Description
Million dollar chicken casserole brings comfort and elegance to dinner tables with its creamy, cheesy layers of pure deliciousness. Southern-style comfort meets gourmet flavor, promising a memorable meal that will delight your family and guests.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 4 cups (about 2 pounds) shredded white meat chicken
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 4 ounces (113 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 3/4 cup (170 grams) ricotta cheese
Creamy Base and Seasonings:
- 1 cup sour cream
- 10.5 ounces (298 grams) cream of chicken with herbs
- 3/4 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Topping:
- 1 1/2 cups Ritz cracker crumbs (from 1 sleeve)
- 1/3 cup (75 grams) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the oven at 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to ensure smooth release.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, whisk together cream cheese, sour cream, ricotta, cream of chicken soup, garlic salt, onion powder, and black pepper until achieving a silky, uniform consistency.
- Gently incorporate shredded chicken and mozzarella cheese, stirring thoroughly to distribute ingredients evenly throughout the creamy mixture.
- Transfer the blended mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it uniformly to create an even layer.
- Crush Ritz crackers into fine crumbs and combine with melted butter, creating a rich, textured topping.
- Distribute the buttery cracker crumbs across the casserole’s surface, ensuring complete and consistent coverage.
- Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, watching for a golden-brown crispy topping and ensuring the interior reaches a steaming hot temperature.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes to allow flavors to settle and casserole to stabilize.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a vibrant touch of color and added freshness before serving warm.
Notes
- Opt for rotisserie chicken to save time and add extra flavor complexity to the casserole.
- Use low-fat cream cheese and sour cream for a lighter version without compromising taste.
- Create a gluten-free option by substituting Ritz crackers with crushed gluten-free crackers or almond flour.
- Enhance protein content by adding diced vegetables like spinach or broccoli to the cheese mixture for extra nutrition.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 470 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 33 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 125 mg