Creamy Chicken & Potato Casserole (Nordic Bake)

Looking for the ultimate cozy comfort food? This Creamy Chicken and Potato Casserole is a set-it-and-forget-it Nordic favorite for the whole family.

Published: 7/24/2026

Creamy Chicken & Potato Casserole

In the Nordic countries, casserole dishes (called vuoka) are the cornerstone of family dinners. This Creamy Chicken and Potato Casserole layers thinly sliced potatoes with seasoned chicken breast in a rich, savory cream sauce. As it bakes, the starches from the potatoes naturally thicken the sauce into a luxurious, bubbly masterpiece.

Ingredients (6 servings)

• 1.5 lbs (700 g) chicken breast, cut into thin strips
• 2.2 lbs (1 kg) starchy potatoes (like Yukon Gold or Russet)
• 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 3/4 cup (200 ml) heavy whipping cream
• 3/4 cup (200 ml) chicken broth
• 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1.5 tsp kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 cup (100 g) shredded cheese (like Gruyère or sharp Cheddar)

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
2. Peel the potatoes and slice them into very thin rounds (using a mandoline slicer is perfect for this).
3. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Quickly sear the chicken breast strips until lightly browned on the outside (they don’t need to be fully cooked through). Set aside.
4. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, chicken broth, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, paprika, and thyme.
5. Layer the casserole: Spread half of the sliced potatoes into the bottom of the baking dish. Top with the chopped onion, minced garlic, and the seared chicken. Cover with the remaining potato slices.
6. Pour the cream and broth mixture evenly over the entire casserole.
7. Sprinkle the shredded cheese on top.
8. Bake uncovered for 45–50 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork-tender and the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.

Serving

Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving. This allows the creamy sauce to set. Serve with a crisp green salad.

Pro Tips

• Shortcut: If you are short on time, you can swap the fresh potatoes and onions for a 2 lb bag of frozen hash brown potatoes (with onions mixed in). It cuts the prep time down to 5 minutes!

Categories: mains, comfort-food