Description
Million Dollar Chicken Casserole is a creamy, comforting dish featuring tender cooked chicken mixed with cream cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, and a savory cream of chicken soup base, topped with a buttery, crunchy Ritz cracker crust and baked to golden perfection. This hearty casserole makes for an easy family meal that’s rich in flavor and simple to prepare.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Chicken Mixture
- 4 1/2 cups chopped cooked chicken
- 4 oz cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 (10.5 oz) can Unsalted Cream of Chicken Soup
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp dried onion powder
Topping
- 1 sleeve Ritz crackers, crushed
- 5 Tbsp butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 350ºF (175ºC). Lightly spray a 9×9-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking and set it aside.
- Mix Chicken and Dairy Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped cooked chicken, softened cream cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, garlic powder, dried onion powder, and the unsalted cream of chicken soup. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated and form a creamy mixture.
- Spread Mixture in Dish: Transfer the chicken mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out in an even layer.
- Prepare and Add Topping: In a separate bowl, combine the crushed Ritz crackers with the melted butter until the crackers are fully coated. Sprinkle this buttery cracker mixture evenly over the top of the chicken mixture in the baking dish.
- Bake the Casserole: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the casserole is heated through and bubbly.
Notes
- Use a rotisserie chicken for quick and convenient preparation of the cooked chicken.
- Ensure the cream cheese is very soft before mixing for the best texture; microwave for 15 to 20 seconds if needed to soften quickly.
- You can prepare the casserole through step 3, then refrigerate or freeze it for later use.
- If freezing, thaw completely before baking according to the instructions.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute gluten-free cream of chicken soup and use crushed pork rinds instead of Ritz crackers.
- Using unsalted cream of chicken soup helps control the sodium content of the dish.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe (~1 cup)
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 27g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0.3g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
