Description
This Million Dollar Chicken Casserole is a rich, creamy, and cheesy dish with a crispy Ritz cracker topping. It’s the perfect comfort food for a hearty lunch that will leave you feeling satisfied and full of flavor.
Ingredients
- 4 cups cooked, shredded chicken
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1 (10.5-ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup
- 1 ½ to 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 sleeve Ritz crackers (about 30), crushed
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Pinch of black pepper
- Fresh parsley or scallions (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Prepare the creamy base: In a large bowl, mix cream cheese, sour cream, cottage cheese, and condensed cream of chicken soup until smooth. Add garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper, then mix well.
- Assemble the casserole: Fold in the shredded chicken and 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese until evenly coated. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly.
- Prepare the topping: In a separate bowl, mix crushed Ritz crackers with melted butter until combined. Sprinkle the mixture over the casserole.
- Bake: Place in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, until bubbly and golden brown. For extra cheesiness, sprinkle ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese on top in the last 5 minutes of baking.
- Garnish and serve: Let the casserole rest for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley or scallions, and enjoy!
Notes
- For a gluten-free option: Use gluten-free crackers instead of Ritz.
- For a low-carb version: Replace the crackers with crushed pork rinds or extra cheese.
- Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 400–500 kcal
- Sodium: 800–1000mg
- Fat: 25–30g
- Saturated Fat: 12–15g
- Carbohydrates: 10–12g
- Fiber: 1–2g
- Protein: 25–30g
Keywords: million dollar chicken casserole, creamy chicken casserole, Ritz cracker topping, easy chicken casserole, baked casserole