Get ready for a crowd-pleasing, incredibly easy dinner that combines the savory goodness of chicken with the sweet, comforting embrace of cornbread. This Easy Chicken Cornbread Casserole with creamed corn is a delightful twist on classic comfort food, perfect for busy weeknights or cozy family gatherings. Whether you’re starting with a simple boxed corn muffin mix or crafting your own homemade batter, this dish promises a moist, flavorful experience every time. Want to add a little flair? A kick of spice from diced green chilies and a generous layer of melted cheddar cheese on top can elevate it to a new level of deliciousness.

Transforming a simple side dish into a hearty, satisfying dinner, this Chicken Cornbread Casserole is a true kitchen hero. Once baked, it slices beautifully into squares, making it a fun, kid-friendly meal that can even be enjoyed as finger food. What makes it truly special is the incredible moistness infused by creamed corn, creating a tender texture that melts in your mouth. Pair it with tender rotisserie chicken, shredded leftovers, or freshly cooked poultry, and you have a fantastic, effortless comfort food dish that comes together with minimal fuss.

Easy Chicken Cornbread Casserole: A Family Favorite Recipe

This recipe for Jiffy Chicken Cornbread Casserole simplifies meal preparation without compromising on taste. The beauty of this dish lies in its flexibility, especially when it comes to your main protein. The easiest route to a delicious casserole is undoubtedly using a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken, which you can simply shred and incorporate. While canned chicken is an option for convenience, it often lacks the texture and flavor of fresh or rotisserie chicken.

Our journey to this chicken-centric casserole began with our beloved Jiffy Chili Cornbread Casserole. That recipe quickly became a household staple, largely because we frequently prepare our 5-ingredient chili. By simply doubling the chili recipe one night, we could effortlessly transform the leftovers into a new, exciting meal the very next day. This strategy is fantastic for meal planning and reducing prep time, making it a brilliant idea for any busy home cook. If you haven’t tried the chili version yet, it’s definitely next on your list!

The Magic of Creamed Corn in Your Cornbread Casserole

The secret to an exceptionally moist and flavorful cornbread topping in this casserole is the ingenious addition of creamed corn directly into the batter. Forget the standard box instructions that call for just milk and eggs; a can of creamed corn elevates the entire experience. Typically, two boxes of Jiffy corn muffin mix provide just the right amount of batter to perfectly blanket a 9×13-inch pan, whether you’re making this chicken variety or a different ground beef mixture.

This simple swap intensely amplifies the natural corn flavors and guarantees a far more tender and moist result than traditional preparations. Once you try it, you’ll be a true believer! The texture becomes wonderfully soft and almost pudding-like, creating a rich contrast to the savory chicken layer below, rather than the drier, bread-style cornbread you might typically slice and butter. It’s an upgrade that truly transforms the dish, making it akin to a Jiffy cream corn casserole in its luxurious consistency.

For optimal efficiency, consider integrating this dish into your weekly meal planning. If you’ve already prepared your chicken for another meal, shredding or dicing any extra means that a significant portion of the prep work for this casserole is already done. Alternatively, you could cook a double batch of chicken – enjoy half one night, and reserve the other half to effortlessly assemble this comforting casserole the following day. This approach not only saves time but also adds variety to your dinner rotation.

This versatility extends to other recipes as well. For instance, if you’re planning to make our delightful Cornbread Jiffy Tamale Pie, preparing a larger quantity of the base meat mixture for that dish could easily lead to this chicken cornbread casserole. The foundational element of a savory filling topped with a golden cornbread crust ties these comforting meals together perfectly.

Ingredients for Your Delicious Chicken Cornbread Casserole

Gathering your ingredients is the first step to creating this mouthwatering casserole. We’ve kept the list simple, focusing on fresh, accessible items that deliver maximum flavor and comfort.

• 3 cups chicken, cooked, shredded or diced (room temperature is ideal for even baking)
• 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded (divided for the mixture and topping)
• 1.5 cups sour cream (full-fat for best texture and flavor)
• 1 cup milk or your preferred dairy-free alternative
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 boxes Jiffy corn muffin mix (the secret to quick, easy cornbread)
• 1 can creamed corn (for unbeatable moisture and corn flavor)
• 2 eggs (to bind the cornbread batter and add tenderness)
• 4 tablespoons butter, melted (or a plant-based alternative)
• 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning (enhances the chicken flavor)
• 1/4 cup green onions, diced (adds a fresh, mild onion note)

Creative Substitutions and Variations for Your Casserole

One of the best aspects of this Jiffy Cornbread Casserole is its adaptability. Feel free to experiment with different ingredients to suit your family’s preferences or whatever you have on hand. For those who enjoy a sweeter, more unique base, consider topping your savory chicken layer with a Sweet Potato Cornbread batter instead. This delightful sweet and savory combination is often a huge hit with kids and adds an unexpected layer of flavor to your dinner table. It’s an easy tweak to an old-fashioned dish that can be ready in around 30 minutes of active prep time.

The flexibility extends beyond the cornbread itself. You can easily adapt this recipe to create dishes like our Cornbread Sloppy Joe Casserole by simply altering the bottom meat layer. Instead of chicken, you could use a flavorful sloppy joe mixture, chili, or even seasoned ground beef. Once baked, serve your casserole with a dollop of sour cream, a sprinkle of fresh corn, or a side of crisp green beans for a complete and satisfying meal. The possibilities are truly endless, making this a versatile base recipe for countless comforting dinners.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Chicken Cornbread Casserole

Creating this delicious casserole is straightforward, even for novice cooks. Follow these simple steps for a perfect, comforting meal every time:

• Preheat your oven to 375° F (190° C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish to prevent sticking and set it aside. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked and diced or shredded chicken, 1 ½ cups of shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, milk, diced green onions, poultry seasoning, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt and pepper to taste. Mix everything thoroughly until well combined.
  • *Cook’s Tip:* If you prefer, you can easily substitute the chicken mixture with a seasoned ground beef blend, much like the base for a Mexican Cornbread Casserole.
• Once your chicken mixture is ready, transfer it evenly into the prepared baking dish. Spread it out from edge to edge to create a uniform bottom layer.
• In a separate medium-sized mixing bowl, prepare your cornbread batter. Whisk together the two boxes of Jiffy corn muffin mix, the can of creamed corn, the two eggs, and the melted butter. Stir gently until just combined. Be careful not to over-mix the batter; a few small lumps are perfectly fine and often lead to a more tender cornbread.
• Carefully pour the cornbread batter over the chicken mixture in the baking dish. Use a spatula to gently spread the batter evenly, ensuring it covers the entire surface of the chicken layer. Finally, sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the cornbread batter.
• Place the casserole into your preheated oven and bake for approximately 40 minutes. The casserole is done when the cornbread topping is beautifully golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean, with perhaps a few moist crumbs attached.
• Once baked, remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes on a wire rack before serving. This allows the layers to set and makes for easier slicing. Cut into generous squares and serve warm for a truly comforting meal.

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

This Easy Chicken Cornbread Casserole makes fantastic leftovers, perfect for quick lunches or another simple dinner. To store, allow the casserole to cool completely to room temperature. Then, cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap, ensuring as much air is sealed out as possible to prevent the cornbread from drying out. You can also transfer individual portions to airtight containers.

Refrigerate the covered casserole for up to 3-4 days. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, simply reheat individual portions in the microwave for about 1-2 minutes, or until thoroughly warmed through. For a crispier topping, you can also reheat larger portions in an oven preheated to 300° F (150° C) for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. This easy weeknight meal is just as delicious the next day!

Chicken Cornbread Casserole

By
Justine

This easy Jiffy chicken cornbread casserole is a comforting and simple dinner, made with convenient corn muffin mix and the added moisture of creamed corn. You can also add a Mexican-inspired kick with diced green chilies for an extra layer of flavor.

Prep:

10 minutes
mins

Cook:

40 minutes
mins

Servings:
8

Equipment

• 1 9×13 inch baking pan
• Mixing Bowls

Ingredients

• 3 c chicken, cooked, shredded or diced
• 2 c cheddar cheese, shredded, divided
• 1.5 c sour cream
• 1 c milk
• 1/4 c green onions, diced
• 1 tsp poultry seasoning
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• salt and pepper, to taste

Cornbread Layer

• 2 boxes Jiffy corn muffin mix
• 1 can creamed corn
• 2 eggs
• 4 tbsp butter, melted

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375° F (190° C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. In a large bowl, combine the cooked and diced or shredded chicken, 1 ½ cups of shredded cheese, sour cream, milk, diced green onions, poultry seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
2. Transfer the chicken mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly to form the base layer.
3. In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the Jiffy cornbread mix, creamed corn, eggs, and melted butter until just combined. Be careful not to over-mix; a few lumps are fine.
4. Pour the cornbread batter over the chicken mixture in the baking dish. Use a spatula to spread it evenly, covering the entire surface. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of cheese over the top of the casserole.
5. Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for about 40 minutes, or until the cornbread topping is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean with moist crumbs attached.
6. Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Cut into squares and serve warm.

Nutrition

Serving: 2oz, Calories: 673kcal, Carbohydrates: 57g, Protein: 23g, Fat: 40g, Saturated Fat: 18g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g, Monounsaturated Fat: 13g, Trans Fat: 0.3g, Cholesterol: 146mg, Sodium: 950mg, Potassium: 379mg, Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 17g, Vitamin A: 1046IU, Vitamin C: 4mg, Calcium: 334mg, Iron: 3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course:
Entree

Cuisine:
American

This Easy Chicken Cornbread Casserole is more than just a meal; it’s a comforting experience that brings warmth and satisfaction to any table. With its simple ingredients, adaptable nature, and the irresistible moistness from creamed corn, it’s bound to become a staple in your family’s recipe rotation. Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner, an easy option for meal prep, or a hearty dish to share, this casserole delivers on all fronts. Give it a try tonight and discover your new favorite comfort food!