Million Dollar Chicken Casserole Recipe
Million Dollar Chicken Casserole is a creamy, cheesy baked dish featuring tender cooked chicken mixed with rich sour cream, mayonnaise, and two kinds of cheese. Topped with a buttery, crunchy Ritz cracker crust, this comforting casserole bakes to a golden perfection and makes a perfect weeknight dinner or potluck favorite.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Total Time: 40-45 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Topping
- 1 sleeve Ritz crackers, crushed
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- Chopped parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Oven Preparation: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Mix the Filling: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked chicken, condensed cream of chicken soup, sour cream, mayonnaise, shredded cheddar cheese, and shredded mozzarella cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir everything thoroughly until well blended.
- Fill the Dish: Transfer the chicken mixture to your prepared baking dish and smooth it into an even layer to ensure uniform baking.
- Prepare the Topping: In a separate bowl, combine the crushed Ritz crackers with melted unsalted butter, stirring until the crackers are evenly coated with butter.
- Add the Topping: Evenly sprinkle the buttered cracker mixture over the chicken layer in the baking dish, creating a crunchy crust.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the casserole is bubbling around the edges and the topping is golden brown and crisp.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes to cool slightly. Optionally, garnish with chopped parsley before serving to add a fresh touch.
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken or leftover cooked chicken for convenience.
- For extra flavor, you can add diced onions or garlic to the chicken mixture.
- Ritz cracker crumbs can be substituted with breadcrumbs or crushed crackers of choice.
- This casserole can be prepared ahead and refrigerated before baking; add a few extra minutes to baking time if cold from the fridge.
- For a lower fat version, use light sour cream and reduced-fat cheeses.
Keywords: Million Dollar Chicken Casserole, chicken casserole, cheesy chicken bake, Ritz cracker topping, comfort food, baked chicken casserole
