Name: Million Dollar Chicken Casserole – Easy Recipes for Dinner
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded; 1 cup sour cream; 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of chicken soup; 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; Salt and black pepper to taste; 1 sleeve Ritz crackers, crushed; 1/4 cup melted butter

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When I say this casserole is comfort in a dish, I mean it. The kind of comfort that makes you want seconds—maybe thirds—and makes you text your mom for no reason. This million dollar chicken casserole has the creamy richness we all secretly crave, and it comes together with zero fuss. No culinary gymnastics required. I threw it together on a Tuesday, and somehow it made that random Tuesday feel like a warm hug from the universe. With a handful of pantry staples, you’ll get cheesy layers, tender chicken, and a buttery, crunchy topping that feels like a cheat code to good eating. There’s no need to dress it up. It’s the casserole equivalent of cozy socks and your favorite playlist. Whether you’re feeding your family or just meal-prepping to survive the week, this dish earns its million-dollar name—without a million ingredients. It pairs perfectly with green beans or butter swim biscuits if you’re feeling fancy. I promise it’s the kind of dinner you’ll find yourself coming back to again and again.

1) Key Takeaways
2) Easy Million Dollar Chicken Casserole Recipe
3) Ingredients for Million Dollar Chicken Casserole
4) How to Make Million Dollar Chicken Casserole
5) Tips for Making Million Dollar Chicken Casserole
6) Making Million Dollar Chicken Casserole Ahead of Time
7) Storing Leftover Million Dollar Chicken Casserole
8) Try these casseroles next!
9) Million Dollar Chicken Casserole Recipe
10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

Uses cooked chicken, cheddar, sour cream, and Ritz crackers
Perfect for easy recipes for dinner or meal prep
Crunchy, buttery topping with a creamy interior
Pairs well with a green salad or simple veggie side

2) Easy Million Dollar Chicken Casserole Recipe

This recipe checks all the right boxes. It’s warm. It’s creamy. It’s that kind of dish you throw together without much thinking and somehow, it always hits the mark. If you’re like me and keep cooked chicken tucked away in the fridge, this becomes a go-to. That’s the charm of easy recipes for dinner. They show up, do their job, and don’t need a spotlight.

The texture is what seals the deal. The cheesy, smooth base blends into the shredded chicken while the buttery cracker topping does its thing on top. Add a bit of garlic and pepper and suddenly you’re looking at something that tastes like comfort without leaning too heavy. A mix of crunch, richness, and just enough salt.

Million dollar might be a stretch on cost, but it nails the flavor. It’s right up there with other heavy hitters like cheesey potatoes or butter swim biscuits in the feel-good food department.

3) Ingredients for Million Dollar Chicken Casserole

Cooked Chicken: I use shredded chicken for this. Sometimes it’s last night’s leftovers. Sometimes it’s a rotisserie bird I barely touched. Either way, this is the main event in the casserole.

Sour Cream: Adds that slight tang and smoothness to bring it all together. I like full-fat. Life’s short, right?

Cream of Chicken Soup: This gives the dish its heart. That creamy backbone that makes you go back for more.

Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Go for sharp cheddar. The boldness stands up to the creaminess and gives that nice, melty pull with every forkful.

Garlic Powder: One of those quiet ingredients. Doesn’t shout, but you’d miss it if it wasn’t there.

Salt and Black Pepper: Not much to say. Classic seasoning does what it always does—elevates.

Ritz Crackers: Crushed up and buttery, they add crunch and flavor to the top. It’s not the same without them.

Melted Butter: Used to coat those crackers so they toast instead of just sitting there. Trust me, don’t skip this step.

4) How to Make Million Dollar Chicken Casserole

Step 1. Set your oven to 350°F. That gives you time to throw this together while it warms up.

Step 2. In a large bowl, mix the chicken, sour cream, soup, cheddar, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir until it feels like everything’s getting along in there.

Step 3. Scoop the mixture into a 9×13 baking dish. Spread it out flat with a spoon. It doesn’t need to be perfect—this isn’t cake.

Step 4. In a separate bowl, toss the crushed crackers with the melted butter. Let them soak up every drop.

Step 5. Sprinkle the buttery cracker mix across the top of the casserole. Don’t press it down—just let it sit proudly on top.

Step 6. Slide it into the oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes. The top should turn golden and the sides should be bubbling with excitement.

Step 7. Let it sit for a few minutes out of the oven. Serve warm. If you’re anything like me, you might sneak a bite straight from the pan.

5) Tips for Making Million Dollar Chicken Casserole

Use fresh cooked chicken or leftovers. Rotisserie chicken makes it even faster. Just pull it apart with your hands. Done.

If you want a little kick, sprinkle some crushed red pepper in the mix. I sometimes sneak in a dash of hot sauce too. Keeps things interesting.

Let it rest after baking. Just five minutes. That helps everything settle and makes slicing cleaner. Plus, no one wants a burnt tongue from molten cheese.

6) Making Million Dollar Chicken Casserole Ahead of Time

This dish loves to hang out in the fridge. If your week looks hectic, make it Sunday night. Cover the baking dish and refrigerate it uncooked. When you’re ready, toss it in the oven.

If you’re big into meal prep, this works like a charm. Prep the filling. Mix the topping. Keep them separate until the day you bake it. That way, your cracker crust doesn’t get soggy while it waits.

I’ve even made it in two smaller dishes. One goes in the oven. The other goes into the freezer. That’s easy recipes for dinner working overtime.

7) Storing Leftover Million Dollar Chicken Casserole

Wrap up leftovers and pop them in the fridge. They’ll stay good for about four days. Reheat in the oven or microwave. If you use the microwave, toss a damp paper towel over the top to keep it from drying out.

I’ve found this reheats well, which makes it great for lunches too. The crust may soften, but the flavor’s still on point. Want to crisp it again? A quick toast in the oven does the trick.

If you want to freeze it, go for it. Just wrap tightly. It can handle a couple of weeks on ice. Let it thaw in the fridge overnight before baking again.

8) Try these casseroles next!

9) Million Dollar Chicken Casserole Recipe