Easy Million Dollar Chicken Casserole Recipe

on

Million Dollar Chicken Casserole earns its name by tasting incredibly rich and decadent while requiring almost zero effort to throw together. By combining tender shredded chicken with a velvety, cheesy sauce and topping it with a buttery, crispy Ritz cracker crust, this dish delivers pure comfort food in every bite. It’s a perfect make-ahead meal or a quick weeknight dinner lifesaver that relies on easy pantry staples. 




Ingredients

The Creamy Filling:

  • 4 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced (a store-bought rotisserie chicken is perfect here)

  • 1 (8 oz) block cream cheese, softened to room temperature

  • 1 cup sour cream (or plain whole-milk Greek yogurt)

  • 1 (10.5 oz) can condensed cream of chicken soup

  • 1 tsp garlic powder

  • 1 tsp onion powder

  • ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper

  • 1 ½ cups sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated (divided)

  • 1 cup mozzarella or Monterey Jack cheese, freshly grated

The Buttery Crust:

  • 1 sleeve (about 30) buttery round crackers (like Ritz), crushed

  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted

Instructions

1.Prep the Oven and Pan:Greasing prevents the cheese from sticking to the edges..

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray or a little butter.

2.Mix the Creamy Base:The cream cheese must be soft to avoid lumps..

In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, cream of chicken soup, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Stir vigorously until the mixture is completely smooth and well blended.

3.Fold in the Chicken and Cheese:Fold gently so the chicken keeps its texture..

Add the shredded chicken, the shredded mozzarella, and 1 cup of the sharp cheddar cheese to the bowl. Use a spatula to fold everything together until the chicken is evenly coated in the creamy sauce.

4.Transfer to the Baking Dish:

Spread the chicken mixture evenly into your prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of sharp cheddar cheese over the top of the filling.

5.Prepare the Cracker Topping:

In a small bowl, toss the crushed Ritz crackers with the melted butter until the crumbs are evenly moistened. Sprinkle the buttery crumbs uniformly over the cheese layer in the baking dish.

6.Bake and Serve:Letting it rest helps the sauce thicken up before scooping..

Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 30–35 minutes, or until the edges are hot and bubbly and the cracker crust is a deep golden brown. Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

Comments

Post a Comment