Description
Million Dollar Chicken Casserole is a rich and comforting baked dish combining tender chicken with creamy cheeses, tangy sour cream, and a crunchy buttery cracker topping. Perfect for a family dinner, this casserole delivers a savory blend of flavors and textures that everyone will love.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Mixture
- 2 cups cooked chicken, diced or shredded
- 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 can (10.5 ounces) cream of chicken soup
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Toppings
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup crushed Ritz crackers
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Combine Creamy Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, blend the cream cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, and cream of chicken soup together until you achieve a smooth and creamy consistency.
- Season the Mixture: Add garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to the creamy blend and stir well to evenly distribute the seasonings.
- Add Chicken: Fold in the cooked chicken pieces until they are thoroughly coated with the creamy mixture.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking, then spread the chicken mixture evenly across the bottom of the dish.
- Add Parmesan Cheese: Sprinkle the grated Parmesan evenly over the chicken mixture to add a salty and nutty flavor layer.
- Make Cracker Topping: Combine the crushed Ritz crackers with melted butter, then spread this mixture over the Parmesan cheese layer to create a crispy topping.
- Add Mozzarella Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese on top of the cracker layer for a gooey, melty finish.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes until the top turns golden brown and the casserole is bubbly and hot throughout.
- Rest: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for about 10 minutes to set before serving.
- Garnish and Serve: Optionally, sprinkle chopped fresh parsley on top for a pop of color and fresh flavor before serving.
Notes
- Make sure the cream cheese is softened before mixing to avoid lumps.
- You can substitute cooked rotisserie chicken to save time.
- For extra crunch, add additional crushed crackers on top before baking.
- Parsley garnish is optional but adds freshness and visual appeal.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven for best texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
