Creamy Treasures: Cheesy Million Dollar Chicken Casserole Recipe

Comfort food reaches new heights with this irresistible million dollar chicken casserole that promises to steal hearts at every dinner table.

Creamy, cheesy layers meld together in a symphony of flavors that dance across your palate.

Tender chicken nestles between rich, velvety sauce and crisp, golden breadcrumbs.

Weeknight dinners never looked this luxurious or tasted this incredible.

Each forkful delivers a perfect balance of protein, cheese, and crunchy texture that transforms an ordinary meal into something extraordinary.

This recipe delivers pure culinary magic without complicated techniques or hard-to-find ingredients.

Serve it hot and watch as everyone at the table asks for seconds.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 436 kcal

Servings: 7

Million Dollar Chicken Casserole Essentials

• Shredded Chicken: Tender protein foundation that adds hearty substance to the casserole, best using rotisserie or leftover chicken for rich flavor.
• Cream Cheese: Creates smooth, velvety texture and adds luxurious richness to the chicken mixture.
• Sour Cream: Provides tangy depth and helps bind ingredients with creamy consistency.

• Garlic Powder: Delivers subtle, aromatic warmth without raw garlic intensity.
• Onion Powder: Introduces sweet, mellow background notes that complement chicken perfectly.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that elevate and balance overall dish flavor profile.

• Butter Crackers: Generates irresistible golden-brown crunchy layer that adds textural contrast.
• Melted Butter: Helps crackers transform into crispy, golden topping while adding rich flavor.
• Cheddar Cheese: Melts into gooey, sharp layer that connects all ingredients with classic comfort food taste.
• Green Onions: Fresh, sharp garnish that provides bright color and zesty finish to the casserole.

Tools That Help You Prep This Casserole

• Large Mixing Bowl: Essential for combining chicken and creamy ingredients smoothly.
• 9×13 Inch Baking Dish: Perfect for creating even layers and baking the entire casserole.
• Cheese Grater: Helps shred fresh cheddar cheese for the topping.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient measurements.
• Spatula or Wooden Spoon: Useful for mixing ingredients and spreading layers evenly.
• Small Bowl: Needed for mixing cracker topping with melted butter.
• Sharp Knife: Required for chopping green onions as garnish.

Instructions for a Rich and Chicken Bake

• Fire Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 350°F and give your baking dish a quick butter massage to prevent sticking.

• Create Creamy Chicken Base

In a big mixing bowl, toss together tender shredded chicken with velvety cream cheese, tangy sour cream, and a sprinkle of zesty seasonings until everything hugs together perfectly.

• Build Delicious Layers

Spread the dreamy chicken mixture across the baking dish, then shower it with a blanket of sharp cheddar cheese that’ll make your taste buds dance.

• Craft Crispy Cracker Topping

Smash butter crackers into delightful crumbs and marry them with melted butter, then scatter this golden crown across the cheesy landscape.

• Bake to Perfection

Slide the casserole into the heated oven and let it transform for 25-30 minutes until the top turns a gorgeous golden brown and cheese bubbles with excitement.

• Serve and Celebrate

Pull out your masterpiece, let it rest briefly, then sprinkle with fresh green onions for a pop of color and extra flavor. Dig in and enjoy your culinary triumph!

Flavor Enhancers to Add to the Cheese Blend

• Try using rotisserie chicken or turkey for a quick flavor twist that saves precious prep time.
• Replace butter crackers with crushed pork rinds or almond flour to create a keto-friendly version that's equally delicious.
• Stir in chopped spinach, roasted bell peppers, or diced mushrooms to increase nutritional value and add extra texture to the casserole.
• Substitute cream cheese and sour cream with cashew-based alternatives or coconut cream for those with dairy sensitivities while maintaining creamy consistency.
• Experiment with different seasoning blends like cajun, ranch, or Italian herbs to transform the flavor profile and keep the dish exciting for repeat meals.

How to Serve This Casserole Family Style

• Cozy Comfort Meal Companion: Pair this hearty casserole with a crisp garden salad dressed in light vinaigrette to balance the rich, creamy flavors.
• Hearty Side Kick: Serve alongside steamed green beans or roasted broccoli for a nutritious vegetable complement that adds color and freshness to the plate.
• Bread Basket Buddy: Warm dinner rolls or crusty French bread work perfectly to soak up the delicious cheesy sauce, making every bite more satisfying.
• Weeknight Wine Partner: A chilled glass of unoaked chardonnay or light pinot grigio pairs wonderfully with the creamy chicken casserole, elevating the dining experience.

Save Leftovers Without Losing That Texture

• Store leftover casserole in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keeps fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, maintaining optimal taste and texture.
• Transfer cooled casserole portions to freezer-safe containers or zip-lock bags. Freezes beautifully for up to 2 months, providing convenient future meals with minimal preparation.
• Thaw refrigerated casserole overnight in the fridge. Warm in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes, covering with aluminum foil to prevent excessive browning and retain moisture.
• Divide casserole into individual serving sizes before storing. Streamlines meal prep, reduces waste, and allows easy grab-and-go lunches or dinners during busy weeks.

FAQs

• Is million dollar chicken casserole healthy?

While delicious, this dish is rich and high in calories due to cream cheese, sour cream, and butter. It’s best enjoyed in moderation as an occasional comfort food.

• Can I use rotisserie chicken for this recipe?

Absolutely! Rotisserie chicken works perfectly and saves time. Just shred the meat thoroughly before mixing with other ingredients.

• What makes the cracker topping crispy?

The melted butter helps the crushed crackers achieve a golden, crunchy texture when baked. Make sure to distribute the buttered cracker crumbs evenly for consistent crispiness.

• How can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Replace butter crackers with gluten-free crackers or crushed gluten-free breadcrumbs. Ensure all other ingredients are also gluten-free certified.

Cheesy Million Dollar Chicken Casserole Recipe

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4.7 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Million Dollar Chicken Casserole brings southern comfort to dinner tables with creamy, cheesy goodness. Homemade comfort blends tender chicken, rich cream cheese, and buttery crackers for a satisfying meal that delights families gathering around the table.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 cups (about 1 lb or 454 g) cooked, shredded chicken
• 1 cup (about 113 g) shredded cheddar cheese
• 4 oz (113 g) cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup (226 g) cottage cheese
• ½ cup (120 ml) sour cream
• 1 can (10.5 oz or 298 g) cream of chicken soup
• 1 sleeve Ritz crackers, crushed
• 6 tbsps (85 g) unsalted butter, melted
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp dried parsley (optional for added flavor)
• Chopped green onions or parsley for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish and position oven rack in the center, preheating to 350°F for optimal cooking conditions.
2. Mixture Creation: Blend shredded chicken with cream cheese, sour cream, and selected seasonings, whisking thoroughly to create a harmonious and creamy protein foundation that ensures rich flavor throughout the dish.
3. Assembly: Evenly spread the chicken mixture into the prepared baking dish, creating a smooth base layer that will serve as the primary flavor component of the casserole.
4. Cheese Layer: Generously cover the chicken mixture with a complete blanket of sharp cheddar cheese, ensuring full surface coverage to develop a luxurious melted texture.
5. Cracker Topping: Combine crushed crackers with melted butter, creating a golden, crispy coating that will provide a delightful textural contrast to the creamy underlying layers.
6. Final Layering: Meticulously distribute the buttery cracker mixture across the cheese surface, guaranteeing a uniform and complete coverage that will transform into a beautiful golden crust during baking.
7. Baking Process: Slide the casserole into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, allowing the topping to achieve a rich golden-brown hue and the cheese to become perfectly melted and bubbly.
8. Resting and Finishing: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes, allowing the internal temperature to stabilize and flavors to meld together harmoniously.
9. Garnish: Sprinkle finely chopped green onions across the top to add a fresh, vibrant finish that enhances both the visual appeal and flavor profile of the dish.

Notes

Prevent Soggy Topping: Crush crackers coarsely and mix thoroughly with melted butter to ensure crispy, golden-brown texture that stays crunchy throughout baking.

Temperature Precision: Use room temperature cream cheese for smoother blending and more consistent mixture, preventing lumpy or uneven texture in the casserole.

Protein Flexibility: Easily swap chicken with turkey, pulled pork, or plant-based alternatives like shredded jackfruit for diverse dietary preferences and flavor variations.

Enhance Flavor Depth: Consider adding a pinch of smoked paprika or garlic powder to the protein mixture for extra complexity and aromatic richness in each bite.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 436
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 871 mg
• Fat: 29 g
• Saturated Fat: 17 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 21 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 27 g
• Cholesterol: 112 mg