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Million Dollar Chicken Casserole

ixture evenly into a greased 9×13 baking Recipe
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★★★★★

4.9 from 30 reviews

Million Dollar Chicken Casserole is a creamy, cheesy, and indulgently delicious baked dish featuring shredded chicken mixed with a rich blend of cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, and multiple cheeses, topped with a buttery, crispy Ritz cracker crust. Perfect for easy family dinners or potlucks, this casserole combines comforting flavors and textures that everyone will love.

Ingredients

Scale

The Creamy Base

  • 2 cups shredded cooked chicken (rotisserie chicken recommended)
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon salt

The Million Dollar Factor

  • 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ¼ cup parmesan cheese

The Topping That Changes Everything

  • 1 sleeve Ritz crackers, crushed
  • 4 tablespoons butter, melted
  • ½ teaspoon paprika

Instructions

  1. Get That Chicken Ready: If you’re using a rotisserie chicken, shred it finely for the best texture. Leftover cooked chicken can be chopped into bite-sized pieces. This forms the hearty protein base of the casserole.
  2. Make the Creamy, Cheesy Magic: In a large mixing bowl, blend the softened cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper until smooth. Stir in the cheddar, mozzarella, and parmesan cheeses, then fold in the shredded chicken, ensuring every bite is coated in the creamy cheese mixture.
  3. Assemble & Layer: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and spread the creamy chicken and cheese mixture evenly into the dish, preparing it for the golden topping.
  4. Make the Buttery Ritz Topping: In a small bowl, combine the crushed Ritz crackers, melted butter, and paprika. Sprinkle this buttery, flavorful crumb mixture evenly over the casserole to create a crunchy topping that bakes to perfection.
  5. Bake Until Golden & Bubbling: Place the casserole uncovered in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the topping is a gorgeous golden brown and the edges are bubbling hot. Let it cool slightly before serving, but feel free to dig in while warm!

Notes

  • Using rotisserie chicken saves time and adds flavor, but leftover cooked chicken works just as well.
  • For extra spice, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or smoked paprika to the creamy mixture.
  • To make it gluten-free, substitute Ritz crackers with gluten-free crackers or crushed nuts.
  • Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat beautifully in the oven or microwave.
  • This dish freezes well; bake from frozen, extending baking time by 10-15 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken casserole, cheesy chicken bake, creamy casserole, comfort food, easy dinner recipe, Ritz cracker topping

Find it online: https://spiceupwithsophie.com/ixture-evenly-into-a-greased-913-baking-recipe/