Million Dollar Chicken Casserole Recipe

Name: Million Dollar Chicken Casserole Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 8 servings
Ingredients: 4 cups cooked chicken, shredded (rotisserie or poached); 8 oz cream cheese, softened; 1 cup sour cream; 1/2 cup mayonnaise; 10 1/2 oz can condensed cream of chicken soup; 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded; 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp onion powder; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 1 1/2 sleeves Ritz crackers, crushed; 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted

A cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise base coats the shredded chicken in a rich, tangy sauce that stays creamy instead of watery after baking, while a buttered Ritz cracker topping bakes up genuinely crisp against all that moisture underneath.

Prep: 20 min
Cook: 35 min
Total: 55 min
Servings: 8

Ingredients

Servings8

Using a different pan?

4 cups cooked chicken, shredded (rotisserie or poached)
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup mayonnaise
10 1/2 oz can condensed cream of chicken soup
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 1/2 sleeves Ritz crackers, crushed
4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted

Nutrition per serving

Calories: 773
Protein: 32g
Carbs: 33g
Fat: 57g

Based on the recipe as written, one serving. Recalculates if you swap an ingredient above. An estimate only, exact values depend on the specific ingredients used.

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Instructions

1Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
2In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth, then mix in the sour cream, mayonnaise, and condensed cream of chicken soup until fully combined.
3Stir in the garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper.
4Fold in the shredded chicken, 1 1/2 cups of the cheddar cheese, and the crumbled bacon until evenly coated in the sauce.
5Spread the mixture into the prepared baking dish in an even layer, then scatter the remaining 1/2 cup cheddar over the top.
6In a small bowl, toss the crushed Ritz crackers with the melted butter until every crumb looks moistened, then sprinkle evenly over the casserole.
7Bake for 30-35 minutes, until the edges are bubbling and the cracker topping is deep golden brown.
8Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving so the sauce sets up and doesn't run off the spoon.

Tips & variations

Use a rotisserie chicken for the fastest route to shredded chicken; one bird yields close to the 4 cups needed here.
Swap the cream of chicken soup for cream of mushroom if that's what's on hand, the texture holds up the same way.
For extra crunch and a mild bite, mix 1/4 cup finely diced green onion into the chicken mixture before baking.
If the topping is browning too quickly before the center is hot through, tent the dish loosely with foil for the last 10 minutes.

Storage & reheating

Cover and refrigerate leftovers for up to 4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave, or cover the dish with foil and warm in a 325°F (160°C) oven for about 20 minutes; the cracker topping will soften somewhat on reheating. This casserole is not recommended for freezing, since the cream cheese and sour cream base can separate and turn grainy once thawed.

Tips from the Tulo kitchen

Softening the cream cheese fully before mixing (a few minutes at room temperature, or a short zap in the microwave) makes it blend into the sour cream and mayo with no hand-beating required.
Pre-shredded bagged cheddar contains anti-caking starches that can make the topping slightly grainy; block cheese shredded by hand melts more smoothly.

FAQ

Why is it called million dollar chicken casserole?

The name comes from the same family as million dollar spaghetti and million dollar chicken bakes: a rich mix of cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise that makes an inexpensive dish taste far more indulgent than its cost.

Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

Yes. Assemble everything except the cracker topping up to a day ahead and refrigerate covered. Add the buttered cracker topping just before baking so it stays crisp instead of going soft in the fridge.

Can I use canned chicken instead of shredded rotisserie chicken?

Canned chicken works in a pinch; drain it well and pat it dry first, since the extra liquid can thin out the sauce and make the casserole watery.

What can I serve with million dollar chicken casserole?

Steamed green beans, a simple green salad, or roasted broccoli all balance the richness well without competing with the creamy sauce.