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Million Dollar Chicken Casserole

Absolutely creamy and comforting, this Million Dollar Chicken Casserole is super easy to make and perfect for freezing!

scoop of casserole

Million Dollar Chicken Casserole

This is my family’s go-to comfort food! Super easy to make and is everyone’s favorite creamy casserole. At least amongst my friends it is.

A hit at all the pot lucks, you can make it in advance, make a few of them, and freeze them for later!

Full of tender chicken, a thick and creamy sauce, and topped with a crunchy, buttery, Ritz cracker topping. Like a million dollars in your mouth!

labeled picture of chicken casserole ingredients

Ingredients Needed

Chicken – I like to use white meat from cooked chicken breasts. I like to make a batch in my slow cooker for later. Be sure to dice or shred chicken before adding to casserole. You can also use a rotisserie chicken!

Cream Cheese – Bring the cream cheese to room temperature before mixing. Feel free to use low fat or fat free versions.

Cottage Cheese – I like to use the small curd full fat cottage cheese. Feel free to use a low fat or fat free version.

Sour Cream – Sour cream adds a tanginess to the casserole. You can also use plain Greek yogurt instead.

Cream Soup – Cream of chicken soup is best but feel free to use any of the cream soups: mushroom, celery, onion, cheddar cheese, or broccoli cheddar.

Spices – The spices I like to use are garlic powder and onion powder but you can add a little chicken seasoning or even Italian seasoning.

Crackers – Buttery Crushed Ritz crackers are best for this but feel free to use soda crackers, Saltine crackers, and even corn flakes. You will need a sleeve of ritz crackers or roughly ~5 crackers.

Butter – Unsalted butter is what I always use so I can control the level of salt. Be sure to melt it first.

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How to make Million Dollar Chicken Casserole

First: Preheat the oven to 350F. Prepare a 9×9 baking dish with cooking spray. Chop or shred the chicken.

Second: In a large bowl combine the chicken, cream cheese, cottage cheese, chicken soup, sour cream, and spices. Mix to combine completely.

Spread the cream cheese chicken mixture into the prepared 9×9 baking dish.

Third: In a medium sized microwave safe bowl, melt butter in intervals of 20 seconds until melted. Add the crushed cracker crumbs to the butter and mix to combine.

Fourth: Sprinkle the ritz cracker topping over the top of the casserole. Bake in the oven uncovered at 350F for 30- 40 minutes or until the casserole is bubbly and the top is golden brown.

Remove and serve warm. Enjoy!

For the full recipe and detailed baking instructions, please see the recipe card at the end of this post.

baked casserole in a white dish

Can I freeze it?

You can freeze this million dollar chicken casserole before or after you bake it. It’s great to make a double batch and freeze one for later!

What a life saver to have a casserole to pull out of the freezer when you don’t have anything ready for dinner.

If frozen unbaked, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking as directed.

If reheating a previously baked and frozen casserole, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and then cover with foil and bake at 350F for 25-30 minutes or until heated through.

Tools you might need

  • Casserole Dish
  • Mixing Bowls
  • Spatula
  • Serving Spoon
plate of million dollar chicken casserole and green beans

“This chicken casserole tasted so delicious and really easy to make! Will surely have this again, thank you so much for sharing this amazing recipe! Highly recommended!”

~Allyssa

Tips for No Leftovers

  • Use precooked chicken! I have a stash of shredded chicken in my freezer in 1 pound packages just for casseroles like this.
  • Change the cream of chicken soup to cream of mushroom soup, or onion, celery, or cheddar cheese soup!
  • Use saltine crackers or corn flakes for the crumb topping if you don’t have ritz crackers or butter crackers.
  • Add in frozen peas, green beans, or corn for more veggies in this million dollar chicken casserole!
  • Sprinkle a few poppy seeds on top for more texture and crunch.

If you love this recipe as much as I do, please write a five-star review in the comment section below (or on Pinterest with the “tried it” button – you can now add pictures into reviews, too!), and be sure to help me share on facebook!

scoop of casserole with text "million dollar chicken casserole"

This delicious Million Dollar Ritz Chicken Casserole Recipe is the perfect weeknight meal that you can prep ahead of time. Serve with your favorite vegetable like Old Fashioned Candied Carrots for an easy and complete meal during a busy week!

dish of chicken casserole

Million Dollar Chicken Casserole

Yield: 9 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

Absolutely creamy and comforting, this Million Dollar Chicken Casserole is super easy to make and perfect for freezing!

Ingredients

  • 3 chicken breasts (cooked, shredded, appx 4 cups)
  • 4 ounces cream cheese (softened)
  • 3/4 cup cottage cheese
  • 3/4 cup sour cream
  • 1 can (10.75 ounces) cream of chicken soup
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese (shredded)
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 6 tablespoons butter (melted)
  • 1 sleeve Ritz butter crackers (appx 30 crackers, crushed)

Instructions

    1. Preheat the oven to 350F. Prepare a 9x9 baking dish with non stick spray. Chop or shred the chicken.
    2. In a large bowl combine the chicken, cream cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, cream of chicken soup, cheddar cheese, and spices. Mix to combine completely.
    3. Spread the chicken cream cheese mixture into the prepared 9x9 baking dish.
    4. In a medium sized microwave safe bowl, melt butter in intervals of 20 seconds until melted. Add the crushed cracker crumbs to the butter and mix to combine.
    5. Sprinkle the cracker crumbs and butter over the top of the casserole.
    6. Bake in the oven uncovered at 350F for 30- 40 minutes or until the casserole is bubbly and the top is golden brown.
    7. Remove and serve warm. Enjoy!

Notes

  • Use precooked chicken! I have a stash of shredded chicken in my freezer in 1 pound packages just for casseroles like this.
  • Change the cream of chicken soup to cream of mushroom soup, or onion, celery, or cheddar cheese soup!
  • Use saltine crackers or corn flakes for the crumb topping if you don't have ritz crackers or butter crackers.
  • Add in frozen peas, green beans, or corn for more veggies in this million dollar chicken casserole!
  • Sprinkle a few poppy seeds on top for more texture and crunch.
  • Nutrition Information:
    Yield: 9 Serving Size: 1
    Amount Per Serving: Calories: 312Total Fat: 23gSaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 97mgSodium: 427mgCarbohydrates: 6gFiber: 1gSugar: 2gProtein: 20g

    This nutrition information was generated via a third party, Nutritionix, and can not be held liable for any discrepancies in the information provided.

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    Mallory

    Sunday 7th of August 2022

    Do you think it would taste okay without cheddar cheese? Or maybe substituting cheddar for Parmesan cheese?

    Mallory

    Saturday 20th of August 2022

    @Jennifer, can I use a 8x12 dish instead of 9x9?

    Jennifer

    Monday 8th of August 2022

    It will be great with Parmesan and/or mozzarella!

    Jo reed

    Monday 13th of December 2021

    I'm sorry I wish that I could try this but your recipe is only half there. Very disappointed.

    Jennifer

    Monday 13th of December 2021

    Not sure what you mean? I have abbreviated instructions in the post but the full recipe is available in the recipe card at the bottom.

    Mary-Celeste Ricks

    Friday 19th of November 2021

    If I'm going to eat a 300 calorie portion with 23 grams of fat (most of them saturated) I think I'd rather have something deep fried. But it would be difficult for me to find a plate of fish and chips this unhealthy. But maybe that's just me. For anyone trying to avoid diabetes and heart disease, using low-fat cottage cheese and replacing the cream cheese/sour cream with low-fat Greek yogurt (or Skyr, or maybe even bechamel sauce) would make this a meal your body wouldn't regret having eaten the next day, without drastically compromising flavor.

    Sue

    Tuesday 23rd of November 2021

    I love this suggestion. I was thinking the same thing. Salad comment aside. Thanks!

    Jennifer

    Monday 22nd of November 2021

    Feel free to find something that fits your dietary needs or make a salad. Have a nice week!

    Rebecca

    Sunday 7th of November 2021

    Would I be able to use ricotta in place of the cottage cheese?

    Jennifer

    Sunday 7th of November 2021

    Absolutely!

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