Cheesy Chicken and Squash Casserole

Leftover chicken combines with yellow squash, onions, and a tasty cheese sauce in this comforting casserole. My son is not really fond of squash, but the aromas of the well seasoned sauce caught his interest, and he enjoyed his dinner. A crusty bread and a tossed salad will complete your menu.

• Preparation Time: 25 mins
• Cooking Time: 50 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 15 mins
• Calories: 398 Calories

Ingredients

• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 ½ cups milk
• 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 2 egg yolks, beaten
• ½ cup dry bread crumbs
• 1 bay leaf
• salt and ground black pepper to taste
• ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (Optional)
• 1 medium onion, diced
• ¼ teaspoon dried thyme leaves
• 2 teaspoons melted butter
• 3 sprigs fresh parsley (Optional)
• 1 cup shredded Gruyere cheese, divided
• 2 cups chopped, cooked chicken
• 2 pounds yellow squash, cut into 1/4-inch slices

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 2 1/2-quart baking dish and set aside.

Step 2

Bring about 5 cups of lightly salted water to a boil in a large saucepan or Dutch oven. Add squash, onion, parsley, thyme, and bay leaf. Bring back to a boil and cook over medium heat until squash is fork-tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Drain and discard parsley sprigs and bay leaf. Lightly press squash to remove additional liquid, then set aside.

Step 3

Wipe out the saucepan and return to the heat. Melt 4 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Sprinkle in flour and stir, working out any lumps, until flour and butter start to bubble, about 2 minutes. Gradually stir in milk and heat to a boil, stirring constantly. Cook and stir until sauce thickens, 4 to 5 minutes.

Step 4

Remove sauce from heat and stir in seasoned salt, Worcestershire sauce, and nutmeg. Drizzle 2 tablespoons into the egg yolks, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Repeat with 2 additional tablespoons. Drizzle warmed eggs slowly back into the saucepan and stir until sauce is smooth. Stir in 1/2 of the Gruyere cheese and cayenne pepper. Season with salt and pepper.

Step 5

Place well drained squash and onion into the prepared baking dish. Top with chicken. Pour sauce over chicken and squash and stir gently to coat.

Step 6

Combine 2 teaspoons butter, remaining Gruyere cheese, and bread crumbs for the topping. Spread evenly over the casserole.

Step 7

Bake in the preheated oven until the top is browned and bubbly, about 35 minutes. Allow to cool for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley.