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Million Dollar Chicken Casserole

Million dollar chicken casserole is a rich cream cheese and sour cream chicken bake topped with a buttery Ritz cracker crust. Expect a bubbly, golden finish with a tender chicken interior in every decadent spoonful.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 520
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chicken filling
  • 4 cup cooked chicken
  • 8 oz cream cheese softened
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
  • 1 packet (1 oz) ranch seasoning mix
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1.5 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 salt to taste
  • 1 black pepper to taste
Ritz topping
  • 1.5 sleeve Ritz crackers crushed
  • 4 tbsp butter melted
  • 1 tbsp fresh chives chopped

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan

Method
 

Prep and bake
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 9x13 baking dish with a light coat of fat so the casserole releases easily after baking.
  2. Beat together cream cheese, sour cream, cream of chicken soup, and ranch seasoning until smooth and fully combined.
  3. Fold in shredded chicken, cheddar cheese, and garlic powder, then season with salt and pepper to evenly distribute flavor.
  4. Spread the chicken mixture evenly into the prepared dish to form a level layer for consistent baking.
  5. Mix crushed Ritz crackers with melted butter until evenly combined, then spread over the chicken layer in an even coating.
  6. Bake at 350°F for 30-35 minutes until bubbly at the edges and the cracker crust is deeply golden.
  7. Remove from the oven and garnish with fresh chives before serving.

Notes

For the best golden topping, do not cover the casserole while it bakes; if the crackers brown too quickly, loosely tent with foil for the remaining time. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Freeze for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat until hot in a 350°F oven. For a lighter option, use reduced-fat cream cheese and sour cream (texture stays creamy, but richness is toned down).