Chicken and Vegetable Casserole in Air Fryer – Quick and Cheesy
A quick and tasty chicken and vegetable casserole cooked in the air fryer, with a crispy topping and creamy interior.
Steps
- 1
Preheat the air fryer to 180°C (360°F) for 5 minutes.
- 2
In a bowl, combine cooked chicken, mixed vegetables, rice/pasta (if using), cream soup, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and half of the shredded cheese. Mix well.
- 3
Transfer the mixture to an air fryer-safe dish (6-7 inches), lightly greased. Top with breadcrumbs mixed with melted butter and the remaining cheese.
- 4
Cover with aluminum foil (not sealed) and cook in the air fryer at 180°C (360°F) for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and cook for another 7-10 minutes, until the topping is golden and crispy.
- 5
Check the internal temperature – it should be at least 74°C (165°F). Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Shopping list
500 ml (2 cups) cooked chicken, 250 ml (1 cup) mixed vegetables, 250 ml (1 cup) cooked rice or pasta (optional), 300 ml (1 can) cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup, 125 ml (½ cup) milk or cooking cream, 250 ml (1 cup) shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese, ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp onion powder, salt and pepper to taste, 125 ml (½ cup) breadcrumbs, 2 tbsp (30 ml) melted butter (optional)
Recipe story
The chicken and vegetable casserole is a classic American dish, popularized in the 1950s. It was often made with pantry staples like cream of mushroom soup and frozen vegetables. Over time, the recipe has been adapted for air fryer cooking, retaining its creamy texture and crispy crust.
Ingredient Secrets
Black pepper
Known as 'black gold' in antiquity, pepper was so valuable that it served as currency and tribute. In the Middle Ages, Venetian merchants controlled the pepper trade, and individual peppercorns were often counted. Legend has it that when Alaric, king of the Visigoths, demanded tribute from Rome, he included 3,000 pounds of pepper.
Sea salt
Sea salt, extracted from ocean waters by evaporation, was one of the most precious goods of antiquity, used both as food and as currency. In ancient Rome, soldiers were paid with salt, which is the origin of the word 'salary'. Salt roads connected entire civilizations, and in the Middle Ages, salt was so valuable it was called 'white gold'.
Garlic
Native to Central Asia, garlic was already known in ancient Egypt, where it was given to slaves to boost their strength. In ancient Greece, athletes consumed it before competitions, and in Rome, legionaries considered it essential for courage. During the Middle Ages, it was used to ward off vampires and the plague.
Onion
Probably originating in Central or West Asia, onions were cultivated in ancient Egypt, where they were considered a symbol of eternity and placed in tombs. In ancient Greece, athletes ate them to balance their blood, and in Rome, they were a staple food for soldiers. During the Middle Ages, onions were believed to protect against arrows and the plague.
Carrot
The carrot, known in antiquity as a medicinal remedy rather than a vegetable, was originally purple or white. It wasn't until the 17th century that Dutch breeders developed the orange variety, honoring the House of Orange.
Mushrooms
Mushrooms have been used for thousands of years in cuisines worldwide, from ancient China to classical Greece. In ancient Egypt, they were considered food for royalty, and the Romans called them 'food of the gods'.
Peas
Peas are one of the oldest cultivated vegetables, with archaeological evidence in Neolithic sites from the Middle East. In the Middle Ages, dried peas were a staple food across Europe, and in the 16th century, the sweet garden pea was developed in Italy. Fun fact: peas were among the first vegetables to be frozen commercially, in the 1920s.
Corn
Corn, native to Central America, was domesticated over 9,000 years ago in Mexico. After the discovery of the Americas, it spread rapidly to Europe, Africa, and Asia, becoming a global staple crop. Fun fact: in Italy, corn was called 'grano turco' (Turkish wheat) because it was believed to originate from the East.
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