Million Dollar Chicken Casserole (The Only Recipe You’ll Need)

Some recipes feel like a warm hug, and this Million Dollar Chicken Casserole is exactly that. I first made it on a frantic Tuesday night when I had promised to bring a dish to a last-minute potluck. Scouring my pantry, I found a can of cream of chicken soup, some cheeses, and a sleeve of Ritz crackers. Combined with leftover shredded chicken, it turned into something magical. It wasn’t just good; it was the first dish to disappear, with three different people asking for the recipe. It’s rich, creamy, and topped with that buttery, crunchy cracker topping that is simply irresistible.

This is one of those easy cheesy dinner ideas that has become a legend in my recipe box. It’s my go-to for comforting weeknight dinners, for welcoming new neighbors, or for feeding a hungry group without breaking a sweat. It’s a casserole recipe that proves simple ingredients can create something that tastes, well, like a million bucks.

The Anatomy of a Perfect Comfort Casserole

The magic of this dish isn’t in some fancy, complicated technique. It’s all about how a few humble, well-chosen ingredients come together. When you’re wondering what you can make for dinner with shredded chicken, this combination is the perfect answer.

• The Creamy Foundation: We’re not holding back here. A combination of softened cream cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, and a can of cream of chicken soup creates the silkiest, most decadent sauce. The cottage cheese might sound odd, but it melts away, adding moisture and a subtle tang that cuts through the richness. Make sure your cream cheese is truly at room temperature to avoid lumps!
• The Chicken: You’ll need about two cups of cooked, diced or shredded chicken. My favorite shortcut is to use a store-bought rotisserie chicken. It’s perfectly seasoned, incredibly moist, and saves a ton of time. Leftover grilled or baked chicken works beautifully, too.
• The Cheeses: A duo of Parmesan and mozzarella adds layers of flavor. The Parmesan brings a salty, nutty bite to the filling, while the mozzarella on top delivers that glorious, stringy cheese pull everyone loves.
• The Unforgettable Topping: This is the star of the show. A sleeve of crushed Ritz crackers mixed with melted butter creates a crispy, golden, and buttery crust that provides the perfect textural contrast to the creamy filling. Don’t crush them into a fine powder; you want some larger, irregular pieces for the best crunch.

Bringing Your Million Dollar Casserole to Life

This is one of the most straightforward dinner recipes you’ll find. It’s mostly a matter of mixing, layering, and baking. First, you’ll want to get your oven preheating to 350°F and give a 9×13-inch baking dish a light greasing.

In your biggest mixing bowl, you’ll combine all the creamy ingredients: the softened cream cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, and the cream of chicken soup. Stir this until it’s as smooth as you can get it. This is your flavor base. Now, you’ll season it with garlic powder, onion powder, and a bit of salt and pepper. Once that’s mixed in, gently fold in your shredded chicken, making sure every piece is coated in that luscious sauce.

Pour this entire mixture into your prepared baking dish and spread it into an even layer. Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese over the top. Now for that crunchy topping. In a separate small bowl, toss the crushed Ritz crackers with the melted butter until they’re all evenly coated. Sprinkle this buttery crumb mixture all over the casserole, followed by the shredded mozzarella. It’s ready for the oven! Bake for 25-30 minutes, until the filling is hot and bubbly and the top is a beautiful golden brown. The smell alone is worth the price of admission.

Easy Variations and a Chef’s Secret

While this casserole is fantastic as is, it’s also a great canvas for new meal ideas. Here are a few ways to switch things up:

• Add Some Veggies: Stir in a cup of steamed broccoli florets, some sautéed mushrooms, or a handful of frozen peas and carrots (thawed, of course) to the chicken mixture for a more complete one-pan meal.
• A Little Spice: If you like a bit of a kick, add a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce or a pinch of red pepper flakes to the creamy sauce.
• Different Toppings: While Ritz crackers are classic, you could also use crushed potato chips, crispy fried onions, or panko breadcrumbs for a different kind of crunch.

The Chef’s Secret: Smoky Bacon & Chive Twist. For an extra layer of savory goodness, fry up four slices of bacon until crispy. Crumble the bacon and finely chop two tablespoons of fresh chives. Fold the crumbled bacon and chives into the chicken mixture before pouring it into the baking dish. The smoky bacon and fresh oniony bite of the chives elevate this dish to a whole new level of deliciousness.

Storing and Reheating for Round Two

If you have leftovers, you’re in luck, because this casserole reheats beautifully. Let the casserole cool completely before covering the dish tightly with foil or plastic wrap. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

To reheat, you can microwave individual portions for a minute or two. For the best results, though, I recommend reheating it in the oven. Place the casserole (in an oven-safe dish) in a 350°F oven for about 15-20 minutes, or until warmed through. This helps the cracker topping crisp up again.

Recipe: Million Dollar Chicken Casserole

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked chicken, diced or shredded
• 1 package (8 ounces) full-fat cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup cottage cheese
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1 can (10.5 ounces) cream of chicken soup
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup crushed Ritz crackers (about 1 sleeve)
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, and cream of chicken soup. Mix with a spoon or spatula until everything is well combined and smooth.
3. Stir in the garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
4. Gently fold in the shredded chicken until it is evenly coated with the creamy mixture.
5. Pour the chicken mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly.
6. Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the top.
7. In a separate small bowl, mix the crushed Ritz crackers with the melted butter until the crumbs are fully coated.
8. Sprinkle the buttered cracker mixture evenly over the casserole.
9. Top everything with the shredded mozzarella cheese.
10. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the top is golden brown and crispy.
11. Remove from the oven and let it stand for 5-10 minutes before serving. This helps the casserole set up.
12. Garnish with fresh parsley if you like, and serve warm.