Letting food chill overnight is a great way to let flavors meld and blend and, yeah, just makes for a super taste. I almost always let cookie dough chill overnight for the same reason, but the taste positives work just as well on soups, stews,and casseroles.
This is one of my favorite chicken macaroni casserole recipes.
This recipe comes from an Amish woman in Wisconsin. These types of recipes are popular in Amish kitchens. More and more Amish do have gas-powered refrigerators. Their presence enhances food safety and has popularized dishes that might have once sat overnight on the kitchen counter to stay in the safer confines of the refrigerator.
I have been to Amish settlements in Pardeeville, Kingston, and Brodhead, Wisconsin. The Amish population has grown a ton in that state over the past 20 years, especially in the rural west near the town of Cashton. The Amish in Wisconsin tend to be a pretty conservative and traditional group overall.
My parents tried The Amish Bishop's Overnight Chicken Macaroni Casserole recipe and really liked it. My Mom cut the recipe in half since she just has herself and my father to feed. They both declared The Amish Bishop's Overnight Chicken Macaroni Casserole a very tasty recipe that they'll definitely have again!
The Amish Bishop's Overnight Chicken Macaroni Casserole
Most Amish cooks would use the freshest chicken. We like to buy a cooked rotisserie chicken and use the meat from that in casseroles like this! Turkey would be a great substitute for chicken in this recipe. Otherwise just chopped meat from fresh chicken breasts.
A big bowl works best so you can stir the cream of chicken soup and milk together, along with any other seasonings you might want.
❓ FAQ About Chicken Casserole
Yes, people are often surprised by this. But the convenience food wave in post WW II America impacted the Amish as much as well. Canned soups, boxed mixes, and cereals all became mainstays of the Amish diet. Cream of mushroom soup is a huge favorite!
The bishop is the leader of the local Amish church. He'll have his favorite recipes just like anyone else and this is one of them!
These is no cheese in this recipe, but you could add some shredded cheddar cheese to the top of this before popping in the oven. I'd keep it in until the cheese melts and is golden brown. Mozzarella cheese or parmesan cheese might also be interesting additions.
You can use a 2-quart casserole to bake it in, but you can also just use a rectangular glass baking dish.
You could add sliced mushrooms to this. I'm surprised my parents didn't. They like their sliced mushrooms!
You don't have to use macaroni in this: ziti, rotini, corkscrew or any other favorite pasta can be used. You could add some peas, carrots, parsley, cracker crumbs, all sorts of variations and tweaks you can try! As far as chicken casserole recipes go, this one is one of my favorites!
🥣 Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken
- 2 cups uncooked macaroni
- 2 cans cream of chicken soup
- 2 cups milk
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ medium onion, chopped
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup grated cheese
📋 Instructions
- Melt the cheese with the seasonings, milk, and soup.
- Cool.
- When cool, pour over remaining ingredients.
- Mix and put into a greased casserole.
- Put in the refrigerator overnight.
- Next day, bake 1 ½ hours at 350.
🐔 More Amish Chicken Recipes
🖨️ Full Recipe
The Bishop's Overnight Chicken Macaroni Casserole
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken
- 2 cups uncooked macaroni
- 2 cans cream of chicken soup
- 2 cups milk
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ medium onion, chopped
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup grated cheese
Instructions
- Melt the cheese with the seasonings, milk, and soup.
- Cool.
- When cool, pour over remaining ingredients.
- Mix and put into a greased casserole.
- Chill overnight in the refrigerator.
- bake 1 ½ hours at 350.
Ruth
It sounds like a keeper, but do you have to leave it overnight? Can it be cooked right away?
thank you.
Kevin
Hi, Ruth, I don't think there's any reason at all why you couldn't just make it and stick it straight in the oven. You might lose a little flavor, just because the flavors meld and congeal overnight and you also lose the convenience of make ahead but, no, any taste difference would be very minimal, so go ahead!