Delightfully Rich Million Dollar Chicken Casserole Recipe

Comfort meets luxury in this million dollar chicken casserole that promises to redefine your dinner expectations.

Cheesy layers and tender meat create a delightful harmony of flavors.

Weeknight meals never looked so elegant or tasted so incredible.

Home cooks appreciate simple ingredients that deliver maximum satisfaction.

Creamy textures blend seamlessly with crispy edges, making each bite a culinary adventure.

Minimal effort yields maximum deliciousness in this crowd-pleasing dish.

You’ll want to bookmark this recipe and make it your new go-to meal that impresses everyone at the table.

FAQs

• Is this casserole good for meal prep?

Yes, you can prepare this casserole ahead of time and refrigerate it before baking. Just cover and store in the fridge for up to 24 hours, then bake when ready to serve.

• Can I use different types of chicken?

Absolutely! You can use rotisserie chicken, leftover roasted chicken, or even canned chicken. Just make sure the chicken is fully cooked and shredded before mixing into the casserole.

• How can I make this recipe lower in calories?

To reduce calories, use reduced-fat cream cheese, low-fat sour cream, and part-skim mozzarella. You can also use less butter in the cracker topping or use whole wheat crackers for added nutrition.

Million Dollar Chicken Casserole Wins The Table Over

• Create a One-Pot Wonder: Enjoy a complete meal with minimal cleanup, using just a single skillet for cooking ground beef, orzo, and crafting a delicious creamy tomato sauce.
• Master Quick Comfort Food: Prepare a hearty, satisfying dish that comes together faster than traditional pasta recipes, perfect for busy weeknight dinners.
• Customize with Ease: Adapt the recipe by adding different herbs, adjusting spice levels, or incorporating extra vegetables to suit your family's taste preferences.
• Crowd-Pleasing Flavor Fusion: Combine classic Italian-inspired ingredients like orzo, tomato sauce, and Parmesan cheese for a crowd-pleasing meal that appeals to both kids and adults.

All The Essentials For Million Dollar Chicken Casserole

• Cream Cheese: A rich and creamy ingredient that adds smoothness to the casserole.
• Sour Cream: Provides tanginess and helps create a creamy texture.
• Cottage Cheese: Adds extra protein and a soft, mild flavor to the dish.
• Cream of Chicken Soup: Creates a savory base and helps bind the ingredients together.

• Mozzarella Cheese: Offers a mild, stretchy texture and melts beautifully.
• Cheddar Cheese: Brings a sharp and tangy flavor to the casserole.

• Garlic Powder, Onion Powder: Provide depth of flavor and aromatic seasoning.
• Shredded Chicken: The main protein that makes this a hearty main dish.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance the overall taste.

• Ritz Crackers, Butter: Create a crispy, golden-brown crust that adds crunch to the casserole.

• Fresh Parsley: Optional herb that adds a pop of color and fresh flavor.

How To Make Million Dollar Chicken Casserole At Home

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a cozy 350°F (175°C) to get ready for this delicious comfort meal.

Step 2: Create Creamy Cheese Blend

• Cream cheese
• Sour cream
• Cottage cheese
• Cream of chicken soup
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Mozzarella cheese
• Cheddar cheese

Stir the ingredients until they transform into a silky smooth mixture.

Step 3: Incorporate Chicken

Gently fold shredded chicken into the creamy cheese blend. Season with salt and pepper to give it that perfect flavor kick.

Step 4: Prepare the Casserole Dish

Spread the chicken and cheese mixture evenly into a greased casserole dish, making sure it’s beautifully distributed.

Step 5: Make Crunchy Cracker Topping

In a separate bowl, mix crushed Ritz crackers with melted butter until they’re perfectly combined.

Step 6: Add Crispy Topping

Sprinkle the buttery cracker mixture over the entire casserole, creating a golden, crunchy crown.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Pop the casserole into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes.

You’ll know it’s ready when the top turns a gorgeous golden brown and starts bubbling with deliciousness.

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy

Optional: Garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of color.

Serve warm and watch everyone’s eyes light up!

Tips For Creamy Million Dollar Chicken Casserole

• Use room temperature cream cheese for smoother mixing and easier blending with other ingredients.
• Swap rotisserie chicken for quick and convenient protein that adds extra flavor to the casserole.
• Choose low-fat dairy options if watching calorie intake without compromising taste and texture.
• Toast Ritz cracker topping slightly before adding to enhance crunchiness and bring out buttery notes.
• Allow casserole to rest 10 minutes after baking to help set and make serving easier without falling apart.

Million Dollar Chicken Casserole: Easy Customization Guide

• Spicy Southwest Sensation: Replace cream of chicken soup with salsa, add diced green chilies, and swap Ritz crackers for crushed tortilla chips. Sprinkle extra pepper jack cheese on top for a zesty kick.
• Mediterranean Herb Fusion: Incorporate crumbled feta cheese, chopped spinach, and dried oregano into the base mixture. Top with herbed breadcrumbs instead of Ritz crackers for a Mediterranean-inspired version.
• Ranch Chicken Comfort: Mix in ranch seasoning packet with the cheese blend, use ranch dressing instead of cream of chicken soup. Garnish with chopped chives and additional ranch seasoning on top.
• Buffalo Blue Cheese Blast: Stir buffalo wing sauce into the chicken mixture, add crumbled blue cheese, and replace Ritz crackers with panko breadcrumbs for extra crunch.

Sides That Pair With Million Dollar Chicken Casserole

• Serve this rich casserole alongside a crisp green salad with light vinaigrette to balance the creamy texture. Fresh mixed greens with cucumber and cherry tomatoes create a refreshing contrast.
• Roasted seasonal vegetables like Brussels sprouts or honey-glazed carrots complement the chicken's savory profile. These colorful sides add nutritional value and visual appeal to the main dish.
• Transform leftovers into lunch by wrapping casserole portions in warm tortillas for delicious chicken enchiladas. Sprinkle extra cheese and add fresh cilantro for a zesty twist.

Million Dollar Chicken Casserole – Saving Some For Later

• Store leftover casserole in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Keep refrigerated to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Wrap the casserole tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Warm individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes. For larger servings, use the oven at 350F, covering with foil to prevent drying out. Heat until the internal temperature reaches 165F.
• Divide the casserole into single-serving containers for easy grab-and-go meals. Label with the date and contents for quick meal planning.

Million Dollar Chicken Casserole Recipe

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4.7 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Million dollar chicken casserole brings together creamy, cheesy comfort with Southern-style charm. Rich layers of tender chicken, velvety sauce, and crisp crackers promise a satisfying meal you’ll savor with comfort and delight.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 3 cups chicken, cooked and shredded (rotisserie)
• 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup (240 ml) sour cream
• 1 cup (240 ml) cottage cheese
• 1 can (10.5 oz or 298 g) cream of chicken soup
• 1/2 cup (56 g) mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1/2 cup (56 g) cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste
• 1 sleeve Ritz crackers (about 30 crackers), crushed
• 1/4 cup (57 g) butter, melted
• Fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to 350F (175C) and prepare a casserole dish with cooking spray.
2. Whisk together cream cheese, sour cream, cottage cheese, cream of chicken soup, garlic powder, onion powder, mozzarella, and cheddar cheese until the mixture reaches a velvety consistency.
3. Incorporate shredded chicken into the creamy blend, seasoning with salt and pepper to enhance the flavor profile.
4. Distribute the chicken mixture uniformly across the greased casserole dish, ensuring an even layer.
5. Crush Ritz crackers and combine with melted butter to create a crispy topping.
6. Generously sprinkle the buttery cracker mixture over the chicken layer, covering the entire surface.
7. Transfer the casserole to the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the top turns golden brown and the edges become deliciously bubbly.
8. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes to allow the casserole to set.
9. Optional: Garnish with fresh chopped parsley for a pop of color and added freshness before serving warm.

Notes

• Check cheese temperature beforehand to ensure smooth blending and prevent lumpy texture.
• Use rotisserie chicken for quick preparation and added flavor depth.
• Try gluten-free crackers to make the dish celiac-friendly and maintain crispy topping.
• Reduce sodium by selecting low-sodium cream of chicken soup and measuring salt carefully.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 405 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 580 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 17 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 13 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 26 g
• Cholesterol: 110 mg