Million Dollar Chicken Casserole

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This Million Dollar Chicken Casserole is the kind of comfort food dinner that disappears fast! Tender chicken, crispy bacon, cream cheese, cottage cheese, and a rich, creamy sauce are baked together under a buttery Ritz cracker topping for a casserole that’s every bit as indulgent as its name suggests.

It’s easy to see why this recipe has become such a family favorite. The combination of creamy, cheesy filling and crunchy cracker topping creates the perfect balance of textures, while rotisserie chicken helps make it quick enough for even the busiest weeknights.

If you love cozy chicken dinners, be sure to try my White Chicken Enchiladas, Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole, Chicken Divan, and Chicken Tetrazzini too.

Million Dollar Chicken Casserole Ingredients

Cream Cheese: This is the ingredient that gives Million Dollar Chicken Casserole its signature rich, creamy texture. For the smoothest filling, let it soften at room temperature before mixing.

Cottage Cheese: Don’t skip it! Cottage cheese melts into the sauce as the casserole bakes, adding creaminess without making the filling heavy. Ricotta can be substituted, but the texture will be slightly different.

Sour Cream: Adds tanginess and helps create the ultra-creamy sauce that makes this casserole so irresistible.

Mozzarella Cheese: Freshly shredded mozzarella melts more smoothly and creates the best texture, but pre-shredded cheese works in a pinch.

Cream Of Chicken Soup: This pantry staple adds flavor and helps bind the filling together. Cream of mushroom soup can be substituted if preferred.

Poultry Seasoning: A blend of herbs that enhances the chicken flavor and adds a subtle savory depth to the casserole.

Garlic Powder + Onion Powder: These simple seasonings add plenty of savory flavor without overpowering the creamy sauce.

Black Pepper: Adds just enough warmth and balance to cut through the richness of the cheese and cream sauce.

Bacon: Crispy bacon adds smoky flavor and a delicious contrast to the creamy filling.

Cooked Chicken: Rotisserie chicken is my favorite shortcut for this recipe. Leftover chicken breasts, thighs, or even turkey work well too.

Ritz Crackers: The buttery cracker topping is one of the best parts of this casserole. If needed, substitute crushed buttery crackers, panko breadcrumbs, pretzels, or potato chips.

Butter: Melted butter helps the cracker topping bake up golden brown and perfectly crisp.

Green Onions: Add freshness, color, and a mild onion flavor that brightens the rich casserole.

Parsley: A simple garnish that adds a pop of color and fresh flavor before serving.

🥣 How To Make Million Dollar Chicken Casserole

Make The Filling: Add the softened cream cheese to a large mixing bowl and beat with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Add the cottage cheese, sour cream, mozzarella, cream of chicken soup, green onions, seasonings, bacon, and cooked chicken. Stir until everything is evenly combined.

Assemble The Casserole: Spread the chicken mixture evenly into a lightly greased 8×8-inch baking dish, smoothing the top with a spatula.

Prepare The Topping: In a small bowl, toss the crushed Ritz crackers with the melted butter until all the crumbs are evenly coated. Sprinkle the buttery cracker mixture over the casserole.

Bake: Bake uncovered until the filling is hot and bubbly and the topping is golden brown and crisp.

Garnish And Serve: Sprinkle with additional bacon, green onions, and fresh parsley, then serve warm and enjoy!

See the recipe card below for complete instructions, ingredient amounts, and baking times.

⭐ Pro Tips

⭐ Soften The Cream Cheese Completely: Room-temperature cream cheese blends much more smoothly into the filling and helps prevent lumps.

⭐ Use Rotisserie Chicken: It’s the easiest shortcut and adds plenty of flavor. This recipe is also a great way to use leftover chicken or turkey.

⭐ Shred Your Own Cheese: Freshly shredded mozzarella melts more smoothly and creates a creamier sauce than pre-shredded cheese.

⭐ Cook The Bacon Until Crisp: Crispy bacon provides the best texture and won’t soften as much in the creamy filling.

⭐ Add The Ritz Topping Last: Mix the crackers with butter just before assembling the casserole to keep the topping extra crunchy.

⭐ Double It For A Crowd: Double the recipe and bake it in a 9×13-inch baking dish for potlucks, family gatherings, or meal trains.

If you’ve tried this or any other recipe on my website, please leave a review. I love hearing your feedback! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Million Dollar Chicken Casserole

This Million Dollar Chicken Casserole is loaded with tender chicken, crispy bacon, cream cheese, cottage cheese, and melty mozzarella, all baked beneath a buttery Ritz cracker topping. Easy to assemble and packed with creamy, cheesy comfort-food flavor, it's a family favorite that's perfect for busy weeknights, potlucks, and cozy Sunday dinners.

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time30 minutes mins

Total Time40 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Author: Kathleen

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 teaspoon garlic powder
• ▢ 1 teaspoon onion powder
• ▢ 1/2 teaspoon dried poultry seasoning
• ▢ 1/2 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

US Customary - Metric

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

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  Chicken and Rice Casserole

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Notes

1. Cream Cheese: This is the magic ingredient.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. Ritz Crackers: No Ritz crackers? No problem!  Crush up pretzels, chips, or use panko bread crumbs.
9. 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.
10. Lower the Carbs: Skip the Ritz cracker topping and use crushed pork rinds instead.
11. Italian Flavor: Use pancetta instead of bacon, and use Italian seasoning instead of the poultry seasoning.
12. 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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