Description

Million Dollar Chicken Casserole is a creamy, savory baked dish featuring shredded chicken blended with a rich mixture of cream cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, and cream of chicken soup, topped with a buttery Ritz cracker crust. This comforting casserole is perfect for family dinners and serves eight.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

4 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup cottage cheese
1/2 cup sour cream
10.5 oz condensed cream of chicken soup
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp black pepper
4 cups cooked chicken, shredded
1.5 cups cheddar cheese, freshly grated
1/4 cup green onions, thinly sliced

Topping

2 sleeves Ritz crackers, crushed
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 tsp dried parsley

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9×13 inch baking dish by greasing or lining it to prevent sticking.
Mix Creamy Base: In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, condensed cream of chicken soup, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Whisk thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and well blended, creating a seamless creamy base.
Combine Chicken and Cheese: Gently fold the shredded cooked chicken, freshly grated cheddar cheese, and thinly sliced green onions into the creamy mixture. Ensure everything is evenly distributed without overmixing.
Transfer to Baking Dish: Pour and spread the chicken mixture evenly into the prepared 9×13 inch baking dish using a rubber spatula to create a uniform layer.
Prepare Topping: In a bowl or Ziploc bag, combine the crushed Ritz crackers, melted unsalted butter, and dried parsley. Toss or mix until the cracker crumbs are fully coated with butter, creating a crunchy topping mixture.
Add Topping: Evenly sprinkle the buttered cracker crumb mixture over the top of the casserole, covering the surface completely for a crispy crust after baking.
Bake: Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Bake until the filling is bubbling and the cracker topping turns a deep golden-brown mahogany color, indicating it’s perfectly crisp and cooked through.

Notes

Use cooked chicken leftovers or rotisserie chicken for convenience.
For extra flavor, add 1/2 tsp smoked paprika or cayenne pepper to the creamy mixture.
Ensure the cream cheese is fully softened for a smoother blend.
Let the casserole rest 5 minutes after baking to set before serving.
Substitute gluten-free crackers to make it gluten-free.
Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Casserole
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Million Dollar Chicken Casserole, creamy chicken casserole, baked chicken dish, Ritz cracker topping, comfort food casserole