Description
Million dollar chicken casserole combines creamy, cheesy goodness with tender chicken in a comforting dish. Home cooks appreciate its simple preparation and crowd-pleasing flavors that bring warmth to any dinner table.
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
Seasoning and Topping:
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup crushed Ritz crackers (about 1 sleeve)
- 4 tablespoons melted butter
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons chopped green onions (optional)
Instructions
- Gently soften cream cheese at room temperature to ensure smooth blending of ingredients.
- Whisk together cream cheese, sour cream, cottage cheese, cheddar, and seasonings until achieving a uniform, velvety consistency.
- Incorporate shredded chicken into the creamy mixture, ensuring even distribution throughout.
- Prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish by thoroughly coating with cooking spray or butter.
- Carefully spread the chicken and cheese mixture into the prepared dish, creating an even layer.
- Crush Ritz crackers into fine, uniform crumbs using a rolling pin or food processor.
- Melt butter and thoroughly combine with cracker crumbs to create a golden, crispy topping.
- Evenly distribute the buttery cracker mixture across the entire surface of the casserole.
- Position the uncovered dish in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until the casserole is heated through and the topping turns a rich, golden brown.
- Allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes after removing from the oven to help set the creamy texture.
- Optional: Garnish with freshly chopped green onions for a pop of color and added flavor before serving.
Notes
- Customize the cheese blend by mixing different varieties like mozzarella or pepper jack for extra flavor complexity.
- Swap regular chicken with rotisserie or leftover roasted chicken to reduce preparation time and add deeper taste profiles.
- Make this dish gluten-free by substituting Ritz crackers with gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed cornflakes for the crunchy topping.
- Reduce calorie content by using low-fat cream cheese, sour cream, and reduced-fat cheddar without compromising the rich, creamy texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg