This million dollar chicken casserole is going to rise to the top of your comfort food favorites after just one bite!
Tender chunks of chicken are smothered in a super creamy, ultra cheesy sauce, studded with crumbled bacon, and crowned with a buttery Ritz cracker topping. The combination is utterly irresistible!
It makes a perfect weeknight dinner after a hectic day because not only is it super comfort food, but it’s also quick and easy to put together!
Million Dollar Chicken Casserole Recipe
Try more of my million dollar recipes next! They’re some of the most popular recipes on the site: Million dollar spaghetti, million dollar pie, and my million dollar chicken! You’ll love them all. I promise ♥
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How To Make Easy Million Dollar Chicken Casserole
- Add cream cheese to a large bowl.
- Whip with an electric mixer.
- Add remaining casserole ingredients and stir to combine.
- Spread in prepared baking dish.
- In a bowl, mix the Ritz crackers with melted butter until evenly coated.
- Sprinkle evenly over the chicken mixture.
- Bake. Garnish with green onions, bacon, and parsley.
Ingredient Notes
- Cream Cheese: This is the magic ingredient that is in most million dollar recipes.
- Cottage Cheese: Okay. Okay. I know a lot of people aren’t fans of this ingredient. But trust me on this one! When it’s mixed with the other cheeses and baked until it’s ooey-gooey and absolutely delicious! Yes, you can substitute it with ricotta, but it won’t be as creamy.
- Mozzarella: I know we’re all looking for shortcuts to get dinner on the table quicker, but using the pre-grated kind of cheese is one to skip if you can. It’s coated with cellulose (wood pulp!). No judgment if you use it, I do in some recipes.
- Cream of Chicken Soup: Don’t skip the cream of chicken! This canned soup wonder is what brings that creamy, chicken flavor punch to your final dish.
- Poultry Seasoning: I love this seasoning mix. It’s a special blend of spices, typically sage, thyme, and marjoram, that most successfully enhances the flavor of the chicken.
- Bacon: I generally use uncured bacon because it doesn’t contain nitrates. It cost more but it’s worth it to me because of the concern associated with nitrates about their potential cancer-causing effects. Check out this article if you want to know more here.
- Cooked Chicken: I generally use rotisserie chicken if I don’t happen to have any leftover chicken in my fridge.
- If you want to start with uncooked chicken, simply simmer chicken breasts or thighs, chop or shred it, then it’s all ready to use in the casserole.
- Ritz Crackers: No Ritz crackers? No problem! Crush up pretzels, chips, or use panko bread crumbs.
Tips + Tricks
- This recipe is made in an 8×8 inch baking dish. If you want to feed a larger group, you can double the recipe and bake it in a 9×13 inch baking dish.
Variations + Substitutes + Additions
Lower the Carbs: Skip the Ritz cracker topping and use crushed pork rinds instead.
Italian Flavor: Use pancetta instead of bacon, and use Italian seasoning instead of the poultry seasoning.
Make it Spicy: Add your favorite hot sauce to the cream cheese mixture.
Storing + Freezing + Make-Ahead Tips
- How Long Can You Keep This In The Fridge? Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container. It’ll last in the fridge for 3-4 days.
- Can You Freeze This? Yes! This freezes well. The chicken casserole will last in the fridge for 4-6 months.
- Make-Ahead Tips: Bake this casserole ahead, store it in the fridge or freezer, then reheat it after thawing.
What To Serve With Million Dollar Chicken Casserole With Ritz Crackers
Since this casserole has a rich, cheesy, creamy sauce I like to serve it with something lighter like my roasted broccoli or a simple green salad tossed with my homemade balsamic vinaigrette. (btw…this is my all-time fav salad dressing and it only takes a couple of minutes to make!)
More Delicious Chicken Casserole Recipes
- Chicken Tater Tot Casserole
- Dorito Chicken Casserole
- Mexican Chicken Casserole
- Chicken Spaghetti Casserole
- Chicken Divan
Million Dollar Chicken Casserole
This million dollar chicken casserole is smothered in creamy cheesy sauce, studded with bacon, and topped with buttery Ritz crackers! A true comfort food.
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients
Casserole:
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1/2 cups sour cream
- 1 cup mozzarella, shredded
- 1 (10.75 ounce) can cream of chicken soup low sodium
- 1/2 cup green onions, sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon dried poultry seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 6 slices cooked and crumbled bacon
- 4 cups cooked chicken, cubed or shredded
Topping:
- 30 Ritz crackers usually 1 sleeve
- 4 tablespoons butter melted
- 2 tablespoons green onions, sliced
- 2 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
- 1 tablespoon parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350ºF. Spray a 8X8 inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.
- Add cream cheese (4 ounces) to a large bowl, and whip with an electric mixer. Add remaining casserole ingredients and stir to combine. Spread in prepared baking dish.
- In a small bowl, mix the Ritz crackers (30) with melted butter (4 tablespoons) until evenly coated. Sprinkle evenly over the chicken mixture.
- Bake uncovered, about 30-40 minutes, or until heated through. Garnish with 2 tablespoons green onions, 2 slices of crumbled bacon, and 1 tablespoon parsley. Serve
Fans Also Made:
Notes
- Cream Cheese: This is the magic ingredient.
- Cottage Cheese: Okay. Okay. I know a lot of people aren't fans of this ingredient. But trust me on this one! When it's mixed with the other cheeses and baked until it's ooey-gooey and absolutely delicious! Yes, you can substitute it with ricotta, but it won't be as creamy.
- Mozzarella: I know we're all looking for shortcuts to get dinner on the table quicker, but using the pre-grated kind of cheese is one to skip if you can. It’s coated with cellulose (wood pulp!). No judgment if you use it, I do in some recipes.
- Cream of Chicken Soup: Don’t skip the cream of chicken! This canned soup wonder is what brings that creamy, chicken flavor punch to your final dish.
- Poultry Seasoning: I love this seasoning mix. It's a special blend of spices, typically sage, thyme, and marjoram, that most successfully enhances the flavor of the chicken.
- Bacon: I generally use uncured bacon because it doesn’t contain nitrates. It cost more but it's worth it to me because of the concern associated with nitrates about their potential cancer-causing effects.
- Cooked Chicken: I generally use rotisserie chicken if I don't happen to have any leftover chicken in my fridge.
- If you want to start with uncooked chicken, simply simmer chicken breasts or thighs, chop or shred it, then it’s all ready to use in the casserole.
- Ritz Crackers: No Ritz crackers? No problem! Crush up pretzels, chips, or use panko bread crumbs.
- This recipe is made in an 8x8 inch baking dish. If you want to feed a larger group, you can double the recipe and bake it in a 9x13 inch baking dish.
- Lower the Carbs: Skip the Ritz cracker topping and use crushed pork rinds instead.
- Italian Flavor: Use pancetta instead of bacon, and use Italian seasoning instead of the poultry seasoning.
- Make it Spicy: Add your favorite hot sauce to the cream cheese mixture.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 650kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 51g | Saturated Fat: 22g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 17g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 149mg | Sodium: 1122mg | Potassium: 360mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1062IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 209mg | Iron: 2mg
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I made it yesterday. My son requested this for next week. A keeper! Thank you for your awesome recipe.
Woot woot! A new favorite. Thank you for updating us. Glad you enjoyed it!
Great recipe – except for the Ritz crackers which I was forced to eat as a kid and still have an extreme aversion to today. Swapped them out for Panko bread crumbs. Worked out fine. Thanks for posting.
So happy you enjoyed, Kathi!!