Million Dollar Chicken Casserole Recipe

I absolutely love this Million Dollar Chicken Casserole Recipe because it’s one of those comfort dishes that feels fancy but comes together so easily. Whenever I have a hectic weeknight or a potluck to attend, this casserole is my go-to; it’s creamy, cheesy, and loaded with tender chicken and just the right amount of seasoning to make everyone ask for seconds.

You ll find that the combination of cottage cheese, sour cream, and cream cheese gives it this incredible richness without being too heavy. Plus, that buttery cracker topping adds the perfect crispy contrast. Trust me, once you try this Million Dollar Chicken Casserole Recipe, it’ll become a staple in your rotation for easy, crowd-pleasing dinners.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe comes together beautifully because each ingredient plays its part in flavor and texture. Whether it s the creamy bases or the crunchy topping, these ingredients balance richness with a touch of freshness.

• Cottage Cheese: I love how it adds creaminess and a tangy note, plus a good protein boost.
• Sour Cream: It deepens flavor and keeps the casserole moist without feeling heavy.
• Cream of Chicken Soup: Classic comfort ingredient that acts like a savory binder.
• Cream Cheese: Using softened cubes helps everything blend into a velvety sauce.
• Garlic Powder: Adds that subtle background kick I always crave.
• Onion Powder: Enhances flavor without overpowering the dish.
• Ground Black Pepper: Just enough to give it a little spice and depth.
• Cooked Rotisserie Chicken: The star of the show-juicy, tender, and effortless if you get it pre-cooked.
• Frozen Peas: They bring a pop of color and a touch of sweetness.
• Shredded Cheddar Cheese: A little sharpness that balances the creamy base.
• Shredded Monterey Jack Cheese: Melts beautifully and adds a mild, buttery flavor.
• Buttery Round Crackers: For that irresistible golden, crunchy topping. Crushing them fresh is key here!
• Butter: Melted and mixed with crackers to create a rich crust.
• Cooked, Crumbled Bacon: Garnish that brings salty crunch and smoky flavor.
• Sliced Green Onions: Adds a fresh, bright finish right before serving.

Variations

I ve played around with this Million Dollar Chicken Casserole Recipe quite a bit, and it s so forgiving. Don t hesitate to swap in your favorite veggies or cheese, or even make it more indulgent or lighter depending on your mood and crowd.

• Veggie Swap: I tried adding chopped broccoli instead of peas once, and it worked wonderfully for a low-carb twist.
• Dairy-Free Version: Use dairy-free cream cheese and sour cream alternatives, and swap shredded cheeses with plant-based ones.
• Protein Substitute: If you don t have chicken, cooked turkey or shredded rotisserie pork makes a tasty variation.
• Gluten-Free Option: Replace the cracker topping with crushed gluten-free crackers or almond flour mixed with butter.

How to Make Million Dollar Chicken Casserole Recipe

Step 1: Gather and prep your ingredients

Preheat your oven to 350℉ and lightly grease a 9×11 casserole dish to prevent sticking. Make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature so it blends smoothly – I learned this the hard way after ending up with lumpy sauce once. Have your rotisserie chicken shredded and peas thawed before mixing so the assembly goes quickly.

Step 2: Mix the creamy base

In a large bowl, combine the cottage cheese, sour cream, cream of chicken soup, and cream cheese using an electric mixer. This is where the magic begins: that smooth and creamy foundation sets the tone for the whole dish. Add garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper, then mix until everything’s evenly combined. The ease of this step always feels like a little reward!

Step 3: Add chicken and peas

Fold in the bite-sized pieces of cooked chicken and thawed peas gently to keep the texture intact. You want every bite to have some of that sweet pea burst without breaking up the chicken too much. Spread the mixture evenly into your prepared casserole dish for even cooking.

Step 4: Cheese and cracker topping

Sprinkle the shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses evenly over the casserole. Then, mix the crushed buttery round crackers with melted butter and sprinkle this golden crumb topping on. This crunchy layer is what gives the casserole its signature million dollar appeal-don’t skip it!

Step 5: Bake and garnish

Bake the casserole at 350℉ for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the mixture is bubbly and the cracker topping is beautifully golden brown. Just before serving, sprinkle crumbled bacon and sliced green onions on top – these finishing touches bring extra flavor and freshness that my family absolutely loves.

How to Serve Million Dollar Chicken Casserole Recipe

Garnishes

I always top my casserole with crumbled cooked bacon and fresh sliced green onions. The bacon adds a smoky crunch that perfectly contrasts the creamy casserole, and the green onions give a fresh pop of color and mild onion flavor. You can also sprinkle a little extra shredded cheese on top if you re feeling cheesy!

Side Dishes

My favorite sides with this are simple green salads or steamed veggies like asparagus or green beans – they cut through the richness nicely. Some days, I like to serve it alongside buttery dinner rolls for mopping up every last bit of that delicious sauce.

Creative Ways to Present

For a special occasion, I serve the casserole in individual ramekins to make it feel extra cozy and personal. Another fun idea is to layer it in a clear glass baking dish so you can see all the cheesy, creamy layers through the sides-it s a great conversation starter at potlucks!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I usually find it tastes even better the next day because the flavors have had time to meld, and the casserole reheats nicely without drying out.

Freezing

You can freeze this casserole before baking. I like to assemble it in a freezer-safe dish, cover tightly with foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready, bake from frozen by adding extra 15-20 minutes to the cooking time and covering with foil until bubbly.

Reheating

For reheating, I pop leftovers in the oven at 350℉ covered with foil to keep moisture in, usually about 20 minutes. If you re in a hurry, a microwave works too – just cover loosely and heat in short intervals, stirring gently to warm evenly without drying.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Million Dollar Chicken Casserole Recipe has become one of my absolute favorites because it feels like a warm, comforting hug on a plate. It s easy enough for weeknights but special enough for guests. I really encourage you to give it a try-it s a surefire way to impress your family or friends without spending hours in the kitchen. Plus, you can always tweak it your way and make it your own little secret indulgence!

Million Dollar Chicken Casserole Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.8 from 122 reviews

• Author: Mia
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 7 servings
• Category: Casserole
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

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Description

Million Dollar Chicken Casserole is a creamy, cheesy, and comforting baked dish featuring tender rotisserie chicken, mixed with a rich blend of cottage cheese, sour cream, cream cheese, and cream of chicken soup. Topped with a buttery, crunchy cracker crumb topping and garnished with crispy bacon and fresh green onions, this casserole presents a delicious and hearty meal perfect for families and gatherings.

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Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients

• 1 cup cottage cheese
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 can 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

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Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 350℉ (175℃) and grease a 9×11-inch casserole dish to prevent sticking.
2. Mix Creamy Base: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cottage cheese, sour cream, cream of chicken soup, and cream cheese cubes. Use an electric mixer to blend these ingredients until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
3. Add Seasonings: Stir in the garlic powder, onion powder, and ground black pepper thoroughly into the creamy mixture to ensure even seasoning.
4. Incorporate Chicken and Peas: Fold in the cooked rotisserie chicken pieces and the unthawed frozen peas evenly into the cheese mixture, distributing the protein and vegetables throughout.
5. Assemble Casserole: Spread the chicken and cheese mixture evenly into the prepared casserole dish, creating a flat, uniform layer.
6. Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese and Monterey Jack cheese evenly over the top of the casserole for a rich, melty cover.
7. Prepare Cracker Topping: In a small bowl, mix the melted butter with the crushed buttery round crackers until the crumbs are well coated.
8. Top the Casserole: Evenly distribute the buttery cracker crumb mixture over the shredded cheese layer to add a crunchy texture once baked.
9. Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the casserole is heated through and the cracker topping is golden brown and crispy.
10. Garnish and Serve: Once baked, remove from the oven and garnish with the cooked, crumbled bacon and sliced green onions before serving to add flavor and visual appeal.

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Notes

• If you do not have leftover or rotisserie chicken, you can cook 4 medium chicken breasts as a substitute.
• If you have only 3-4 cups of chicken available, consider cutting the recipe in half and using a smaller baking dish to maintain proper proportions and cooking time.
• Ensure the peas are unthawed before mixing to prevent excess moisture in the casserole.
• Use freshly crushed crackers for the topping as it provides better texture compared to pre-packaged crumbs.

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Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1/7th of casserole (approx. 1.25 cups)
• Calories: 420 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 720 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0.3 g
• Carbohydrates: 15 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 29 g
• Cholesterol: 105 mg