Million Dollar Chicken Casserole Recipe (2024)

Jump to Recipe·5 from 5 reviews

This Million Dollar Chicken Casserole Recipe the perfect casserole recipe for busy weeknights. Cooked chicken in a creamy sauce is topped with buttery Ritz crackers that make this dinner the ultimate comfort food family favorite.

Love easy casserole recipes? Try our Cowboy Cornbread Casserole recipe, Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole, or this easy Chicken Tetrazzini recipe.

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This creamy, dreamy casserole is one of our family’s favorite recipes. The buttery crackers on top give the perfect creamy-to-crunchy ratio and it’s delicious served with so many different side dishes.

You can cook up the chicken on the day that you make the casserole, or use leftover chicken from the day before.

When it comes to comforting meals for our family, casseroles are our top choice. From Philly Cheesesteak Casserole to the mouthwatering Beef Taco Casserole, the oven-baked goodness of these dishes provides a delightful sense of comfort and satisfaction.

Million Dollar Chicken Casserole Recipe (2)

Why you’ll love this easy chicken casserole recipe

  • it’s so quick and easy to make with simple ingredients. If you plan ahead and have the chicken cooked and shredded it’s even quicker!
  • creamy, cheesy goodness in a casserole. It’s the ultimate comfort food!
  • million dollar casserole is versatile and can be served with rice, noodle or potatoes. Try my twice-baked potatoes made in the air fryer for a delicious side dish recipe. Equally tasty and easy to make are my lemon-roasted Greek potatoes. They’re one of my most popular recipes on the blog. Green beans, broccoli, carrots and peas are also great sides for this recipe.

If you love chicken casserole recipes, try these next:

Cheesy King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe

Easy Chicken Tater Tot Casserole

Creamy Chicken Casserole with Doritos

Chicken Pot Pie Casserole Recipe

Mexican Chicken Casserole

Ingredients & Substitutions

Million Dollar Chicken Casserole Recipe (3)
  • cooked chicken, shredded – you can use rotisserie chicken or poached chickend for this recipe. This recipe is also a great way to enjoy leftover chicken .
  • cream cheese – you will need softened cream cheese for this casserole. Take it out of the fridge about 45 minutes before you start the recipe.
  • ricotta cheese – we like to use full-fat ricotta cheese. You could also substitute cottage cheese.
  • sour cream – full fat sour cream for best flavor!
  • cream of chicken soup – we love Campbell’s
  • garlic powder
  • onion powder
  • mozzarella cheese – you could also use Montery Jack, cheddar cheese or any other mozzarella cheese subsitutes.
  • buttery crackers – we love Ritz crackers and feel that they’re the best for this chicken dinner or you can substitute your favorite!
  • butter – you can use either salted or unsalted butter. Either will work.

Variations

Add bacon – Crumble 5 strips of cooked crispy bacon on top of casserole before cooking.

What is million dollar chicken casserole?

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Million dollar chicken is made with shredded chicken that is mixed into a creamy sauce that is made with cream cheese, dour cream, ricotta (or cottage) cheese, cream of chicken soup and pepper.

The chicken mixture is spread in a casserole dish, then topped with a combination of melted butter and one sleeve of crushed Ritz crackers. It’s a delicious familly dinner recipe that is easy to make.

One bite of this chicken casserole and you’ll know what it’s called ‘million dollar chicken’!!

Can i freeze million dollar chicken casserole?

Yes, you can freeze million dollar chicken casserole. Complete all of the steps in the recipes with the exception of the buttery cracker topping.

Cover the casserole dish with plastic wrap, then a layer of aluminum foil and freeze for up to three months.

To bake, thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Prepare the buttery cracker topping and sprinkle on top and bake as directed. Remove foil for last 10 minutes of baking.

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How to make million dollar casserole

You can find a full printable recipe card at the bottom of this page with an ingredients list and instructions. Below, you will find some simple visual photos with tips so that you know what to expect along the way while you’re making this recipe.

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I’m going to assume that you have your cooked chicken shredded and ready to be added to the recipe.

Start by preheating the oven to 350°F and greasing a 9×13-inch casserole dish lightly with butter. Alternatively, you can spray the casserole dish with cooking spray.

You will be using softened cream cheese. I like to place it in a large mixing bowl and give it a good stir for about 30 seconds to soften it even more. Giving the cream cheese a stir makes it easier to mix in with the next ingredients.

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Next, stir in the ricotta cheese, sour cream, cream of chicken soup, garlic powder and onion powder and mix until well combined.

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Stir in the shredded chicken until coated with the creamy mixture.
Spread mixture into prepared casserole dish.

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Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese on top of the chicken mixture.

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In a separate medium-sized bowl, combine the Ritz crackers with the melted butter and stir just until combined.
Sprinkle the buttery crackers on top of the cheese.
Bake in preheated oven at 350°F for 40 minutes until bubbly and cracker topping is golden brown.
Top with fresh parsley (optional) and enjoy!

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Top this million dollar chicken bake with fresh parsley (optional) and enjoy! You could also tp this casserole with chopped green onions.

Storage Instructions

Store cooled casserole covered in plastic wrap, or transfer to airtight container and refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat individual servings in microwave on a plate for 30 second intervals until heated through.

What are some good side dishes for a chicken casserole?

Air fryer baked potatoes

Crispy tater tots (air fryer)

Green Bean Casserole

Cheesy Corn Casserole with Jiffy Mix

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Million Dollar Chicken Casserole Recipe (12)

Million Dollar Chicken Casserole Recipe

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5 from 5 reviews

  • Author: Sandra Flegg
  • Total Time: 0 hours
  • Yield: 6 servings
Print Recipe

Description

ThisMillion Dollar Chicken Casserole Recipethe perfect casserole recipe for busy weeknights. Cooked chicken in a creamy sauce is topped with buttery Ritz crackers that make this dinner the ultimate comfort food favorite.

Ingredients

4 and 1/2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or chopped

4 ounces cream cheese, softened at room temperature

1 cup ricotta cheese

1/2 cup sour cream

1 (10.5 ounce) can cream of chicken soup

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

3/4 teaspoon onion powder

1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded

32 (1 sleeve) Ritz crackers, crushed

1/3 cup butter

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish.
  2. In a large bowl, place the softened cream cheese and stir for about 30 seconds to ensure that it’s soft and will mix in well with the next ingredients.
  3. Stir in the ricotta cheese, sour cream, cream of chicken soup, garlic powder and onion powder until well combined.
  4. Next, stir in the shredded chicken and stir until coated with the creamy mixture.
  5. Spread mixture into prepared casserole dish.
  6. Top with shredded mozzarella cheese.
  7. In a separate medium-sized bowl, combine the Ritz crackers with the melted butter and stir just until combined.
  8. Sprinkle on top of cheese.
  9. Bake in 350°F for 40 minutes.
  10. Top with fresh parsley (optional) and enjoy!

Notes

Storage Instructions:

Store cooled casserole covered in plastic wrap, or transfer to airtight container and refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat individual servings in microwave on a plate for 30 second intervals until heated through.

  • Prep Time: 10 mintues
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Category: Dinner recipes
  • Method: Oven Baked
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 helping
  • Calories: 399
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 547.8 mg
  • Fat: 29.5 g
  • Saturated Fat: 16.4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.2 g
  • Carbohydrates: 19 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 15.8 g
  • Cholesterol: 79 mg
Million Dollar Chicken Casserole Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is it okay to put raw chicken in a casserole? ›

Can you put uncooked chicken in a casserole? Yes, especially with this cook time for an hour and 15 minutes. That's plenty of time for the chicken to cook all the way through.

How to thicken up a watery casserole? ›

The three main thickening agents for gravies are flour, cornflour and arrowroot. The first two are normally used in savoury dishes while arrowroot tends to be used in sweet dishes – that said, arrowroot will work in a savoury dish as it has no flavour.

How to reduce liquid in a casserole? ›

The solution for watery casseroles is instant potato mash powder or cornflour - slake (mix with a little water) at first or it will go lumpy. Stir well. Alternatively, don't add so much water at first, especially if you're using a slow cooker.

How to moisten a dry casserole? ›

How do you moisten a dry casserole? Add a little water or milk to the top of the it before reheating. Allow the liquid to seep in between the casserole and the baking dish, without overflowing. Cover the top with aluminum foil.

Do I need to cook meat before putting in casserole? ›

Don't add raw meat to a casserole. Cooking the meat before adding it, or using up leftover cooked meat in a casserole, is the way to go. DeLeeuw says this is important for food safety because it makes sure the protein is fully cooked—especially key when making a chicken casserole.

Should chicken casserole be covered when baking? ›

When chicken is covered while baking, it traps steam and moisture within the dish, resulting in juicier results. The covering helps prevent excessive evaporation and keeps the chicken moist throughout the cooking process. Preventing dryness. Chicken tends to dry out more quickly when exposed to direct heat.

Why is my chicken casserole soupy? ›

To prevent a soupy casserole, be sure to fully thaw any frozen vegetables in a colander over a bowl, and pat dry, squeeze excess moisture out of greens like spinach or chard, and quickly precook watery fresh vegetables like onions, mushrooms or squashes just until they release their moisture.

What does cornstarch do in a casserole? ›

Use as a Thickening Agent

Here's how it works: when cornstarch is added to a recipe, the starch molecules work to absorb water and thicken the mixture. When heated, those molecules swell and consume even more of the liquid in the recipe.

How to know when casserole is done? ›

Poking a casserole with a toothpick or a fork to see if it comes out clean is a helpful way to know what's happening in the center. Shaking the pan will also tell you if everything is cooked and set.

Do you reduce with lid on or off? ›

Reduction is performed by simmering or boiling a liquid, such as a stock, fruit or vegetable juice, wine, vinegar or sauce, until the desired concentration is reached by evaporation. This is done without a lid, enabling the vapor to escape from the mixture.

How to get the middle of a casserole to cook? ›

If it is still too wet (as well as not cooked enough), turn down the heat. If it is dry enough but not cooked enough, cover and turn down the heat. If it is almost done and dry enough, just turn the heat off completely and check on it every 5 minutes. From someone who has been cooking for 47 years.

What to do if casserole is too runny? ›

Thicken a meat casserole the most popular way with flour.

Add some flour to your pan after you've browned the meat and before adding any liquid. This way, the flour will soak up the juices and fat in the pan. Add about one teaspoon of flour at a time until you get the right thickness.

How do you fix dry chicken casserole? ›

1. Moisten with a simple sauce. Barbeque sauce, pesto, and soy sauce all pair well with chicken, as do many other pasta sauces and condiments. If you're feeling fancy, you can even make your own: try mixing some hot sauce and lemon juice to give the chicken a nice tangy kick.

How to make a casserole less rich? ›

If your food is too rich...

Add an acid such as lemon juice, lime juice, vinegar, or pickled vegetables (such as jalapeños).

Is it OK to cook raw chicken in sauce? ›

Yes, it's easy to simmer or poach chicken in sauce to cook it through. We love to do it in marinara sauce since it's so flavorful. How long do you simmer raw chicken in sauce? If the chicken is diced into bite-size pieces, it takes about 10 minutes.

Can I put raw chicken in the oven with other food? ›

Therefore, when handling raw poultry, it is important to prevent cross-contamination. Prepare raw poultry separately from other foods.

Is it safe to slow cook raw chicken? ›

Yes, you can put raw chicken in a slow cooker! Slow cookers and Crock-Pots are designed to cook raw meats. The direct heat from the pot, lengthy cooking time and steam created from the tightly covered container destroys bacteria, making slow cooking safe. You can put frozen chicken in a slow cooker, too!

Is it safe to bake raw chicken with vegetables? ›

It's fine, as long as you cook everything until the chicken is done. In other words, don't put a fast cooking vegetable into the pot and then take it out before the chicken is fully cooked. Once the chicken is in the pan, everything else stays in until the chicken has reached a safe interval temperature point.

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