This Million Dollar Chicken Casserole is seriously the bomb. Just made it last night and whole fam couldn’t stop raving bout it. Something magical happens when cream cheese, sour cream and ranch mix come together with juicy chicken. Trust me, this casserole isn’t called “million dollar” for nothing – it’s rich, creamy and honestly tastes like you spent way more time on it than you actually did. Perfect for busy weeknights but still impressive enough for company. The crispy topping just takes it over the top! Keep reading to find out my secret ingredient that makes this version special.
Why You’ll Love This MILLION DOLLAR CHICKEN CASSEROLE
Listen, dinner can be such a pain sometimes. We all want something delish but who has the time? That’s exactly why this recipe has become my go-to. First time I made this casserole was for my sister’s potluck and everyone kept asking for the recipe. Had three people texting me next day for it!
What’s great is you can totally prep this ahead and just pop in oven when needed. Works with rotisserie chicken when you’re super busy or cook your own if you’ve got time. Can customize with diff veggies depending what you’ve got in fridge. Makes awesome leftovers too – maybe even better next day.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Creamy Base
- 4 cups cooked chicken (shredded or cubed) – rotisserie works great but any leftover chicken is fine
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened) – full fat gives best flavor but can use reduced if watching cals
- 1 cup sour cream – adds amazing tang that makes this casserole special
- 1 packet ranch seasoning – secret flavor booster that ties everything together
- 1 can cream of chicken soup – creates perfect creaminess, can sub mushroom soup if preferred
- 1 cup chicken broth – helps thin the mixture just enough
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese – sharp cheddar gives best flavor but use what you have
- 1/2 cup bacon pieces – adds smoky flavor and nice texture
For the Crunchy Topping
- 1 sleeve Ritz crackers (crushed) – butter crackers add richness other toppings just dont have
- 4 tbsp butter (melted) – helps crackers get golden and crispy
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese – adds salty bite to topping
Can’t do dairy? Try coconut cream instead of sour cream and dairy-free cream cheese substitute. Works surprisingly well!
How to Make MILLION DOLLAR CHICKEN CASSEROLE
- Preheat oven to 350°F and grab 9×13 baking dish. Spray with non-stick spray.
- Mix the base. In large bowl combine softened cream cheese, sour cream, ranch packet, cream of chicken soup and broth. Should look smooth ish but few cream cheese lumps are fine – they’ll melt in oven.
- Add chicken and mix well. Chicken should be completely coated in creamy mixture. This is when I taste and sometimes add bit more salt or pepper.
- Fold in 3/4 cup of the cheddar cheese and most of bacon pieces. Save some for topping!
- Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish and spread evenly.
- Make topping by mixing crushed Ritz crackers with melted butter and parmesan in small bowl. Mixture should be kinda crumbly.
- Sprinkle remaining cheddar cheese over casserole then add cracker mixture evenly on top.
- Top with reserved bacon pieces so they get extra crispy.
- Bake uncovered for 25-30 mins until edges bubble and top gets golden brown. If topping browns too fast, cover loosely with foil.
- Let rest 5-10 mins before serving. Makes it easier to scoop and flavors settle.
Tip: You know it’s done when you can see bubbling around edges and topping is nice golden color. Inserting knife in center should show hot creamy filling.
Tasty Variations of MILLION DOLLAR CHICKEN CASSEROLE
Spicy Southwest Version
Add can of diced green chiles, 1 tsp cumin, 1/2 tsp chili powder and use pepper jack cheese instead of cheddar. Top with crushed tortilla chips instead of Ritz for Mexican twist.
Mushroom Lover’s Delight
Sauté 8oz sliced mushrooms with 1 diced onion before adding to mixture. Use cream of mushroom soup instead of chicken. Adds amazing depth.
Broccoli Cheddar Chicken
Add 2 cups steamed broccoli florets to mixture. Perfect way to sneak in veggies for kids! Extra sharp cheddar works great here.
Garlic Parmesan
Add 4 cloves minced garlic to base and use Italian cheese blend instead of just cheddar. Top with mixture of panko, butter and extra parm for ultra crispy finish.
Buffalo Style
Add 1/3 cup buffalo sauce to base mixture and use blue cheese crumbles mixed with cheddar. Can add diced celery for crunch. Drizzle with little extra buffalo sauce before serving.
Million Dollar Chicken Casserole
Equipment
- 9×13 baking dish
- Large mixing bowl
- Small mixing bowl
- Oven
- Non-stick spray
Ingredients
- For the Creamy Base:
- 4 cups cooked chicken shredded or cubed
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 packet ranch seasoning
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup bacon pieces
- For the Crunchy Topping:
- 1 sleeve Ritz crackers crushed
- 4 tbsp butter melted
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
- Remaining cheddar cheese
- Reserved bacon pieces
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and spray a 9×13 baking dish with non-stick spray.
- In a large bowl, mix softened cream cheese, sour cream, ranch seasoning, cream of chicken soup, and chicken broth until mostly smooth.
- Stir in cooked chicken until well coated.
- Fold in 3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese and most of the bacon pieces.
- Spread mixture evenly into prepared baking dish.
- In a small bowl, mix crushed Ritz crackers with melted butter and parmesan cheese.
- Sprinkle remaining cheddar cheese on top of casserole, followed by cracker mixture.
- Top with reserved bacon pieces.
- Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes, until bubbling and golden brown. Cover loosely with foil if topping browns too quickly.
- Let casserole rest 5-10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
FAQ – Your MILLION DOLLAR CHICKEN CASSEROLE Questions Answered
What sides go with million dollar chicken?
Simple green salad works perfect since casserole is pretty rich. Also love serving with steamed broccoli, asparagus or green beans for some color. For heartier meal, garlic bread or dinner rolls great for soaking up creamy sauce. Rice works too if feeding bigger crowd – helps stretch it further.
Can you freeze million dollar chicken casserole?
Yes! Freezes amazing for up to 3 months. Two options – freeze before baking (without topping) or freeze leftovers. For unbaked version, thaw overnight in fridge then add topping just before baking. Add extra 15-20 mins to cook time if still bit frozen. For leftovers, freeze in individual portions for quick lunches.
Why is it called nixon chicken?
Nixon chicken actually different recipe! Million dollar chicken got name because of rich ingredients and incredible taste that feels like “million bucks.” Nixon chicken usually has different sauce base and preparation method. Both delicious but technically different recipes with similar comfort food vibes.
How many carbs are in a million dollar chicken casserole?
About 12-15g carbs per serving when made with recipe above. Most carbs come from crackers on top and small amount in cream of chicken soup. Can reduce by using crushed pork rinds instead of crackers for topping if watching carbs closely. Still tastes amazing!
How many calories are in a million dollar chicken?
Approximately 420-450 calories per serving (based on 8 servings per casserole). Varies depending on exact ingredients used – especially cheese and topping choices. For lighter version, use light cream cheese, light sour cream, reduced fat soup and less cheese on top. Still tasty but saves about 100-120 calories per serving.
Make It Your Own!
Been making this MILLION DOLLAR CHICKEN CASSEROLE for years now and still cant get enough. Remember my first time trying it at friend’s house – couldn’t believe how simple ingredients created something that tasted so special.
What I love most is seeing how everyone puts their own spin on it. My mom adds extra bacon, sister goes heavy on ranch seasoning, and hubby likes his with hot sauce drizzled on top.
Don’t have fancy ingredients? No problem. This recipe totally forgiving. Just need basics and it still comes out great. That’s real cooking – making it work with what you got.
Give this a try next time you need comfort food that impresses. And if you’re looking for more chicken dinner ideas, check out my Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken or Gochujang Chicken for totally different flavor profiles!
This casserole might not actually be worth a million dollars… but the smiles around table when you serve it? Priceless.
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