Million Dollar Chicken & Rice Casserole

The first bite of this Million Dollar Chicken & Rice Casserole reveals a decadent combination of creamy sauce, tender chicken, and perfectly cooked rice that will make your taste buds sing. This isn’t just any ordinary casserole – it’s a rich, indulgent dish that lives up to its luxurious name with layers of melted cheese, hearty rice, and succulent chicken all baked to golden perfection. The Million Dollar Chicken & Rice Casserole has become a beloved comfort food staple for good reason, delivering restaurant-quality flavor with simple home cooking techniques. You’ll learn how to create this impressive yet surprisingly easy dish that’s guaranteed to become a family favorite.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Million Dollar Chicken & Rice Casserole strikes the perfect balance between easy preparation and incredible flavor that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen. The contrast between the creamy, cheesy sauce and the slight firmness of perfectly cooked rice creates a texture experience that’s simply irresistible. Each bite delivers a comforting warmth as the rich mixture of cream cheese, sour cream, and cheddar melds with tender chunks of chicken.

What makes this casserole truly special is its versatility – it’s elegant enough for Sunday dinner but simple enough for a weeknight meal. The make-ahead potential is another huge bonus, allowing you to prepare it in advance and simply bake when needed. Plus, this chicken and rice bake reheats beautifully, making it perfect for meal prep or planned leftovers.

The dish also features a beautiful golden-brown top that adds a slight textural crunch before giving way to the creamy interior. It’s the kind of meal that fills your kitchen with an enticing aroma as it bakes, drawing everyone to the table with anticipation.

Ingredients

For this luxurious Million Dollar Chicken & Rice Casserole, you’ll need:

• 3 cups cooked white rice (about 1 cup uncooked)
• 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened (creates the signature creamy texture)
• 1 cup sour cream (adds tanginess to balance the richness)
• 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1 packet (1 oz) ranch seasoning mix (adds depth of flavor)
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
• 1 cup cooked bacon pieces (about 8 slices)
• 3 green onions, thinly sliced
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• Salt and black pepper to taste

The cream cheese and sour cream create the “million dollar” creaminess that defines this dish, while the ranch seasoning adds a flavor boost that elevates the entire casserole. The bacon provides a smoky, savory element that perfectly complements the creamy chicken and rice base.

Pro Tips

Preparation Matters: For the absolute best Million Dollar Chicken & Rice Casserole, cook your rice slightly al dente (about 2 minutes less than package directions) before adding it to the casserole. This prevents the rice from becoming mushy during baking. Similarly, when pre-cooking your chicken, avoid overcooking it – poaching or using a rotisserie chicken yields the most tender results.

The Perfect Creamy Base: To achieve that signature velvety texture, make sure your cream cheese is completely softened before mixing. For best results, leave it out at room temperature for at least 30 minutes, then beat it with the sour cream until completely smooth before adding other ingredients. This prevents those unwanted cream cheese lumps in your finished casserole.

Strategic Layering: Don’t mix all the cheese into the casserole at once. Instead, stir half the cheese into the mixture and save the other half to sprinkle on top during the last 10-15 minutes of baking. This creates a beautiful, Instagram-worthy cheese pull when serving and ensures the perfect ratio of creamy interior to golden, slightly crispy top. For an extra flavor boost, broil for the final 2 minutes to get that beautiful golden cheese top.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. If you haven’t already, cook your rice according to package directions but reduce cooking time by 2 minutes. Cook and shred your chicken (or use rotisserie chicken for a time-saving shortcut). Cook bacon until crisp, then crumble it into pieces. Having everything prepped makes assembly much smoother.

Step 2: Create the Creamy Base
In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Add the sour cream and mix until well combined with no lumps remaining. This is your million-dollar base! Now stir in the cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, ranch seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until completely incorporated into a smooth, velvety sauce.

Step 3: Combine Main Components
Gently fold the shredded chicken and cooked rice into your creamy sauce mixture, making sure everything gets evenly coated. Add half of the cheddar cheese (1 cup) and most of the bacon pieces (save some for topping), along with two-thirds of the sliced green onions. The combination of these flavors is what makes this Million Dollar Chicken & Rice Casserole truly special.

Step 4: Assemble and Bake
Transfer the mixture to your prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. The foil prevents the top from browning too quickly while allowing the flavors to meld together. After 25 minutes, remove the foil, sprinkle the remaining cup of cheese and reserved bacon pieces over the top, and return to the oven uncovered for another 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 5: Finish and Serve
Once the cheese is golden and bubbling, remove your Million Dollar Chicken & Rice Casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes. This resting period allows the casserole to set slightly, making it easier to serve. Just before serving, sprinkle with the remaining green onions for a fresh pop of color and flavor. Scoop generous portions onto plates and watch as the creamy, cheesy goodness stretches from the casserole to the plate.

Variations

Broccoli Chicken Million Dollar Casserole: Transform this Million Dollar Chicken & Rice Casserole by adding 2 cups of lightly steamed broccoli florets to the mixture before baking. The broccoli adds color, nutrition, and a pleasant textural contrast to the creamy casserole. Plus, the way the cheese sauce coats the broccoli makes even vegetable skeptics clean their plates.

Southwest Million Dollar Casserole: Create a zesty twist by adding 1 can of drained Rotel tomatoes, 1 cup of corn kernels, 1 teaspoon of cumin, and substituting pepper jack for half of the cheddar cheese. Top with sliced avocado and cilantro after baking for a Tex-Mex inspired version that’s perfect for casual entertaining.

Keto-Friendly Version: For those following a keto diet, replace the rice with 4 cups of cauliflower rice that’s been briefly sautéed to remove excess moisture. Reduce the chicken broth to 1/4 cup since cauliflower releases moisture during cooking. This adaptation maintains all the creamy, cheesy goodness while significantly reducing the carbohydrate content.

Storage and Serving

This Million Dollar Chicken & Rice Casserole keeps beautifully in the refrigerator for up to 4 days in an airtight container. For longer storage, you can freeze individual portions for up to 3 months – just thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. To reheat, cover with foil and warm in a 325°F oven for about 20 minutes, or microwave individual portions for 2-3 minutes until heated through.

For an elegant serving suggestion, pair this rich casserole with a crisp green salad dressed with a light vinaigrette – the acidity provides a perfect counterpoint to the creamy dish. For a complete comfort food experience, serve alongside steamed green beans or asparagus tossed with a bit of butter and lemon zest.

This casserole also makes an excellent potluck contribution as it travels well and can be reheated on site. For a beautiful presentation, transfer to a decorative casserole dish and garnish with fresh herbs before serving to dinner guests. The impressive flavor belies how simple it was to prepare.

FAQs

Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?
Yes, you can substitute brown rice, but you’ll need to fully cook it before adding to the casserole as it requires longer cooking time than white rice. The texture will be slightly different but still delicious.

How can I make this casserole ahead of time?
You can assemble the entire Million Dollar Chicken & Rice Casserole up to 24 hours in advance, cover and refrigerate. When ready to bake, allow it to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes, then add an extra 10-15 minutes to the covered baking time.

Can I use rotisserie chicken to save time?
Absolutely! Using rotisserie chicken is a great time-saver and adds wonderful flavor. Simply shred or chop the meat and proceed with the recipe as written.

What can I substitute for cream of chicken soup?
If you prefer to avoid canned soup, make a quick substitute by melting 2 tablespoons of butter, whisking in 2 tablespoons of flour, then gradually adding 1 cup of chicken broth and 1/4 cup of milk, simmering until thickened.

Is there a way to make this casserole lighter in calories?
You can reduce calories by using light cream cheese, light sour cream, and reduced-fat cheese. While the texture may be slightly less rich, the flavor will still be excellent.

Conclusion

This Million Dollar Chicken & Rice Casserole is comfort food at its finest — creamy, cheesy, and filled with tender chicken and perfectly cooked rice that makes every bite feel like a luxurious indulgence. It’s the kind of dish that brings everyone to the table with eager anticipation and leaves them completely satisfied. Whether you’re serving it for a family dinner, bringing it to a potluck, or meal prepping for busy weeknights, this casserole delivers million-dollar flavor without the hefty price tag or complicated techniques. Make it once, and it’s sure to become a regular in your recipe rotation!

Print