Description
Million Dollar Chicken Casserole with juicy chicken, creamy sauce, cheese, and buttery crackers. A comforting, crowd-pleasing dish.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups cooked chicken, shredded or cubed (about 1.5 lbs/680g)
- 8 oz (226g) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup (240g) sour cream
- 1 can (10.5 oz/298g) cream of chicken soup
- 1/2 cup (120ml) chicken broth
- 1 packet (1 oz/28g) ranch seasoning mix
- 2 cups (226g) shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1 cup (113g) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 6 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 cup (120g) crushed buttery crackers (like Ritz)
- 4 tablespoons (56g) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare the Base Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and sour cream, beating until smooth and well incorporated. Take your time with this step – a lump-free base is crucial for that luxurious texture that makes Million Dollar Chicken Casserole special.
- Step 2: Create the Creamy Mixture Add the cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, and ranch seasoning to your cream cheese mixture. Stir until completely combined into a smooth, pourable consistency. Fold in 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese and all of the mozzarella cheese, stirring gently until just incorporated. You want to maintain some texture rather than overmixing.
- Step 3: Add the Chicken Gently fold your shredded or cubed chicken into the creamy mixture, ensuring every piece gets coated evenly. The chicken should be completely cool before adding to prevent the cheese from separating. If you’re using rotisserie chicken, this is the perfect time to fold in any accumulated juices for extra flavor.
- Step 4: Assemble the Casserole Transfer the chicken and cheese mixture into your prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly to the edges. Sprinkle half of the crumbled bacon throughout the mixture, lightly pressing it in. Top with the remaining cup of cheddar cheese, creating an even layer that will melt beautifully.
- Step 5: Prepare the Crispy Topping In a small bowl, combine the crushed buttery crackers with the melted butter until every crumb is moistened. Mix in the remaining bacon crumbles. This topping will create the signature textural contrast that makes Million Dollar Chicken Casserole irresistible.
- Step 6: Bake to Perfection Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil, sprinkle the cracker mixture evenly over the top, and return to the oven for another 10-15 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the edges are bubbling. For an extra-crispy topping, broil for the final 1-2 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Step 7: Rest and Serve Allow the casserole to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This resting period helps the layers set, making it easier to portion. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley for a pop of color and fresh flavor before bringing this showstopper to the table.
Notes
Fresh ingredients will always yield the best flavor results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 525
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 1175mg
- Fat: 40g
- Saturated Fat: 22g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 135mg