Underground Chicken Casserole

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Underground Chicken Casserole–chicken and gravy topped with a layer of mashed potatoes made in your Instant Pot.

You may be asking, what is underground chicken casserole? According to Amish 365, “‘Underground’ meals are popular among the Amish…All the ‘underground’ means is the ‘good stuff’, the meaty and creamy goodness is buried under a layer of mashed potatoes, which you’ll have to dig through (tough job) to get to. Underground Chicken Casserole is a favorite recipe among the Amish because of the very simple ingredients.”

My version of the casserole is made in your Instant Pot (of course). The potatoes are steamed under pressure then the chicken gravy is made using the saute setting. Finally the casserole is baked by using your air fryer lid (you can still make this without the an air fryer lid!). It’s so cool that the Instant Pot has so many functions and uses. You can literally make the entire casserole in one pot.

I was a little skeptical about this recipe for a couple reasons. The first is the short, basic list of ingredients. I was unsure it would have enough flavor. The second reason is the Velveeta seemed like an odd choice. Why Velveeta in the creamy gravy? It seemed strange. However, I was very pleased with the results. My son was going crazy at how much he loved it. If you have an issue with using Velveeta you can totally leave it out! But if you have some on hand I think you’ll like the creamy silky feel it gives the sauce.

Ingredients/Substitution Ideas

Russet potatoes–or red potatoes
Butter
Salt and pepper–I used kosher salt
Flour
Water
Milk–or evaporated milk
Brown gravy mix–or chicken gravy mix
Velveeta–or American cheese or Monterey Jack cheese
Cooked, chopped chicken–or uncooked chicken breasts (see notes/tips section for how)

Steps

Pour 1 ½ cups water into bottom of Instant Pot. Place potatoes in a steamer basket and drop the basket into the Instant Pot.

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Cover Instant Pot and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set to sealing. Set the manual/pressure cook button to 8 minutes. When time is up move valve to venting and remove the lid.

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Move the steamer basket out of the Instant Pot. Discard the water. Dump the potatoes into a mixing bowl. Mash the potatoes. Stir in the 2 Tbsp of butter, milk and then salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.

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Turn Instant Pot to saute setting on low. Add in the butter and let it melt.

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Whisk in the flour a tablespoon at a time.

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Then pour in the water and milk a quarter cup at a time, whisking the whole time.

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Whisk in the gravy packet and let the mixture thicken.

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Stir in the velveeta and let it melt.

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Stir in the chopped chicken. Taste test and salt and pepper to taste.

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Turn off the Instant Pot. Scoop the mashed potatoes over the top in dollops. Then drizzle the tablespoon of melted butter over the top.

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Cover Instant Pot with air fryer lid and bake at 300 degrees for 10 minutes.

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Serve and enjoy!

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Notes/Tips

If you’d like to use uncooked chicken instead of cooked chicken then place 1 ½ pounds boneless chicken breasts into the water underneath the potatoes in the steamer basket. Slice the chicken breasts in half so they aren’t so thick (that way they will cook in the 8 minute pressure cooking time). Use a natural pressure release instead of a quick release. Then chop up the chicken and use it in the recipe.
You can add other favorite veggies to this casserole according to your taste.
This is a hearty meal that would tasty amazing with a side of garlic green beans, roasted broccoli or a side salad with vinaigrette dressing.
I used my 6 quart Duo Crisp Instant Pot*. You can also make this in a 3 or 8 quart pot.
I used my Avokado silicone steamer basket* to cook the potatoes.
Store leftovers in an airtight container* in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Other recipes you can make with Velveeta are Instant Pot Sausage Queso Dip and Instant Pot Christmas Soup.

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Did you know you can filter the recipes on my website to search by meat type, IP or Crockpot, low carb, gluten free, etc.?Use the filterto find exactly what you are looking for.

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