This creamy, cheesy chicken casserole truly lives up to its name – it tastes like a million bucks! I’ve been making this dish for years, and it never fails to impress. The combination of tender chicken, three kinds of cheese, and a buttery Ritz cracker topping creates pure comfort food magic. The best part? It only takes about 15 minutes to prep before popping it in the oven.
Every time I serve this casserole at family dinners or potlucks, someone asks for the recipe. What makes it special is how the cream cheese, cottage cheese, and sour cream melt together into the most incredible, velvety sauce. Trust me – this isn’t your average chicken casserole!
Easy Weeknight Dinner
This has become my go-to recipe for busy weeknights when I need something delicious but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen. I often use a rotisserie chicken to make prep even faster. The casserole reheats beautifully, so you can easily make it ahead and pop it in the oven when needed.
How to Make Million Dollar Chicken Casserole
Start with a rotisserie chicken or any cooked chicken you have on hand. The creamy filling comes together in just one bowl – combine cream cheese (make sure it’s softened!), cottage cheese, and sour cream until smooth. Mix in your seasonings and top it all with crushed buttery Ritz crackers for that perfect golden crust.
What You’ll Need:
- 4 cups cooked chicken, chopped
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 sleeve Ritz crackers, crushed
- 4 tablespoons butter, melted
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9×13 baking dish.
- In a large bowl, mix together the softened cream cheese, cottage cheese, and sour cream until well combined. The softer your cream cheese, the easier this will be.
- Stir in the cream of chicken soup, garlic powder, and onion powder. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Fold in the chopped chicken until evenly coated with the cheese mixture.
- Transfer to your prepared baking dish and spread into an even layer.
- Combine the crushed Ritz crackers with melted butter, then sprinkle over the top of the casserole.
- Bake uncovered for 30-35 minutes until hot and bubbly, with the top turning golden brown.
Make-Ahead Tips
This casserole is perfect for making ahead! You can assemble it up to 24 hours in advance – just cover and refrigerate. When ready to bake, let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes, then add the cracker topping and bake as directed.
For freezing, prepare everything except the cracker topping. Cover tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, add the topping, and bake until heated through.
What to Serve With It
We love this casserole served over fluffy rice or egg noodles to soak up all that creamy sauce. Add a fresh green salad or some roasted vegetables on the side for a complete meal.
Recipe Notes
- For extra flavor, try adding sautéed mushrooms or a handful of frozen peas
- Make sure your cream cheese is very soft before mixing – leave it out for an hour or microwave in 15-second bursts
- Want it gluten-free? Use gluten-free cream of chicken soup and substitute crushed pork rinds for the Ritz crackers
- Leftovers keep well in the fridge for 3-4 days
Give this Million Dollar Chicken Casserole a try – I guarantee it’ll become a family favorite! Let me know in the comments if you make it.
