Million dollar chicken casserole is an easy, creamy, and comforting meal that’s topped with buttery Ritz cracker crumbs. It’s the perfect dinner casserole for busy weeknights.
Why this recipe works
With simple ingredients like chicken, cream cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, and cream of chicken soup you’ll have yourself this delicious million dollar chicken casserole. In our opinion, this dish isn’t complete without the crisp crumbled Ritz crackers on top for the perfect creamy-crunch ratio.
Whether it’s from leftovers or chicken you’d like to use up that’s sitting in the fridge or freezer, this is hands down the best casserole to make with chicken!
Ingredients you will need
Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.
Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions
CHICKEN – Cooked chicken breasts or rotisserie chicken will both work for this recipe.
ADDITIONS – Cream cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, and cream of chicken soup come together to make this dish ultra-creamy and thick. Make sure your cream cheese is well-softened at room temperature. You can use homemade cream of chicken soup if desired.
TOPPING – The buttery Ritz cracker topping ties this chicken casserole together. If you are looking for a substitute, try saltine crackers or crushed pretzels.
How to Make The Best Million Dollar Chicken Casserole
These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.
- Preheat the oven to 350F.
- Shred the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces.
- In a large bowl combine the cream cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, cream of chicken soup, and seasoning. Mix well.
- To the same bowl add the chicken and stir to coat well. Pour into a 9×9 casserole dish.
- In a separate medium bowl add a sleeve of Ritz crackers and crush into small bits. Pour in the melted butter and toss to coat the crackers.
- Top the casserole with the Ritz crackers.
- Bake uncovered for 40 minutes. Garnish with parsley if desired.
Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips
Yes, million dollar chicken casserole freezes well. To do so, follow the instructions through step 4 (before adding the crackers) and store with an air-tight lid or tightly wrapped with plastic wrap followed by aluminum foil in the freezer for up to 4 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Bake as normal, but covered with foil. You may need to add a few minutes since the dish is going into the oven cold.
Store with an air-tight lid or tightly wrapped with plastic wrap in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave.
Yes, for this casserole, you will need to use cooked chicken breast. We love using leftover shredded chicken or even store-bought rotisserie chicken. If you don’t cook the meat beforehand, it won’t properly cook in the oven.
Yes, of course! If you prefer dark meat you can certainly use that instead. You’ll need 4 cups of cooked chicken legs or thighs.
Yes, you can prepare the chicken casserole filling a day in advance. Pour the mixture into the baking dish and cover with a lid or plastic wrap. You can crush the crackers ahead of time but I would recommend storing them in a separate ziptop bag. Combine the melted butter with the crackers and add to the casserole just before baking. If you are using a glass baking dish, allow it to relax at room temperature until the chill is taken off before baking. For metal pans, you may need to add an extra couple of minutes in the oven if you are baking it straight from the refrigerator.
Serving Suggestions
Some people like to add bacon to their chicken casserole, so feel free to add some if desired. This dish is great for using up leftover chicken. Serve with a side salad, bread, or steamed veggies.
More Chicken Casserole Recipes
- Mexican Chicken Casserole
- Chicken Stuffing Casserole
- Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
- Chicken Enchilada Casserole
- Chicken Noodle Casserole
- Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole
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Million Dollar Chicken Casserole
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
Print It Rate ItIngredients
- 4 cups chicken cooked and shredded – roughly 1 1/2 lbs of boneless chicken breasts
- 4 oz cream cheese softened at room temperature
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- ½ cup sour cream
- 10.75 oz condensed cream of chicken soup as-is, do NOT add water/milk
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 32 Ritz crackers 1 sleeve
- 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter melted
Things You’ll Need
Before You Begin
- Easily double this recipe and bake it in a 13×9 casserole dish. Bake until thoroughly heated through.
- You can use a rotisserie chicken from the store or cook 1 1/2 – 2 lbs of chicken breasts. Dark meat will also work.
- Make sure your cream cheese is well-softened at room temperature. You can use homemade cream of chicken soup if desired.
- If you are looking for a substitute for the Ritz cracker topping, try saltine crackers or crushed pretzels.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F.
- Shred the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces.
- In a large bowl combine the cream cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, cream of chicken soup, and seasoning. Mix well.
- To the same bowl add the chicken and stir to coat well. Pour into a 9×9 casserole dish.
- In a separate medium bowl add a sleeve of Ritz crackers and crush into small bits. Pour in the melted butter and toss to coat the crackers.
- Top the casserole with the Ritz crackers.
- Bake uncovered for 40 minutes. Garnish with parsley if desired.
Expert Tips & FAQs
- To Freeze – Follow the instructions through step 4 (before adding the crackers) and store with an air-tight lid or tightly wrapped with plastic wrap followed by aluminum foil in the freezer for up to 4 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Bake as normal, but covered with foil. You may need to add a few minutes since the dish is going into the oven cold.
- Storing – Store leftovers in a container with an air-tight lid or tightly wrapped with plastic wrap in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave.
- To Make Ahead– prepare the chicken casserole filling a day in advance. Pour the mixture into the baking dish and cover with a lid or plastic wrap. You can crush the crackers ahead of time but I would recommend storing them in a separate ziptop bag. Combine the melted butter with the crackers and add to the casserole just before baking. If you are using a glass baking dish, allow it to relax at room temperature until the chill is taken off before baking. For metal pans, you may need to add an extra couple of minutes in the oven if you are baking it straight from the refrigerator.
Nutrition
This post was originally published here on December 28, 2021.
Amanda Davis
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Carol says
Honestly, I give this maybe a 3. It certainly could be good, but something feels off. I wonder if the cottage cheese is wholly necessary РI think just the sour cream, cream cheese, and cream of chicken are all sufficient and would probably be better. Peas and some saut̩ed onion and celery would probably be good additions.
James says
I just made it. Casseroles are usually a utilitarian food for me, but I enjoyed this one. Added two cups of chopped broccoli and about another half cup of leftover baked potato. Uses whole wheat Ritz and ate with a nice salad and a dinner roll. It was a really good meal. Thank, Amanda.
Matt O says
Not usually a “chef”, but, wife was really ‘happy’ after. eating this one when she got off work.
Kayla says
My family and I loved this recipe. Although we did add corn, carrots, peas, and onion. Plus we used French’s onions on top instead of Ritz. It was amazing!
Didi says
Thank you for this recipe. I made 3 times and and everyone still loves it. Its really easy to make and I have been taking leftover for my lunch at work.
Eva says
Love this recipe. Only change we add was added 1/4 fresh chopped onions & 4 fresh chopped up sautéed mushrooms. Oh so good!
Terv says
Using ingredients from my local grocery store, I was able to make this casserole for far less than 1 million dollars. I was looking for a recipe like my mom makes but decided to go with this one instead and it was pretty good!
Mark says
This is terrible recipe. I can’t see how the reviews are so good. The casserole is both rich and bland at the same time. Threw it out.
Marti Bowland says
I was lucky enough to have exactly 4 cups of Hutterite smoked chicken dark meat for this recipe. I also added a partial bag of fried onions we had over the top of the Ritz the final 10 minutes. I didn’t have cream of chicken so I used cream of mushroom and added a half teaspoon of powdered chicken flavoring to mimic the cream of chicken. Hubs came in from splitting firewood and enjoyed two helpings. It makes plenty so we’ll be enjoying this for 3 days most likely. Thanks for the recipe. I added 1/4 tsp black pepper and pink salt – I could not make a recipe without basic seasoning ,“
Lora says
I am making this for the second time. Am taking to our last citizens academy class. I’m sure they will love it too. Thank you for the recipe.
Kimberly Ford says
Delish! And quick! Even my super picky 8 year old loved it.
Debbie says
Love it, but made a couple changes. I doubled it, and used a can of cream of celery for the 2nd can of soup. I also added some mixed frozen veges and a little cayenne pepper. My husband loved it and so did I. We had it with a roll and salad. Thanks!
Chris A says
I made this yesterday. Its ‘ok’. Not a whole lot of flavor. I did use ricotta cheese instead of cottage cheese and added about 1cup of cooked small pasta shells.
I would also maybe use a box if prepared Stove Top Stuffing on top instead of Ritz crackers. Probably would have a bit more flavor. I may try that next time.
cesar arguelles says
I followed the instructions perfectly. It came out the way it was suppose to. It is too soggy and more like a spread for a chicken sandwich, but nothing that you should eat on its own. Very disappointed.
Mark says
Exactly what I thought too.
Noel says
4.96 stars out of almost 600 reviews?
You missed a step somewhere my man
Mine comes out perfect everytime
Perfect consistency, not too liquidy,not too dense
Crista says
I agree, it just seems like chicken and a bunch of mush, more like chicken salad, was disappointed since the reviews were raving, recipe made a good amount so im trying to figure out what to do with it and not waste it
Kayla says
I loved it, my stepkid asked for 2nds and that’s plenty of a winner for me. I just did a bag of that easy rice cheddar and broccoli flavored as a side.
Ashley Donohue says
Trying it today
Raquel says
Can you freeze this?
EssJay says
I added 8 oz of elbow macaroni, cooked al dente, and baked in a 9×13 pan. It was perfect!
Relda says
Great idea as I can’t do those yummy crackers on the top but GF noodles would be great.
Cindy says
Love this
Jackie says
Totally excellent! It needed absolutely nothing extra but I added some fresh mushrooms and baby peas.. it would have been fine without them. Great recipe!
mick tommo says
I think this has become my new favourite