Million Dollar Chicken Casserole

Million Dollar Chicken Casserole is the kind of rich, creamy, comforting goodness that makes your whole family ask for seconds. It’s packed with tender chicken, cheesy layers, a creamy sauce, and a buttery Ritz cracker topping that’s so good, you might “accidentally” forget to share.

 

This creamy casserole tastes like you fussed for hours in the kitchen chopping, sautéing, and whispering sweet nothings to your sauce. But really, it’s just mix, bake, and let the oven do the work!

Million Dollar Chicken Casserole began making the rounds in community cookbooks and online food blogs in the early 2000s, often called “Million Dollar Chicken Bake” (or “Surprise”). It earned its name from the rich, comforting feel of a dish that costs far less than it tastes. These days, it’s a staple at church potlucks, family reunions, and freezer meal swaps all across the country – and now it’s claiming its rightful place as the ultimate comfort food.

Have a pile of shredded chicken and no idea what to do with it? Roll it into Tex-Mex Chicken Enchiladas, or stir it into Roasted Red Pepper Soup. If you need to make shredded chicken, try my super versatile Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken – great for tacos, sandwiches, or tossing into a cozy soup.

Ingredients

Gather the ingredients needed to make our Million Dollar Chicken Casserole recipe. Culinary professionals call this the Mise en Place, which means “Everything in its Place.”

Setting up your ingredients not only helps speed up the cooking process but also helps ensure you have all of the ingredients on hand to make the recipe.

Can I Change Up the Recipe?

We made the recipe with shredded rotisserie chicken, but you can use leftover chicken breast, thighs, or even turkey.

If you’re not a fan of cottage cheese, swap it for ricotta, Greek yogurt, or leave it out and add a bit more sour cream.

Want a richer flavor? Add parmesan cheese to the creamy mixture or sprinkle it over the top with the cracker crumbs.

How to Make Million Dollar Chicken Casserole

Follow along with my simple instructions to see how to make million dollar chicken casserole in your own kitchen.

Preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly grease a casserole dish for easy cleanup later.

• Add the garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, paprika, cayenne (if using), and salt to a small bowl.
• Mix to combine.
• Add the cream of chicken soup, sour cream, cottage cheese, and cream cheese to a large bowl.
• Stir until the mixture is smooth.
• Add the shredded chicken, fresh parsley, and about three-quarters of your seasoning.
• Fold the ingredients into the mixture. Refrigerate until needed.

• Place the Ritz crackers in a zip-top bag.
• Using a rolling pin or your hands, crush the crackers. Don’t crush them too much; they should be a little chunky.
• Add the crushed crackers to a bowl, pour in half the melted butter, sprinkle the remaining seasoning, and stir to combine.
• Pour in the rest of the melted butter and mix until the crackers are evenly coated and buttery.

• Spread the creamy chicken mixture into the prepared baking dish in an even layer.
• Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheeses over the top of the chicken mixture.
• Add the buttery cracker topping evenly over the cheese, covering the whole surface.
• Bake uncovered on the center rack for 40-45 minutes, until bubbly and golden brown.

Let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving so it sets up nicely – then dig in!

This is the kind of dish that shows up at a potluck and immediately becomes the star of the show, with the crowd gathered around, compliments flying, and someone asking for the recipe before their plate’s even full.

After one bite of this creamy chicken casserole, you’ll understand why it’s so popular. You’ll start bringing double batches to gatherings—one to share and one to sneak back home!

Let leftovers cool completely, then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 – 4 days.
To reheat, cover with foil and warm in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes, or microwave individual portions until heated through.
This casserole also freezes well. Wrap it tightly with plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before baking.

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