Cheesy and Creamy Comfort Food Classic: Million Dollar Chicken Casserole , This Million Dollar Chicken Casserole is the perfect comfort meal you could want! This meal is rich, creamy, cheesy, and topped with buttery Ritz crackers, the perfect mix of cozy and decadent.
Superior of all? Made with basic ingredients, it’s simple and ideal for potlues, evening meals, or meal prep.
Table of Contents
Why You Will Enjoy This Recipe?
✔ Ultra Creamy & Cheesy packed with cheddar, sour cream, and cream cheese.
✔ Quick & Easy; just mix, bake, and enjoy; ready in about 45 minutes.
✔ Crowd-Pleasant Classic: Everyone will enjoy this family classic.
✔ Perfect for Meal Prep: Creatively freezes wonderful leftovers!
Ritz crackers plus butter make the ideal golden crunch for a crispy, buttery topping.
If you love easy chicken dinners, you’ll also enjoy this Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken a slow-cooked, tropical-flavored dish perfect for busy nights!
Ingredients for the Casserole
For the Chicken
- Three cups shredded cooked chicken; rotisserie chicken tastes fantastic!
- Made from 8 ounces of softened cream cheese, the dish is creamy.
- One cup of sour cream accentuates tang and richness.
- The traditional creamy base is cream of chicken soup, one can, 10.5 ounces.
- One cup of shredded Cheddar cheese melts into cheesy excellence.
- Add flavorful depth with half a teaspoon of garlic powder and half a teaspoon of onion powder.
- Balance the taste with salt (½ tsp) and black pepper (½ tsp).
- Add herby goodness with Italian Seasoning (½ tsp, optional).
For the Topping
- One sleeve of crushed Ritz crackers provides the ideal crunchy, buttery topping.
- Melted, four tablespoons unsalted butter helps to brown the cracker topping.
- For a fresh burst of color, chopped parsley (two tablespoons) will be a garnish.
👉 The complete ingredient list with measurements is in the recipe card below!
Looking for ways to use leftover chicken? Check out Leftover Rotisserie Chicken Recipes for more easy ideas!
Making Million Dollar Chicken Casserole: Techniques
First Step: Get Ready and Preheat
- Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish just lightly.
Second Step: Prepare the Creamy Mixture
- Combine cream cheese (softened), sour cream, cream of chicken soup, shredded cheddar cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, salt, and Italian seasoning in a big mixing bowl. Stir till smooth and creamy. Add the chicken and fold it in shredded chicken to completely cover it in the creamy mixture. Move to the ready baking tray and distribute equally.
Third Step: Create the Buttery Ritz Topping
- Combine crumbled Ritz crackers with melted butter in a small bowl. Over the casserole, equally, sprinkle the cracker topping.
Step 5: Perfectly Bake
- Bake uncovered until the top casserole is bubbled and golden brown, 30 to 35 minutes.
Sixth Step: Present and Garnish
- Take out of the oven, and scatter chopped parsley. Let it cool somewhat before presenting. Taste every crunchy, cheesy, creamy bite!
For another creamy and comforting chicken dish, try this Chicken Pot Pie Recipe with Cream of Chicken Soup—perfect for a cozy dinner!
Pro Advice for the Perfect Casserole
✔ Convenience Calls for Rotisserie Chicken It’s tasty and saves time.
✔ Let the cream cheese soften; this will help smooth its texture and simplify mixing.
✔ Want Extra Cheesiness? Top before adding the crackers an extra ½ cup of grated cheddar.
✔ For a Lighter Version – Replace sour cream with Greek yogurt and low-fat cream cheese.
✔ Make It Spicy : add ½ teaspoon of cayenne or a few dashes of hot sauce to the mixture!
Serving and Pairing
Suggestions
- Serve this casserole with a side salad to offset the richness a fresh Caesar or garden salad works well.
- Present with roasted carrots, green beans, or broccoli (Roasted Veggies).
- Serve over rice or mashed potatoes to absorb all that creamy perfection.
Bonus Idea
- Leftovers create a great sandwich filler!
Make Ahead and Organization and Storage
Keeping Leftovers in Mind
- Refrigerated in an airtight container, keep for up to four days. Reheat for ten minutes at 350°F in an oven or microwave.
Freezing
- Assemble the casserole, securely cover it, and freeze it for up to three months. Let it cool, then keep it in an airtight jar after baking. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then bake at 350°F for thirty to thirty-five minutes to reheat from frozen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is canned chicken something I could use?
Yes. The best taste and texture come from fresh or rotisserie chicken.
Is the cream of chicken soup something I could replace?
Surely! Instead, use cream of celery soup or mushroom soup.
Could I do this without Ritz crackers?
Indeed. Alternately, try using crushed cornflakes, panko breadcrumbs, or even potato chips.
Does this dish avoid gluten?
No, but you could make it gluten-free with GF crackers and handmade cream soup made with gluten-free flour.
Conclusion
Rich, creamy, and cheesy, this Million Dollar Chicken Casserole has the ideal crunchy top. Every mouthful of it is wonderful comfort food and simple enough for hectic week evenings!
Make it tonight and get ready to develop feelings for this family favorite classic! 🧀🍗
😊 Enjoy and happy cooking!
Million Dollar Chicken Casserole
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl
- Baking Dish (9×13-inch)
- Oven
Ingredients
For the Casserole
- 3 cups cooked chicken shredded
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 1 cup sour cream
- 10.5 oz cream of chicken soup 1 can
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning optional
For the Topping
- 1 sleeve Ritz crackers crushed
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, sour cream, cream of chicken soup, shredded cheddar cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, salt, and Italian seasoning. Mix until smooth.
- Fold in the shredded chicken until evenly coated with the creamy mixture.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread evenly.
- In a separate bowl, mix crushed Ritz crackers with melted butter. Sprinkle over the casserole.
- Bake uncovered for 30-35 minutes, or until bubbly and golden brown on top.
- Remove from oven and garnish with chopped parsley. Let cool slightly before serving.