Million Dollar Chicken Casserole (Easy Cheesy Recipe)

This classic million dollar chicken casserole combines tender chicken, creamy cheeses and a buttery cracker topping for the ultimate comfort meal. 

The combination of flavors is cozy and crowd-pleasing. Definitely one of our favorite family dinners! And it’s so easy to throw together on busy weeknights with the use of store-bought rotisserie chicken. 

​

The whole family is going to love this one – that’s a promise! 

Why is it called Million Dollar Chicken Casserole?

The name for this dish comes from its rich, indulgent flavor and texture. With a combination of cream cheese, sour cream, and multiple cheeses, the dish tastes luxurious – like something worth a million dollars!

Despite the decadent taste, it’s made from pantry staples and budget-friendly ingredients like cooked chicken and crackers.

That high-end flavor without the high-end cost is certainly worthy of a million dollar title! 

Ingredients

• Rotisserie chicken. Use just the breasts or the whole chicken. I love dark meat so I use the whole thing. 
• Cream cheese. Room temperature cream cheese will blend more smoothly with the other ingredients.
• Cheddar cheese
• Bacon
• Sour Cream 
• Mayonnaise
• Butter
• Cream of chicken soup
• Green onions
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Ritz crackers

How to make Million Dollar Chicken Casserole

Shred the Chicken

​Use forks to shred the rotisserie chicken. If you prefer it cubed, you could do that too. 

Cook the Bacon

​I recommend dicing the bacon first and then frying it in a dry pan. It will cook faster that way. 

Combine the Casserole Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, sour cream, mayo, soup, garlic powder and onion powder.

Then, stir in the shredded chicken and diced bacon. 

Make the Breadcrumb Topping

First, crush the crackers. I recommend placing them into a Ziploc bag and rolling over them with a rolling pin. You could also whack them with the bottom of a measuring cup. 

Then, melt the butter in a microwave safe bowl. Toss the crackers in the melted butter until they’re coated. 

Assemble the Casserole

Spread the chicken mixture in a 9×13 baking dish. Then, sprinkle the grated cheddar cheese over top, followed by the crackers. 

Now, it’s ready to go into the oven! 

Serving Suggestions

This rich casserole pairs nicely with lighter, fresh sides:

• A crisp side salad
• Steamed vegetables 
• Roasted green beans or asparagus
• Garlic bread or dinner rolls

Variations

This recipe is endlessly customizable! Try these swaps:

• The protein: Use turkey or ham instead of chicken.
• The veggies: There are none in this recipe! Stir in a bag of frozen mixed veggies or diced bell peppers for added color and nutrients.
• The cheese: Try Gruyere or Parmesan cheese as alternatives to cheddar. 
• The dairy: Swap out the sour cream for Greek yogurt, or replace the mayo with cottage cheese. Both of these options add even more protein to this dish. 
• The soup: Try cream of mushroom, cream of celery or cream of cheddar soup as alternatives to cream of chicken. 
• The breadcrumbs: No Ritz crackers on hand? Try using panko breadcrumbs instead. 

Make Ahead and Storage Instructions

This is a great make-ahead dish, perfect for prepping in advance.

Make Ahead

Assemble the casserole in your baking dish without the bread crumbs, cover tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking.

When you’re ready for dinner, remove it from the fridge and let sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. Sprinkle the cracker topping on top before baking.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave in individual servings.

For longer storage, this casserole freezes nicely! You can reheat it straight from frozen in a warm oven. 

When you make this million dollar chicken casserole, I’d love to hear about it! Drop a rating or leave a comment below. Enjoy! 

For more cozy casserole recipes, try these: 

• Tater Tot Casserole with Ground Turkey
• BBQ Chicken Casserole
• Chicken Parm Casserole