Million Dollar Chicken Casserole is a family favorite perfect for busy weeknights.
However, not all chicken casseroles are created equal. Today I’m sharing my recipe for million dollar chicken casserole – a casserole so delicious and creamy, it’s worth a million bucks!
It’s loaded with chicken and cheese. A crunchy, buttery Ritz topping adds a ton of texture. And Cream of Chicken Soup is a classic flavor-filled touch.
Talk about a winner-winner chicken dinner.
Serve this Million Dollar Chicken Casserole to the family, and everyone will ask for seconds. You’ll feel you hit the jackpot!
Ingredients
Here’s everything you need to make this million-dollar casserole:
- Cream Cheese- Full-fat is best. Also, be sure it’s at room temperature so it melds well with the mixture. Ricotta works as a substitute, but it will change the flavor.
- Cottage Cheese- This makes it extra creamy and delicious. Like cream cheese, use full-fat for the best flavor.
- Sour Cream- For a complementary tangy flavor and ultra-creamy texture.
- Cheddar Cheese- Shredded cheddar melts nicely. You can also use pepper jack or a Mexican cheese blend. Shred it yourself for the best flavor and texture.
- Cream of Chicken Soup- This canned soup is a classic flavor enhancer that makes it cozy and delicious. And even creamier.
- Seasonings- Garlic powder, onion powder, and dried parsley are all you need. There’s no need to add salt because the canned soup has plenty.
- Cooked Chicken- Got some leftover chicken? Use it for this casserole! You can cook fresh chicken for it, too. Cubed or shredded both work.
- Ritz Crackers- For the crunchy topping! It adds a delightful layer of texture to an otherwise creamy dish.
- Butter- Add it to the crushed crackers to make the topping even yummier. It also enhances the texture as it bakes for extra crunch.
How to Make Million Dollar Chicken Casserole
What I love about this chicken casserole is it’s so easy to throw together. With just 10 minutes of prep, the oven does the rest.
This is how you do it:
1. Prep. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, grease a 2-quart baking dish.
2. Mix. Combine the cottage cheese, cream cheese, sour cream, cheddar cheese, cream of chicken, and seasonings in a large bowl. Mix until well incorporated.
3. Stir. Stir in the chopped chicken. Transfer the mixture to the greased baking dish.
4. Make the topping. Add the Ritz crackers to a food processor and break them into pieces.
Or you can place the crackers in a quart-sized plastic bag. Then, beat them with a rolling pin until broken into small pieces.
Mix the crushed Ritz crackers with the melted butter.
5. Top and bake. Top the casserole with the cracker mixture. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until it is bubbly and the crackers are golden brown and crunchy.
6. Serve. Serve warm and enjoy!
Tips & Variations
Want more from your million-dollar meal? Then, try these mouthwatering variations. I also have the best tips so your dinner lives up to its name.
- Make your casserole ahead of time! Is your schedule looking hectic? Assemble the casserole the night before and refrigerate. Come dinner time, all you have to do is bake.
- Want a clump-free casserole? Use room-temperature cream cheese. Let the cream cheese sit out for 30 minutes before cooking or microwave it for about 15 seconds.
- Sneak in some veggies. The one thing this dish doesn’t have is a lot of veggies. But you can change that. Add vegetables like mushrooms, cauliflower, or broccoli.
- Bacon makes everything better. Bacon plus cheese and chicken equals yum! Sprinkle some crispy bacon on top.
- Switch up the soup. Canned Cream of Mushroom Soup also gives it a wonderful flavor. Canned cheese soup adds an extra layer of luscious flavor.
- Add some color with garnishes! Try green onions or rosemary for fresh components that make the casserole pop.
How to Store and Freeze
Wondering how to store and freeze your Million Dollar Casserole? Here’s everything you need to know:
- Storing. Transfer leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate. Consume within 3 to 4 days.
- Freezing. Wrap the unbaked casserole (without the topping) tightly in plastic wrap and cover with foil. Label and place it flat in the freezer. When serving, thaw in the fridge overnight. Add the topping, then bake according to the directions. Will last 2 to 3 months in the freezer.
- Make-ahead. Assemble the casserole without the topping. Cover and refrigerate overnight. When it’s time to eat, add the topping and bake according to the directions.
- Reheating. Heat the leftovers in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until warm. About 20 to 30 minutes.
On a side note, I don’t recommend freezing the leftovers.
- The creamy components don’t freeze well once they’re cooked. So when you go to reheat, the texture will be less than ideal.
Serving Suggestions
Wondering how to serve Million Dollar Casserole? I’ve got you covered!
I like to make the topping pop by adding chopped scallions. Fresh herbs like parsley or rosemary are a fabulous addition, too.
For an extra indulgent layer, add bacon crumbles. Or, if you’re a spice seeker, add a few dashes of hot sauce or fresh jalapenos.
There are lots of yummy things that also go with this dish. Here are some ideas:
- Warm breadsticks
- Roasted broccoli
- Steamed green beans
- Sauteed spinach
Million Dollar Chicken Casserole
6
servings10
minutes40
minutes363
kcalWant a luxurious weeknight dinner experience? Try this Million Dollar Chicken Casserole! It’s an easy, family-friendly dish that tastes like a million bucks!
Ingredients
4 ounces cream cheese, room temp
3/4 cup cottage cheese
1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 can cream of chicken
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
4 cups cooked chicken, chopped
1 sleeve Ritz crackers
6 tablespoons butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a 2 quart baking dish.
- In a large bowl, mix the cottage cheese, sour cream, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, cream of chicken, garlic powder, onion powder, and dried parsley.
- Stir in the chopped chicken. Then, pour this mixture into the greased baking dish.
- Place the Ritz crackers in a food processor to break them into pieces. Alternatively, you can place them in a quart-sized plastic bag. Then, beat them with a rolling pin until broken into small pieces. Mix the crushed crackers with the melted butter.
- Top the casserole with the cracker mixture. Bake for 35-40 minutes, until it is bubbly and the crackers are golden brown and crunchy.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
I’m curious why the recipe calls for cream cheese but it’s not mentioned in instructions?
Hi Robert, you mix the cream cheese in with the other cheeses in step 2, which is on the recipe card instructions. It’s delicious!
Can I substitute, more cream cheese or sour cream instead of the cottage cheese? Thank you.
Hi Kimmy, yes, you can substitute either! Both cream cheese and sour cream have a similar creamy texture and add richness to the dish.
I did not care for this receipe re Million dollar Chicken casserole,
I followed the recipe totally , but I did not care for the texture is it was like a thick soup !! I was stuck with the casserole so decided it definitely needed some body and boiled penne pasta and incorporated the pasta into the casserole when reheating it which made a much better textured casserole and it certainly seemed like you were eating a meal. At least put in a pasta ,broccoli and ,or/cauliflower….
Hi, I’m so sorry to hear it didn’t come out the way you hoped! But I’m glad you were able to salvage it. Adding some pasta sounds like the perfect fix!
Million dollar chicken casserole was totally mediocre, plus the prep time of 10 minutes was way off the mark. just cutting up the chicken alone took about 1/2 hour. Hope some of your other recipes are better.
Hi Lesley, so sorry to hear it didn’t turn out as you’d hoped! The prep time is based on using leftover chicken, which is a definite shortcut. It also adds more flavor to the casserole.