Million Dollar Chicken Casserole Recipe
Million Dollar Chicken Casserole is a creamy, comforting baked dish featuring tender cooked chicken combined with cream cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, and flavorful seasonings, topped with a buttery Ritz cracker crust that bakes to golden perfection. This hearty casserole is perfect for an easy family dinner or potluck, delivering rich textures and savory flavors in about 40 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-40 minutes
- Total Time: 40-50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Chicken Mixture
- 4½ cups chopped cooked chicken
- 4 oz cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 (10.5-oz) can unsalted cream of chicken soup
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp dried onion powder
Topping
- 1 sleeve Ritz crackers, crushed
- 5 Tbsp butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350ºF. Lightly spray a 9×9-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking and set it aside while you prepare the filling.
- Make the Filling: In a large bowl, combine the chopped cooked chicken, cream cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, garlic powder, dried onion powder, and the can of unsalted cream of chicken soup. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated and evenly combined.
- Assemble Casserole: Spread the creamy chicken mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish, smoothing the top for an even layer.
- Prepare Topping: In a small bowl, mix the crushed Ritz crackers with the melted butter until the crumbs are evenly coated.
- Add Topping: Sprinkle the buttery cracker mixture evenly over the spread chicken filling, covering it completely for a crunchy topping.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 30 to 40 minutes, until the topping is golden brown and the casserole is heated through and bubbly.
Notes
- Make sure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature to blend smoothly into the filling.
- If desired, substitute low-fat sour cream and cottage cheese for a lighter version.
- This casserole can be prepared a day ahead and refrigerated; just add an extra 5-10 minutes to bake time if baking from cold.
- Leftovers can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven.
- For added flavor, sprinkle some shredded cheddar cheese between the chicken mixture and cracker topping before baking.
