Description
A creamy, comforting Million Dollar Chicken Casserole that combines shredded chicken, cheddar cheese, and a crispy buttery cracker topping baked to golden perfection. This easy-to-make casserole is perfect for a hearty family dinner or potluck, delivering rich flavors and satisfying texture in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Mixture
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 1 can (10.5 ounces) cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup green onions, chopped
Topping
- 1 cup crushed buttery crackers (like Ritz)
- 1/2 cup melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the casserole evenly.
- Mix Chicken Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, milk, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt. Stir thoroughly until all ingredients are well blended.
- Add Cheese and Onions: Fold in the shredded cheddar cheese and chopped green onions into the chicken mixture, distributing them evenly for flavor.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Pour the mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it out in an even layer to ensure consistent cooking.
- Prepare Topping: In a separate bowl, mix the crushed buttery crackers with melted butter, coating the crackers completely to create a crispy topping.
- Top Casserole: Sprinkle the buttered cracker mixture evenly over the chicken mixture in the baking dish, covering the surface.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes until the casserole is bubbling and the cracker topping turns golden brown and crispy.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for about 5 minutes to set before serving.
Notes
- You can use rotisserie chicken as a convenient shortcut for shredded cooked chicken.
- For a lighter option, substitute sour cream with Greek yogurt.
- Add chopped celery or bell peppers for extra crunch and flavor.
- Make sure the cracker topping is well coated with butter to ensure it crisps nicely during baking.
- Letting the casserole cool slightly before serving helps it firm up for easier slicing.
