Million Dollar Chicken Casserole Recipe
This Million Dollar Chicken Casserole is a rich and creamy baked dish featuring shredded chicken, a blend of cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise, combined with a triple cheese mix and topped with a buttery Ritz cracker crust. Perfect for a comforting family dinner or potluck, this casserole delivers layers of cheesy, savory flavors with a delightfully crunchy topping.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
The Creamy Base:
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken (rotisserie chicken is perfect)
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
The Million Dollar Factor:
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese
The Topping That Changes Everything:
- 1 sleeve Ritz crackers, crushed
- 4 tablespoons butter, melted
- ½ teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Get That Chicken Ready: If using a rotisserie chicken, shred the cooked chicken evenly. For leftover chicken, chop it into bite-sized pieces to ensure even distribution throughout the casserole.
- Make the Creamy, Cheesy Magic: In a large bowl, combine softened cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix until smooth. Stir in the shredded cheddar, mozzarella, and parmesan cheeses. Fold the shredded chicken into the mixture until everything is thoroughly coated in the creamy, cheesy blend.
- Assemble & Layer: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. Evenly spread the creamy chicken mixture into the prepared dish, ensuring smooth and uniform layering.
- Make the Buttery Ritz Topping: In a small bowl, combine the crushed Ritz crackers, melted butter, and paprika. Mix until the crackers are evenly coated with the buttery spice mixture. Sprinkle this crunchy topping evenly over the casserole.
- Bake Until Golden & Bubbling: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes. The casserole is ready when the top is a golden brown color and the edges are bubbling hot. Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving to enjoy the perfect creamy and crispy contrast.
Notes
- Rotisserie chicken saves time and adds extra flavor but any cooked chicken can be used.
- For extra creaminess, you can add a splash of milk or chicken broth to the creamy mixture before baking.
- Make sure the cream cheese is softened to avoid lumps in the mixture.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat nicely in the oven or microwave.
- You can substitute Ritz crackers topping with panko breadcrumbs mixed with parmesan for a different crunch texture.
Keywords: chicken casserole, baked chicken dish, creamy chicken casserole, cheesy casserole, comfort food, party casserole, Ritz cracker topping
