Description
Million dollar chicken casserole delivers creamy comfort on a plate. Cheesy layers and crispy topping make this Southern classic irresistible for family dinners you’ll want to savor again and again.
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 Other 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 by heating to 350F (175C) and coating a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Create a creamy filling by thoroughly blending shredded chicken with cream cheese, sour cream, cottage cheese, shredded cheddar, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a large mixing bowl until ingredients are completely integrated.
- Distribute the chicken mixture uniformly across the prepared baking dish, ensuring an even layer for consistent cooking.
- Craft a crispy topping by combining crushed buttery crackers with melted butter in a separate bowl, then generously sprinkle the mixture over the chicken layer to create a golden, crunchy surface.
- Transfer the casserole to the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, watching for a bubbling texture and a rich golden-brown cracker topping.
- Remove from the oven and allow the casserole to rest for 5-10 minutes, which helps the ingredients settle and makes serving easier, creating a perfectly melded dish with contrasting textures.
Notes
- Swap cottage cheese with Greek yogurt for a lighter, protein-packed version that keeps the creamy texture intact.
- Gluten-free option works perfectly by using gluten-free crackers instead of traditional buttery crackers.
- Prep chicken ahead of time by using rotisserie chicken or quickly poaching chicken breasts to save precious cooking time.
- Spice lovers can add red pepper flakes or jalapeños to the chicken mixture for an extra kick of heat and flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 470 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg