Description
Million Dollar Chicken Casserole is a rich and creamy baked dish combining shredded chicken, a blend of cheeses, and a crispy Ritz cracker topping. This comforting casserole is perfect for family dinners, offering a flavorful and satisfying meal with a golden, cheesy crust.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Mixture
- 2 cups (about 280 g) cooked chicken, diced or shredded
- 225 g cream cheese, softened
- 240 g cottage cheese
- 240 g sour cream
- 240 g mayonnaise
- 1 can (298 g) cream of chicken soup
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Topping
- 100 g grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup (80 g) crushed Ritz crackers
- 225 g unsalted butter, melted
- 120 g shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 175°C (350°F) and allow it to fully reach temperature before baking.
- Mix Cheese Base: In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, and cream of chicken soup. Blend thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and uniform.
- Season the Base: Add garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper to the cheese mixture. Adjust seasonings to your taste and mix well to incorporate evenly.
- Add Chicken: Fold in the diced or shredded cooked chicken gently, ensuring all pieces are coated evenly with the creamy mixture.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Lightly grease a 33 x 23 cm (13 x 9 inch) baking dish. Evenly spread the chicken and cheese mixture into the dish for uniform baking.
- Add Parmesan Layer: Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the entire surface of the chicken mixture to create a flavorful base for the topping.
- Make Cracker Topping: In a separate bowl, mix the crushed Ritz crackers with the melted unsalted butter until all crumbs are evenly coated.
- Top Casserole: Distribute the buttered cracker mixture evenly over the casserole, ensuring full coverage for a consistent crunchy texture.
- Add Mozzarella: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the cracker topping to promote a melty, golden finish.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the edges are bubbling.
- Rest: Remove from oven and allow the casserole to rest for 10 minutes. This helps the casserole set for cleaner slices.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley if desired, then serve warm.
Notes
- For crispier topping, broil for 2-3 minutes at the end of baking, watching closely to prevent burning.
- Use rotisserie chicken or leftover cooked chicken for convenience.
- This casserole can be made ahead and refrigerated before baking; just add extra baking time if cooking from cold.
- Fresh parsley adds a nice touch of color and freshness but can be omitted.
- Use low-fat cream cheese and cottage cheese to lighten the dish if desired.
