Description
This Million Dollar Chicken Rice-A-Roni Casserole is a creamy, cheesy, and comforting baked dish featuring tender chicken, seasoned Rice-A-Roni, and a rich blend of cream cheese, sour cream, and cottage cheese. Topped with a buttery, flavorful Ritz cracker crust and melted cheddar cheese, this casserole is perfect for a hearty family dinner or potluck.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 (7.2-oz) box chicken Rice-A-Roni
- 1 (10.5-oz) can cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1 (8-oz) package cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups cooked, chopped chicken
- 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
Topping Ingredients
- 1 sleeve Ritz crackers, crushed
- ¼ cup melted butter
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish thoroughly to prevent sticking and ensure easy serving.
- Cook Rice-A-Roni: Prepare the chicken Rice-A-Roni according to the package directions, typically boiling and simmering the rice mixture until tender and flavorful.
- Mix Creamy Base: In a large bowl, combine the can of cream of chicken soup, sour cream, cottage cheese, and softened cream cheese. Mix them well until the mixture is smooth and homogenous, creating a rich and creamy base.
- Add Chicken and Rice: Stir the cooked, chopped chicken and the prepared Rice-A-Roni into the creamy mixture, ensuring everything is evenly distributed.
- Layer into Baking Dish: Spread the combined mixture evenly into the greased 9×13 inch baking dish, smoothing the top for an even bake.
- Prepare Topping: In a small bowl, mix the crushed Ritz crackers with melted butter, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. This will create a flavorful, crispy topping for the casserole.
- Top Casserole: Sprinkle the cracker mixture evenly over the casserole’s surface, then evenly distribute the shredded cheddar cheese on top to form a cheesy, golden crust.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 30–35 minutes, until the casserole is bubbly, and the cheese topping is melted and golden brown.
Notes
- Use cooked rotisserie chicken or leftover chicken to save preparation time.
- For a lower-fat version, use reduced-fat sour cream, cottage cheese, and cheese.
- If you prefer a spicier casserole, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or smoked paprika to the cracker topping.
- Let the casserole rest for 5–10 minutes after baking to set and make serving easier.
- Substitute Ritz crackers with breadcrumbs if desired, but the buttery flavor of Ritz is key to the dish’s signature topping.
