Description
Million Dollar Chicken Casserole is a rich and creamy baked dish featuring tender cubed chicken breasts mixed with cheddar cheese, cream cheese, cream of chicken soup, and a savory blend of spices. Topped with a buttered Ritz cracker crumb mixture and crispy bacon, this comforting casserole is baked to golden perfection and garnished with fresh green onions. Perfect for family dinners, make-ahead meals, or freezer-friendly comfort food.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
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, chopped (half of the bacon)
- 1/4 cup green onions, sliced (half of the green onions)
Topping
- 30 Ritz crackers, crushed
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 5 slices bacon, cooked until crispy, chopped (remaining half)
- 1/4 cup green onions, sliced (remaining half)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray a 9 x 13 inch casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray to ensure easy cleanup and prevent sticking.
- Season the Chicken: Place the cubed chicken breasts into a large mixing bowl. Sprinkle with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper, then toss carefully to coat the chicken evenly with the seasonings.
- Mix the Casserole Base: To the seasoned chicken, add the shredded sharp cheddar cheese, cream of chicken soup, room temperature cream cheese, mayonnaise, half of the chopped crispy bacon, and half of the sliced green onions. Stir thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined.
- Assemble in Dish: Spoon the chicken mixture into the prepared casserole dish and spread it out evenly into a single layer for uniform baking.
- Prepare the Cracker Topping: In a small bowl, combine the crushed Ritz crackers with the melted butter. Mix until the crumbs are evenly coated.
- Add Topping and Bake: Sprinkle the buttered cracker mixture evenly over the chicken casserole. Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the topping has turned golden brown.
- Cool and Garnish: Remove the casserole from the oven and allow it to cool for 10 to 15 minutes. Just before serving, sprinkle the remaining chopped bacon and green onions over the top for added flavor and texture.
Notes
- Chicken Options: This recipe works best with raw, cubed boneless skinless chicken breasts. You can substitute with leftover cooked chicken or store-bought rotisserie chicken, in which case reduce baking time to about 30 minutes.
- Make Ahead: Prepare the casserole base and refrigerate for the same or next day, but wait to add the cracker topping until just before baking. This makes a convenient make-ahead meal to share.
- Freezer Instructions: Freeze the assembled casserole without the cracker topping, tightly wrapped with plastic wrap and aluminum foil for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking. Add the cracker topping after thawing and bake as directed.
- Reheating: Reheat leftover casserole in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes until hot throughout, or microwave individual servings for 1-2 minutes as needed.
- Dietary Modifications: To make a keto or low-carb version, omit the Ritz cracker topping. For gluten-free, use gluten-free crackers instead and verify that the condensed soup is gluten-free.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of casserole
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 33g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: thirty-eight grams
- Cholesterol: 125mg
