how to make a chicken piccata noodle casserole

what is chicken piccata noodle casserole?

Chicken piccata noodle casserole is a baked pasta dish that combines tender chicken and noodles with the sharp, salty flavors of piccata. It tastes like lemon, capers, and butter, but it is built to feed a group and reheat well. [1]

what flavors make it “piccata”?

Piccata flavor comes from lemon, capers, and a buttery pan sauce, usually loosened with broth and sometimes wine. In a casserole, you keep those same flavors but add a little dairy and starch so the sauce stays creamy after baking.

what kind of pasta works best?

Short pasta that holds sauce works best, and egg noodles are also a good fit. Cook the pasta al dente, meaning tender but still a little firm, because it will soften more in the oven.

Good choices:

• Egg noodles
• Fusilli
• Penne
• Rigatoni
• Medium shells

do i need to cook the chicken first?

Yes. The chicken should be fully cooked before it goes into the casserole so the pasta and sauce do not overbake while the chicken catches up. Use cooked, shredded chicken for speed, or quickly sauté sliced chicken and chop it into bite-size pieces.

For safety, poultry should reach 165°F (74°C) at its thickest point. [2]

how do i make a piccata-style sauce that stays creamy in the oven?

You thicken the liquid with a quick roux, which is flour cooked briefly in fat. That gives the sauce enough structure to coat the noodles and resist breaking when baked. Add lemon and capers after the base is smooth, then taste and adjust. Capers and their brine can push a sauce from balanced to harsh quickly, so add them in steps.

how do i keep it from turning dry or sour?

It should be creamy, not tight. Two things usually cause dryness: overcooked noodles or too little liquid. If the mixture looks stiff before baking, loosen it with a splash of broth or reserved pasta water.

Sourness usually comes from too much lemon juice or adding lemon to a sauce that is boiling hard. Simmer the sauce gently, then stir in lemon off the heat and taste before adding more.

how long do i bake it?

Most casseroles bake in about 25 to 40 minutes, depending on the dish and how cold the mixture is going into the oven. Bake until the edges bubble and the center is hot.

A practical guide (all at 375°F, uncovered):

Dish and starting temperature	Typical bake time
9×13-inch dish, warm mixture	25–30 minutes
9×13-inch dish, chilled	35–45 minutes
8×8-inch dish, chilled	30–40 minutes

Times vary by pan material, depth, and oven accuracy.

how do i know it is done?

It is done when the center is steaming hot, the sauce bubbles at the edges, and the topping is browned. If you use a thermometer, aim for 165°F (74°C) in the center before serving, especially for a make-ahead casserole. [2]

can i make it ahead or freeze it?

Yes. Assemble it up to a day ahead and refrigerate, then bake longer. You can also freeze it, but texture is best if you thaw it in the refrigerator before baking.

Simple guidance:

• Make ahead: assemble, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours.
• Freeze: wrap tightly and freeze up to about 2 months for best quality.
• Thaw: thaw in the refrigerator until no longer hard in the center, then bake.

how do i store and reheat leftovers safely?

Refrigerate leftovers promptly in shallow containers so they cool faster. Perishable cooked foods should be refrigerated within 2 hours, or within 1 hour if the room is very warm. [4] [5]

For most cooked leftovers, plan to eat them within 3 to 4 days or freeze sooner. Reheat leftovers to 165°F (74°C). [3] [6]

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how do i make chicken piccata noodle casserole step by step?

Yield: 6 to 8 servings
Pan: 9×13-inch baking dish (or similar capacity)
Oven: 375°F (190°C)

ingredients

Pasta and chicken

• 12 oz (340 g) egg noodles or short pasta
• 1 1/2 lb (680 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, or 3 cups (about 420–450 g) cooked shredded chicken
• 1 1/4 tsp kosher salt, plus more for pasta water
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp (30 ml) olive oil (if cooking raw chicken)

Piccata-style sauce

• 4 tbsp (56 g) unsalted butter
• 1 small shallot, minced (about 1/3 cup, 50 g), optional
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tbsp (24 g) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup (120 ml) dry white wine, optional (replace with broth if you prefer)
• 1 3/4 cups (415 ml) low-sodium chicken broth, plus more as needed
• 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk or half-and-half
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 1/3 cup (80 ml) fresh lemon juice, plus more to taste
• 3 tbsp (45 g) capers, drained
• 2 tbsp (30 ml) caper brine
• 1/2 cup (50 g) finely grated hard cheese, plus more for serving
• 1/3 cup (15 g) chopped parsley

Topping

• 1 cup (60 g) panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tbsp (28 g) melted butter or olive oil
• 2 tbsp (10 g) finely grated hard cheese, optional

equipment

• Large pot for pasta
• Large skillet or saucepan
• Whisk
• 9×13-inch baking dish
• Instant-read thermometer (helpful, not required)

method

1. Heat the oven and prep the pan.
   Set the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly butter or oil a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Cook the pasta al dente and reserve a little water.
   Boil a large pot of well-salted water. Cook the pasta until al dente, usually 1 to 2 minutes less than the package suggests. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup (120 ml) pasta water.
3. Cook the chicken if needed.
   If using cooked shredded chicken, skip to the sauce.
   If starting with raw chicken: pat dry, season with the salt and pepper, and sauté in olive oil over medium-high heat until cooked through. Let it rest 5 minutes, then chop or shred.
4. Build the sauce base.
   In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add shallot (if using) and cook until softened, 2 to 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
   Sprinkle in the flour and stir constantly for about 1 minute. This cooks out the raw flour taste without browning it much.
5. Whisk in the liquids and simmer gently.
   Slowly whisk in the wine (or a splash of broth), scraping the pan smooth. Whisk in the broth, then the milk. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook 2 to 4 minutes, whisking often, until the sauce lightly thickens.
6. Add the piccata flavors and finish the sauce.
   Turn off the heat. Stir in the lemon zest, 1/3 cup (80 ml) lemon juice, capers, and caper brine. Stir in the grated cheese, then parsley.
   Taste. If it needs more lift, add a little more lemon juice. If it needs more salt, add it carefully, because capers and cheese already carry salt.
7. Combine and adjust the texture.
   Add the cooked pasta and chicken to the sauce and toss until coated. If the mixture looks tight or dry, loosen it with a splash of broth or reserved pasta water. The casserole should look generously sauced before baking.
8. Top and bake.
   Scrape into the baking dish and level the surface. Mix the panko with melted butter (and a little grated cheese if you like), then scatter evenly over the top.
   Bake uncovered until bubbling at the edges and browned on top, usually 25 to 30 minutes if warm, longer if chilled.
9. Rest briefly, then serve.
   Let it rest 5 to 10 minutes before serving so the sauce settles. Serve with extra lemon at the table if you want a sharper finish.

make-ahead, freezing, and reheating notes

• Make ahead: Assemble through topping, cover, and refrigerate. Bake straight from the refrigerator, adding 10 to 20 minutes. If the top browns before the center is hot, cover loosely with foil and keep baking.
• Freeze: Freeze assembled, tightly wrapped. Thaw in the refrigerator before baking for more even results.
• Reheat: Reheat portions until hot throughout. For safety, leftovers should be reheated to 165°F (74°C). [6]

substitutions that keep the dish on track

• No capers: Use chopped green olives plus a small splash of vinegar, or skip them and increase lemon zest. It will be less “piccata,” but still pleasant.
• No wine: Use more broth. The flavor will be a little less sharp, so lean on lemon zest and a touch more brine if needed.
• Dairy choice: Whole milk stays smoother than low-fat milk. Half-and-half makes a richer bake. Any can work, but thinner dairy may need a slightly longer simmer to thicken.

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endnotes

[1] simplyrecipes.com
[2] foodsafety.gov
[3] fsis.usda.gov
[4] fda.gov
[5] cdc.gov
[6] foodsafety.gov