Description
Million Dollar Chicken Casserole is a rich and savory baked dish featuring tender cubed chicken breasts mixed with sharp cheddar, cream cheese, and creamy condiments, topped with a buttery Ritz cracker crust and crispy bacon. Perfect for comforting family meals, this casserole combines creamy textures with a crunchy topping for a crowd-pleasing dinner.
Ingredients
Units
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Chicken Mixture
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into cubes
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 10.5 ounce can cream of chicken soup
- 8 ounce block cream cheese, room temperature
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 5 slices bacon, cooked until crispy and chopped (half of the total bacon)
- 1/4 cup green onions, sliced (half of the total green onions)
Topping
- 10 slices bacon, cooked until crispy, chopped and divided (half for mixture, half for topping)
- 1/4 cup green onions, sliced and divided (half for mixture, half for topping)
- 30 Ritz crackers, crushed
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and spray a 9 x 13 inch casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Mix chicken and seasonings: Place the cubed chicken breast pieces in a large mixing bowl. Sprinkle with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix carefully to coat the chicken evenly with all the seasonings.
- Combine remaining ingredients: Add shredded cheddar cheese, cream of chicken soup, cream cheese (softened), mayonnaise, half of the chopped cooked bacon, and half of the sliced green onions to the bowl with the chicken. Mix thoroughly to combine all ingredients into a creamy mixture.
- Assemble casserole: Spoon the chicken mixture into the prepared casserole dish, spreading it into an even layer to ensure uniform cooking.
- Prepare cracker topping: In a small bowl, stir together the crushed Ritz crackers and melted unsalted butter until the mixture is well coated and crumbly.
- Add topping and bake: Sprinkle the cracker and butter mixture evenly over the chicken layer in the casserole dish. Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 45-55 minutes, until the casserole is bubbly and the Ritz cracker topping is golden brown and crisp.
- Cool and garnish: Remove the casserole from the oven and allow it to cool for 10-15 minutes so it sets slightly. Just before serving, sprinkle the remaining chopped bacon and green onions over the top for added flavor and crunch.
Notes
- Chicken type: This recipe uses raw boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into chunks. Leftover or rotisserie chicken can be substituted, reducing the bake time to about 30 minutes.
- Make-ahead instructions: Prepare the casserole up to the point before adding the cracker topping. Refrigerate covered and add the topping right before baking. This makes a great dish to prepare a day in advance.
- Freezing instructions: For freezing, cover the assembled casserole (without cracker topping) tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature before baking. Add the topping just before baking.
- Reheating: Reheat leftover casserole in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes or microwave individual servings for 1-2 minutes until warm.
- Keto/Gluten-free modifications: Omit Ritz crackers for a keto or low-carb option. Use gluten-free crackers to make it gluten-free. Check the cream of chicken soup label to ensure it is gluten-free.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 of casserole)
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 105mg
