Million Dollar Chicken Casserole – This is our go-to chicken casserole! SO easy to make and tastes like a million bucks! Chicken, cream cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, onion, garlic, cream of chicken soup, topped with crushed Ritz crackers and butter. Can make this casserole in advance and refrigerate or freeze for later. #chicken #casserole #chickencasserole #ritzcrackers
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Pin This RecipeEasy Weeknight Dinner
Chicken casseroles are a weeknight staple at our house. I am always thinking of ways to change them up so we don’t get bored with the same old thing. This Million Dollar Chicken Casserole is a kicked-up version of the classic Chicken Poppy Seed Casserole I ate growing up with cream cheese, cottage cheese, and sour cream. This casserole is super simple to make and tastes like a million bucks! Serve the casserole with some green beans and crusty bread and dinner is done!!
How to Make Million Dollar Chicken Casserole
This chicken casserole is super easy to make. Start with a rotisserie chicken. Remove the skin and pull the meat off the bones. Next simply combine the chicken, cottage cheese, cream cheese, sour cream, cream of chicken soup, garlic powder, and onion powder. Spread the chicken mixture into a baking dish, top with crushed Ritz crackers and bake.
Can this Casserole be Frozen?
This Million Dollar Chicken Casserole makes a great make-ahead meal and freezer meal. I usually double the recipe when I make this. I bake one and freeze one for later. You can freeze the casserole baked or unbaked. To bake the casserole after freezing, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bake as directed below. To reheat the casserole after freezing, thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Cover the casserole with foil and bake at 350ºF for 30 to 40 minutes.
What to Serve with the Best Chicken Casserole
This Million Dollar Chicken Casserole is a family favorite. We make this at least once a month. We like to serve this with some green beans, asparagus or broccoli. Here are a few of our favorite recipes from the blog that go great with this easy chicken casserole:
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Million Dollar Chicken Casserole
Equipment:
Ingredients:
- 4½ cups chopped cooked chicken
- 4- oz cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 (10.5-oz) can Unsalted Cream of Chicken Soup
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp dried onion powder
- 1 sleeve Ritz crackers, crushed
- 5 Tbsp butter, melted
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350ºF. Lightly spray a 9×9-inch baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
- Combine chicken, cream cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, garlic powder, onion powder, and cream of chicken soup. Spread into prepared pan.
- Combine crushed crackers and butter, sprinkle over chicken mixture..
- Bake uncovered 30 to 40 minutes.
Notes:
- Use a rotisserie chicken for quick prep of the cooked chicken.
- You want the cream cheese to be very soft so it gets fully incorporated into the casserole. Microwave the cream cheese for 15 to 20 seconds if you are short on time.
- Can prepare through step 3 and refrigerate or freeze for later.
- To bake after freezing, thaw completely and bake as directed above.
- For a gluten-free dish, use gluten-free Cream of Chicken soup and crushed pork rinds instead of Ritz crackers.
- I suggest using Unsalted Cream of Chicken Soup in this dish to control the sodium.
- You can buy it by the case at Amazon: https://amzn.to/49n4uZE
- Need Gluten-free Cream of Chicken Soup? You can buy it here: https://amzn.to/3MtqQ1s
- Here is our recipe for Homemade Cream of Chicken Soup: https://www.plainchicken.com/homemade-cream-of-chicken-soup/
Steph
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So far, it tastes amazing. I taste tested it before sticking it in the oven and I think it’s going to be a big hit here in our home. I used a 9×13 Dutch oven dish because I bumped up the serving size to 12.
I used rotisserie chicken, tradition style. I’m sure that any rotisserie flavored chicken would be amazing.
As for the topping, I melted the butter and added the crackers into the bowl of melted butter. Then I just mixed them together with my hands to make sure all the butter was spread throughout the crackers evenly. I used garlic butter rits crackers and OH MY GOODNESS!! Yummy.
As for a side dish, I went with cheesy peas. (simple canned peas with some melted Velveeta cheese added.)
I cannot wait for this dish to be done and to see everyone’s reaction. A husband, 3 teen boys and a tween daughter…I hope and pray I nailed this recipe. We shall see!!
It was good. I had to substitute ground chicken in place of shredded. I also added frozen thawed broccoli & cooked onions. I’d say canned mushrooms & rice would also be a good addition.
I fairly regularly cook meals to take to my recently deceased wife’s family, a couple of whom are disabled and require nearly constant care from her sister in law, in order that it takes some pressure off of them. I don’t always receive thanks or acknowledgment (hopefully not a reflection of my culinary efforts), but this one received immediate thank-you messages! They flipped out over it.
I’ve signed up as a regular subscriber and will take to heart future suggestions and recipes.
Thank you!
SO glad they enjoyed it!
Would like to add cooked rice to this recipe to make it chicken and rice casserole. Could you tell me how much to add?
Here is a version with rice: Million Dollar Chicken & Rice Casserole
I made this for a family gathering this summer. I made two, and both of them were completely gone! Everyone loved it and wanted the recipe. I sent them to your website! This will be a go-to recipe for me. So easy and delicious!
I really liked this recipe and so did Hubby and Mom. I served it over riced cauliflower which was just fine. In generally, I do like the recipes a lot but the nutritional information would be helpful since I am tracking my food.
Delicious and simple! Family LOVED it.
I made this with garlic and herbs breaststroke from Sam’s club and grilled them first, served with some crispy hash browns. A bit colorless so I might throw in some peas next time, but my family said it was top 3 of things I’ve ever made!
I used a rotisserie chicken from Costco. It was very easy to assemble. It was delicious! I served it with white rice. I only had a 8×8 square dish, but it worked fine. One of the best tasting chicken casserole I’ve ever made.
Doubled recipe –tasty casserole and easy to assemble. Good for a quick meal.
thank you for sharing.
I didn’t change a thing.
It was delicious. Thank you for posting.
Same..
Lol I too was unable to get to store for cottage cheese…so prepared a 1 serving…it worked beautifully! I am going in the am for the cottage cheese 😂. Am sure it will enhance the casserole 😀. It was great and easy..I like easy🤗
This recipe is sooooop delicious!!! I added shredded cheese inside of mine and when I cooked my chicken I seasoned it with garlic and a little garlic salt.. yummmmyyyyyy
I used whole milk ricotta instead of cottage cheese. Its what I had. I also added matchstick carrots and some peas. Garlic powder, thyme, and a little Lawry’s seasoned salt and pepper. Rotisserie chicken.
Served over rice.
Fabulous!!
Can I use fresh chicken breast or should I cook them first? I don’t have rotisserie chicken!??
This recipe uses cooked chicken
I added French fried onions with my Ritz and bitter mix and OMG🤤🤤
Made this for dinner tonight. Absolutely loved it. Followed the recipe exactly except for the cottage cheese because I was too lazy to go to the store. Will definitely make again. A great dish to take for a potluck.
I used the chicken from left over wings we had at my pizza shop.
Took forever to separate the chicken from the skin and bone BUT IT WAS SO WORTH IT.
I added a bit of canned corn and some of the liquid. This was totally delicious and I will try with rotisserie chicken next time.
I added a cup of frozen peas but followed the recipe except for that. We loved it.
Yum yum yum, one of the quickest recipes I’ve made , the whole family loved it 😊
Can this be made in a crockpot or made ahead and cooked in crockpot next day?
I think that would be fine
This is sooooooo Yummy!!! Only change I made was I added in a can of chopped chilis and this dinner was a HUGE hit. Will definitely be making this over and over! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for that tip on the green chilies. I am making it tonight and will add them to the recipe
I made it just like the recipe it was sooooo good I’ve made it several times for my family they ask for it.
Look guys no one cares of you made changes and what changes you made . You want to share your recipes there has to be a better way than pretending to leave a review just so you can be “look at me my recipe is better” if you changed it then it’s not the recipe so don’t leave a review!!!!!
Right on.
You don’t speak for everyone, if you don’t like the changes then don’t read them and definitely don’t tell people what to do. Delicious recipe, have tried it several ways including the original or with a variety of changes. Thank you plainchicken!
I agree completely. I want to see reviews of THIS RECIPE. I’m not looking for a different recipe.
Hilarious!😂🤣
I agree 100%! Not to mention some of yalls changes sound absolutely disgusting. It’s amazing the way it is. If you want to spread your recipe, do it elsewhere. It’s amazing just as it is.
I totally, one hundred percent agree, if you need validation go on Tik Tok.
I made this for dinner tonight and my husband and our friend LOVED IT! I usually ask him even I make a new recipe if it’s a keeper or not. Tonight I didn’t even get to ask him, he mumbled as he was eating it, THIS IS DEFINITELY A KEEPER! Thank you for sharing!
This was an absolute hit! I made a few alterations but they turned out great. I used cream of mushroom soup (instead of C.O. chicken), used fresh finely chopped onion, topped it with bread crumbs and added some broccoli and chopped carrots. Next time I think I will load this with even more veggies. It was creamy and rich and every last bit was gone.
Was the broccoli that you added fresh, frozen or cooked?
I added cooked broccoli and cooked shredded carrots with can of green beans was so yummy
If doubling this recipe, what size pan should I use to bake all in one dish?
9×13-inch pan
I think you could make amazing hand pies with crust or crescents and everything else as filing :0 Oh man… I’m gonna have to hit the store now.
Just made this and the whole family loved it even my picky daughter. I wouldn’t change anything.
Did you double your sour cream? How did it turn out?? I want to make this but don’t have cottage cheese either so curious if it worked or what you used.
If you have a Costco nearby, their rotisserie chicken is gf.
This recipe was delish! I added a layer of sharp cheddar cheese and then added doubled the ritz cracker portion. Delish!!!
YUM!
I ACCIDENTALLY added the butter to all the other ingredients. Is it going to totally ruin the dish? 🙁
I think it will be fine.
You could use GF condensed chicken soup and GF crackers. Obviously make sure the spices are GF too. This is so easy to make for my celiac people! Also it’s delicious!
I made this for my daughter and son in law upon the birth of their baby. I made a bunch of freezable meals for them. I added chopped broccoli and I used garden vegetable cream cheese and everything Ritz crackers. They really liked it.
I wanted to add broccoli as well. How much did you add?
I made this and it was good!!! All my 5 kids loved it lol
Simple also and not time consuming
Thanks !
This was an amazing dish!! I mistakenly thawed out shredded beef instead of chicken and made it anyway. Wow!! It was delicious!!! Thank you so much!!!
Can you use whipped cream cheese? If so, do you still use 4 oz? Excited to try this!
Double the whipped cream cheese. I believe because there’s more air
This looks delicious. What if you used cut up chicken cutlets, raw? How much longer would it need to bake? Would that longer time make the other ingredients too dry? Add extra liquid to compensate?
Any changes and modifications would be up to you.
Very yummy dish! Dairy products make it rich. I cut the garlic powder way down since we are not big garlic fans, and sprinkled chives on top instead of using onion powder. If I make it again, I think I will add peas & carrots.
I added finely chopped onion and thin sliced squash to it and it was so good!
Absolutely delicious! Thank you so very much for this recipe!
Our new favorite recipe! So easy and delicious. It was shared to me by my daughter, whose family loves it. I have made for and shared the recipe with my daughter-in -law, whose family loves it. I made no changes and only added some poppy seeds. Thanks.
How many pounds of chicken? I did it by cups last time and it wasn’t enough.
It would still be the same amount – just add more chicken next time until it reaches your preferred amount.
Does the cream cheese need to be mixed in completely ? Or is it assembled in chunks? I watched the video, and I am still confused.
I mixed the cream cheese in completely, but you can have some small chunks if you prefer.
How do you think diced Ortega chili’s would do in this recipe?
sure!
I absolutely loved this recipe! It was perfect for what I was trying to do which was make a casserole to bring to a potluck. It was quick it was easy and it actually surprised me a lot because I’m not a huge fan of cottage cheese but it’s a texture thing so in this recipe was completely fine.
SO glad you enjoyed it!
I want to freeze one of the casseroles so do I bake it first or wait till it thaws out?
There are directions on freezing and baking the casserole in the post. Scroll up
I don’t like cottage cheese. Can you taste it in recipe or substitute ingredient?
Here is a comment that might help you: “I made this the other night and it’s yummy! I put the cottage cheese in and trust me you can not tell it’s in there. It all melts together. I am 68 and wish we had had the sources for recipes like today!!”
I don’t care for the texture of cottage cheese. I put the cottage cheese in the food processor first.
I also added some penne noodles, fresh basil and parmesan cheese. I baked it in a 13×9 dish.
This was so good! Do you sprinkle the dried parsley on top of the crackers before baking?
I sprinkled it with dried parsley after it baked. It is just for color in the photos. It isn’t necessary.
Fabulous dish and super easy !!! Get a Rotisserie chicken from the grocery store cut down the time very easy delicious dish
or you could add a little chicken broth to thin it out
They sell gluten-free soup and chicken is gluten-free.
Followed the recipe exactly as written and it turned out more liquidy than expected. Any suggestions? Other than that, it tasted wonderful….even my 5 and 4yo ate it!
Maybe drain the cottage cheese some or try a different brand? I’m not sure what would have made it too liquidy.
I added sautéed onions and celery to mine. Also added 1/4 mayonnaise. Used Panko crumbs. It was delicious. Definitely will make this recipe again. Thanks!
Lol so you basically changed the whole recipe 🙄
I bet you did the same thing I did, and tried to serve it immediately! Mine was very runny! I let it set and cool down for about 10 minutes, and it had set up well! I served mine over wide egg noodles. Will probably add veggies to it next time. Was even better the next day!
Can you add al little raw onion for taste?
sure
Any changes and substitutions to the recipe are completely up to you. I do not know you and do not know what you like to eat. This is how I made the recipe and we enjoyed it. I do not eat cottage cheese out of the container, but I enjoy it in baked casseroles. I have not tested this recipe with any other ingredients.
Having made this recipe multiple times I can tell you that the cottage cheese adds creaminess to the recipe. As written the ingredients in this dish meld nicely providing great flavor!
Do you use a 9X13 pan?
9×9
I served mine with pasta. A big hit!
If I double the recipe in one casserole dish, how long do I need to bake it for?
Check it at the time listed to see if it is warm and bubbly, If not, bake it 10 to 15 minutes longer.
So do you cover it or no? The first half of the blog says cover with foil but the recipe part says to leave uncovered
Well, I covered it to refrigerate it overnight and baked it uncovered. I don’t suggest leaving a casserole dish in the refrigerator uncovered.
Can I use a 9×13 dish
sure – you won’t have to cook it as long as the casserole won’t be as deep.
I just made this for the family,I am joining the fan club….. lol
Welcome to the club! 😊
If asparagus would be added should it be partially cooked or raw?
It would just depend on how crispy you like your asparagus.
My husband and teenaged grandson LOVED this!! I wasn’t too crazy about it but that doesn’t matter cause they both said this is definitely in the rotation, lol. Thanks for making their evening 😋
Made the casserole last night and it was very tasty,had to substitute cream of mushroom for cream of chicken and it was delicious will make it again with cream of chicken and add some peas. Thanks for a great recipe.
I added noodles, turned out super good!! Family loves it!
I’m makin it now except I added a cup or so of a Mexican blend cheese to the mixture an im.waitin another 25 mins. An it will b done and im sure very yummy and if its not VERY YUMMY, ill leave another message OTHERWISE IT MEANS IT CAME OUT DELICIOUS! THANK YOU FOR THE RECIPE YUMMY IN THE TUMMY!!!
I want to make a 9×13 casserole. What changes in the amount of ingredients should I make?
double it
Do you think it would be ok to make with cream of chicken with herbs soup instead of just plain cream of chicken?
sure
I made with Cream of chicken with herb soup . Thank you for the recipe, it is now my go-to for chicken casserole. Yummy 😋
If you want to add fresh broccoli florets, would you add them raw or blanch a little bit first?
That is up to you.
Thank you for the tip!😁
What percent cottage cheese do you use? Non-fat, 1%?
Whatever is fine.
I made this last night and it was a hit! It has a different flavor that we aren’t used to, but it turned out being very delicious. We have enough leftovers that we will have it again tonight. I served it with broccoli/cheese sauce and a dinner roll. Tonight I’ll serve it with fruit and mixed veggies. Yummy.
No salt or pepper?
It is up to you
I only had one cooked chicken breast left from night before which barely made two cups shredded. So I added a can of tuna to the chicken and it was really good!!!! Thanks for the change of routine!
I added frozen broccoli to this recipe. It was delicious. I just thawed and diced. Used half the chicken amt. And substituted the remaining amount with broccoli
How much do I change the ingredients for a 13×9 pan versus 9×9?
Double everything
I only have a 13×9 pan instead of a 9×9 pan, how much more of each ingredient would I use?
Double it all
This was absolutely delicious!!
This is so good and so easy, I can’t imagine not using the recipe. Everyone in our family thought it had the correct name. I think any of the substitutions or additions other reviewers have mentioned would work. We like it just as it is in the recipe.
I made this yesterday for thanksgiving & it was a hit! Easily the best chicken casserole I’ve ever had. I added 1 cup of finely chopped broccoli to add some color & it was delicious!
Sounds great! So glad you enjoyed it!
How can I make this into a crockpot meal?
Assemble the casserole as directed and pour into the crockpot. Cook on LOW or HIGH until hot.
Actually 4.5. I found it a bit soupy as one other reviewer mentioned. BUT, it was very good! Will have it for dinner tomorrow night, then freeze the rest. (shhhhh, I used canned chunk chicken breast as that s what I had at the time. Still was good.) Will make it again!
I made this the other night and it’s yummy! I put the cottage cheese in and trust me you can not tell it’s in there. It all melts together. I am 68 and wish we had had the sources for recipes like today!!
This has been a HUGE success when I make it!!! It is SO delicious. I even tried it with potatoes instead of chicken and it was good!!!
Delicious! I added a half cup of parm cheese.
A hit at our house 😁
Sounds wonderful! I’ll have to try that next time.
This is almost identical to the chicken casserole I grew up on (chicken poo casserole we called it) the only difference is – it did not call for cottage cheese. Everyone asking for a sub, it’s fine without any substitute! I love cottage cheese and am going to try this version. I always serve over a bed of rice.
I added rice, broccoli, Cajun seasoning a row of shredded cheese under the ritz cracker. It was sooooo good : )
Are there vegetables that you would add to the dish that you would recommend
Broccoli or spinach would be good
Was wondering if cornflakes could be used usnstead of Ritz crackers?
sure
I made this for dinner tonight and it was a hit! My son and husband loved it.
9×9
I added spinich and topped with Fried Onions – my men loved it. They asked that this be added to the menu rotation!
Can I use plain yogurt instead of cottage cheese? Would it be the same amount as the cottage cheese?
I don’t know. As always, please use your best judgment regarding substitutions and modifications.
Is it just normal cream of chicken soup or condensed?
What is the difference? I used Campbell’s.
Yummy, yummy, yummy! EVERYONE loved it and so easy!
Can I use condensed cream of chicken soup?
That is what the recipe calls for, so, yes.
Made this a couple of weeks ago and everyone loved it. Served with egg noodles and a side of broccoli. Making again tonight and serving again with egg noodles as the sauce goes perfectly and will side with green beans! Thanks for the simple, yummy recipe!
Great combinations, I made this recipe just as written, tasting it before adding topping and baking. For our family’s taste preferences, it was a bit bland, so I bumped up the powdered garlic to 1 1/2 teaspoons…. that was just the ticket! Lovely, bubbly rich goodness. Served with wild rice and green beans.
If baked in a 9 x 11 dish, will I get 6 to 8 heeping servings?
As long as you didn’t change the quantity of the ingredients the serving size wouldn’t change. I’m not sure what your definition of “heeping” is, but this should feed 6 regular people.
What size casserole dish? Dimensions?Just 9″ seems to indicate a pie plate.
9-inch square baking dish
I was thinking of making this recipe into a chicken pot pie. Just add veggies. It’s very good. Made it for a neighbor tonight.
I made this just as it says and it came out amazing!!I love it and will definitely make it again for family and or friends💖💖
Looks. Delicious My son and I love anything rich and creamy.
Oh my!! This was so easy to make and SO DELICIOUS! I made it with rabbit and it was amazing.
This was a huge hit at my house tonight! I didn’t have cream cheese so just added a bit more cottage cheese. Used cream of mushroom soup because that’s all the soup I had. Served it over white rice with a side of green beans. I was craving comfort food tonight and this was just perfect. Will make again for sure!!
How long can I store the casserole in the freezer ?
I was wondering how much rice to use? Is Jasmine rice ok? How much extra liquid is needed? Thanks so much!
That would be up to you.
Can you freeze this casserole?
yes
Besides rotisserie chicken, how’s best way to cook the chicken?
You can boil it, bake it, pan sear it, or grill it.
This is very good. I was skeptical because I do not like Cottage cheese but entire family was sold on this one!
YAY! So glad you gave it a try with the cottage cheese. I also do not like cottage cheese, but it is delicious in casseroles.
can i make this in a slow cooker casserole crock pot?
Very worthy and versatile, we added cooked wild rice and steamed broccoli. Will add more vegetables to lighten it up. You can add darn near anything I would imagine.
Has anyone tried adding a little broccoli in this?
That would work great. Enjoy!
I added some diced up mushrooms and some red hot sauce for a little spice! Very good! I wasn’t sure about the cottage cheese but it turned out great.
Made this tonight and added peas and carrots.
Great dish!
My family loved it. I think water chestnuts would be good for a nice crunch.
don’t have ritz crackers what can i use instead
I added a package of Hidden Valley Ranch dressing and a can of mushrooms. Sooooo good.
This is so easy and so good! My husband isn’t a huge fan of chicken but ate 2 servings!
We loved this! So yummy!
Loved this dish!! Served it with a salad but you could use any vegetable. Will definitely make it again!
What is the green stuff showing in the picture?
Dried parsley
Absolutely LOVE this recipe! Thanks so much. We added corn to ours and it was super delicious!
Can you substitute anything for the can of cream of chicken soup??
yes – any cream of soup will work fine
Can you add rice to the casserole? I think that would be delicious.
Sure!
The casserole was delicious and so easy! I was wondering if you’ve ever tried adding prepared egg noodles to the dish for some extra texture? Thanks!