Description
A rich and creamy Million Dollar Chicken Casserole combining tender shredded chicken, a tangy cheese mixture, and a crunchy Ritz cracker topping, baked to perfection for a comforting and flavorful meal.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Chicken
- 4 cups cooked and shredded chicken (about 1.5 lbs boneless chicken breasts)
Cheese and Dairy
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 10.75 oz condensed cream of chicken soup
Seasonings
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Cracker Topping
- 32 Ritz crackers (1 sleeve)
- 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and let it preheat thoroughly.
- Shred the chicken: Use a fork or your hands to shred the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces, ensuring it’s easy to mix and eat.
- Prepare the cheese mixture: In a large bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, condensed cream of chicken soup, garlic powder, and onion powder. Mix well until smooth and creamy.
- Add chicken to the mixture: Fold in the shredded chicken until the chicken is evenly coated with the cheesy mixture, then transfer everything into a 9×9-inch casserole dish.
- Make the cracker topping: In a separate medium bowl, crush the Ritz crackers into small bits. Pour the melted butter over the crackers and toss gently until the crumbs are coated evenly.
- Assemble and bake: Spread the cracker mixture evenly over the top of the casserole. Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for about 40 minutes, until the top is golden brown and bubbly.
- Garnish and serve: Garnish with chopped parsley if desired, then serve hot for a comforting meal.
Notes
- For extra flavor, add herbs like thyme or parsley to the cheese mixture.
- You can prepare this casserole ahead of time and refrigerate it before baking.
- If you prefer a crunchier topping, bake for an additional 5 minutes.
- This dish pairs well with steamed vegetables or a fresh green salad.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of casserole (~1 cup)
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 950 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 125 mg
