I’m so excited to share my Million Dollar Chicken Casserole Recipe with you because this dish has been a total game-changer in my kitchen. It s creamy, comforting, and packed with flavors that feel both homey and a little fancy without any fuss. Whether you’re making it for a busy weeknight dinner or bringing something special to a potluck, it s always met with rave reviews and empty plates.
What I truly love about this Million Dollar Chicken Casserole Recipe is how effortlessly it comes together using simple ingredients, yet delivers incredible richness and satisfaction. Plus, it’s one of those recipes that s flexible enough to fit a few tweaks depending on what you have on hand or your mood – perfect if you love a crowd-pleaser that also makes great leftovers.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Unbelievably creamy: The mix of cottage cheese, sour cream, and cream cheese creates a luscious texture you’ll crave.
- Super simple to make: You don t need any fancy cooking skills-just mix, layer, and bake.
- Perfect for leftovers: It reheats beautifully without losing that cheesy goodness.
- Crowd-pleasing comfort: Every time I bring this to gatherings, friends ask for the recipe.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients in this Million Dollar Chicken Casserole Recipe blend creamy, savory, and crunchy elements that harmonize perfectly. When shopping, try to grab a good-quality rotisserie chicken to save time, and look for buttery round crackers for that classic golden topping.
- Cottage cheese: Adds a mild tang and boosts the creamy texture without heaviness.
- Sour cream: Brings richness and a touch of tang that balances the cheese.
- Cream of chicken soup: Acts as the savory glue holding everything together.
- Cream cheese: Softened and cubed for smoothness and indulgence.
- Garlic powder: For subtle warmth and depth.
- Onion powder: Adds a mellow onion flavor without the chunks.
- Ground black pepper: Freshly cracked gives a nice mild bite.
- Cooked rotisserie chicken: Bite-sized pieces keep the casserole meaty and hearty.
- Frozen peas: Thawed for a pop of color and sweetness.
- Shredded cheddar cheese: Sharp and melty-perfect for topping.
- Shredded Monterey Jack cheese: Adds a creamy meltiness alongside cheddar.
- Buttery round crackers: Crushed to create that signature crunchy topping.
- Butter: Melted to bind the cracker topping and add golden richness.
- Cooked, crumbled bacon: For garnish and that irresistible smoky crunch.
- Sliced green onions: Freshness and a mild onion bite as a finishing touch.
Variations
I love that this Million Dollar Chicken Casserole Recipe invites you to make it your own. Over the years, I ve tried different spins on it, and I encourage you to do the same-it s hard to go wrong when you start with such a winning foundation.
- Swap proteins: I once made it with leftover turkey during the holidays, and it was just as delicious.
- Dairy alternatives: For a lighter approach, swap sour cream with Greek yogurt, which adds protein and tang.
- Veggie add-ins: Toss in chopped mushrooms or shredded zucchini for an extra veggie boost.
- Topping mix-up: Crushed cornflakes or panko breadcrumbs with Parmesan also make a wonderful crunchy topping.
How to Make Million Dollar Chicken Casserole Recipe
Step 1: Mix the Creamy Base
Start by preheating your oven to 350℉ and greasing a 9×11 casserole dish to avoid any sticking – I swear, this simple step makes cleanup so much easier. In a large bowl, combine the cottage cheese, sour cream, cream of chicken soup, and softened cream cheese. I like to use an electric mixer here because it whips everything into a silky smooth base super fast. Then stir in your garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper to infuse that cozy, savory background flavor.
Step 2: Add Chicken and Peas
Now, fold in the cooked rotisserie chicken pieces and thawed frozen peas. You want those peas just soft enough to blend nicely but still keep a little pop when you bite into them. This is where your casserole really starts to come alive with hearty textures.
Step 3: Assemble and Top
Spread the creamy chicken mixture evenly into your prepared casserole dish, smoothing it out so it bakes uniformly. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses evenly over the top-this double-cheese combo melts perfectly and adds depth. In a small bowl, mix melted butter with your crushed buttery crackers, then sprinkle this golden topping over the cheese layer for that signature crunch you re aiming for.
Step 4: Bake and Garnish
Bake the casserole in your preheated oven for about 30-40 minutes, or until the edges bubble and the cracker topping turns a beautiful golden brown. I recommend checking around the 30-minute mark so you don t accidentally burn that lovely crust! Once out of the oven, sprinkle cooked crumbled bacon and fresh sliced green onions on top for an incredible finishing touch that adds smoky and fresh layers of flavor.
Pro Tips for Making Million Dollar Chicken Casserole Recipe
- Use leftover or rotisserie chicken: It s a major time-saver and the chicken is already seasoned and tender.
- Soften cream cheese first: This helps it mix smoothly without lumps, making the casserole ultra creamy.
- Check topping early: The crackers brown quickly, so keep an eye at the 30-minute mark to avoid burning.
- Don t skip garnishes: Bacon and green onions add texture and flavor bursts that pull the whole dish together.
How to Serve Million Dollar Chicken Casserole Recipe
Garnishes
I m a sucker for finishing it off with crispy bacon crumbles and fresh green onions-they balance the creamy richness perfectly. Sometimes I add a sprinkle of fresh parsley for color and freshness, especially if I m serving guests. It gives a little pop that makes the dish feel special.
Side Dishes
My go-to sides with this casserole are a simple green salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette and some crusty bread to soak up every last bit of the cheesy sauce. Roasted vegetables like asparagus or green beans work wonderfully too if you want to add a little more veggie variety without competing with the casserole s flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
For holidays or dinner guests, I like to serve this casserole family-style straight from a cast-iron dish-it keeps it warm and looks inviting. Another idea I tried was scooping it into individual ramekins and topping each with extra crushed crackers and bacon for an elegant presentation. It s always fun to go beyond the standard casserole dish for something a bit special.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftovers tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. I usually cool the casserole completely before sealing to preserve its textures best. When you dig into it later, you ll find the flavors have even melded more deliciously.
Freezing
I ve frozen this casserole successfully by assembling in a freezer-safe dish, covering with foil, and freezing for up to 2 months. When ready, thaw overnight in the fridge and bake as usual. The texture of the topping changes a bit but the creamy inside stays rich and flavorful.
Reheating
I reheat leftovers in the oven at 325℉ covered with foil to warm through without drying out, usually about 20 minutes. For a quick fix, the microwave works too, but I prefer oven reheating to keep the topping crunchy.
FAQs
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Can I use fresh chicken instead of rotisserie chicken?
Absolutely! You can cook about 4 medium chicken breasts until fully cooked, then shred or chop them into bite-sized pieces. I recommend seasoning the chicken as you cook it to keep the flavors robust, but the casserole is forgiving if you keep it simple.
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Is this recipe gluten-free?
The casserole itself is gluten-free, but traditional buttery round crackers contain gluten. To make it gluten-free, swap those crackers with gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed gluten-free crackers for the topping.
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Can I prepare this casserole ahead of time?
Yes! You can assemble the casserole the night before and refrigerate it covered. Just add the cracker topping right before baking to keep it crunchy. This makes it a perfect make-ahead meal for busy days.
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What can I substitute for the cream of chicken soup?
If you prefer homemade versions, mix equal parts chicken broth and heavy cream or milk with a little flour or cornstarch to thicken. This will give you a fresher flavor and let you control the sodium content.
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Is there a vegetarian version of this casserole?
You can swap out the chicken for cooked hearty veggies like mushrooms, zucchini, or even tofu. Just keep the creamy base and adjust seasoning to taste for a satisfying vegetarian twist.
Final Thoughts
My Million Dollar Chicken Casserole Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it s one of those dishes that never fails to bring comfort and smiles around the dinner table. It s reliably delicious and simple enough to whip up anytime, yet special enough to impress. I truly hope you give it a try and find it as comforting and satisfying as my family and I have over the years-because good food shared with loved ones is priceless.
Print
Million Dollar Chicken Casserole Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-40 minutes
- Total Time: 45-55 minutes
- Yield: 7 servings
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Million Dollar Chicken Casserole is a creamy, cheesy baked dish loaded with tender rotisserie chicken, peas, and a flavorful blend of cottage cheese, sour cream, and cream cheese. Topped with a buttery cracker crumb crust and garnished with bacon and green onions, this comforting casserole is perfect for family dinners or potlucks.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened and cut into cubes
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 5 cups cooked rotisserie chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup frozen peas, unthawed
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Topping
- 1 sleeve buttery round crackers (about 30), crushed
- 4 tablespoons butter, melted
Garnish
- 1/4 cup cooked, crumbled bacon
- 2 sliced green onions
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350℉ (177℃) and grease a 9×11 inch casserole dish to prevent sticking.
- Mix Cheese Base: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cottage cheese, sour cream, cream of chicken soup, and softened cream cheese. Use an electric mixer to blend these ingredients thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Add Seasonings: Stir in the garlic powder, onion powder, and ground black pepper to evenly distribute the flavors throughout the cheese mixture.
- Incorporate Chicken and Peas: Gently fold in the cooked rotisserie chicken pieces and unthawed frozen peas, ensuring they are well incorporated without breaking up the chicken too much.
- Assemble Casserole: Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared casserole dish for an even bake.
- Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses uniformly on top of the chicken mixture.
- Prepare Cracker Topping: In a small bowl, combine the crushed buttery round crackers with the melted butter until the crumbs are fully coated.
- Top and Bake: Evenly sprinkle the buttery cracker crumbs over the cheese layer. Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes, or until the casserole is heated through and the topping is golden brown and crispy.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven and garnish the casserole with the cooked, crumbled bacon and sliced green onions before serving to add extra flavor and visual appeal.
Notes
- Substitute fresh cooked chicken breasts if rotisserie chicken is unavailable. Cook 4 medium chicken breasts, then shred or cut into bite-sized pieces.
- You can halve the recipe if you only have 3 to 4 cups of cooked chicken and bake it in a smaller casserole dish accordingly.
- The casserole can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated before baking.
- For a lower sodium version, consider using low-sodium cream of chicken soup and reduced-sodium cheeses.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/7th of casserole (about 1 cup)
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 13 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
