Easy BBQ Chicken (Or Turkey) Mashed Potato Casserole
BBQ Chicken (or Turkey!) Mashed Potato Casserole is a taste sensation that’s easy to make and the perfect way to use up leftovers. You can put it on the table in under 30 minutes, and it feeds a crowd with ease!
After Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner, I’m always looking for a new and interesting way to use up leftovers. This BBQ mashed potatoes casserole is perfect. I love that it has a unique, non-Thanksgiving-y flavor to it, which is such a breath of fresh air. I love holiday leftovers, but after a bit, I need a new flavor profile stat, and this recipe gives me that while still being the ultimate comfort food.
This recipe is actually called “missionary casserole” at our house because I invented it on the fly a decade ago in order to feed the missionaries from our church. They’d called to confirm their dinner appointment and told me they’d be over in about 20 minutes. The problem was that I’d forgotten I was feeding them, had no time to go to the store, and while I had some leftovers, there just wasn’t enough to feed 4 people individual servings of each item. So, in an act of faith and desperation, I tossed the leftover chicken, veggies, and mashed potatoes together into a casserole, and by the time the missionaries rang the doorbell, I had it on the table with a side salad. This casserole had no business being as good as it is, but the best part is, 10 years later, I’m still serving this at my family’s dinner table!
Ingredients
This recipe is designed to be made from the odds and ends of leftovers, making it perfect for the day after a big holiday meal!
- Mashed Potatoes: If you don’t have leftover mashed potatoes, you can whip some up using instant potatoes. If you want to be fancy and make your own creamy mashed potatoes, this mashed potato recipe is easy and uses russet potatoes or yukon gold potatoes for a delicious mash. You can even season your mashed potatoes with a little garlic powder or onion powder for a stronger flavor!
- Shredded Chicken or Turkey: You can use any cooked chicken or turkey here: rotisserie chicken, canned chicken, or even some of your leftover turkey breast from Thanksgiving dinner! Shred your chicken/turkey, and mix it with the barbecue sauce for that bbq flavor.
- Barbecue Sauce: You can use any barbecue sauce you like. I love Sweet Baby Ray’s sauce — it’s the perfect combination of sweet and smoky. If you’d like to make your own, I love this recipe!
- Frozen Mixed Vegetables or Leftover Veggies: Leftover peas, green beans, corn, carrots, or broccoli work great here. If you don’t have any leftover veggies, a bag of frozen mixed vegetables works great. You don’t even have to steam them!
- Shredded Cheese: I usually top this with a mozzarella and cheddar cheese blend. You can use any cheese that will melt for a topping.
Instructions
Step 1 | Mix it Up
If your chicken or turkey is not already barbecue flavored, then add 1/4 cup barbecue sauce to the chicken and stir until the chicken is coated.
Then, add everything to a large mixing bowl. Stir it around until the chicken, cooked potatoes, and frozen or leftover veggies are all mixed together.
Step 2 | Layer
For this next step, dump your mashed potato mixture into a casserole dish or a 9×13 baking dish. Spoon the remaining barbecue sauce over the top and spread it into an even layer. Finally, top the whole thing with the shredded cheese.
Step 3 | Bake and Enjoy!
Bake your casserole at 350° for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted and bubbly and the mash potatoes are heated through. While this has plenty of flavor on its own, you can level up by serving this with your favorite loaded baked potato toppings, including chopped green onions, a dollop of sour cream, fresh chives, a sprinkling of black pepper, and crispy bacon bits. A side salad or a fluffy biscuit is the perfect way to make this a complete meal!
Tips
- This mashed potato casserole recipe can be served as a whole meal, or as a potato side dish.
- You can also make this with ground beef instead of chicken or turkey.
- For best results, eat this casserole the next day. The flavors get stronger the longer they’re together!
FAQs
Yes, you can assemble this casserole ahead of time and refrigerate it until you’re ready to bake it. Just make sure to add a few extra minutes to the baking time since it will be starting from a cooler temperature.
This casserole can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Simply reheat individual portions in the microwave or oven until heated through.
Yes, you can freeze this casserole for later. After assembling, cover it tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil before placing it in the freezer. It should keep well for up to 2-3 months. To reheat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and then bake according to the original instructions.
BBQ Chicken Mashed Potato Casserole
Ingredients
- 2 cups mashed potatoes
- 1 cup shredded chicken or turkey
- 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
- ½ cup barbecue sauce
- cheese to top
Instructions
- Mix mashed potatoes, chicken and frozen vegetables together and spread evenly in a 9X13 baking pan.
- Drizzle with barbecue sauce and top with cheese.
- Bake at 350° for 15-20 minutes.
