Description

Million Dollar Chicken Casserole is a creamy, comforting baked dish featuring tender cooked chicken mixed with a rich blend of cream cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, and cream of chicken soup. Topped with buttery crushed Ritz crackers, this casserole bakes to a golden, bubbly perfection – perfect for an easy family dinner or potluck favorite.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken Mixture

4 cups cooked chicken, chopped
4 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup cottage cheese
1/2 cup sour cream
1 (10.75 oz) can cream of chicken soup
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon dried parsley

Topping

1 sleeve Ritz crackers, crushed
6 tablespoons butter, melted

Instructions

Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and generously grease a 9-inch baking dish with nonstick spray to prevent sticking during baking.
Mix Cream Cheese and Dairy Ingredients: In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Add the cottage cheese, sour cream, garlic powder, onion powder, dried parsley, and cream of chicken soup. Stir everything thoroughly to create a creamy, well-seasoned mixture.
Add Chicken to Mixture: Stir the chopped cooked chicken into the creamy mixture until evenly combined, ensuring every bite has a good amount of chicken and flavor.
Transfer Mixture to Baking Dish: Pour the chicken and cheese mixture into the prepared 9-inch baking dish, smoothing the top for even baking.
Prepare and Add Cracker Topping: In a small bowl, mix the crushed Ritz crackers with the melted butter until the crumbs are evenly coated. Sprinkle this buttery cracker topping evenly over the casserole.
Bake Until Golden and Bubbly: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 40 minutes or until the casserole is bubbly throughout and the cracker topping is golden brown and crisp.

Notes

Use rotisserie or leftover cooked chicken for ease and added flavor.
Ensure cream cheese is softened to blend smoothly without lumps.
Crush Ritz crackers finely for a more even topping crust.
If desired, substitute the cream of chicken soup with a homemade cream sauce for a fresher taste.
Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes after baking to help it set before serving.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Category: Casserole
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: chicken casserole, creamy chicken bake, Ritz cracker topping, comfort food, easy dinner, creamy chicken recipe