garlic: Fresh garlic will add depth of flavor.
- Canned soup: You will need a can of cream of chicken soup. This can be found in the soup aisle at your local grocery store. Homemade soup can also be used. 1 10.5 ounce can cream of chicken soup.
- Milk: It is a holiday recipe, so we use whole milk here.
- Seasoning: You will need to season this with seasoned salt, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.
- Crispy onions: French’s fried onions are used in the casserole mixed in the creamy sauce, as well as, the crunch on top.
How to Make Green Bean Casserole
Here is basically how to make this easy side dish. Check out the full recipe at the bottom of the post for the exact instructions.
STEP 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter a 13×9-inch baking dish, set aside.
STEP 2: Boiling Method: Bring ½ cup of water to a boil in a small pot, add in frozen green and bring back to a boil. Cook for 2 ½ minutes. Microwave Method: Or if you have steam in the bag green beans, cook them to the lowest cooking time. Drain all excess water.
STEP 3: While green beans are cooking, in the baking pan mix together the chicken soup, minced garlic, seasoned salt, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Add in well-drained green beans and 1 cup of the fried onions to the soup mixture, mix well.
STEP 4: Bake the green bean mixture uncovered for 15 minutes. Sprinkle on the rest of the fried onions and bake for another 10 minutes until onions are golden brown.
Tips for Success
- Don’t overcook the green beans when boiling them, you want them a little crisp not soggy and limp.
- Make sure to drain the green beans well so that your casserole doesn’t get watery.
- Use good quality ingredients for the best outcome.
Recipe Variations
- Different canned soup. The original version of green bean casserole calls for a can of condensed cream of mushroom soup, so you could use a can of that instead to make something more in line with the classic. Or use a can of cream of celery.
- Add sautéed mushrooms. If you have to have the mushrooms in this recipe, add in 1/2 cup of sautéed shrooms when you are mixing everything together.
- Use homemade cream of chicken soup. If you have a homemade soup that you like, you can use it in this recipe. You could also use homemade cream of mushroom soup.
- Green beans. You could use fresh green beans (just add the washed, ends snapped off green beans to boiling water for 3-4 minutes, then cold water to stop cooking). Or use canned green beans to save time because there is no pre-cooking. But, drop the salt that is added (keep the seasoned salt) otherwise it may end up too salty.
- Cheesy green bean casserole. Add cheese to this family favorite for even more decadence. I prefer to use cheddar cheese.
- Just add chicken. Instead of eating this classic side dish just at holiday meals, add some chicken breasts and make it an everyday dinner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are frozen or canned green beans better for casserole? This will depend on personal preference. Canned green beans are going to be very soft and frozen or fresh green beans will have more texture to bite in to.
Why is green bean casserole so popular? Since this casserole has been around for such a long time, it has become a tradition to have it on the holiday table. It is also delicious, easy, and affordable.
Can it be made gluten-free? Yes, as long as you use gluten free condensed soup and the fried onions are also gluten free.
How to Store Leftover Green Bean Casserole
Let the casserole cool and put in an airtight container or cover tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum. It should last about 3-4 days in the fridge.
How do you reheat casserole? Pre-heat the air fryer to 350° F. Cook for 3-4 minutes. Keep a close eye on it so that it doesn’t burn.
Can Green Bean Casserole be made in Advance?
Yes, this casserole can be made in advance. Assemble the entire casserole according to the directions, just make sure not to add the French onions until after baking. Store in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking.
Can I Freeze Green Bean Casserole?
You could freeze green bean casserole, but once you thaw it out the texture is not going to be that good. So I do not recommend freezing it.
Try these other holiday recipes!
- Paula Deen’s Corn Casserole
- Easy Stuffing Recipe
- Homemade Baked Mac and Cheese
- Cheesy Garlic Mashed Potatoes
- No Crust Iron Skillet Pumpkin Apple Pie
- Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
If you’ve tried this easy green bean casserole recipe, don’t forget to give me a star rating and leave me a comment below in the comment section. I love to hear from people who have made my recipes.
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Green Bean Casserole with Cream of Chicken Soup
Ingredients
- 16 ounces frozen cut green beans, or 15 ounce can
- 10.5 ounce can condensed cream of chicken soup
- 1/2 cup milk
- 3 large garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon seasoned salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 cups French's fried onions, divided
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter a 13×9-inch baking pan, set aside.
- Boiling Method: Bring ½ cup of water to a boil in a small pot, add in frozen green beans and bring back to a boil. Cook for 2 ½ minutes. Drain all excess water. Microwave Method: Or if you have steam in the bag green beans, cook them to the lowest cooking time. Drain all excess water. Canned beans do not need to be cooked, if they are not low sodium green beans, omit the white salt.
- While green beans are cooking, in the baking pan mix together the chicken soup, milk, minced garlic, seasoned salt, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Add in well-drained green beans and 3/4 cup of the fried onions to the soup mixture, mix well.
- Bake uncovered for 20 minutes. Sprinkle on the rest of the fried onions and bake for another 7-10 minutes until golden brown.
Recipe Notes
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- Add sautéed mushrooms. If you have to have the mushrooms in this recipe, add in 1/2 cup of sautéed shrooms when you are mixing everything together.
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- Use homemade cream of chicken soup. If you have a homemade soup that you like, you can use it in this recipe. You could also use homemade cream of mushroom soup.
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- Green beans. You could use fresh green beans (just add the washed, ends snapped off green beans to boiling water for 3-4 minutes, then cold water to stop cooking). Or use canned green beans to save time because there is no pre-cooking. But, drop the salt that is added (keep the seasoned salt) otherwise it may end up too salty.
-
- Cheesy green bean casserole. Add cheese to this family favorite for even more decadence. I prefer to use cheddar cheese.
- Casserole will last 3-4 days in the fridge in an airtight container.
Nutrition Information
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