Description
Million Dollar Chicken Casserole is a creamy, comforting baked dish featuring tender cooked chicken mixed with rich cheeses and soup, topped with buttery crushed Ritz crackers for a golden, crisp finish. Perfect for an easy family dinner that delivers big flavor with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
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 and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 350ºF (177ºC) and lightly spray a 9×9-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Mix Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, combine the chopped cooked chicken, cream cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, garlic powder, dried onion powder, and the unsalted Cream of Chicken Soup. Stir the mixture thoroughly until all ingredients are well blended and smooth.
- Assemble Casserole: Spread the prepared chicken mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish, smoothing it out with a spatula for an even layer.
- Prepare Topping: In a small bowl, mix the crushed Ritz crackers with the melted butter until the crackers are evenly coated.
- Apply Topping and Bake: Sprinkle the buttered cracker mixture evenly over the chicken layer in the baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes or until the casserole is bubbly and the cracker topping is golden brown and crispy. Let the casserole sit for a few minutes after baking before serving to allow it to set.
Notes
- Ensure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature for easier mixing.
- Use freshly cooked chicken for the best flavor, or leftover roasted chicken works well.
- For a lower-fat version, substitute reduced-fat cream cheese and sour cream.
- You can add sautéed vegetables like mushrooms or spinach for added nutrition and flavor.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated in the oven or microwave.
