Million Dollar Chicken Casserole (Ultra Creamy, Comforting & Crowd-Pleasing)

🎉 Introduction

Million Dollar Chicken Casserole earns its name for a reason—it’s rich, creamy, comforting, and always a hit. Made with tender cooked chicken, a trio of creamy cheeses, and a buttery cracker topping, this casserole delivers big flavor with minimal effort.

It’s the kind of recipe you turn to when you want:

• A cozy family dinner
• An easy make-ahead meal
• A casserole that everyone loves
• Classic comfort food done right

Everything bakes together into a warm, creamy filling with a golden, crunchy topping that seals the deal. Simple ingredients, reliable results, and pure comfort in every bite.

🧰 Equipment Needed

• Large mixing bowl
• Medium mixing bowl
• 9×13-inch baking dish
• Spatula or spoon
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl

🛒 Ingredients

• 4½ cups cooked chicken, shredded or chopped
• 1 (10.5-oz) can unsalted cream of chicken soup
• 1 cup cottage cheese
• ½ cup sour cream
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon dried onion powder
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

For the topping:

• 1 sleeve Ritz crackers, crushed
• 5 tablespoons butter, melted

These ingredients combine to create a luxuriously creamy filling with a crispy, buttery finish.

👩‍🍳 Directions

Step 1:
Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and set aside.

Step 2:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked chicken, cream of chicken soup, cottage cheese, sour cream, and softened cream cheese.

Step 3:
Add the garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir until the mixture is smooth and evenly combined.

Step 4:
Spread the chicken mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.

Step 5:
In a separate bowl, mix the crushed Ritz crackers with the melted butter until well coated.

Step 6:
Sprinkle the buttery cracker mixture evenly over the casserole.

Step 7:
Bake uncovered for 30–35 minutes, or until the casserole is hot and bubbly and the topping is golden brown.

Step 8:
Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

🍽️ Servings & Timing

• Servings: 6–8
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Bake Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: About 50 minutes

Perfect for family dinners, potlucks, and leftover-friendly meals.

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Storage:

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days

Reheating:

• Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) until warmed through
• Or microwave individual portions in short intervals

🥄 Variations

• Extra cheesy: Add shredded cheddar or mozzarella to the filling
• Veggie boost: Stir in peas, spinach, or mushrooms
• Lighter version: Use low-fat cottage cheese and sour cream
• Crunch swap: Use crushed cornflakes instead of crackers
• Herb touch: Add dried parsley or thyme

Each variation keeps the casserole comforting, adaptable, and family-approved.

❓ 10 FAQs

1. Why is it called Million Dollar Chicken Casserole?
   Because it tastes rich and indulgent with simple ingredients.
2. Can I use rotisserie chicken?
   Yes, it works perfectly.
3. Does cottage cheese make it lumpy?
   No, it melts into the creamy mixture when baked.
4. Can I make this ahead of time?
   Yes, assemble and refrigerate before baking.
5. Is this casserole very salty?
   No, using unsalted soup keeps it balanced.
6. Can I freeze it?
   Yes, freeze before baking for best texture.
7. What sides go well with it?
   Green beans, salad, or roasted vegetables.
8. Can I halve the recipe?
   Yes, use a smaller baking dish.
9. Will the topping stay crispy?
   Yes, especially when baked uncovered.
10. Is this kid-friendly?
    Absolutely—it’s creamy, mild, and comforting.

🏁 Conclusion

Million Dollar Chicken Casserole is classic comfort food at its best—creamy, hearty, and incredibly easy to make. Whether you’re feeding a family or bringing a dish to share, this casserole delivers dependable, crowd-pleasing flavor every single time.

It’s rich, cozy, and always worth making.

Adam

Million Dollar Chicken Casserole (Ultra Creamy, Comforting & Crowd-Pleasing)

Million Dollar Chicken Casserole earns its name for a reason—it’s rich, creamy, comforting, and always a hit. Made with tender cooked chicken, a trio of creamy cheeses, and a buttery cracker topping, this casserole delivers big flavor with minimal effort. It’s the kind of recipe you turn to when you want: A cozy family dinner An easy make-ahead meal A casserole that everyone loves Classic comfort food done right Everything bakes together into a warm, creamy filling with a golden, crunchy topping that seals the deal. Simple ingredients, reliable results, and pure comfort in every bite.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

bake time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Servings: 8 servings

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 4½ cups cooked chicken shredded or chopped
• 1 10.5-oz can unsalted cream of chicken soup
• 1 cup cottage cheese
• ½ cup sour cream
• 4 oz cream cheese softened
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon dried onion powder
• Salt and black pepper to taste

For the topping:

• 1 sleeve Ritz crackers crushed
• 5 tablespoons butter melted
• These ingredients combine to create a luxuriously creamy filling with a crispy buttery finish.

Equipment

• Large mixing bowl
• Medium mixing bowl
• 9×13-inch baking dish
• Spatula or spoon
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl

Method

 

Step 1:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and set aside.

Step 2:

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked chicken, cream of chicken soup, cottage cheese, sour cream, and softened cream cheese.

Step 3:

1. Add the garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir until the mixture is smooth and evenly combined.

Step 4:

1. Spread the chicken mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.

Step 5:

1. In a separate bowl, mix the crushed Ritz crackers with the melted butter until well coated.

Step 6:

1. Sprinkle the buttery cracker mixture evenly over the casserole.

Step 7:

1. Bake uncovered for 30–35 minutes, or until the casserole is hot and bubbly and the topping is golden brown.

Step 8:

1. Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Storage:

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days

Reheating:

Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) until warmed through

Or microwave individual portions in short intervals

🥄 Variations

Extra cheesy: Add shredded cheddar or mozzarella to the filling

Veggie boost: Stir in peas, spinach, or mushrooms

Lighter version: Use low-fat cottage cheese and sour cream

Crunch swap: Use crushed cornflakes instead of crackers

Herb touch: Add dried parsley or thyme

Each variation keeps the casserole comforting, adaptable, and family-approved.

❓ 10 FAQs

Why is it called Million Dollar Chicken Casserole?
Because it tastes rich and indulgent with simple ingredients.

Can I use rotisserie chicken?
Yes, it works perfectly.

Does cottage cheese make it lumpy?
No, it melts into the creamy mixture when baked.

Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, assemble and refrigerate before baking.

Is this casserole very salty?
No, using unsalted soup keeps it balanced.

Can I freeze it?
Yes, freeze before baking for best texture.

What sides go well with it?
Green beans, salad, or roasted vegetables.

Can I halve the recipe?
Yes, use a smaller baking dish.

Will the topping stay crispy?
Yes, especially when baked uncovered.

Is this kid-friendly?
Absolutely—it’s creamy, mild, and comforting.

🏁 Conclusion

Million Dollar Chicken Casserole is classic comfort food at its best—creamy, hearty, and incredibly easy to make. Whether you’re feeding a family or bringing a dish to share, this casserole delivers dependable, crowd-pleasing flavor every single time.

It’s rich, cozy, and always worth making.