Description
Million Dollar Chicken Casserole is a creamy, comforting baked dish combining shredded chicken with a rich mixture of cream cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, and condensed soup, topped with a buttery Ritz cracker crust for a deliciously crispy finish. Perfect for family dinners and easy to prepare in just over half an hour.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 4 cups boneless skinless chicken, cooked and shredded
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 10.75 ounces condensed cream of chicken soup
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 3/4 teaspoon onion powder
Topping
- 1 sleeve Ritz crackers
- 4 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
Instructions
- Prep: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray a 9×9-inch casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray to ensure easy cleanup and prevent sticking.
- Mix the Creamy Base: In a large bowl, combine the softened 4 ounces cream cheese, 1 cup cottage cheese, 1/2 cup sour cream, 10.75 ounces condensed cream of chicken soup, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, and 3/4 teaspoon onion powder. Stir thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
- Combine Chicken: Add the cooked and shredded 4 cups of boneless skinless chicken to the creamy mixture. Stir until the chicken is evenly coated with the sauce. Then pour this mixture into your prepared casserole dish, spreading it out evenly.
- Crush Crackers: Place 1 sleeve of Ritz crackers into a sealed Ziplock bag. Use a rolling pin or your hands to crush the crackers into small pieces suitable for topping.
- Prepare Cracker Topping: Transfer the crushed crackers into a medium bowl. Pour in 4 tablespoons of melted butter and add 1 teaspoon dried parsley. Stir well to coat all cracker pieces evenly with the buttery herb mixture.
- Top Casserole: Evenly sprinkle the buttered cracker mixture over the top of the chicken and creamy base in the casserole dish, creating a delicious crispy crust.
- Bake: Bake the casserole uncovered in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. The casserole should be hot, bubbly, and the topping golden and crispy when done.
- Garnish and Serve: Optionally garnish the finished casserole with an additional sprinkle of dried parsley for a fresh, colorful touch. Serve hot and enjoy your comforting Million Dollar Chicken Casserole.
Notes
- Make sure the chicken is fully cooked before shredding; rotisserie chicken works well for this recipe.
- You can swap out cottage cheese for ricotta if preferred, though it will slightly alter flavor and texture.
- For a lower fat version, use reduced-fat cream cheese, sour cream, and cottage cheese.
- This casserole can be prepared a day ahead; assemble and refrigerate before baking the next day.
- For extra crispiness, broil the topping for 1-2 minutes at the end of baking—just watch closely to avoid burning.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
