Million Dollar Chicken Casserole
Let’s be honest: sometimes you simply want a warm, cheesy, and very soothing meal that doesn’t take much work but tastes great. That’s where Million Dollar Chicken Casserole comes in.
What does the name Million Dollar mean?
Because it tastes like a million dollars.And let’s be honest: anything with cream cheese, sour cream, cheddar, and buttery Ritz crackers in it needs a name that sounds like it costs a lot.
People will scrape this dish clean at potlucks, tear it apart at family feasts, and ask for the recipe.Let’s make some cheesy magic happen. Get a baking dish and let’s get started.
- ✅ Very little work, very comfortable—just put everything in a dish and bake. That’s all.
- ✅Topping that is crispy and buttery—because Ritz crackers make everything better.
- ✅People will really fight over the final scoop of this crowd-pleaser.
- You can add bacon, jalapeños, or additional cheese (because you know you want to).
Ingredients
- ◯ 2 cups of shredded cooked chicken (rotisserie chicken is great)
- ◯ 8 ounces of softened cream cheese (since we don’t want to skimp on flavor)
- ◯ ½ cup of sour cream (gives it the right tartness)
- ◯ A half cup of mayonnaise (believe me, it’s the secret weapon)
- ◯ 1 tsp. garlic powder
- ◯ ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ◯ ½ teaspoon of black pepper
- ◯ ½ teaspoon of salt
- ◯ 1 ½ cups of shredded cheddar cheese (because why not have more than one cup?)
- ◯ ½ cup of shredded mozzarella to make it even cheesier
- ◯ ¼ cup of parmesan cheese (adds a salty, umami flavor)
- ◯ 1 sleeve of Ritz crackers, crushed (the buttery crunch is out of this world)
- ◯ 4 tablespoons of melted butter and ½ teaspoon of paprika (for color and a little bit of flavor)
- ◯ 9×13-inch baking dish, greased
Instructions
1. Prepare the chicken
If you’re using a rotisserie chicken (which I highly recommend because I’m lazy), just shred it up.
Cut leftover chicken into small pieces if you’re using it.
2. Create the cheesy, creamy magic
In a big bowl, mix together the cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
Add the cheddar, mozzarella, and parmesan cheese and mix.
Add the shredded chicken and mix it in.Stir it all together until everything is covered in that creamy, cheesy bliss.
3. Put together and stack
Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) before you start.
Spread the creamy chicken mixture evenly over a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
4. Make the Buttery Ritz Topping
Put crumbled Ritz crackers, melted butter, and paprika in a small bowl.
Put this crispy, golden topping on top of the dish.
5. Bake till golden and bubbling
Bake without a cover for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the edges are bubbling.
Don’t eat it right off the dish if you can help it, but if you do, that’s fine.
Optional Additions
- Add diced jalapeños or a few dashes of hot sauce to the mix to make it spicy.
- ⭐Add some crispy bacon or sliced ham to make it even meatier.
- ⭐Add some sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or broccoli to make it veggie-loaded.
- ⭐Make it even cheesier: (Okay, let’s be honest—you were going to do this anyway.) Before baking, put an extra half cup of cheese on top.
Important Tips
- Using chicken that hasn’t been cooked.
You shouldn’t put uncooked chicken in this casserole. Before you mix in the chicken, make sure it is properly cooked. - 🔥Not putting the Ritz cracker topping on.
There is no room for discussion on this. The buttery crunch makes this casserole the best comfort food ever. - 🔥 Baking it too long.
We want it to be gooey, creamy, and delicious.It can dry out if you bake for too long. - 🔥Not making the cream cheese softer.
If you try to blend cream cheese that is cold and hard, you’ll merely get lumps.First, let it sit at room temperature for a while.
FAQs
- Is it possible for me to make this ahead of time?
Yes! Put everything together, cover it well, and put it in the fridge for up to 24 hours.If it’s coming directly from the fridge, just add a few more minutes to the baking time. - Is it possible to freeze it?
Definitely. Wrap it up well and put it in the freezer for up to three months.Put it in the fridge overnight to thaw, then bake it as usual. - Is it okay to use canned chicken?
Yes, in theory. But if you want it to taste great and not just okay, get chicken that has been cooked or rotisserie style. - What should I serve this with?
This casserole is heavy and cheesy, so serve it with something simple:- ◯ A fresh salad on the side
- ◯ Broccoli or green beans that have been steamed
- ◯ Garlic bread (because why not add more carbs?)
Everyone loves Million Dollar Chicken Casserole because it’s easy to make and tastes great.It’s great with a creamy, cheesy, crispy top, and once you try it, you’ll always want to make it.
Do it tonight. Your future self will be grateful. 😉
Tell me what happens! 👇👇