A casserole that earns the name “million dollar” better deliver on richness, and this one absolutely does. Shredded chicken nestles into a creamy mixture of four different dairy products—cream cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, and cream of chicken soup—then gets topped with mozzarella and buttery Ritz crackers before baking into golden perfection. The result is a dish that tastes indulgent and expensive but comes together in under an hour using mostly pantry staples and rotisserie chicken.
This casserole feeds six people generously and reheats beautifully, making it ideal for busy families who want comfort food without spending hours in the kitchen. The combination of creamy filling and crunchy topping creates textural contrast in every bite.
Why You’ll Love This Million Dollar Chicken Casserole
This recipe transforms simple rotisserie chicken into something that feels special. The blend of four different cheeses and dairy products creates an incredibly creamy, rich base that coats every piece of chicken. Each element brings something different—cream cheese adds tanginess and body, cottage cheese provides protein and texture, sour cream contributes smoothness, and cream of chicken soup brings savory depth.
The buttery Ritz cracker topping is what sets this casserole apart from others. Those crackers bake into a golden, crunchy layer that contrasts beautifully with the creamy filling underneath. Mixing them with melted butter and garlic powder ensures they brown evenly and taste like a cross between stuffing and garlic bread.
Using rotisserie chicken eliminates the most time-consuming step of cooking and shredding chicken yourself. A standard rotisserie chicken yields exactly the amount you need for this recipe. The pre-seasoned, roasted flavor of rotisserie chicken actually improves the final dish compared to plain poached chicken.
This casserole works equally well for weeknight dinners and potlucks. It travels well, stays warm in the dish for a reasonable time, and appeals to a wide range of palates. Kids appreciate the mild, creamy flavors while adults enjoy the richness and garlic notes.
The recipe scales easily if you need to feed more people. Double everything and use a 9×13-inch baking dish for larger gatherings. The cooking time stays roughly the same since the casserole isn’t much thicker.
Ingredients for Million Dollar Chicken Casserole
I always use rotisserie chicken for this recipe because it’s already seasoned and saves significant time. One standard rotisserie chicken gives you about 5 cups of shredded meat, which is exactly what you need. Remove the skin and bones, then shred the meat by hand into bite-sized pieces.
For the Protein:
- 5 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
For the Creamy Base:
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup cottage cheese
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
For Seasonings:
- 1 ½ tsp Creole seasoning
- ½ tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder, divided
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
For the Topping:
- 30 buttery round crackers (like Ritz), crushed
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
For Garnish:
- Sliced scallions
The cream cheese needs to be softened to room temperature so it blends smoothly into the mixture without lumps. Take it out of the refrigerator about an hour before you start cooking, or microwave it for 15 seconds to soften it quickly.
Cottage cheese might seem like an unusual ingredient, but it adds protein, creaminess, and little pockets of texture throughout the casserole. Use full-fat cottage cheese rather than low-fat for the richest result. The curds soften during baking and blend into the sauce.
Creole seasoning is a blend that typically includes paprika, garlic, onion, cayenne, oregano, and thyme. It adds complexity without requiring multiple spice jars. If you don’t have it, substitute with 1 teaspoon paprika, ¼ teaspoon cayenne, and ¼ teaspoon each of garlic powder and onion powder.
For the crackers, Ritz are traditional and ideal because of their buttery flavor and texture. You need about 30 crackers, which is roughly one sleeve from a standard box. Crush them into coarse crumbs—not powder. Some larger pieces add nice texture to the topping.
How to Make Million Dollar Chicken Casserole
Preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly grease an 11×7-inch or 9-inch square baking dish with cooking spray or butter. Either size works fine, though the square dish will give you a slightly thicker casserole.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cream of chicken soup, cottage cheese, sour cream, and softened cream cheese. Use a whisk or electric mixer to blend everything together until smooth and creamy. The mixture should be uniform without visible chunks of cream cheese. This takes about 2 minutes of whisking. Add the Creole seasoning, onion powder, and ½ teaspoon of the garlic powder. Whisk again until the seasonings are evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
Add the shredded rotisserie chicken and chopped fresh parsley to the creamy mixture. Use a large spoon or spatula to fold everything together, making sure every piece of chicken gets coated in the sauce. The mixture will be thick and creamy, almost like a very rich chicken salad.
Spread the chicken mixture evenly into your prepared baking dish. Use a spatula to smooth the top so it’s level. This ensures even cooking and makes layering the toppings easier.
Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the chicken layer. The cheese creates a barrier between the creamy filling and the cracker topping, preventing the crackers from getting soggy while adding another layer of melted cheese goodness.
In a small bowl, combine the crushed Ritz crackers with the melted butter and remaining ½ teaspoon of garlic powder. Stir until all the cracker crumbs are coated with butter. The mixture should look like wet sand and clump together slightly when you press it.
Sprinkle the buttered cracker mixture evenly over the mozzarella cheese layer. Try to distribute it uniformly so every serving gets plenty of crunchy topping. Don’t press it down—just let it sit on top of the cheese.
Bake uncovered for 35 minutes until the casserole is bubbly around the edges and the cracker topping has turned golden brown. The cheese underneath should be fully melted and you might see it bubbling up around the edges of the dish.
Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving. This resting time allows the creamy filling to set slightly, making it easier to scoop out clean portions. The casserole will still be very hot, but it won’t be quite as runny.
Garnish with sliced scallions just before serving for a pop of color and fresh onion flavor that brightens the rich dish.
What to Serve with Million Dollar Chicken Casserole
Since this casserole is extremely rich and filling, sides should add freshness, crunch, or acidity to balance the meal.
Simple Green Salad: Mixed greens with a tangy vinaigrette made from red wine vinegar and Dijon mustard cuts through the richness of the casserole. The acidity and crisp vegetables provide essential contrast.
Roasted Broccoli: Broccoli florets roasted with olive oil, garlic, and a squeeze of lemon add green vegetables and a slight bitterness that balances the creamy, cheesy casserole.
Garlic Green Beans: Fresh green beans sautéed with garlic and a touch of butter provide crunch and color. They’re light enough not to compete with the substantial main dish.
Dinner Rolls: Soft, warm dinner rolls are perfect for soaking up the creamy sauce. They add another comfort food element and round out the meal.
Steamed Asparagus: Simple steamed asparagus with lemon and a sprinkle of Parmesan keeps things light while adding an elegant vegetable side.
Cucumber Tomato Salad: Fresh cucumbers and tomatoes with a light vinaigrette add crunch and acidity. The cool, fresh vegetables contrast nicely with the hot, creamy casserole.
Coleslaw: A tangy vinegar-based coleslaw provides crunch and acidity that cuts through the richness. Skip creamy coleslaw since the casserole already provides plenty of creaminess.
Pro Tips & Variations
Soften the cream cheese completely before mixing to avoid lumps in your sauce. If you forget to take it out ahead of time, cut it into small cubes and microwave for 15 to 20 seconds, checking frequently so it doesn’t melt.
Shred the chicken into uniform bite-sized pieces. Chunks that are too large make the casserole difficult to serve cleanly, while pieces that are too small disappear into the sauce.
Don’t crush the crackers into fine powder. You want coarse crumbs with some larger pieces for better texture in the topping. Put them in a ziplock bag and use a rolling pin or the bottom of a measuring cup to crush them.
Mix the butter with the crackers rather than drizzling it on top. This ensures every crumb gets coated and browns evenly instead of having some dry spots and some greasy spots.
Lower Sodium Version: Use low-sodium cream of chicken soup and reduce the Creole seasoning to 1 teaspoon. You can also make your own cream soup substitute with milk, flour, and chicken broth.
Different Proteins: Replace the chicken with shredded turkey, cooked ground beef, or even canned tuna for different variations. The creamy base works with most proteins.
Vegetable Addition: Stir in 1 cup of frozen peas, diced bell peppers, or chopped broccoli florets with the chicken for added vegetables and nutrition.
Different Crackers: Try crushed butter crackers, club crackers, or even panko breadcrumbs mixed with melted butter and Parmesan for a different topping flavor.
Storage & Reheating Tips
Store leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The cracker topping will soften as it sits in contact with the creamy filling, but the flavor remains excellent.
To reheat, place portions in a microwave-safe dish and heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each one, until hot throughout. The microwave will soften the topping further, but the casserole will still taste great.
For better texture when reheating, use the oven. Place portions in an oven-safe dish, cover with foil, and warm at 350°F for 15 to 20 minutes. If you want to crisp up the topping, remove the foil for the last 5 minutes.
This casserole freezes well for up to 3 months. Freeze it before baking for best results. Assemble the casserole completely in a freezer-safe dish, cover tightly with plastic wrap and then foil, and freeze. When ready to bake, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bake as directed, adding 5 to 10 extra minutes if needed.
Leftover casserole makes excellent filling for quesadillas, stuffed peppers, or as a topping for baked potatoes. You can also thin it with a little milk and use it as a creamy pasta sauce.
Common Questions
Can I use cooked chicken breast instead of rotisserie? Yes, you’ll need about 1 ½ to 2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Poach or bake them, then shred. The flavor won’t be quite as rich as rotisserie, so consider adding a bit more seasoning.
What can I substitute for cream of chicken soup? Make your own by whisking together 1 cup of milk, 2 tablespoons of flour, and 2 tablespoons of butter in a saucepan. Cook until thickened, then add ½ teaspoon of chicken bouillon or seasoning.
Can I make this ahead? Yes, assemble the entire casserole up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerate covered. Add 5 to 10 extra minutes to the baking time since you’re starting with a cold dish.
Why is my casserole watery? This can happen if you use low-fat dairy products, which have more water content. Stick with full-fat versions. Also, make sure you’re measuring the shredded chicken correctly—packed firmly, not loosely.
Can I skip the cottage cheese? You can replace it with an additional ½ cup of sour cream, though you’ll lose some of the protein and slight texture that cottage cheese provides. The casserole will be smoother but equally creamy.
This million dollar chicken casserole lives up to its name by delivering rich, luxurious flavors that taste expensive but come together quickly with affordable ingredients. The combination of creamy filling, melted cheese, and buttery cracker topping creates a comfort food classic that everyone at the table will enjoy. Give this one a try when you want something indulgent without spending all day cooking.
Million Dollar Chicken Casserole
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease an 11×7-inch or 9-inch square baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
- In large mixing bowl, whisk together cream of chicken soup, cottage cheese, sour cream, and softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. Add Creole seasoning, onion powder, and ½ teaspoon garlic powder. Whisk until seasonings are evenly distributed.
- Add shredded rotisserie chicken and chopped fresh parsley to creamy mixture. Fold everything together with large spoon or spatula, making sure every piece of chicken gets coated in sauce.
- Spread chicken mixture evenly into prepared baking dish. Use spatula to smooth top so it’s level.
- Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over chicken layer.
- In small bowl, combine crushed Ritz crackers with melted butter and remaining ½ teaspoon garlic powder. Stir until all cracker crumbs are coated with butter.
- Sprinkle buttered cracker mixture evenly over mozzarella cheese layer. Don’t press down—let it sit on top of cheese.
- Bake uncovered for 35 minutes until casserole is bubbly around edges and cracker topping has turned golden brown.
- Remove from oven and let rest 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with sliced scallions.
