Mashed Potato Casserole with Crispy Chicken
This mouth-watering mashed potato casserole is loaded with creamy mashed potatoes and topped with Crispy Chicken Tenders, corn, cheddar cheese, and a drizzle of brown gravy! It’s easy to make ahead of time and bake later for a quick family dinner!
Love casserole recipes? Be sure to try my Twice Baked Potato Casserole recipe next!
Mashed Potato Casserole
Sunday meal prep has been my jam lately, and I’m so thrilled to be growing my collection of casseroles that are easy to throw together and can made ahead of time.
Not to mention, if you find yourself with some leftover mashed potatoes, then this dinner is a no-brainer.
Ingredients
- Mashed Potatoes- My homemade recipe is portioned perfectly for this recipe.
- Corn– Frozen or drained from a can
- Cheddar Cheese– Shredded from a block at home for best results
- Chicken Tenders- It’s GREAT with my homemade chicken tenders but you can also use frozen.
- Brown Gravy- My homemade brown gravy is SO easy and takes 10 minutes! (But a packet works too.)
Make it from Scratch!
- Mashed Potatoes
- Fried Chicken Tenders
- Easy Brown Gravy
How to Make the Best Mashed Potatoes
Everything from the type of potato you use, how you boil the potatoes, and even to how you mash them up is important. Be sure to check out my mashed potato recipe for all the info!
Vegetable Variations:
- Frozen peas, carrots, corn, and green beans make excellent vegetable options in this casserole!
Make-Ahead Method:
Prep Work:
- Prepare homemade potatoes,chicken tenders, and brown gravy. Store each in a separate airtight container for 1-2 days ahead.
- Grate the cheese ahead of time and keep it in a small storage bag in the fridge.
When Ready to Bake:
- Heat up the potatoes. (On stove top or in the microwave)
- Top with frozen corn, cheese, and chicken.
- Bake for 15 minutes.
- Reheat the gravy in the microwave or stove top.
- Drizzle the gravy over the casserole and serve!
Storing Leftovers
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge and are best if used within 3 days.
- You can reheat in the microwave or in an oven at 350°.
- You can also freeze leftovers in an airtight container, it’s best if used within 3 months.
Try These Next!
- Homemade French Fries
- Broccoli Cheese Chicken and Rice Casserole
- Olive Garden Fettuccine Alfredo
- Chicken Caesar Pasta
- Chicken Parmesan Casserole
- One Pot Garlic Parmesan Pasta
Get My Free Meal Plan
I’ve got a Free Meal Plan with 7 of my super popular recipes (complete with grocery list)! Sign up for my email list and I’ll send it over now along with weekly dinner recipes!
And follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest!
Mashed Potato Casserole with Crispy Chicken
Ingredients
For Casserole:
- 5-6 cups mashed potatoes, my homemade version is portioned for this recipe
- 1 cup corn
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, freshly grated
- 8 Chicken Tenders, I prefer my homemade recipe but frozen may be used
- Brown Gravy, you can also use a packet
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- If using frozen chicken tenders, let them sit at room temp for about 5 minutes if you prefer to slice them first, this allows them to soften.
- Spread the potatoes on the bottom of a 9 x 13 casserole dish.
- Note: If your mashed potatoes are cold, warm them first.
- Top with corn and cheese.
- Carefully slice the chicken strips into pieces of desired size and top the casserole dish with them.
- Bake uncovered for 20 minutes if using frozen chicken tenders and 15 minutes for homemade.
- Prepare the gravy on the stove top while the casserole finishes baking.
- Drizzle desired amount of gravy over the casserole dish and serve!
I made this recipe for my husband & sons today, along with a homemade chicken gravy, and it was a hit! It’s a great transition-to-fall meal. I used frozen organic breaded chicken tenders & tossed them in a little Frank’s hot sauce before putting them on the top. I also used green beans, wax beans, peas & corn instead of just corn for some added color & variety. Overall, I would recommend the dish. It’s basic and easy enough that you can add your own touches. 😊
So happy that you enjoyed it Lois, thank you for sharing your variations as well!
Good stuff! Love this recipe.
Let’s all thank KFC for the original idea 😉
Glad you enjoy it Mary.
My family said this was better than KFC. I used Zaxby’s chicken tenders only because we don’t like Tyson Chicken. This is an delicious but easy recipe…comfort food! Thanks for sharing!!
I’m so happy that you and your family enjoyed it Andrea!! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave this review! 🙌🏻 -Stephanie
If prepping this to bring to another family, can I put the gravy on the casserole before it would be baked? Just so I can hand it over completey prepped, ready to pop in their refrigerator so they can bake when ready?
Hi Lauren, sure!! That would be fine! Aim for the potatoes more than the chicken just to keep the chicken a little crispier! What a nice gesture! 🙌🏻
Made this yesterday and it was a huge hit! everyone loved it!
My husband doesn’t eat leftovers but he came home for lunch today so he could have what was left over! 😊
So today I signed up for more recipe’s
Dawwwn! You totally made my day, my husband never wants leftovers either, so this really spoke to my heart! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave this nice comment ❤️❤️❤️
What if the chicken strips arent breaded?
Go for it! You’ll still enjoy it!
I’ll do that! Thank you!!
I will NEVER use Tyson anything, however using different brand worked just as well and great recipe! 🙂
How long do you boil the potatoes for?
Until they are very fork tender! 😁