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This recipe is pure comfort in a pan — creamy, crunchy and effortless. The Million Dollar Chicken Casserole blends tender cooked chicken with cream cheese, cottage cheese and a buttery Ritz cracker topping for a dish that’s great for family dinners, potlucks, or a cozy weeknight meal. If you need a crowd-pleasing, make-ahead casserole that’s also a thrift-friendly comfort food staple, this one fits the bill. For more simple casserole ideas to feed a family, try this helpful roundup: 7 easy chicken casseroles that feed a family of 4.
What makes this recipe special
This casserole combines pantry-friendly ingredients into something that tastes much richer than its parts. It’s creamy without being greasy, has a crunchy, golden topping, and repurposes leftover roasted or rotisserie chicken into dinner-worthy comfort.
“I made this for a last-minute family dinner and everyone asked for seconds — so easy and so cozy.”
Besides being delicious, it’s flexible: feed picky kids, satisfy a hungry crowd, or prep it ahead for quick reheating.
Preparing Million Dollar Chicken Casserole
You’ll mix the creamy base, spread it in a pan, cover with crushed Ritz crackers and melted butter, then bake until bubbly and golden. The method is forgiving — it’s a great weeknight dinner when you want a shortcut without sacrificing flavor.
What you’ll need
4½ cups chopped cooked chicken, 4- oz cream cheese, (room temperature), 1 cup cottage cheese, ½ cup sour cream, 1 (10.5-oz) can Unsalted Cream of Chicken Soup, ¼ tsp garlic powder, ¼ tsp dried onion powder, 1 sleeve Ritz crackers, (crushed), 5 Tbsp butter, (melted)
Substitutions and notes:
- Use shredded rotisserie chicken or leftover roast chicken to save time.
- If you don’t have cottage cheese, plain Greek yogurt (1 cup) makes a tangy swap.
- For a dairy-free version, try a dairy-free cream cheese and omit cottage cheese; use a creamy dairy-free soup substitute and a gluten-free cracker for the topping.
Step-by-step instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350ºF. Lightly spray a 9×9-inch baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine the chopped cooked chicken, cream cheese (room temperature), cottage cheese, sour cream, garlic powder, dried onion powder, and the can of Unsalted Cream of Chicken Soup. Mix until evenly blended.
- Spread the chicken mixture evenly into the prepared 9×9-inch pan.
- In a small bowl, mix the crushed Ritz crackers with the melted butter until the crumbs are well coated. Sprinkle the cracker mixture evenly over the chicken filling.
- Bake uncovered for 30 to 40 minutes, until the casserole is bubbling and the cracker topping is golden brown. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
Best ways to enjoy it
This casserole pairs beautifully with bright, crisp sides to cut the richness — try a simple green salad with lemon vinaigrette, steamed green beans, or roasted Brussels sprouts. For a heartier meal, serve with mashed potatoes or buttered egg noodles. If you’re bringing it to a potluck, top with chopped parsley for color and a squeeze of lemon on the side for brightness. For more budget-friendly, family-sized casserole inspiration, see this collection of casseroles that feed a family for under $10: 7 easy chicken casseroles that feed a family of 4.
Storage and reheating tips
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days.
- Freezing: Cool completely, wrap the entire casserole tightly in foil and plastic wrap, or transfer to a freezer-safe dish. Freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Reheating: Reheat individual portions in the microwave until hot (about 1–2 minutes depending on wattage). For a whole dish, cover with foil and bake at 350ºF until heated through (20–30 minutes). To refresh the cracker topping, add a few extra crushed crackers with a pat of butter before reheating.
Helpful cooking tips
- Soften the cream cheese ahead of time for easier mixing — a few seconds in the microwave on low works.
- For even baking, chop the chicken into similar-sized pieces so every bite has a good balance of filling and topping.
- If your topping browns too quickly, tent loosely with foil for the last 10 minutes of baking.
- Make it ahead: Assemble the casserole, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Add 10–15 minutes to the baking time if baking straight from chilled.
Creative twists
- Add 1 cup frozen peas and 1 cup shredded cheddar for a classic chicken pot pie–style variation.
- Swap Ritz crackers for crushed buttery panko mixed with Parmesan for extra crunch.
- Spice it up: stir in 1/2 tsp smoked paprika or a pinch of cayenne for warmth.
- Low-carb: replace cracker topping with a mixture of almond flour, grated Parmesan, and melted butter.
Common questions
Q: Can I use canned chicken for this casserole?
A: Yes — canned chicken will work in a pinch. Drain it well and break into chunks; texture will be different from fresh or rotisserie chicken but the flavor will still be pleasant.
Q: Is this casserole freezer-friendly before or after baking?
A: It freezes well both ways. For best texture, freeze before baking; thaw overnight and bake as directed. If freezing after baking, reheat gently to avoid drying out.
Q: How can I make this less salty?
A: Use low-sodium or unsalted canned soup (as the recipe specifies), unsalted crackers, and taste before adding extra salt. Fresh herbs and a squeeze of lemon can add brightness without salt.
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Million Dollar Chicken Casserole
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten-Free (with substitutions)
Description
A comforting and creamy chicken casserole topped with crunchy Ritz crackers, perfect for family dinners or potlucks.
Ingredients
- 4½ cups chopped cooked chicken
- 4 oz cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 (10.5 oz) can unsalted cream of chicken soup
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp dried onion powder
- 1 sleeve Ritz crackers, crushed
- 5 Tbsp butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350ºF. Lightly spray a 9×9-inch baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine the chopped cooked chicken, cream cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, garlic powder, dried onion powder, and the can of unsalted cream of chicken soup. Mix until evenly blended.
- Spread the chicken mixture evenly into the prepared 9×9-inch pan.
- In a small bowl, mix the crushed Ritz crackers with the melted butter until well coated. Sprinkle the cracker mixture evenly over the chicken filling.
- Bake uncovered for 30 to 40 minutes until bubbly and golden brown. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
For dairy-free version, use dairy-free cream cheese and substitute cottage cheese with plain Greek yogurt. You can also use shredded rotisserie chicken to save time.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 60mg