My youngest grandson, Luke, is a picky eater — but one thing he never turns down is this Chicken Ham and Cheese Hash Brown Casserole. He calls it “cheesy potato pie,” and every time I make it, he insists it’s his favorite. This dish became a staple in my kitchen quite by accident.

One snowy Sunday afternoon, my neighbor Ruth dropped off some leftover chicken ham, and I remembered I had a bag of thawed hash browns waiting to be used. I pulled together a few pantry items, stirred them in a big bowl, and popped the mixture into the oven with my fingers crossed.

An hour later, the kitchen smelled like melted cheese, smoky ham, and toasted butter — comforting, familiar, and deeply satisfying. That first bite was creamy, golden, and hearty in the best way. It reminded me of the casseroles my mother used to make when we came in from shoveling snow, cheeks red and fingers frozen. Except this one had a modern twist — a little sharper cheese, a hint of garlic, and that unmistakable salty-sweet balance from the ham.

Now I make it for family brunches, potlucks, and sometimes just because it feels like a “warm-up-the-soul” kind of day. It’s dependable, easy to prep, and always the first dish to disappear from the table. And every time I make it, it brings me back to that cozy afternoon when comfort was born in a casserole dish.

Short Description

This creamy Chicken Ham Cheese Casserole brings together tender diced chicken ham, melty cheese, and seasoned hash browns in a golden, bubbly bake. It’s simple, satisfying, and perfect for family meals, potlucks, or make-ahead dinners.

Key Ingredients

1 (32 oz) package frozen shredded hash browns, thawed
2 cups cooked chicken ham, diced
1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese (or a mix with Monterey Jack)
1 (10.5 oz) can cream of chicken soup (or cream of mushroom)
1 cup sour cream
½ cup milk
¼ cup melted butter
¼ cup finely chopped onion (optional)
½ tsp garlic powder
¼ tsp black pepper
Chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

Tools Needed

9×13-inch baking dish
Mixing bowls
Wooden spoon or spatula
Measuring cups and spoons
Oven mitts
Cheese grater (if shredding cheese fresh)

Cooking Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.

Step 2: Mix the Filling
In a large mixing bowl, combine the thawed hash browns, diced chicken ham, 1 cup shredded cheese, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, milk, melted butter, chopped onion (if using), garlic powder, and black pepper. Stir until everything is evenly coated and well blended.

Step 3: Assemble the Casserole
Spoon the mixture into your greased baking dish. Spread it out evenly, smoothing the top with the back of a spoon or spatula.

Step 4: Add Cheese Topping
Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of shredded cheese evenly across the top.

Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection
Place the casserole in the oven, uncovered. Bake for 45–50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the edges are bubbly. The cheese should be fully melted and slightly crisped.

Step 6: Let It Rest
Once baked, remove the dish from the oven and let it rest for 5–10 minutes. This helps everything settle and makes slicing easier.

Step 7: Garnish and Serve
If desired, sprinkle chopped parsley over the top before serving. Serve warm and enjoy every comforting bite.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Comforting and hearty – a classic casserole with gooey cheese and savory ham.

Family-approved – even picky eaters come back for seconds.

Simple prep – toss, bake, and serve.

Versatile – works for breakfast, brunch, or dinner.

Great for leftovers – it reheats beautifully the next day.

Mistakes to Avoid & Solutions

Mistake 1: Using frozen hash browns without thawing
Solution: Always thaw your hash browns fully to prevent a soggy casserole. Pat dry if needed to reduce moisture.

Mistake 2: Overmixing the filling
Solution: Gently fold ingredients together. Overmixing breaks down the potatoes and makes the texture dense.

Mistake 3: Skipping the rest time
Solution: Let it rest for at least 5 minutes after baking so it sets properly. This also helps flavors meld.

Mistake 4: Undercooking the casserole
Solution: Bake until it’s bubbly and golden. If it’s still pale, add 5–10 more minutes.

Mistake 5: Forgetting seasoning
Solution: Add garlic powder and black pepper to lift the flavors. Feel free to adjust with a pinch of paprika or onion powder for depth.

Serving and Pairing Suggestions

This casserole shines as a main dish or a hearty side:

Pair with a crisp green salad or roasted vegetables for a balanced plate.

Serve with a side of fruit for a sweet contrast.

It works beautifully on a brunch buffet alongside scrambled eggs and muffins.

For dinner, pair with a glass of iced tea, lemonade, or a light white wine like Pinot Grigio.

Serve family-style in the dish or slice and plate individually.

Storage and Reheating Tips

Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Freeze: Wrap cooled casserole tightly in foil and freeze for up to 2 months.

Reheat in oven: Cover with foil and warm at 325°F for 20–25 minutes.

Microwave: For quick reheating, microwave slices on medium power for 2–3 minutes until hot throughout.

Avoid drying out: Add a splash of milk or cream before reheating to keep it moist.

FAQs

1. Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble the night before, cover, and refrigerate. Bake it the next day—just add 5 extra minutes to the baking time.

2. Can I use fresh potatoes instead of frozen hash browns?
You can, but shred and parboil them first. Make sure to remove excess moisture for the best texture.

3. Can I swap the soup for something homemade?
Absolutely. A homemade white sauce with broth and cream can replace the canned soup for a cleaner option.

4. What’s the best cheese to use?
Cheddar adds sharpness, while Monterey Jack melts smoothly. A combo of the two offers the best flavor and texture.

5. How can I make this casserole lighter?
Use reduced-fat sour cream, low-sodium soup, and half the cheese. You can also skip the butter and use Greek yogurt for a tangy twist.

Tips & Tricks

Thaw hash browns in the fridge overnight for best texture.

Use a mix of sharp and mild cheeses for balanced flavor.

Add steamed broccoli or peas for extra veggies.

Chop onion finely so it melts into the dish without overpowering it.

Let the casserole cool slightly before serving—this helps it slice cleanly.

Recipe Variations

1. Vegetarian Version
Swap chicken ham for sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, and spinach. Use cream of mushroom soup and veggie broth. Bake as directed.

2. Spicy Southwest Twist
Add 1 tsp cumin, ½ tsp chili powder, and 1 cup of canned corn. Use pepper jack cheese and top with sliced jalapeños before baking.

3. Breakfast Casserole
Replace chicken ham with cooked breakfast sausage or crumbled bacon. Add scrambled eggs into the mix for a breakfast-for-dinner twist.

4. Gluten-Free Option
Use gluten-free cream soup and verify your hash browns are gluten-free. All other ingredients are naturally gluten-free.

5. Extra-Creamy Deluxe
Stir in 4 oz softened cream cheese to the mix. This creates an ultra-rich and velvety texture.

Final Thoughts

I’ve made this dish countless times and it never fails to deliver comfort with a golden, crispy top. It’s simple, flexible, and full of heart — the kind of food that brings people together without a fuss. You’ll find that it fits just as well on a holiday table as it does on a rainy Tuesday. And when that cheesy scent fills the kitchen, you’ll know it’s one of those keepers worth making again. This casserole isn’t just a recipe; it’s a little moment of joy, baked into a dish.

Chicken Ham Cheese Casserole

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Nutrition facts: calories fat

Rating: 5.0/5

( 1 voted )

Ingredients

1 (32 oz) package frozen shredded hash browns, thawed
2 cups cooked chicken ham, diced
1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese (or a mix with Monterey Jack)
1 (10.5 oz) can cream of chicken soup (or cream of mushroom)
1 cup sour cream
½ cup milk
¼ cup melted butter
¼ cup finely chopped onion (optional)
½ tsp garlic powder
¼ tsp black pepper
Chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Set oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or spray.

Step 2: Mix the Filling
In a large bowl, stir together hash browns, chicken ham, 1 cup cheese, soup, sour cream, milk, butter, onion (if using), garlic powder, and pepper until combined.

Step 3: Assemble the Casserole
Spread the mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish.

Step 4: Add Cheese Topping
Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of cheese over the top.

Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection
Bake uncovered for 45–50 minutes, until bubbly and golden on top.

Step 6: Let It Rest
Remove from oven and let sit 5–10 minutes before serving.

Step 7: Garnish and Serve
Top with parsley if desired. Serve warm.