Million Dollar Chicken Casserole Recipe

If you’re looking for the ultimate cozy comfort food to warm hearts and satisfy taste buds, Million Dollar Chicken Casserole is the answer you’ve been searching for. This recipe transforms humble pantry staples into a bubbly, golden-crusted casserole that’s creamy, savory, and just flat-out irresistible. Whether you’re planning a weeknight dinner or heading to a potluck, this dish’s rich, velvety filling and crunchy cracker topping will have everyone asking for seconds.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Million Dollar Chicken Casserole relies on just a handful of easy-to-find ingredients, but don’t let the simplicity fool you—each one brings a special role to the flavor and texture. The creamy base and perfectly seasoned chicken create layers that really pop beneath a buttery Ritz cracker crown.

• Chopped cooked chicken: Rotisserie chicken or leftover roasted chicken both work beautifully, making this a perfect meal for using up extras.
• Cream cheese (room temperature): Softened cream cheese adds luscious richness and helps bind the sauce.
• Cottage cheese: Don’t skip this! It adds a subtle tang and almost melts into the filling, creating irresistible creaminess.
• Sour cream: A little sour cream brightens up the filling and keeps it from being too heavy.
• Cream of chicken soup (unsalted): This classic pantry staple provides body and extra savory depth; using unsalted helps you control the seasoning.
• Garlic powder: Just a bit mingles through the sauce, rounding out the other flavors without overpowering them.
• Dried onion powder: A hint of oniony sweetness lifts every creamy bite.
• Ritz crackers (crushed): The secret to that unforgettable butter-crunch topping!
• Butter (melted): Mixed with the crackers, it turns into irresistible little golden nuggets in the oven.

How to Make Million Dollar Chicken Casserole

Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Oven

Start off by preheating your oven to 350ºF. Give a 9×9-inch baking dish a generous mist of cooking spray—this ensures your Million Dollar Chicken Casserole releases easily and cleans up in a snap.

Step 2: Mix Up the Creamy Chicken Filling

In a large mixing bowl, combine your chopped cooked chicken, cream cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, cream of chicken soup, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir everything together until it’s luxuriously mixed and all the chicken is well coated. Don’t be shy—make sure that creamy blend gets into every nook and cranny! Once mixed, spread the filling evenly into your prepared dish.

Step 3: Top with Buttery Ritz Cracker Crumbs

Crush up one full sleeve of Ritz crackers—you can do this quickly in a zip-top bag with a rolling pin or simply use your hands. Pour the melted butter over your cracker crumbs and toss them together until every crumb is nicely coated. Sprinkle this buttery, crumbly topping all over your casserole, covering every bit of creamy filling.

Step 4: Bake Until Golden and Bubbling

Slide your casserole into the oven (uncovered!) and bake for 30 to 40 minutes. The casserole should be hot and bubbling at the edges, with the cracker topping turning deep golden brown. Let it rest for a few minutes before digging in—this allows the creamy sauce to thicken just right and makes serving easier.

How to Serve Million Dollar Chicken Casserole

Garnishes

The perfect finishing touch for Million Dollar Chicken Casserole is a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or a dusting of cracked black pepper. If you’re feeling extra fancy, add a pinch of paprika for a pop of color and a gentle aroma that matches the richness of the casserole.

Side Dishes

This casserole absolutely shines beside simple sides that soak up that creamy sauce. Try it with steamed green beans, roasted broccoli, or a crisp garden salad for freshness and crunch. Fluffy mashed potatoes or a scoop of buttered rice keep the meal feeling classic and extra comforting.

Creative Ways to Present

For a show-stopping twist, scoop your Million Dollar Chicken Casserole into individual ramekins before baking—your dinner guests will love having their own golden-topped portion. Or, bake in a pretty ceramic dish and serve family style right at the table, letting everyone help themselves for that warm, homey vibe.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Got leftovers? Lucky you! Let the casserole cool to room temperature, then transfer to an airtight container. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors meld and get even cozier after a night in the fridge.

Freezing

Million Dollar Chicken Casserole freezes beautifully. For best results, assemble everything but hold off on baking and topping with crackers until you’re ready. Wrap the dish tightly in foil and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, let it thaw in the fridge overnight, then add the cracker topping and bake as usual.

Reheating

To reheat, bake leftovers (covered with foil to protect the topping) at 325ºF until warmed through, about 20 to 25 minutes. For single servings, the microwave works well, but the oven is best for restoring that signature cracker crunch.

FAQs

Can I use rotisserie chicken in Million Dollar Chicken Casserole?

Absolutely! Rotisserie chicken is perfect here—it’s flavorful, juicy, and ready to go, making the recipe even faster to pull together on busy nights.

What can I substitute for cottage cheese?

If you’re not a cottage cheese fan, you could use ricotta cheese or even extra sour cream. Cottage cheese adds a subtle tang and creaminess, but it’s versatile enough for little swaps.

How do I make this casserole gluten-free?

You can easily make Million Dollar Chicken Casserole gluten-free by using your favorite gluten-free crackers and ensuring your cream of chicken soup is also gluten-free. Everything else is naturally gluten-free!

Can I add vegetables to the casserole?

Definitely! Stir in some blanched broccoli, sautéed mushrooms, or peas into the filling for extra color, nutrition, and flavor. Just make sure not to overload the casserole so the creamy texture stays perfect.

Can I double the recipe?

Yes, simply double the ingredients and bake in a 9×13-inch dish. The casserole feeds a crowd beautifully and is ideal for potlucks, family reunions, or meal trains.

Final Thoughts

If you’re ready to experience pure comfort and big flavor with minimal fuss, give Million Dollar Chicken Casserole a try. It’s one of those treasured crowd-pleasers that feels like a warm hug from the oven. Grab those simple ingredients and get baking—you might just discover your new favorite go-to dinner!

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