Looking for a rich and comforting dinner thatโs bound to be a hit with the whole family? The Million Dollar Chicken Casserole is the answer! This decadent dish gets its name because it tastes like a million bucksโcreamy, cheesy, and full of flavor. With tender chicken, cream cheese, sour cream, and a buttery cracker topping, this casserole brings together simple ingredients to create an unforgettable meal. It's perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner, potlucks, or feeding a crowd. Read on for everything you need to know about making this indulgent dish!

What Is Million Dollar Chicken Casserole?
The Million Dollar Chicken Casserole is a rich and creamy chicken dish layered with cheeses, sour cream, and a buttery, crunchy cracker topping. The chicken is tender and juicy, while the filling is velvety smooth with just the right amount of tang from the cream cheese and sour cream. What makes this casserole feel like itโs worth a million bucks? Itโs all about the luxurious blend of cheeses and the indulgent, buttery topping that elevates simple ingredients to new heights. It's a true comfort food classic!
Ingredients List for Million Dollar Chicken Casserole
Letโs break down the ingredients youโll need to make this delicious, creamy casserole. Most of these are pantry staples, so you might already have them on hand!
Main Ingredients:
- Cooked Chicken: Shredded or diced chicken forms the base of this casserole.
- Cream Cheese: The key ingredient that gives the casserole its creamy richness.
- Sour Cream: Adds a bit of tanginess and helps smooth out the filling.
- Mayonnaise: Adds richness and moisture to the casserole without being overpowering.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Provides a cheesy bite and helps create that luscious, melty layer.
- Cottage Cheese or Ricotta: Gives the casserole an extra creamy texture.
- Ritz Crackers: These buttery crackers form a delicious crunchy topping.
- Butter: Helps toast the crackers and adds richness.
- Garlic Powder and Onion Powder: Essential seasonings to flavor the creamy filling.
- Salt and Pepper: To taste.
Ingredients List (Serves 6-8)
Hereโs a detailed ingredient list for a casserole that serves 6-8 people:
- 3 cups of cooked, shredded chicken (rotisserie chicken works great!)
- 8 oz of cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup of sour cream
- ยฝ cup of mayonnaise
- 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese
- ยฝ cup of cottage cheese or ricotta
- 2 cups of Ritz crackers, crushed (about 1 sleeve)
- ยผ cup of butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon of onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley or chives for garnish (optional)
These ingredients combine to make a creamy, dreamy casserole thatโs packed with flavor in every bite.
Substitutions and Variations
This recipe is versatile and can be easily customized to suit your preferences or what you have in your pantry. Here are some common substitutions and variations:
Chicken:
- Turkey: Swap out chicken for leftover turkey, especially after a holiday meal.
- Rotisserie Chicken: Use store-bought rotisserie chicken to save time on cooking and shredding.
- Canned Chicken: In a pinch, you can use canned chicken, though freshly cooked or rotisserie chicken will offer the best flavor and texture.
Cheese:
- Different Cheese Blends: Try using mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican cheese blend for a different cheesy flavor.
- No Cottage Cheese or Ricotta: You can skip these if you donโt have them, though they add extra creaminess to the casserole.
Crackers:
- Panko Breadcrumbs: If you donโt have Ritz crackers, panko breadcrumbs can be used for the topping, though youโll miss out on the buttery flavor.
- Gluten-Free Crackers: If you're gluten-free, use a gluten-free cracker or panko substitute for the topping.
Add-Ins:
- Vegetables: Add sautรฉed mushrooms, spinach, or broccoli to sneak in some veggies.
- Bacon: For extra richness, sprinkle in some cooked, crumbled bacon into the chicken mixture.
These variations allow you to customize the casserole to your taste while still keeping the flavors rich and delicious.
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
Letโs dive into how to make this creamy Million Dollar Chicken Casserole step by step:
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350ยฐF (175ยฐC) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray or butter.
Step 2: Mix the Creamy Filling
In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, shredded cheddar cheese, and cottage cheese (or ricotta). Stir until everything is well incorporated and creamy. Season with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to taste.
Step 3: Add the Chicken
Fold the shredded or diced cooked chicken into the creamy mixture, making sure the chicken is evenly coated with the cheesy filling.
Step 4: Assemble the Casserole
Transfer the chicken and cream mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Spread it out evenly using a spatula.
Step 5: Prepare the Topping
In a separate bowl, mix the crushed Ritz crackers with the melted butter. Stir until all the cracker crumbs are evenly coated.
Step 6: Top the Casserole
Sprinkle the buttered cracker crumbs evenly over the top of the chicken mixture. This will create a deliciously crunchy topping once baked.
Step 7: Bake
Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the casserole is hot and bubbly and the topping is golden brown.
Step 8: Cool and Serve
Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for about 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley or chives if desired.
How to Cook Million Dollar Chicken Casserole: A Step-by-Step Guide
Hereโs a quick overview of the steps for making this indulgent casserole:
Step 1: Prep and Preheat
Get your oven heated and grease the baking dish. Make sure the cream cheese is softened so it blends easily with the other ingredients.
Step 2: Mix the Filling
Mix all the creamy ingredients together, season well, and fold in the shredded chicken.
Step 3: Assemble and Bake
Spread the chicken mixture into the baking dish, top with buttery cracker crumbs, and bake until golden brown and bubbly.
Step 4: Let It Cool
Allow the casserole to cool slightly before serving so it holds together well when scooping.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Not Softening the Cream Cheese: If your cream cheese is too cold, it wonโt mix smoothly with the other ingredients, and youโll end up with a lumpy filling. Be sure to let it soften at room temperature before mixing.
- Overbaking: Keep an eye on the casserole to ensure the top doesnโt get too dark. Once the topping is golden and the casserole is bubbly, itโs ready to come out of the oven.
- Not Using Enough Seasoning: The creamy mixture needs a good amount of seasoning to balance the richness of the cheese and sour cream. Be sure to taste and adjust the seasoning before baking.
Serving and Presentation Tips
Once your Million Dollar Chicken Casserole is baked to perfection, itโs time to serve it up! Here are some tips for presentation and serving suggestions.
How to Serve Million Dollar Chicken Casserole
This casserole pairs wonderfully with simple side dishes like a fresh green salad, steamed vegetables, or even garlic bread. Itโs rich and hearty, so lighter sides will balance out the meal. For a more indulgent dinner, serve it with mashed potatoes or macaroni and cheese.
Presentation Ideas for Million Dollar Chicken Casserole
- Garnish: A sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or chives adds a pop of color and freshness to the rich, creamy casserole.
- Individual Portions: For a dinner party, serve the casserole in individual ramekins for a more refined presentation.
Million Dollar Chicken Casserole Recipe Tips
- Make Ahead: You can assemble the casserole up to 24 hours in advance. Simply cover it and store it in the fridge until youโre ready to bake. Let it sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes before placing it in the oven.
- Freezing: This casserole freezes well! After assembling (but before baking), cover the dish tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bake as directed.
- Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or warm the entire dish in the oven at 350ยฐF until heated through.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can I use canned chicken for this recipe?
A: Yes, canned chicken can be used as a substitute for cooked shredded chicken, though fresh or rotisserie chicken will offer better texture and flavor.
Q: Can I make this casserole in advance?
A: Absolutely! You can assemble the casserole ahead of time and refrigerate it until ready to bake. Just let it sit at room temperature for 20 minutes before placing it in the oven.
Q: Can I freeze this casserole?
A: Yes, this casserole freezes beautifully. Assemble the casserole and freeze it before baking. When you're ready to bake it, thaw overnight in the fridge and bake as directed.
Q: How can I make this dish lighter?
A: To make this casserole lighter, you can use light cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise. You can also substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream to cut down on calories and fat.
Conclusion
The Million Dollar Chicken Casserole is an indulgent, creamy, and comforting dish thatโs perfect for family dinners or potlucks. With its rich cheese filling and crunchy buttery topping, this casserole tastes like a million bucks but is incredibly easy to make. Whether youโre preparing it ahead for a busy weeknight or whipping it up for a crowd, this recipe is bound to impress. Give it a try, and enjoy the ultimate in comfort food!
PrintMillion Dollar Chicken Casserole Recipe
This Million Dollar Chicken Casserole is a creamy, comforting dish made with shredded chicken, cream cheese, sour cream, and cheddar, topped with buttery crackers. Itโs a perfect weeknight dinner or potluck dish thatโs sure to be a hit with the whole family. Keywords: Million Dollar Chicken Casserole, creamy chicken casserole, chicken bake, easy weeknight dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked, shredded chicken
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup crushed Ritz crackers (about 1 sleeve)
- 4 tbsp melted butter
- 2 tbsp chopped green onions (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350ยฐF (175ยฐC).
- In a large mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, sour cream, cottage cheese, shredded cheddar, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth.
- Fold in the shredded chicken and stir until well combined.
- Transfer the mixture to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish.
- In a small bowl, mix crushed Ritz crackers with melted butter.
- Sprinkle the buttery cracker mixture evenly over the casserole.
- Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes, until the casserole is hot and the cracker topping is golden and crispy.
- Garnish with chopped green onions before serving (optional).
Notes
- You can substitute cottage cheese with ricotta for a creamier texture.
- Add cooked bacon or sautรฉed spinach for extra flavor.
- Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat well.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 900mg
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