Description
Million Dollar Chicken Casserole is a creamy, cheesy, and comforting baked dish featuring cooked chicken blended with a rich combination of cream cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, and cream of chicken soup. Topped with a crispy Ritz cracker and butter mixture, Parmesan, and melty mozzarella cheese, this casserole is perfect for family dinners and potlucks, offering a flavorful and indulgent meal that’s easy to prepare.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Mixture
- 2 cups (about 280 g) cooked chicken, diced or shredded
- 225 g cream cheese, softened
- 240 g cottage cheese
- 240 g sour cream
- 240 g mayonnaise
- 1 can (298 g) cream of chicken soup
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Toppings
- 100 g grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup (80 g) crushed Ritz crackers
- 225 g unsalted butter, melted
- 120 g shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 175°C (350°F) and allow it to fully reach the temperature before baking to ensure even cooking.
- Prepare Base Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, and cream of chicken soup. Blend thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and uniform in texture.
- Season Mixture: Add garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper to the creamy base. Adjust seasonings to taste and mix well to incorporate all the flavors evenly.
- Add Chicken: Fold in the diced or shredded cooked chicken carefully, making sure all the pieces are coated evenly with the creamy mixture without breaking them down too much.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Lightly grease a 33 x 23 cm (13 x 9 inches) baking dish. Evenly spread the chicken mixture in the dish, smoothing it out for uniform baking.
- Add Parmesan: Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the surface of the chicken mixture to add a rich layer of flavor under the topping.
- Prepare Cracker Topping: In a separate bowl, combine the crushed Ritz crackers with the melted unsalted butter, stirring until all crumbs are thoroughly coated with butter.
- Apply Cracker Topping: Spread the buttered cracker mixture evenly over the Parmesan layer on the casserole, ensuring full coverage for a crunchy texture after baking.
- Add Mozzarella: Top the casserole evenly with shredded mozzarella cheese to create a melty and golden cheese layer.
- Bake the Casserole: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. Bake until the top is golden brown and bubbling at the edges, indicating it is heated through and crispy on top.
- Rest Before Serving: Remove the casserole from the oven and allow it to rest for 10 minutes. This step helps the casserole set, making it easier to cut and serve.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley if desired, then serve warm for a comforting meal.
Notes
- Make sure the cream cheese is softened for easier mixing and a smoother casserole base.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan and mozzarella for the best melt and flavor.
- Allowing the casserole to rest after baking helps it firm up for cleaner slicing.
- Substitute Ritz crackers with breadcrumbs if preferred, though the buttery Ritz adds signature flavor and texture.
- Cooked chicken can be rotisserie, poached, or leftover roasted chicken — any tender cooked chicken will work well.
- Adjust salt and pepper according to taste, especially if using salted butter or canned soup varieties with varying sodium levels.
