Description
Comfort meets luxury in this Million Dollar Chicken Casserole, a creamy Southern classic that promises pure culinary bliss. Cheesy, crispy, and packed with flavor, you’ll crave this irresistible dish that delivers wholesome warmth in every comforting bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 4 cups (about 1 pound or 454 grams) cooked, shredded chicken
Dairy and Creamy Components:
- 4 ounces (113 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup (226 grams) cottage cheese
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) sour cream
- 1 cup (about 113 grams) shredded cheddar cheese
Seasoning and Additional Ingredients:
- 1 can (10.5 ounces or 298 grams) cream of chicken soup
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley (optional for added flavor)
- 1 sleeve Ritz crackers, crushed
- 6 tablespoons (85 grams) unsalted butter, melted
- Chopped green onions or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare a 9×13 inch baking vessel by lightly coating with cooking lubricant, then arrange oven rack to center position and warm appliance to 350°F.
- Combine shredded protein with smooth dairy components, incorporating cream cheese, cultured cream, aromatic spice powders, and seasoning elements. Whisk mixture until uniform consistency emerges.
- Transfer protein blend into prepared cooking container, ensuring smooth and even distribution across entire surface.
- Blanket initial layer with generous coating of sharp cheddar dairy shreds, creating complete coverage.
- Create crispy exterior topping by folding crushed buttery crackers into melted butter, forming a golden crumbly mixture.
- Distribute cracker blend methodically across cheese surface, guaranteeing complete and uniform coverage.
- Position casserole inside heated oven, allowing 25-30 minutes cooking duration until topping transforms into rich golden brown and cheese becomes delicately effervescent.
- Extract culinary creation from oven, permitting brief resting period of approximately 5 minutes to stabilize internal temperature.
- Enhance visual appeal and flavor profile by sprinkling finely chopped green onion segments across top layer before presenting to eager diners.
Notes
- Shred chicken quickly using two forks or a stand mixer for consistent, tender meat texture.
- Create a lighter version by substituting low-fat cream cheese and Greek yogurt for sour cream.
- Make this dish gluten-free by using gluten-free crackers and ensuring all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
- Enhance flavor depth by adding a sprinkle of smoked paprika or fresh herbs like thyme to the chicken mixture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 563
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 877 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 29 g
- Cholesterol: 119 mg