Description
Million dollar chicken casserole is a creamy, indulgent dish featuring shredded chicken, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, cheddar cheese, and a buttery Ritz cracker topping. Perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or as a comforting homemade treat. Easily made gluten-free, low-carb, or vegan.
Ingredients
For the Casserole:
– 4 cups cooked chicken, shredded (substitute rotisserie chicken for convenience)
– 1 can cream of chicken soup (substitute cream of mushroom soup or homemade cream sauce if preferred)
– 1 cup sour cream
– 1 tsp garlic powder
– ½ tsp salt
– ¼ tsp black pepper
For the Topping:
– 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (substitute plant-based cheese for vegan option)
– 2 cups crushed Ritz crackers (substitute gluten-free crackers or almond flour for dietary needs)
– ½ cup melted butter (substitute plant-based butter for vegan option)
Optional Add-ins:
– Diced jalapeños, red pepper flakes, or hot sauce (for heat)
– Mushrooms, spinach, or roasted garlic (for added complexity)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In a large bowl, combine shredded chicken, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well combined and spread the mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
- Top the chicken mixture with half of the shredded cheddar cheese.
- In a separate bowl, mix crushed Ritz crackers and melted butter until combined. Sprinkle the cracker mixture over the casserole, followed by the remaining cheddar cheese.
- Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the topping is golden brown.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
– Use fresh ingredients: Freshly shredded cheese melts better and offers superior flavor compared to pre-shredded alternatives.
– Prevent sogginess: Ensure the butter is evenly distributed over the cracker topping and bake until golden brown.
– Storage: Store leftover casserole in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Freeze portions for longer storage; thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in the oven at 350°F for 10–15 minutes to restore texture. Avoid microwaving if possible.
– Customizations: Add diced jalapeños, mushrooms, or spinach for variety. Swap chicken with turkey, ham, or plant-based alternatives for dietary needs.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course / Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American / Comfort Food
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (based on 8 servings per recipe)
- Calories: ~350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 60mg