Description
This Traeger cheesy chicken casserole is the ultimate comfort food with a smoky twist! Juicy, smoked chicken is combined with creamy cheese sauce, tender pasta, and a crispy golden topping. The Traeger adds a deep, rich flavor to every bite, making this a perfect family dinner or meal prep dish.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Smoked Chicken:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or 3 cups shredded smoked chicken)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
For the Casserole:
- 12 oz pasta (penne, rotini, or elbow macaroni)
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 cup crushed Ritz crackers or panko breadcrumbs (for topping)
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
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Smoke the Chicken (Skip if using pre-smoked chicken):
- Preheat the Traeger grill (or any pellet smoker) to 225°F.
- Rub the chicken with olive oil, salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Place the chicken directly on the grill grates and smoke for 1 hour, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Remove from the grill, let rest for 5 minutes, then shred or chop into bite-sized pieces.
-
Cook the Pasta:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente. Drain and set aside.
-
Make the Cheese Sauce:
- In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat.
- Add onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
- Add cream of chicken soup, milk, sour cream, cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and Italian seasoning. Stir until smooth and creamy.
-
Assemble the Casserole:
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, shredded smoked chicken, and cheese sauce. Mix well.
- Transfer the mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Sprinkle with crushed Ritz crackers or panko breadcrumbs for a crispy topping.
-
Bake on the Traeger:
- Preheat the Traeger to 350°F.
- Place the casserole dish directly on the grill grates and bake for 25-30 minutes, until bubbly and golden brown on top.
-
Serve & Enjoy:
- Remove from the grill and let sit for 5 minutes before serving.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm!
Notes
- Extra Smoky Flavor: Use smoked cheddar cheese for an even deeper smoke flavor.
- Add Veggies: Stir in peas, mushrooms, or spinach for added nutrition.
- Storage & Reheating: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven at 300°F with a splash of milk to keep it creamy.