Million dollar chicken casserole is an easy, creamy, and comforting meal that’s topped with buttery Ritz cracker crumbs. It’s the perfect dinner casserole for busy weeknights.
With simple ingredients like chicken, cream cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, and cream of chicken soup you’ll have yourself this delicious million dollar chicken casserole. In our opinion, this dish isn’t complete without the crisp crumbled Ritz crackers on top for the perfect creamy-crunch ratio.
Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.
ADDITIONS – Cream cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, and cream of chicken soup come together to make this dish ultra-creamy and thick. Make sure your cream cheese is well-softened at room temperature. You can use homemade cream of chicken soup if desired.
These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.
Yes, million dollar chicken casserole freezes well. To do so, follow the instructions through step 4 (before adding the crackers) and store with an air-tight lid or tightly wrapped with plastic wrap followed by aluminum foil in the freezer for up to 4 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Bake as normal, but covered with foil. You may need to add a few minutes since the dish is going into the oven cold.
Store with an air-tight lid or tightly wrapped with plastic wrap in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave.
Some people like to add bacon to their chicken casserole, so feel free to add some if desired. This dish is great for using up leftover chicken. Serve with a side salad, bread, or steamed veggies.
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
Million Dollar Chicken Casserole
This chicken casserole isn’t complete without the crisp crumbled Ritz crackers on top for the perfect creamy-crunch ratio.
Prep: 10min
Total: 50min
Yield: 6
Serving Size: 1 serving (1 cup)
Nutrition Facts: servingSize 1 serving (1 cup), calories 443 kcal, Carbohydrate 17 g, Protein 29 g, Fat 29 g, Saturated Fat 14 g, Trans Fat 1 g, Cholesterol 125 mg, Sodium 818 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 4 g, unSaturated Fat 11 g
Ingredients:
- 4 cups chicken (cooked and shredded – roughly 1 1/2 lbs of boneless chicken breasts)
- 4 oz cream cheese (softened at room temperature)
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 10.75 oz condensed cream of chicken soup (as-is, do NOT add water/milk)
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 32 Ritz crackers (1 sleeve)
- 4 Tbsp unsalted butter (melted)
Instruction:
- Preheat the oven to 350F.
- Shred the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces.
- In a large bowl combine the cream cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, cream of chicken soup, and seasoning. Mix well.
- To the same bowl add the chicken and stir to coat well. Pour into a 9×9 casserole dish.
- In a separate medium bowl add a sleeve of Ritz crackers and crush into small bits. Pour in the melted butter and toss to coat the crackers.
- Top the casserole with the Ritz crackers.
- Bake uncovered for 40 minutes. Garnish with parsley if desired.
Paula Deen’s Amazing Chicken Casserole
Creamy chicken casserole is a very tender casserole with creamy sauce and lots of cheese.
Prep: 20min
Total: 60min
Ingredients:
- 2 cups chicken, cooked, cut in small bite-sized pieces (U can use our guide: How to Cook Shredded Chicken)
- 4 cups pasta, cooked and drained (approximately 2 cups uncooked); penne, cavatappi, or rigatoni works well
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 cup milk
- 3 cups cheese, grated (cheddar, Colby jack, Swiss, or a combination), with 1/2 cup reserved for sprinkling on top
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- salt and black pepper to taste
Instruction:
- Fry the onion and garlic in butter. Add flour, stir, cook for no more than 1 minute.
- Add milk and sour cream, whisk and cook until thick. Then add the cheese and stir again.
- Add chicken, pasta, salt, red pepper flakes. Toss and place in a prepared baking dish (9 * 13 inches). Bake in preheated to 350 F oven for 20-30 minutes or until cheese starts bubbling.
Grandma’s Chicken Casserole
When it comes to weeknight dinner, casseroles are king. This super-simple, five-ingredient chicken casserole recipe comes together quickly and bakes up beautifully. It’s sure to be your quick-meal go to for at-home dinners and a reliable favorite for bake-and-take potluck dinners.
Prep: 10min
Total: 45min
Yield: 8
Serving Size: 1 Serving
Nutrition Facts: calories 520 , Carbohydrate 37 g, Cholesterol 105 mg, Fat 2 1/2 , Fiber 0 g, Protein 27 g, Saturated Fat 14 g, servingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 1060 mg, Sugar 2 g, Trans Fat 1 g
Ingredients:
- 3 cups chopped cooked chicken
- 2 cans (10.5 oz each) condensed cream of chicken soup
- 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese (8 oz)
- 3 cups Progresso™ plain panko crispy bread crumbs
- 6 tablespoons butter, melted
Instruction:
- Heat oven to 350°F.
- Place chicken evenly in bottom of ungreased 13×9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish. Spoon and spread soup evenly over chicken; sprinkle with cheese.
- In medium bowl, stir bread crumbs and melted butter; sprinkle over cheese. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until cheese is melted and bread crumbs are golden brown and thoroughly heated.
Chicken Casserole/ Easy Chicken Casserole Irish style / how to make casserole
FAQ
What are 5 components of a casserole?
What is the key to making a good casserole?
- 2 tablespoons olive oil.
- 4-6 boneless higher-welfare chicken thighs with skin on , (depending on the age and appetite of your children)
- 100 g higher-welfare bacon lardons or chopped bacon.
- 1 large onion , chopped.
- 2 small sweet potatoes , peeled and cut into cubes.
- 16 button mushrooms , cut into quarters.
How does Jamie Oliver make chicken casserole?
