Million Dollar Chicken Casserole Recipe

If you’re looking for a creamy, comforting, and indulgent dish, this Million Dollar Chicken Casserole is a perfect choice! This casserole combines tender chicken, cream cheese, sour cream, shredded cheese, and a buttery cracker topping to create a rich and satisfying meal that truly tastes like a million bucks. It’s the ultimate comfort food and is great for family dinners, potlucks, or when you want to impress guests with minimal effort. Best of all, it’s easy to make and can be assembled ahead of time!

this Recipe

What is Million Dollar Chicken Casserole?

Million Dollar Chicken Casserole is a creamy, cheesy baked dish made with shredded or diced chicken, a mixture of cream cheese and sour cream, and plenty of shredded cheese. The casserole is then topped with a buttery Ritz cracker topping or breadcrumbs for a crispy, golden crust. The dish gets its name from the richness and indulgence of the ingredients—it's pure comfort food that’s deliciously creamy, cheesy, and savory.

Ingredients List for Million Dollar Chicken Casserole

Here’s a list of everything you’ll need to make this decadent Million Dollar Chicken Casserole:

Main Ingredients:

• 4 cups cooked, shredded chicken (from about 2-3 chicken breasts, rotisserie chicken works great)
• 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup sour cream
• 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
• 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese (or cheddar, or a mix of both)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese (optional, for extra richness)

For the Topping:

• 1 sleeve Ritz crackers (or about 1 ½ cups crushed crackers)
• 4 tablespoon butter, melted
• 1 tablespoon dried parsley (optional, for garnish)

Substitutions and Variations

This Million Dollar Chicken Casserole is very versatile, allowing you to make substitutions or variations based on your preferences or what you have available.

• Rotisserie Chicken: To save time, use rotisserie chicken or pre-cooked chicken from the grocery store. You can also use leftover chicken.
• Lighter Version: For a lighter version, use reduced-fat cream cheese, light sour cream, and Greek yogurt in place of sour cream.
• Cheese Variations: While mozzarella is mild and creamy, feel free to use other cheeses like sharp cheddar, Colby Jack, or Swiss for a more flavorful casserole.
• Add Vegetables: You can add vegetables like spinach, broccoli, or peas to make the casserole a bit more nutritious.
• Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free crackers or breadcrumbs for the topping and ensure your cream of chicken soup is gluten-free.

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

Let’s get into the step-by-step instructions on how to make this delicious Million Dollar Chicken Casserole.

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.

Step 2: Prepare the Chicken Mixture

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, sour cream, and cream of chicken soup. Mix until smooth and well combined. Then, stir in the shredded mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese (if using), garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to taste.

Step 3: Add the Chicken

Fold the shredded chicken into the cream cheese mixture, ensuring the chicken is evenly coated with the creamy sauce.

Step 4: Transfer to the Baking Dish

Transfer the chicken mixture to your prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.

Step 5: Make the Topping

In a small bowl, mix the crushed Ritz crackers with the melted butter until the crumbs are evenly coated. Sprinkle the cracker topping over the casserole.

Step 6: Bake the Casserole

Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the casserole is hot and bubbly, and the cracker topping is golden brown.

Step 7: Garnish and Serve

Once baked, remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes. Garnish with dried parsley or fresh herbs if desired, and serve hot.

How to Cook Million Dollar Chicken Casserole: A Step-by-Step Guide

Here’s a quick summary of the steps:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
2. Prepare the creamy mixture with cream cheese, sour cream, cream of chicken soup, and seasonings.
3. Add the shredded chicken to the creamy mixture.
4. Transfer the chicken mixture to the baking dish.
5. Make the topping with crushed Ritz crackers and melted butter.
6. Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden and bubbly.
7. Garnish and serve with dried parsley or fresh herbs.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here are some tips to help you avoid common mistakes when making Million Dollar Chicken Casserole:

• Not softening the cream cheese: Make sure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature before mixing to avoid lumps in the sauce. If it’s too cold, it won’t blend smoothly.
• Overbaking the casserole: Keep an eye on the casserole while it’s baking. Overbaking can cause the cheese to separate and the chicken to dry out. The casserole is ready when it’s hot and bubbly, with a golden cracker topping.
• Undersalting the mixture: Taste the creamy mixture before adding it to the casserole dish to ensure it’s well seasoned. The creaminess of the cheese can sometimes dull the flavors, so adjust the salt and pepper as needed.

Serving and Presentation Tips

Here are some ideas to serve and present your Million Dollar Chicken Casserole for a delicious and attractive meal.

How to Serve Million Dollar Chicken Casserole

• With a Side Salad: Pair the casserole with a fresh green salad or Caesar salad to balance out the richness of the dish.
• With Vegetables: Serve alongside roasted vegetables such as green beans, carrots, or broccoli to add some color and texture to the meal.
• With Bread: A side of crusty bread, garlic bread, or dinner rolls is perfect for scooping up the creamy casserole.

Presentation Ideas for Million Dollar Chicken Casserole

• Garnish with herbs: A sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or chives over the top adds color and a burst of fresh flavor.
• Serve in individual ramekins: For a more elegant presentation, bake the casserole in individual ramekins or baking dishes for portion-controlled servings.
• Top with extra cheese: For an even more indulgent dish, sprinkle some extra shredded cheese on top during the last 5 minutes of baking.

Million Dollar Chicken Casserole Recipe Tips

• Make-Ahead Option: You can prepare the casserole up to the point of baking and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, add a few extra minutes to the baking time if it’s coming straight from the fridge.
• Leftovers: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or reheat the entire casserole in the oven until warmed through.
• Freezing: This casserole freezes well! You can assemble it (but don’t bake it), wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before baking.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Can I use canned chicken for this recipe?
A: Yes, you can use canned chicken if you're in a pinch, though freshly cooked or rotisserie chicken will give the casserole a better texture and flavor. Just make sure to drain the canned chicken well before using.

Q: Can I add vegetables to this casserole?
A: Absolutely! You can add cooked vegetables like broccoli, spinach, peas, or carrots to the chicken mixture for extra flavor and nutrition.

Q: Can I make this casserole without cream cheese?
A: Cream cheese is key to the richness of the dish, but you can substitute it with Greek yogurt or ricotta cheese for a lighter version, though the flavor and texture will be slightly different.

Q: Can I use a different type of cracker for the topping?
A: Yes! While Ritz crackers are classic, you can use breadcrumbs, panko, or even crushed cornflakes for a different crunch on top.

Conclusion

This Million Dollar Chicken Casserole is the ultimate creamy, cheesy, and comforting meal that’s sure to become a family favorite. Whether you’re serving it for a weeknight dinner, a potluck, or a special occasion, it’s easy to make and delivers rich flavors that taste like a million bucks. With a crispy cracker topping and a decadent, cheesy filling, this casserole is pure comfort food at its best. Try this recipe tonight and enjoy a meal that’s as delicious as it is easy to prepare!

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