Escalloped chicken is a classic comfort food dish that consists of cooked chicken baked with a seasoned cream sauce and topped with cheese. It has a rich, creamy texture and delicious savory flavor. Escalloped chicken is easy to make and can be customized in endless ways to suit any taste. It makes a satisfying meal on its own or can be served as a flavorful side dish. Read on to learn more about this beloved casserole!
What are the origins of escalloped chicken?
Escalloped chicken descends from a traditional French dish known as poulet à la crème or chicken with cream sauce. This dish became popular in America in the 19th century and evolved into modern-day escalloped chicken. The term “escalloped” refers to a baked dish that contains sliced vegetables or meat layered with sauce and breadcrumbs or cheese. So escalloped chicken gets its name from the preparation method of layering chicken in a baking dish with a creamy sauce and cheese or breadcrumb topping.
Some of the earliest recipes for escalloped chicken appeared in American cookbooks in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Fannie Farmer’s Boston Cooking-School Cook Book from 1896 contained a recipe that resembles modern versions. It involved cooking chicken, layering it in a baking dish with cream sauce and breadcrumbs, and baking until browned. The 1929 Joy of Cooking also included an escalloped chicken recipe calling for chicken, butter, flour, milk, seasonings, breadcrumbs, and baking. Clearly, cooks have enjoyed this creamy baked chicken dish for over a century!
How is escalloped chicken made?
Making escalloped chicken is a simple process involving just a few key steps:
- Cook diced or shredded chicken pieces – this can be done by poaching, sautéing, or roasting chicken.
- Make a creamy sauce – this usually consists of butter, flour, milk or cream, and cheese.
- Layer the cooked chicken in a baking dish.
- Pour the creamy sauce over the chicken.
- Top with breadcrumbs and/or grated cheese.
- Bake until bubbly and browned.
The sauce is what really makes escalloped chicken stand out. A classic sauce is a simple béchamel made with butter, flour, and milk. But you can also add cheeses like cheddar, gruyere, or parmesan for more flavor. The sauce coats each piece of chicken to ensure a soft, creamy casserole.
Chicken Options
Almost any type of cooked chicken can be used for escalloped chicken. Options include:
- Roasted chicken
- Rotisserie chicken
- Poached chicken
- Sautéed chicken
- Leftover cooked chicken
- Canned chicken
Diced or shredded chicken allows the sauce to penetrate and coat the pieces. Using a variety of chicken chunks and strands makes for an interesting texture.
Sauce Ideas
Get creative with your escalloped chicken sauce! Try these tasty options:
- Classic Béchamel – butter, flour, milk
- Cheese Sauce – add cheddar, gruyere, parmesan, etc.
- Mushroom Sauce – use mushroom broth and sautéed mushrooms
- Onion or Leek Sauce – cook onions or leeks into the sauce
- Herb Sauce – stir in fresh herbs like dill, thyme, sage
- Mustard Sauce – add Dijon or whole grain mustard
The sauce deeply flavored the chicken to make it extra savory and comforting. Get creative and make the sauce your own!
Topping Ideas
A topping helps escalloped chicken achieve that crunchy, golden baked casserole appeal. These are some tasty topping options:
- Breadcrumbs or panko
- Crushed crackers like Ritz or saltines
- Crushed potato chips
- Grated parmesan cheese
- Shredded cheddar or gruyere cheese
Mixing course panko breadcrumbs with grated parmesan makes for a delicious crunch. Or for extra decadence, cover with melted cheese.
What are some ingredient variations?
Part of escalloped chicken’s appeal is how customizable it is to your tastes. Here are some ingredient variations to try:
| Ingredients | Variations |
|---|---|
| Chicken | Turkey, ham, shrimp, mixed seafood |
| Sauce | Cheddar, gruyere, pepper jack, mixture |
| Vegetables | Onions, mushrooms, broccoli, spinach, etc. |
| Herbs | Parsley, dill, rosemary, thyme, sage |
| Topping | Crushed crackers, flavored breadcrumbs, cornflake crumbs |
Try using turkey or ham for varieties on the classic. Mixing cheese sauces can add extra flavor. And adding vegetables like sautéed onions, mushrooms, or broccoli bulks up the dish. Herbs and creative toppings let you customize to your perfect bake.
What are some recipe variations?
There are endless ways to adapt escalloped chicken into new comforting casseroles. Here are a few recipe ideas to inspire you:
Southwestern Escalloped Chicken
- Use chopped peppers and onions
- Season sauce with cumin, chili powder, cayenne
- Mix in corn, black beans, salsa
- Top with crushed tortilla chips and cheese
Cheesy Broccoli Escalloped Chicken
- Fold in steamed chopped broccoli
- Use a sharp cheddar cheese sauce
- Top with Buttery Ritz cracker crumbs
Wild Mushroom Escalloped Chicken
- Sauté mushrooms like cremini, oyster, shiitake
- Flavor sauce with sherry and thyme
- Blend in Gruyère and Parmesan cheeses
French Onion Escalloped Chicken
- Caramelize onions into the sauce
- Season with thyme, bay leaf, white wine
- Grate Gruyère over the top
The possibilities are endless! Play with flavors, textures, and toppings to invent your own signature escalloped chicken dish.
What are tips for making it successfully?
Here are some helpful tips for perfect escalloped chicken every time:
- Don’t overcook the chicken – For tender, juicy chicken, poach or sauté it gently until just cooked through before assembling the casserole.
- Toast breadcrumbs – Toss fresh breadcrumbs with melted butter, spread on a baking sheet, and toast until golden brown. This enhances the flavor and crunch.
- Cook your roux thoroughly – When making a béchamel sauce, cook the butter and flour roux for 2-3 minutes to remove any raw flour taste.
- Season generously – Salt, pepper, herbs, and spices are important for flavor. Taste the sauce as you go to adjust seasonings.
- Prevent a dry casserole – The sauce should generously coat the chicken. If needed, add extra milk or cream to achieve a moist texture.
- Brown the top – Bake uncovered at 375°F until the sauce bubbles and the topping browns nicely to get that perfect casserole finish.
Following these tips will help you achieve tender chicken, a rich and creamy sauce, and a beautifully browned crust every time you make escalloped chicken.
What are some serving ideas?
Here are creative ways to serve your flavorful escalloped chicken dish:
- As a Main Course – Escalloped chicken can be a satisfying entree served with side vegetables and buttered noodles or rice.
- With a Green Salad – The rich chicken pairs well with a fresh, tangy green salad for balance.
- Over Fresh Pasta – For an easy one-dish meal, spoon escalloped chicken over egg pappardelle or fettuccine.
- On Toast – For an open-faced sandwich, pile chicken mixture over thick slices of crusty artisan bread.
- As an Appetizer – Scoop small portions into phyllo cups or puff pastry shells for an elegant finger food.
- For Brunch – Escalloped chicken also makes a decadent addition to a weekend brunch spread.
This versatile dish can be served in many ways! Adjust serving sizes for a meal, snack, or party dish.
What are the benefits of making it at home?
Preparing escalloped chicken at home has many great benefits:
- It’s more economical – Making it yourself saves money compared to ordering takeout or at a restaurant.
- You can control the ingredients – Use high quality, fresh ingredients like real cheeses, herbs, vegetables, and spices.
- It’s customizable – Tweak flavors and textures to suit your personal tastes.
- You can make it healthier – Substitute Greek yogurt for some cream, use whole grains, add veggies.
- It’s great for meal prepping – Escalloped chicken reheats extremely well, so make a big batch for easy lunches and dinners throughout the week.
- It’s fun and rewarding – Cooking homemade comfort food and sharing it with family is very satisfying.
For maximum flavor, nutrition, and cost savings, always try to prepare dishes like escalloped chicken at home. The results are so much better than store-bought versions.
What nutrition and health benefits does it provide?
Escalloped chicken offers several nutrition and health advantages:
Lean Protein
Chicken is an excellent source of lean protein which aids muscle growth and repair, helps you feel full, and provides lasting energy.
Vitamin B12
Chicken contains high levels vitamin B12 which supports nerve function, brain health, and red blood cell formation.
Selenium
Chicken provides the antioxidant mineral selenium which enhances immune function and may reduce inflammation.
Lower Calories
Using boneless, skinless chicken breast cuts down on the fat and calories compared to dishes made with fatty meats or cream-based sauces.
Vegetable Boost
Adding veggies like mushrooms, broccoli, or spinach boosts the nutritional value with vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
Calcium
The cheeses add a boost of calcium for strong bones and milk provides vitamin D to enhance calcium absorption.
So savor escalloped chicken for its comfort and flavor, and feel good knowing it provides solid nutrition from protein, vitamins, and minerals!
What are some common FAQs?
Is escalloped chicken the same as chicken a la king?
Escalloped chicken and chicken a la king are similar casserole-style chicken dishes, but have some key differences:
- Escalloped chicken consists of layers of chicken baked with a creamy sauce and topped with cheese or crumbs.
- Chicken a la king contains chicken in a cream sauce but also includes vegetables like mushrooms, peppers, celery, and often sherry or wine.
- Escalloped chicken’s sauce is usually a simple béchamel while chicken a la king features a more complex velouté sauce.
- Chicken a la king uses bread or pastry shells, whereas escalloped chicken is baked in a casserole dish.
So in summary, escalloped chicken showcases the chicken itself baked in a creamy sauce, while chicken a la king incorporates vegetables in a richer, more complex sauce.
Can you freeze escalloped chicken?
Yes, escalloped chicken freezes exceptionally well, making it a great make-ahead meal option. To freeze:
- Assemble the unbaked casserole as usual.
- Cover tightly with plastic wrap and foil.
- Freeze for up to 3 months.
- Thaw in the fridge overnight before baking.
- Add 15-20 extra minutes to the covered baking time.
Freezing allows you to prepare multiple escalloped chicken meals in advance for busy weeknights. Then just thaw and bake for an easy home-cooked dinner.
Can you use cooked vs. raw chicken?
Escalloped chicken is usually made with already cooked chicken for the best texture. Raw chicken releases moisture while baking, which can make the casserole watery. For optimal flavor and appearance, it’s best to:
- Gently poach, roast, or sauté chicken pieces first until just cooked through.
- Shred or dice the cooked chicken and add to the baking dish.
- Pour sauce over and bake until hot and bubbly.
Pre-cooking creates tender, juicy chicken that holds its shape when baked. Using chopped leftovers or rotisserie chicken also works well. Raw chicken could be used but may cause a runnier casserole.
Conclusion
Escalloped chicken has remained a cherished comfort food for generations thanks to its simple ingredients, rich flavors, and endless versatility. This classic casserole of tender chicken blanketed in creamy sauce satisfies any savory craving and brings people together at the dinner table. Versatile enough for a quick weeknight meal or fancy dinner party, escalloped chicken always delivers comfort, joy, and nostalgia with every tender, cheese-blanketed bite. Now that you’re inspired to make it, get in the kitchen and bake up some creamy, heartwarming memories today!