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Million Dollar Chicken Casserole

Million Dollar Chicken Casserole

This Million Dollar Chicken Casserole is a comforting and easy dinner idea, perfect for weeknights or feeding a crowd. It features a rich, creamy filling of chicken, cream cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, and cream of chicken soup, topped with a buttery, crunchy Ritz cracker crust and mozzarella cheese. This simple yet decadent dish quickly became a favorite, praised for its irresistible flavor and texture.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 8 servings
Calories 450 kcal

Equipment

  • 9x13-inch baking dish
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Small bowl
  • spoon
  • spatula

Ingredients
  

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
 

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  • 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.
  • Stir in the garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
  • Gently fold in the shredded chicken until it is evenly coated with the creamy mixture.
  • Pour the chicken mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly.
  • Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the top.
  • In a separate small bowl, mix the crushed Ritz crackers with the melted butter until the crumbs are fully coated.
  • Sprinkle the buttered cracker mixture evenly over the casserole.
  • Top everything with the shredded mozzarella cheese.
  • Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the top is golden brown and crispy.
  • Remove from the oven and let it stand for 5-10 minutes before serving. This helps the casserole set up.
  • Garnish with fresh parsley if you like, and serve warm.

Notes

This casserole can be varied by adding steamed broccoli, sautéed mushrooms, or frozen peas and carrots. For a spicy kick, add hot sauce or red pepper flakes. Other topping options include crushed potato chips, fried onions, or panko breadcrumbs. A 'Chef's Secret' suggests adding crumbled crispy bacon and fresh chives to the chicken mixture for a smoky, savory twist. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and reheated in the microwave or oven (350°F for 15-20 minutes) for best results.