How to Make the Creamiest, Dreamiest Million Dollar Chicken Casserole

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Million Dollar Chicken Casserole features creamy, cheesy layers combined with tender chicken, all topped off with a crispy, buttery cracker topping. It’s the perfect dinner for busy weeknights—and something the whole family will be excited to eat!

And don’t let the “million dollar” tag fool you. The ingredients are totally budget-friendly, but the rich and indulgent taste is worth a million bucks! It is a simple and stress-free meal.

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My favorite thing about this casserole recipe is that it has something for everyone. It’s homey, it’s creamy, it’s made from leftovers, and it’s got a “wow” factor that makes it unique.

Serve it with a side salad, and watch your family go silent – not because they’re not enjoying it, but because their mouths are too full of casserole goodness to talk.

In this post, I’ll discuss the details of creating this decadent dinner. I’ll share easy directions, storage tips, and answers to all your questions

Looking for more casserole recipes? Try French Onion Casserole, Chicken Parm Casserole, or Chili Cornbread Casserole.

🥘Ingredient Notes

For exact amounts needed see the recipe card below

  • Cream of Chicken Soup
  • Cottage cheese
  • Sour cream
  • Cream cheese
  • Onion powder
  • Garlic powder
  • Shredded cooked chicken
  • Fresh parsley
  • Buttery crackers: Like Ritz crackers.
  • Unsalted butter
  • Mozzarella cheese
  • Green onions
Various ingredients labeled for a recipe, including shredded chicken, cheeses, spices, crackers, and vegetables on a marble surface.

🥣How to Make Million Dollar Chicken Casserole

  1. Preheat the to 350 degrees F. In a medium bowl, combine the cream of chicken soup, cottage cheese, sour cream, cream cheese, and half of the garlic powder.
  2. Fold in the parsley and shredded chicken. Spread this mixture into a 9 x 9-inch baking dish.
  3. Crush the crackers and mix them with melted butter and the rest of the garlic powder in a second small bowl.
  4. Sprinkle the mozzarella over your chicken mixture. Then, with a flourish, scatter the cracker crumbs on top.
  5. Bake in the preheated oven for 35 minutes. It is done when it is bubbly and has golden brown on top. Garnish with green onions.
Ingredients including cream cheese, cream of chicken soup, and spices in a glass bowl, ready to be mixed.
Mix the ingredients.
Shredded chicken in a glass bowl with a fork, seasoned with herbs and surrounded by sliced green onions.
Add the shredded chicken.
A glass dish containing chicken salad with chunks of chicken, green onions, and a creamy dressing.
Combine until smooth.
A glass baking dish filled with uncooked creamy chicken pasta topped with shredded cheese, ready for baking.
Top with cheese.
A casserole with a creamy filling topped with golden brown crumbled crackers and shredded cheese, viewed from above.
Then the crushed crackers.
Baked chicken casserole in a glass dish with a golden, crispy crackers topping.
Bake in the oven.

🍴Serving Ideas

I like to pair this tasty casserole with a crisp green salad or steamed broccoli to add a pop of color and a dose of veggies. A side of garlic bread or a warm dinner roll is perfect for sopping up that creamy sauce. 

You can also serve it over a bed of al dente pasta for an Italian twist. Mashed potatoes go really well with this million dollar casserole, doubling down on comfort with every forkful.

A serving of creamy chicken casserole with a crispy breadcrumb topping on a white plate, with more in a glass baking dish in the background.

💭How to Store

Transfer leftovers to an airtight container, or cover tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil if you’re keeping them in the casserole dish. Pop them in the fridge if you’ll be enjoying them within a few days, or freeze them for a longer shelf life. 

When you’re ready for round two, reheat it in the oven or microwave until it’s piping hot all through. Cover it with foil to prevent the top from burning while the rest warms up.

A dish of creamy baked chicken casserole and cheese topped with golden, crispy crackers, garnished with parsley, served on a glass dish with a fork.

⭐Tips

Be sure to check out the step by step instructions

  • While I’m all for the convenience of shredded rotisserie chicken, don’t hesitate to boil and shred your own if you’ve got the time. The amound of chicken needed is about 1 1/2 pounds of boneless chicken breast or thighs.
  • To avoid pesky lumps of cream cheese, let it soften to room temperature before mixing.
  • Try tossing your cracker crumbs with a pinch of garlic salt or a whisper of paprika for an extra indulgence. It’ll add a subtle kick that takes the topping to new heights.
  • Go for a good quality mozzarella that melts well. A little stretchiness in your cheese pull can go a long way in making this dish feel extra special. You can also switch up the type of cheese you use if you aren’t a mozzarella fan.

📝Reader Questions

Can I make this casserole in advance? 

Yes. Assemble everything, cover it, and store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours before baking. Since you’ll be starting from cold, add a few minutes to the baking time.

Can I use low-fat ingredients? 

Sure thing! Feel free to swap in low-fat cream cheese, sour cream, and cottage cheese. The casserole might be a tad less rich, but that’s OK.

What if I don’t have cream of chicken soup?

No cream of chicken? That’s no problem. Cream of mushroom or cream of celery soup works fine, too.

⭐Did You Make This? Leave a Star Rating!

A fork lifting a cheesy portion from a baked casserole dish with a crunchy topping, with a potted plant in the background.
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Million Dollar Chicken Casserole Recipe

Published By Anne
Million Dollar Chicken Casserole is the ultimate comfort food. Perfect for busy weeknights, this dish combines creamy, cheesy goodness with a crispy cracker topping.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time35 minutes
Total Time45 minutes
Servings: 6
Print Save Rate Pin

Ingredients
 

  • 1 can cream of chicken soup 10.5 ounces
  • 1/2 cup cottage cheese
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 4 ounces cream cheese
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 4 cups shredded cooked chicken about 1 1/2 pounds
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley
  • 30 buttery crackers
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese
  • green onions for garnish

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9×9-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
  • Mix the cream soup, cottage cheese, sour cream, cream cheese, onion powder, and half of the garlic powder until smooth.
    1 can cream of chicken soup, 1/2 cup cottage cheese, 1/2 cup sour cream, 4 ounces cream cheese, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • Stir in the parsley and chicken.
    4 cups shredded cooked chicken, 1 tablespoon fresh parsley
  • Mix the crushed crackers, melted butter, and garlic powder in another bowl.
    30 buttery crackers, 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • Spoon chicken mixture into the prepared baking dish. Top it with the mozzarella, then the cracker mixture.
    1 cup mozzarella cheese
  • Bake in the oven for 35 minutes, until the casserole is bubbly and brown.
    green onions

Notes

  • While I’m all for the convenience of using leftover chicken, you can boil and shred your own if you’ve got the time. The amound of chicken needed is about 1 1/2 pounds of boneless chicken breast or thighs.
  • For easy of mixing, let the cream cheese soften to room temperature before mixing.
  • You can also switch up the type of cheese you use if you aren’t a mozzarella fan. Cheddar cheese or Colby Jack are delicious in this casserole.

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 522kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 35g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 142mg | Sodium: 798mg | Potassium: 351mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 944IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 192mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutrition facts are estimates.

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A fork lifting a cheesy portion from a baked casserole dish with a crunchy topping, with a potted plant in the background.
anne

Hi, I’m Anne!

I love to cook and I want to share my recipes with you. I believe cooking should be approachable and fun, not a chore. I want to make simple recipes using everyday ingredients that you can make again and again, whether it is for a busy weeknight, a summer cookout or a special dessert. Read more...

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