There's a reason this creamy, cheesy Million Dollar Chicken Casserole earned its "million dollar" name. This crowd-pleasing comfort dish combines tender shredded chicken, cream cheese, and a blend of savory ingredients for a rich, satisfying meal that tastes like a million bucks but won't break the bank. Perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or meal prep, this casserole brings five-star restaurant flavor right to your dinner table.
Why You'll Love This Million Dollar Chicken Casserole
This casserole has become a viral sensation on social media, and for good reason. The combination of cream cheese, sour cream, and melted cheese creates an incredibly rich and velvety sauce that coats every bite of chicken. Plus, it's incredibly easy to prepare, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you want something delicious but don't have hours to spend in the kitchen.
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Ingredients
the Chicken Layer:
- 4 cups cooked, shredded chicken (rotisserie chicken works great)
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
the Topping:
- 1 sleeve Ritz crackers, crushed (about 30 crackers)
- 4 tablespoons butter, melted
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Chopped fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Prepare Your Ingredients
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C)
- Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish
- If you haven't already, shred your cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces
- Allow cream cheese to come to room temperature for easier mixing
Create the Creamy Base
- In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth
- Mix in the sour cream and cream of chicken soup until well combined
- Add garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper
- Fold in the shredded chicken until evenly coated
Assemble the Casserole
- Spread the chicken mixture evenly in your prepared baking dish
- Sprinkle the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses over the top
- In a separate bowl, combine crushed Ritz crackers with melted butter
- Sprinkle the buttery cracker mixture over the cheese layer
Bake to Perfection
- Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly
- Let stand for 5-10 minutes before serving
- Garnish with fresh parsley if desired
Pro Tips for the Perfect Casserole
- Use rotisserie chicken to save time and add extra flavor
- Bring cream cheese to room temperature for easier mixing and a smoother consistency
- Don't overbake – you want the cheese melted but not browned
- For extra crunch, add the cracker topping in the last 10 minutes of baking
Dietary Modifications & Substitutions
- Make it lower in fat by using reduced-fat cream cheese and sour cream
- For a gluten-free version, replace Ritz crackers with gluten-free crackers or crushed pork rinds
- Add vegetables like broccoli or spinach for extra nutrition
- Swap chicken for turkey after Thanksgiving for a creative leftovers solution
Equipment For Million Dollar Chicken Casserole
- 9x13 inch baking dish
- Large mixing bowl
- Electric mixer (handheld or stand mixer)
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Cutting board and knife for shredding chicken (if not using rotisserie)
Storage Instructions
- Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days
- Freezer: Can be frozen for up to 3 months (prepare through step 3, freeze, then add cracker topping when ready to bake)
- Reheating: Warm in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes or microwave individual portions
Top Tip
Let your cream cheese come to room temperature at least an hour before preparing the casserole. This ensures a smooth, lump-free sauce that will blend perfectly with the other ingredients.
FAQ
Yes! Prepare the casserole up to 24 hours in advance, but add the cracker topping just before baking to maintain its crunch.
While rotisserie chicken provides the best flavor, you can use canned chicken in a pinch. Just be sure to drain it well.
The casserole is done when the cheese is completely melted and bubbly around the edges, and the cracker topping is golden brown.
The name comes from its rich, decadent taste that makes it feel like a million bucks, thanks to the creamy, cheesy combination of ingredients.
This Million Dollar Chicken Casserole is comfort food at its finest. Creamy, cheesy, and utterly satisfying, it's a budget-friendly meal that tastes like a million bucks.
Give it a try tonight – your family will thank you!
If you enjoyed our Million Dollar Chicken Casserole, you’ll love the Best Alice Springs Chicken Recipe for another cheesy, savory delight!
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Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Million Dollar Chicken Casserole
Million Dollar Chicken Casserole
Equipment
- 9x13 inch baking dish
- Large mixing bowl
- Electric mixer (handheld or stand mixer)
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Cutting board and knife for shredding chicken (if not using rotisserie)
Ingredients
Chicken Layer
- 4 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 can 10.5 oz cream of chicken soup
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
Topping
- 1 sleeve Ritz crackers crushed (about 30 crackers)
- 4 tablespoons butter melted
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Chopped fresh parsley optional garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
- In a large bowl, beat softened cream cheese until smooth. Mix in sour cream and cream of chicken soup.
- Add garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
- Fold in shredded chicken until evenly coated.
- Spread mixture in prepared baking dish.
- Top with cheddar and mozzarella cheeses.
- Mix crushed Ritz crackers with melted butter. Sprinkle over cheese layer.
- Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until bubbly and golden on top.
- Let stand 5-10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Refrigerate leftovers up to 4 days
- Can be frozen for up to 3 months (add cracker topping before baking)
- Rotisserie chicken works great in this recipe
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