There's a reason this creamy, cheesy Million Dollar Chicken Casserole Recipe 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 Recipe
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.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Million Dollar Chicken Casserole Recipe
- Ingredients
- Instructions
- Pro Tips for the Perfect Casserole
- Dietary Modifications & Substitutions
- Equipment For Million Dollar Chicken Casserole Recipe
- Storage Instructions
- The Secret Behind Grandma's "Million Dollar" Chicken
- FAQ
- One Bite and You'll See Why It's Called Million Dollar!
- Related
- Pairing
- Million Dollar Chicken Casserole
Ingredients
the Chicken Layer:
- Cooked, shredded chicken (rotisserie chicken works great)
- Cream cheese, softened
- Sour cream
- Cream of chicken soup
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Black pepper
- Salt
the Topping:
- Ritz crackers, crushed (about 30 crackers)
- Butter, melted
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- 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 Recipe
- 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
The Secret Behind Grandma's "Million Dollar" Chicken
Long before it went viral, this Million Dollar Chicken Casserole Recipe was a well-kept family secret—handwritten on a stained recipe card tucked inside my grandma’s cookbook. She used to call it her "Sunday Saver," a dish so rich, comforting, and delicious that it could fix any bad day. The secret? A perfect blend of cream cheese, sour cream, and a buttery cracker topping that made every bite feel like a hug. We never understood why it tasted so expensive—but one thing was certain: everyone who tried it felt like a million bucks. Now, I'm passing it on to you. Welcome to the family.
FAQ
How to make a chicken casserole from scratch?
Start with cooked, shredded chicken, then mix with cream cheese, sour cream, and seasonings. Add cheese, top with buttery crushed crackers, and bake until bubbly. Simple ingredients, big comfort!
How many calories are in a million dollar chicken casserole recipe?
One serving of Million Dollar Chicken Casserole Recipe has approximately 485 calories. This may vary slightly based on portion size and ingredient brands used.
What side dishes go well with chicken casserole?
Serve with garlic green beans, a crisp garden salad, or roasted vegetables. Mashed potatoes or warm dinner rolls also pair beautifully for a hearty meal.
What can I add to chicken casserole for flavour?
Boost flavor with sautéed onions, fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary, or a splash of chicken broth. Adding veggies like mushrooms or spinach also adds depth and nutrition.
One Bite and You'll See Why It's Called Million Dollar!
This Million Dollar Chicken Casserole isn’t just dinner—it’s a creamy, cheesy masterpiece that brings comfort food to a whole new level. With its rich texture, irresistible flavor, and budget-friendly ingredients, it’s no surprise this recipe has gone viral. Whether you're feeding a hungry family or meal-prepping for the week, this dish will have everyone coming back for seconds (and thirds!).
Love that cheesy, savory magic? Don’t miss our Best Alice Springs Chicken Recipe—a bold, mouthwatering favorite loaded with flavor. Or take a cozy trip to Sweden with our homemade IKEA Swedish Meatballs Recipe, complete with creamy gravy and all the nostalgic vibes.
Crave-worthy comfort starts here. Save, share, and enjoy every bite!
Related
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Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Million Dollar Chicken Casserole Recipe
Million Dollar Chicken Casserole
Equipment
- 1 9x13 inch baking dish For baking the casserole
- 1 Large mixing bowl To mix the creamy chicken base
- 1 Electric mixer Handheld or stand mixer works
- Set Measuring cups and spoons For accurate ingredient amounts
- 1 Cutting board For shredding or prepping chicken
- 1 Knife To cut or shred cooked chicken
Ingredients
- 4 cups Cooked chicken Shredded,rotisserie preferred
- 8 oz Cream cheese Softened
- 1 cup Sour cream
- 1 can Cream of chicken soup 10.5 oz can
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Onion powder
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 2 cups Cheddar cheese Shredded
- 1 cup Mozzarella cheese Shredded
- 1 sleeve Ritz crackers Crushed,about 30 crackers
- 4 tablespoon Butter Melted
- Fresh parsley Optional garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C)
- Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish
- Beat softened cream cheese until smooth
- Mix in sour cream and cream of chicken soup
- Add garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper
- Fold in shredded chicken until evenly coated
- Spread mixture into baking dish
- Sprinkle cheddar and mozzarella cheeses over top
- Mix crushed crackers with melted butter
- Sprinkle cracker topping over cheese layer
- Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until bubbly and melted
- Let stand for 5-10 minutes before serving
- Garnish with fresh parsley if desired
Notes
- Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
pam says
I love this recipe, only I did add 4 cups of cooked elbow macaroni noodles and 4 green onions, for I couldn't just have chicken and sauce by itself, but it was excellent.
Cook savor says
That sounds fantastic, Pam! I love how you made it your own—adding elbow macaroni and green onions is such a clever touch. A heartier, flavor-packed version for sure! Thanks for sharing your twist; so glad it turned out excellent!