Description
Million dollar chicken casserole brings comfort to dinner tables with its creamy, cheesy goodness. Southern-style ingredients blend perfectly, promising a delightful meal you’ll savor to the last bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 3 cups cooked shredded chicken
Cheeses:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup cottage cheese
Creamy and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1 can (10.5 ounces/298 grams) cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Topping:
- 1 cup crushed Ritz crackers
- 4 tablespoons melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C), ensuring the rack is positioned in the center.
- Create a creamy base by whisking together cream cheese, sour cream, cottage cheese, mozzarella, cheddar, and cream of chicken soup until smooth and well-integrated.
- Incorporate shredded chicken into the cheese mixture, seasoning with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper for a robust flavor profile.
- Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish thoroughly, then carefully spread the chicken and cheese blend evenly across the bottom.
- Crush Ritz crackers into fine crumbs and blend with melted butter to create a crunchy topping.
- Generously sprinkle the buttery cracker mixture over the entire casserole surface, ensuring complete coverage.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, watching for a golden-brown crust and bubbling edges that indicate the casserole is heated through.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes to allow flavors to settle and casserole to set before serving.
Notes
- Choose full-fat cream cheese for richer, more decadent flavor and smoother texture.
- Swap cottage cheese with Greek yogurt for a protein-packed, lower-fat alternative that maintains creamy consistency.
- Prepare chicken ahead of time by poaching, roasting, or using rotisserie chicken for quicker assembly and consistent seasoning.
- Consider gluten-free options by substituting Ritz crackers with gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed cornflakes for a crispy topping that accommodates dietary restrictions.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 518 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 717 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 17 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg