Make This Tonight Season 5 Episode 7 Chicken Casserole for the Soul

As winter settles in, our host, Chef Lucy, invites viewers to warm up with a hearty casserole dish on this episode of Make This Tonight. In Chicken Casserole for the Soul, Chef Lucy shares her go-to recipe for creamy, comforting chicken casserole that's perfect for a cozy night in.

The episode kicks off with Chef Lucy introducing the key ingredients for the dish, including chicken breast, veggies, herbs, and spices. She recommends using boneless, skinless chicken breasts for convenience and shows a quick, foolproof way of shredding them into bite-sized pieces. She then moves on to prepping the veggies, which include onions, carrots, celery, and mushrooms. Chef Lucy emphasizes the importance of cutting the veggies into even-sized pieces for even cooking and texture.

Next, Chef Lucy demonstrates how to make the creamy sauce that will bind the casserole together. Her recipe features a blend of heavy cream, chicken broth, and sour cream, which she thickens with a roux made of flour and butter. She adds a touch of dijon mustard and Worcestershire sauce for depth of flavor and shows how to adjust the consistency of the sauce to taste.

With the prep work done, Chef Lucy assembles the casserole in a large baking dish. She layers the chicken and veggies in the dish, pours the sauce over the top, and gives everything a good stir to combine. Then, she tops the casserole with a thick layer of grated cheese, which will melt and create a delicious golden crust in the oven.

Before popping the casserole in the oven, Chef Lucy shares some helpful tips for ensuring the dish bakes evenly and doesn't dry out. She covers the dish with foil for the first half of the bake time to trap in moisture, and then removes the foil for the last bit of baking to let the cheese get nice and bubbly. She also recommends testing the chicken for doneness using a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking.

As the casserole bakes, Chef Lucy takes a moment to reflect on the power of comfort food. She shares how dishes like chicken casserole can evoke warm memories and emotions, and how cooking can be an act of self-care and nurturing.

Once the casserole is done, Chef Lucy pulls it out of the oven and gives viewers a mouth-watering close-up of the golden, bubbling cheese on top. She lets it cool for a few minutes before serving it up with some crusty bread or a side salad.

In the final segment of the episode, Chef Lucy invites guest judge and food blogger, Jane Chen, to taste the chicken casserole and give her feedback. Jane describes the dish as "creamy, comforting, and flavorful" and raves about how easy it is to make for a weeknight dinner or a family gathering.

Overall, Chicken Casserole for the Soul is a satisfying and heartwarming episode of Make This Tonight. Chef Lucy's recipe is simple, delicious, and perfect for anyone looking to feed a crowd or indulge in some cozy comfort food.