The Best Million Dollar Chicken Casserole
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Creamy and comforting, this million dollar chicken casserole is a easy rotisserie chicken bake that’s packed with flavor and ready in under 30 minutes. Made with cream cheese, cottage cheese, a hint of cayenne, and topped with crispy Ritz crackers and melted mozzarella, it’s the perfect cozy dinner that will even feed a family of 6!
Table of Contents
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Huge Flavor: I’m always looking for ways to bring bold new flavors to the table. This recipe delivers just that—a delicious twist with rich, creamy ingredients that elevate the taste to a whole new level.
- Nostalgia-Inducing: Inspired by the classic Chicken Poppy Seed Casserole this version brings back those warm, comforting memories. With a blend of cream cheese, cottage cheese and mozzarella, it doesn’t get more cosy than this.
- Easy and Comforting: This Million Dollar Chicken Casserole couldn’t be simpler to make. It’s a real crowd-pleaser that feels indulgent and satisfying, perfect for busy nights when you want a home-cooked meal that tastes like a million bucks.
- Weeknight classic: this chicken casserole is whipped up in under 30 minutes, making it ideal after a long day of work!
Here are some other chicken casserole recipes you should try this week! Easy Baked Pesto Chicken Recipe, Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Pasta, One Pot Creamy Tuscan Gnocchi
What makes a dish a casserole?
A dish qualifies as a casserole when a recipe is baked together in one dish, usually containing a protein, vegetables, a binding ingredient, and sometimes a topping. Casseroles are baked until hot and bubbly, often getting a gorgeous golden crust from added toppings like cheese or breadcrumbs.
With this easy chicken casserole recipe, it combines shredded rotisserie chicken with creamy elements (cream cheese, cottage cheese, and cream of chicken soup) that act as binders.
The mixture is topped with mozzarella and crumbled Ritz crackers, adding a crisp, flavorful crust after baking. The one-pan, oven-baked method is a hallmark of casseroles, making it easy to prepare, serve, and enjoy as a comforting, all-in-one meal. DELISH!
Ingredients
The main ingredients that make this Million Dollar Chicken Casserole recipe fantastic are the following:
Rotisserie chicken
In other chicken casseroles, often the shredded rotisserie chicken calls to remove the skin. I personally like the flavour, texture and colour that this adds. We’re going for indulgence so why stop here with the crispy, delicious skin!
Cream cheese/cottage cheese
Opt for full fat if possible, this million dollar chicken casserole serves 6 people so although it feels like a lot of cheese/cream, it’s spread across a number of portions.
Ritz crackers
I believe these yield the best seasoning and colour with the topping, but you could use any other buttery/ salty cracker that you have in your store cupboard.
Cream of chicken soup
My brand of choice is Campbells, but use whichever is your favorite for this rotisserie chicken casserole.
Variations/ Adaptations
Add rice or pasta to the dish: If you want to increase the carbs and make this more of a complete meal, you can stir cooked rice or pasta into the creamy mix. If possible, add an extra ½-1 can of cream of chicken soup to ensure there’s enough sauce to coat everything.
Add vegetables: I like broccoli best because it holds the tasty sauce really well. It also adds some nice colour/green to the chicken casserole recipe.
Try different toppings: French’s fried onions (my favorite), crispy bacon, fried chorizo (I need to try this) potato chips, or I’ve even seen some people add some stuffing on top for a festive twist!
If you want to make it without cottage cheese: Try it with sour cream instead or sub out the cottage cheese for your favorite shredded cheese. If you don’t like cottage cheese because of the texture, simply blend with an immersion blender before combining with the other ingredients in the casserole with chicken.
No cream of chicken soup? Any creamy condensed soup will work, cream of mushroom, cream of celery, cream of leek etc
How to make million dollar chicken casserole
- Combine the cream cheese, cottage cheese, cayenne pepper, American mustard, salt and pepper in a mixing bowl (Image 1).
- Add the chives and cream of chicken soup to the mixture and mix well (Image 2).
3. Next add the shredded rotisserie chicken to the mixture and incorporate well (Image 3).
4. Once mixed, transfer the contents of the bowl to an oven safe skillet or baking dish (Image 4).
5. Top the creamy mixture with the shredded mozzarella cheese and crushed ritz crackers (Image 5).
6. Bake at 200°C/400°F for 15-20 minutes or until hot and bubbly and the crackers are browned (Image 6).
Looking for more easy one pot bakes? Try out one of these recipes; Prawn Rice (Simple & One Pot), One Pot Chicken & Rice, One Pot Creamy Tuscan Gnocchi
Tips for the best result
- Shred the rotisserie into even chunks and keep the skin on for the best flavour.
- Season the filling generously with salt and lots of pepper.
- Taste the filling to adjust seasoning before assembling – you may prefer more mustard, pepper, salt etc.
- If you don’t like the lumps in cottage cheese you can blend it or pulse it in a food processor until smooth.
What do I need to change to make this recipe with rice or noodles?
To make with rice:
Use Cooked Rice: Prepare 2–3 cups of cooked rice separately, as it won’t fully cook in the casserole alone.
Increase the liquids slightly: Since rice absorbs moisture, slightly increase the cream of chicken soup or add 1/2 cup of chicken broth to ensure a creamy texture.
Combine and Bake: Mix the cooked rice with the chicken and cheese mixture, then bake as directed. Then top with the ritz crumb.
To make with noodles:
Use Par-Cooked Noodles: Cook 2–3 cups of pasta (like egg noodles or rotini) until just al dente. They will finish cooking in the oven.
Add Extra Liquid: Like with rice, add 1/2 cup chicken broth to the cheese mixture to keep the noodles from drying out.
Combine and Bake: Mix the par-cooked noodles with the chicken mixture, then proceed with the recipe as usual.
Make Ahead Instructions
To store in the fridge:: Follow the recipe to prepare the casserole, including mixing the cream cheese, cottage cheese, chicken, and other ingredients. Spread the mixture in the baking dish, then top with mozzarella, Ritz crackers, and any other toppings.
To Freeze: Once assembled, cover the casserole tightly with plastic wrap and foil to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to 2-3 months.
When Ready to Bake: To bake from frozen, remove the million dollar chicken casserole from the freezer and let it thaw in the fridge overnight (or for about 6-8 hours). Then, bake it at 200°C (400°F) for 20-30 minutes, or until it’s hot and bubbly and the top is golden. You may need to cover it with foil for the first 15 minutes if it’s browning too quickly.
Serving Suggestions
You can pair this dish with your favorite veggies or starches to make a complete meal. Here are some great recipes you can try:
- Easy Sauteed Savoy Cabbage
- Crispy Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes
- Parmentier Potatoes (Garlic and Herb Roasted Potatoes)
- Orzo Pasta Salad
- Air fryer Zucchini Fries
- Crispy Homemade Oven Chips
- Cheesy Baked Aubergines
- Homemade Caesar Salad (Meal prep)
Reheat and Storage Instructions
Refrigerator: The best chicken casserole recipes can be stored in the fridge to dig into all week! This recipe keeps in the fridge for 4-5 days.
Freezer: Freeze this recipe in an airtight container to prevent any freezer burn, for up to 2-3 months.
Reheat: Thaw in the fridge overnight if frozen and reheat in the airfryer or microwave for a speedier (but less crispy) method.
FAQ’s
You can! Combine the filling and cook on high for 2-3 hours. Then when it’s almost time to eat, if your slow cooker dish is oven safe, add the toppings and place under the grill until golden and bubbly.
You can substitute the dairy products with vegan alternatives if you are dairy free.
Yes, you will need to increase the cook time by around 20 minutes though. I would recommend adding an extra 200ml of cream of chicken soup and cook without the topping for the first 15-20 minutes, then add the topping and cook for a further 20 minutes.
As we have a delicious cheesy ritz crumb, this chicken casserole recipe is best cooked uncovered to prevent the topping from going soggy.
How about finishing off this rich decadent meal with a sweet bite like Steamed Lemon Cake, Kinder Bueno Chocolate Mug Cake, Reese’s Pieces Peanut Butter Baked Oats
If you tried this Million Dollar Chicken Casserole, it would be mean so much to me if you could leave a review & a star rating to let me know how you found it! I love hearing about your experiences – it motivates me to keep creating more and more recipes for you guys 💛 Let’s get cooking! – Mimi x
Million Dollar Chicken Casserole
Ingredients
- 200 g cream cheese (£1.25)
- 300 g cottage cheese (£1)
- 1.1 kg rotisserie chicken, 650g shredded (£6.10)
- 150 g mozzarella, grated (£2.50/2)
- 2 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped (£0.55)
- 400 g can of cream of chicken soup (£0.65)
- 75 g ritz crackers, coarsely crumbled (£1.50/2)
- 1 spring onion, thinly sliced to top (£0.55/4)
- 1 tsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped (optional)
Cupboard Essentials
- 1 tsp onion granules
- 1 tsp garlic granules
- 1 tsp american mustard
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper/smoked paprika
- Drizzle of oil
- Salt and Pepper
Method
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, cottage cheese, fresh chives, chicken soup, cayenne pepper, american mustard, salt and lots of black pepper.
- Stir to combine, then add the shredded rotisserie chicken and mix until well combined. Pour into a cast iron pan or baking dish, diameter approx 30cm.
- Spread across the pan, then top with a layer of mozzarella, ritz crackers, a sprinkle of fresh rosemary and a drizzle of oil.
- Bake at 200°C for 15-20 minutes, or until golden and bubbly. Top with thinly sliced spring onion and optional chives. Leave to stand for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Shred the rotisserie chicken: Cut the rotisserie chicken into even pieces, leaving the skin on for added flavor.
- Season the filling: Add a generous amount of salt and pepper to the filling for enhanced taste.
- Taste and adjust seasoning: Before assembling, taste the filling and modify the seasoning as desired, adding more mustard, pepper, or salt if needed.
- Smooth the cottage cheese: If you dislike the texture of cottage cheese, blend or pulse it in a food processor until smooth.
Nutrition
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