Prep & Preheat (5 minutes)
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
Make the Filling (5 minutes)
In a large bowl, combine thawed hashbrowns, 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, melted butter, diced onion, salt, and pepper.
Stir until everything is well combined.
Transfer to Baking Dish (2 minutes)
Spread the hashbrown mixture evenly into your prepared dish.
Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup cheese on top.
Add the Crunchy Topping (3 minutes)
In a small bowl, mix crushed cornflakes (or crackers) with 2 tablespoons melted butter.
Sprinkle evenly over the casserole.
Bake & Serve (45–55 minutes)
Bake uncovered for 45–55 minutes, until bubbly and the top is golden brown.
Let it rest for a few minutes before serving — trust me, it’s worth the wait!