Cheesy Million Dollar Chicken Casserole

Introduction

The Cheesy Million Dollar Chicken Casserole is pure comfort food—easy to pull together yet packed with rich, creamy flavor and irresistible cheesiness. Whether you’re feeding a family on a busy weeknight or need a crowd-pleasing potluck dish, this casserole delivers layers of satisfying goodness in each bite. The combination of tender chicken, melty cheese, and a buttery, crispy topping makes it a recipe everyone asks for.

Why Cheesy Million Dollar Chicken Casserole Is a Winner

Flavor and convenience are at the heart of this recipe. The blend of shredded chicken, creamy cheeses, and a simple buttery cracker topping creates the perfect balance of textures: creamy, cheesy, and satisfyingly crunchy. Plus, it comes together with easy-to-find pantry staples and rotisserie chicken, saving you time without skimping on homemade taste.

Getting the Cheesy Filling Just Right

The “million dollar” aspect comes from a luscious mixture of cream cheese, sour cream, cottage cheese, and shredded cheddar, all tied together with cream of chicken soup. This creamy base works wonderfully with leftover or store-bought rotisserie chicken, making the most of both flavor and convenience. Give the cheeses and cream a good mix until ultra-smooth, then gently fold in the chicken to keep those tender bites intact.

Layering and Finishing the Casserole

After mixing the creamy filling, simply spread it into a casserole dish. Top with more sharp cheddar and finish with a generous layer of buttery crushed crackers. A quick bake in the oven transforms everything into one bubbling, golden, family-style casserole sure to win rave reviews at your table.

Serving Suggestions for a Standout Casserole

This dish is complete on its own but pairs beautifully with simple sides. Try it with a crisp green salad, steamed broccoli, or roasted veggies to balance the richness. A sprinkle of chopped parsley or chives before serving brings a burst of freshness and color to your finished creation.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe serves 6 to 8 hearty portions. Each serving contains approximately 400–500 calories, depending on your cheese and cracker choices. It’s comfort food best enjoyed as part of a balanced meal, ideal for sharing or saving as leftovers.

Cheesy Million Dollar Chicken Casserole (Recap)

This casserole brings together creamy, cheesy filling and a crunchy, buttery topping for a beloved, easy-to-make meal that satisfies every time. If you want an effortless, crowd-pleasing dinner that can be prepped ahead, the Cheesy Million Dollar Chicken Casserole has you covered.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and meal planning.

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish.
2. In a large bowl, combine softened cream cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, and cream of chicken soup. Whisk until smooth.
3. Stir in 1 cup of shredded cheddar, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
4. Fold in the cooked shredded chicken until evenly coated.
5. Spread the mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup cheddar cheese over the top.
6. In a small bowl, mix the crushed Ritz crackers with melted butter until the crumbs are coated.
7. Evenly sprinkle the buttery crackers over the casserole.
8. Bake uncovered for 30–35 minutes, or until bubbly and the topping is golden brown.
9. Garnish with chopped parsley or chives, if desired. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

Weekly Meal Planning

This Cheesy Million Dollar Chicken Casserole is ideal for make-ahead meal prep and busy weeknight dinners. Save and schedule this recipe to effortlessly plan when to make it and generate a smart shopping list that combines all your meal needs.

Planning Benefits:

• Automatically tally total ingredient quantities needed for all scheduled recipes
• Organize shopping lists by grocery store section for a quicker, less stressful shopping trip
• Reduce food waste by preventing over-purchasing
• Keep meal prep streamlined for the week, all in one place

Pro tip: When planning your weekly dinners, schedule all your recipes to see exactly what you need—no more forgotten ingredients or double buying items like cheese or cream.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes