Million Dollar Chicken Casserole: The Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe
Million Dollar Chicken Casserole is the ultimate comfort food featuring a creamy mixture of shredded chicken, sour cream, and cheeses, topped with crunchy Ritz crackers for a satisfying texture. This easy-to-make baked casserole is perfect for busy weeknights or cozy weekends and serves a family-friendly 6 portions in under an hour.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Mixture
- 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded (rotisserie chicken works great)
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 can cream of chicken soup (or homemade)
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
Topping
- 1 sleeve Ritz crackers, crushed
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
Garnish
- Fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare the Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
- Make the Chicken Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, sour cream, cream of chicken soup, mayonnaise, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir in 1 cup of cheddar cheese and 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese until well combined.
- Assemble the Casserole: Transfer the chicken mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly to form a smooth layer.
- Prepare the Ritz Topping: In a small bowl, mix the crushed Ritz crackers with the melted butter until the crumbs are fully coated. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the chicken layer in the baking dish.
- Add More Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup cheddar cheese and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese over the cracker topping to add extra cheesy goodness.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the topping turns golden brown and crispy.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired before serving.
Notes
- Use cooked chicken: Rotisserie chicken works perfectly, saving time and adding great flavor.
- For extra creaminess: Add cream cheese to the chicken mixture for a richer casserole.
- Don’t skip the Ritz crackers: They provide the buttery, crunchy topping that makes this casserole so delicious.
- Make it ahead: You can prepare the casserole the night before, refrigerate it, and bake it the next day.
Keywords: comfort food, chicken casserole, creamy chicken dish, quick dinner, cheesy casserole, Ritz cracker topping
