1415735 Million Dollar Chicken Casserole Recipe

Simple Million Dollar Chicken Casserole Recipe You Need

Million dollar chicken casserole is comfort food at its best, bringing creamy richness and golden edges to the dinner table.

Tender chicken is folded into a luscious sauce, then topped and baked until bubbling and perfectly crisp on top.

Cheese melts through every bite, creating layers of flavor that feel both familiar and deeply satisfying.

It’s a recipe that turns weeknight cooking into something worth gathering around, without adding extra work in the kitchen.

You will embrace this casserole for its simplicity and the way it delivers big flavor with little effort.

Pull out your skillet, gather your ingredients, and get ready to serve a meal that will quickly become a family favorite.

Million Dollar Chicken Casserole Worth Making

Million Dollar Chicken Casserole Worth Making

Conquer Creamy Comfort: This Million Dollar Chicken Casserole delivers pure culinary magic!

  • Crush Kitchen Complexity: Minimal cooking skills needed, with straightforward mixing and layering steps that anyone can master without breaking a sweat.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Champion: Perfect for family dinners, potlucks, and gatherings where you want to impress without extensive preparation, creating instant smiles around the table.
  • Transform Leftover Chicken: Brilliantly repurposes shredded chicken into a decadent, creamy dish that turns simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy meal bursting with rich, comforting flavors.
  • Customize with Ease: Flexible recipe allows swapping ingredients or adding personal touches like extra herbs or different cheese types to match your taste preferences and pantry availability.

Ingredients for Million Dollar Chicken Casserole

Ingredients for Million Dollar Chicken Casserole
Main Protein:
  • Chicken: A tender and flavorful protein that serves as the star ingredient of this comforting casserole.
Creamy Base Ingredients:
  • Cream of Chicken Soup, Cottage Cheese, Sour Cream, Cream Cheese: These ingredients create a rich, smooth, and luxurious base that adds depth and creaminess to the casserole.
Seasoning Ingredients:
  • Creole Seasoning, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder: A blend of spices that provides a robust and zesty flavor profile to enhance the overall taste of the dish.
  • Parsley: A fresh herb that adds a bright and clean flavor to the creamy chicken mixture.
Topping Ingredients:
  • Crackers, Butter: These ingredients combine to create a crunchy and golden-brown topping that adds texture and richness to the casserole.
  • Mozzarella Cheese: A melty cheese that provides a gooey and satisfying layer on top of the chicken mixture.
Garnish:
  • Scallions: A fresh and mild onion-like herb that offers a pop of color and a subtle, crisp flavor when sprinkled on top.

How to Cook Million Dollar Chicken Casserole

How to Cook Million Dollar Chicken Casserole
1

Warm Up the Oven

Fire up your oven to 350°F so it’s ready for the delicious casserole you’re about to create.

2

Create a Creamy Base

In a mixing bowl, whip together these delightful ingredients:

  • Cream of chicken soup
  • Cottage cheese
  • Sour cream
  • Cream cheese
  • Creole seasoning
  • Onion powder
  • Garlic powder

Blend everything until the mixture looks smooth and dreamy.

3

Add the Star Ingredient

Gently fold in:

  • Shredded chicken
  • Chopped parsley

Make sure the chicken gets completely coated in the creamy goodness.

4

Craft a Crunchy Topping

In another bowl, mix together:

  • Crushed crackers
  • Melted butter
  • Remaining garlic powder

Create a crispy coating that’ll make your taste buds dance.

5

Build Your Casserole

Pour the chicken mixture into an 11×7 or 9-inch square baking dish. Spread it evenly like you’re creating an edible canvas.

Sprinkle mozzarella cheese all over, then crown it with the cracker topping.

6

Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the casserole onto a foil-lined baking sheet.

Bake for 35 minutes until the top turns a gorgeous golden brown and the edges start bubbling with excitement.

7

Finish and Serve

Pull the casserole out of the oven.

Sprinkle some sliced scallions on top if you’re feeling fancy. Let it cool for a few minutes, then dig in and enjoy your million-dollar creation!

Tips to Perfect Million Dollar Chicken Casserole

Tips to Perfect Million Dollar Chicken Casserole
Elevate this chicken casserole with these helpful tips:
  • Swap cottage cheese with Greek yogurt for a protein-packed, lighter version that maintains creamy texture.
  • Try gluten-free crackers to make the dish celiac-friendly without compromising the crispy topping.
  • Enhance flavor by using rotisserie chicken for deeper, more complex taste and guaranteed tenderness.
  • Prep ahead by assembling the casserole earlier and refrigerating, then bake when ready to serve for maximum convenience.
  • Consider adding fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary to introduce additional aromatic dimensions to the dish.

Flavor Variations on Million Dollar Chicken Casserole

Flavor Variations on Million Dollar Chicken Casserole
  • Low-Carb Chicken Cauliflower Casserole: Replace crackers with almond flour, use cauliflower rice instead of traditional base, and swap cottage cheese for Greek yogurt to reduce carbohydrate content.
  • Gluten-Free Herb Chicken Bake: Substitute regular crackers with gluten-free crackers or crushed pork rinds, use gluten-free cream of chicken soup, and maintain original flavor profile with added fresh herbs.
  • Mediterranean Chicken Casserole: Incorporate feta cheese instead of mozzarella, add sun-dried tomatoes, replace Creole seasoning with oregano and basil, and top with chopped kalamata olives for Mediterranean flair.

Pairing Ideas for Million Dollar Chicken Casserole

Pairing Ideas for Million Dollar Chicken Casserole
  • Opt for a chardonnay or pinot grigio with light, buttery notes that beautifully balance the creamy casserole’s richness and cut through its hearty texture.
  • Craft a tangy mixed greens salad with lemon vinaigrette to provide a refreshing counterpoint, introducing bright acidity that cleanses the palate between creamy casserole bites.
  • Prepare garlic-roasted asparagus or brussels sprouts with olive oil and sea salt, adding a caramelized vegetable element that complements the casserole’s creamy profile and provides textural contrast.

Storage Tips for Million Dollar Chicken Casserole

Storage Tips for Million Dollar Chicken Casserole
  • Transfer leftover casserole to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Seal tightly to prevent moisture loss and maintain flavor integrity.
  • Wrap the casserole securely in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Label with date and contents to track storage time.
  • Thaw overnight in refrigerator. Preheat oven to 350°F. Cover with foil to prevent excessive browning. Warm for 20-25 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove foil last 5 minutes for crispy topping.
  • Place individual portion on microwave-safe plate. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each.

FAQs

FAQs
FAQ

What makes the cream cheese important in this recipe?

Cream cheese adds rich, creamy texture and tangy flavor to the casserole, helping bind ingredients together and creating a smooth, luxurious base that enhances the overall taste and mouthfeel.

FAQ

Can I use rotisserie chicken for this recipe?

Absolutely! Rotisserie chicken works perfectly and saves time. Just shred the meat and mix it into the creamy base as the recipe suggests, maintaining the same delicious result.

FAQ

Why do I need to crush the crackers for the topping?

Crushing crackers creates a crispy, golden-brown layer that adds delightful crunch and texture to the casserole. The smaller pieces ensure even coverage and better integration with the melted butter.

Print
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1415735 Million Dollar Chicken Casserole Recipe

Million Dollar Chicken Casserole Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 28 reviews

  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Million dollar chicken casserole combines comfort and luxury in one delightful dish. Creamy, cheesy layers meld perfectly with tender chicken, creating a memorable meal that satisfies deeply. Diners will savor each comforting bite.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 5 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 4 oz cream cheese (softened to room temperature)
  • 1/2 cup cottage cheese
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of chicken soup
  • 30 buttery round crackers (such as Ritz, finely crushed)
  • 4 tbsps unsalted butter (melted)
  • 1 1/2 tsps Creole seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp garlic powder (divided into two equal parts)
  • 1 tbsp freshly chopped parsley
  • 1 tsp sliced scallions (or as desired for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F, creating an ideal cooking environment for the casserole.
  2. In a mixing bowl, whisk together cream of chicken soup, cottage cheese, sour cream, cream cheese, Creole seasoning, onion powder, and half the garlic powder until the mixture reaches a silky, uniform consistency.
  3. Integrate the shredded chicken and chopped parsley into the creamy base, ensuring each chicken piece is thoroughly coated with the rich mixture.
  4. Prepare the crispy topping by combining crushed crackers, melted butter, and remaining garlic powder in a separate bowl, creating a golden, seasoned crumb layer.
  5. Spread the chicken mixture evenly into an 11×7 or 9-inch square baking dish, establishing a smooth foundation for the casserole.
  6. Distribute mozzarella cheese uniformly across the chicken layer, creating a melty cheese barrier.
  7. Sprinkle the prepared cracker topping over the cheese, ensuring complete and even coverage for maximum crunch.
  8. Place the casserole on a foil-lined baking sheet to catch potential drips and bake for 35 minutes, or until the topping transforms into a golden-brown crust and the edges bubble with delicious intensity.
  9. Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest briefly, allowing the layers to settle and flavors to meld.
  10. Optional: Garnish with fresh scallions for a bright, aromatic finishing touch before serving.

Notes

  • Customize protein by swapping chicken with turkey, pulled pork, or canned tuna for variety and dietary preferences.
  • Reduce fat content by using low-fat cream cheese, cottage cheese, and part-skim mozzarella for a lighter version.
  • Create gluten-free alternative by substituting crackers with gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed gluten-free crackers to accommodate celiac or gluten-sensitive individuals.
  • Enhance nutritional value by adding roasted vegetables like spinach, bell peppers, or zucchini directly into the chicken mixture for extra nutrients and color.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 402 kcal
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 620 mg
  • Fat: 27 g
  • Saturated Fat: 14 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 13 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 34 g
  • Cholesterol: 110 mg
Samantha Lee

Samantha Lee

Recipe Developer & Content Creator

Expertise

Plant-based and vegetarian recipes, Recipe testing and development, Food blogging and digital content creation, Culinary education and workshops​

Education

Oregon Culinary Institute (Portland, OR)

  • Program: Diploma in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Emphasized plant-based cooking, global cuisines, and recipe testing methodologies.​

Samantha sees cooking like painting, every fresh herb, every juicy tomato, a new splash of color on a canvas.
After graduating from Oregon Culinary Institute, she blended her love of global cuisines and plant-based cooking into recipes that feel fresh, fearless, and full of heart.
Samantha’s kitchen is a place where comfort food gets a modern remix and every meal feels like a little adventure. When she’s not cooking, she’s out exploring farmers’ markets, sketching new recipe ideas, or getting her hands dirty in a community garden.

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