There’s just something magical about a casserole that feels like a warm hug in every bite—and this Million Dollar Chicken Casserole delivers that magic in spades!
Creamy, cheesy, and topped with a buttery Ritz cracker crust, it’s the ultimate comfort food that’s perfect for feeding a crowd or enjoying as leftovers (if there’s any left!).
This make-ahead main dish combines the convenience of rotisserie chicken with a rich, velvety sauce made from cream cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, and condensed soup. And it creates a flavor explosion that will make your family go back for seconds (or thirds).
Whether you’re looking for an easy weeknight dinner, a potluck hero, or a hearty meal to enjoy on a chilly evening, this casserole checks all the boxes.
If you are a fan of easy chicken casseroles, cheesy casseroles, or family-friendly dinner ideas, like me, this is the recipe for you. It’s no wonder that creamy chicken casseroles like this one consistently rank as must-try dishes for comfort food enthusiasts!
Jump to:
- Why I love this recipe (and you will too)
- Ingredient notes
- How to make Million Dollar Chicken Casserole
- Serving and menu suggestions
- Recipe variations
- How to make this casserole ahead
- How to store and reheat leftovers
- Recipe FAQs
- Tips to make this casserole perfectly the first time
- More chicken casserole recipes
- 📋 Recipe:
Why I love this recipe (and you will too)
- It’s comfort food: This casserole holds a special place in my heart because, like my French Onion Soup Chicken Casserole and Chicken and Hash Brown Casserole, it’s the epitome of comfort food—rich, creamy, and utterly satisfying.
- It’s easy to make: The combination of cheeses and sour cream creates a luscious texture, while the rotisserie chicken adds convenience without compromising flavor.
- The crunchy topping: Like in my Broccoli Cheese Casserole and Southern Baked Mac and Cheese recipes, the buttery Ritz cracker topping is delicious and adds a delightful crunch to each bite.
Ingredient notes
- Chicken: Using rotisserie chicken is ideal for this recipe because it’s already cooked, juicy, and flavorful. It’s also a time saver! A whole rotisserie chicken will yield approximately 4 cups of meat.
- Cottage Cheese: Feel free to use any cottage cheese that you like. I prefer small-curd cottage cheese because it blends smoothly into the mixture.
- Cream Cheese: You’ll need one block of cream cheese. Make sure to lay it out to allow it to soften for at least an hour or so before you begin making the casserole. Letting it soften will make it easier to combine with the other ingredients.
- Sour Cream: I used full-fat sour cream, but you could also use low-fat.
- Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup: You’ll need two 10.5 oz cans.
- Ritz Crackers: These buttery crackers form the crispy topping.
- Herbs & Spices: Garlic powder, onion powder, and parsley add depth of flavor. If you don’t have fresh parsley, substitute dried, but only use two teaspoons.
- Butter: This recipe calls for unsalted butter. Salted butter will work if that’s all you have on hand; just be mindful that it will be mixed with the Ritz crackers, which already contain a good amount of salt.
Specific measurements are listed in the recipe card below.
How to make Million Dollar Chicken Casserole
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Lightly spray a 9” x 13” oven-safe baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- In a large mixing bowl, add softened cream cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, and cream of chicken soup. Mix at medium speed until all ingredients are incorporated.
- Add 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, and two tablespoons of freshly chopped parsley. Mix the seasonings in until well combined.
- Fold the shredded chicken into the mixture, ensuring it is evenly distributed throughout.
- In a small bowl, combine the crushed crackers, the remaining garlic and onion powder, and the melted butter.
- Add the creamy chicken mixture to the prepared casserole dish. Use a silicone spatula to smooth the filling out evenly. Scatter the cracker mixture evenly over the top.
- Bake uncovered for 35 minutes, until golden brown and bubbly.
- Allow the casserole to rest for 10-15 minutes before serving.
Serving and menu suggestions
I like to pair this casserole with vegetables like my Roasted Broccoli and Carrots or Garlic Parmesan Blistered Green Beans because they add a fresh contrast to the rich, creamy dish.
My simple House Salad also balances the flavors, and a slice of my Texas Toast Garlic Bread rounds things out and is perfect for mopping up any extra sauce.
Recipe variations
- Add steamed broccoli, asparagus, or peas into the chicken mixture for added nutrition.
- Mix shredded cheddar or parmesan cheese with the cracker topping for an extra layer of cheesy goodness.
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the creamy mixture for a subtle kick.
- If you don’t have Ritz crackers, try panko or crushed canned fried onion rings. You can also use different kinds of crackers, such as club crackers or even Cheez-its.
How to make this casserole ahead
To make this dish ahead, assemble the casserole to the point of baking, cover it tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes, then bake as directed.
How to store and reheat leftovers
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- To reheat, place portions in a baking dish, cover with foil, and warm in a 350°F (175°C) oven until heated through.
- Alternatively, microwave individual servings until hot, though the cracker topping may lose some of its crispness.
Recipe FAQs
It’s named for its rich, creamy flavors. And this indulgent meal will make you feel like a million bucks!
Yes, this casserole freezes well. Assemble it without the cracker topping, wrap it tightly, and freeze it for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, add the cracker topping, and bake as directed.
If you don’t like cottage cheese, ricotta cheese is a good alternative that provides a similar creamy texture.
Tips to make this casserole perfectly the first time
- I usually purchase and use a rotisserie chicken for this recipe. If you prefer to cook your chicken yourself, you might want to check out my easy recipes for Roasted Bone-In Chicken Breast or Roasted Whole Chicken.
- To achieve a smooth, lump-free mixture, make sure the cream cheese is fully softened before mixing. To speed up the process, cut the block into smaller pieces and let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes or microwave it for 15 seconds.
- You can use salted butter in this recipe, but remember, the crackers are already pretty salty.
- To ensure the casserole bakes evenly, spread the creamy chicken mixture in the dish as evenly as possible. Make sure the cracker topping is distributed in an even layer for consistent crispness.
More chicken casserole recipes
⭐ ⭐ ⭐⭐⭐ I’d love to hear how your Million Dollar Chicken Casserole turned out! Share your variations or tips in the comments below, and remember to rate the recipe.
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📋 Recipe:
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Million Dollar Chicken Casserole
Ingredients
- 4 cups cooked and shredded chicken I use a rotisserie chicken
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 8 oz block cream cheese, softened
- 2 10.5 oz cans cream of chicken soup
- 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder, divided
- 1 ½ teaspoons onion powder, divided
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 ½ cups Ritz crackers, crushed
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Lightly spray a 9” x 13” oven-safe baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- In a large mixing bowl, add softened cream cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, and cream of chicken soup. Mix at medium speed until all ingredients are incorporated.
- Add 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, and two tablespoons of freshly chopped parsley. Mix the seasonings in until well combined.
- Fold the shredded chicken into the mixture, ensuring it is evenly distributed throughout.
- In a small bowl, combine the crushed crackers, the remaining garlic and onion powder, and the melted butter.
- Add the creamy chicken mixture to the prepared casserole dish. Use a silicone spatula to smooth the filling out evenly. Scatter the cracker mixture evenly over the top.
- Bake uncovered for 35 minutes, until golden brown and bubbly.
- Allow the casserole to rest for 10-15 minutes before serving.
Sharon Rigsby
This casserole is so easy to make and only calls for a few simple pantry ingredients. My family love it and leftovers the next day were just as delicious!