Description
Southern million dollar chicken casserole blends creamy, cheesy comfort with hearty protein. Crispy crackers crown this crowd-pleasing dish you’ll crave at potlucks and family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 3 cups cooked, shredded chicken
Cheeses:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup cottage cheese
Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 sleeve buttery crackers (like Ritz), crushed
- 4 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 cup sour cream
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Prepare the oven at 350F (175C) and coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Create a creamy mixture by thoroughly blending shredded chicken, cream cheese, sour cream, cottage cheese, cheddar cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a large mixing bowl until ingredients are fully incorporated.
- Distribute the chicken mixture uniformly across the prepared baking dish, ensuring an even layer.
- Craft a crispy topping by combining crushed crackers with melted butter in a separate bowl, then sprinkle this mixture evenly over the chicken layer.
- Slide the casserole into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, watching for a bubbly texture and golden-brown cracker topping.
- Remove from the oven and allow the casserole to rest for 5-10 minutes, which helps the ingredients set and makes serving easier.
Notes
- Opt for rotisserie chicken to save time and add extra flavor depth to the casserole.
- Use low-fat cream cheese and Greek yogurt as healthier alternatives to traditional dairy ingredients.
- Customize the topping by substituting crackers with gluten-free options or panko breadcrumbs for different texture variations.
- Prepare the casserole ahead of time and refrigerate overnight, allowing flavors to meld and making meal prep easier for busy weeknights.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 470 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 590 mg
- Fat: 33 g
- Saturated Fat: 19 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 17 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg