Description
Comfort meets culinary magic in this million dollar chicken casserole, blending creamy textures with savory goodness. Cheesy layers and crispy edges promise a delightful dinner that satisfies from first bite to last.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 3 cups chicken, shredded or diced
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 can (10.5 ounces or 298 grams) condensed cream of chicken soup
Dairy and Creamy Components:
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
Crunchy Topping and Seasonings:
- 1 sleeve Ritz crackers, crushed
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Thoroughly coat the baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking and ensure easy serving.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, shred the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces, creating a uniform texture for consistent flavor distribution.
- Fold the cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and mayonnaise into the chicken, creating a creamy and rich base that will bind all ingredients together.
- Gently incorporate the cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, stirring carefully to maintain a smooth and even mixture.
- Season the chicken blend with salt and pepper, tasting to ensure a balanced and robust flavor profile.
- Transfer the creamy chicken mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly to create a consistent layer.
- Crush the crackers into fine, uniform crumbs, allowing for a crisp and golden topping.
- Drizzle melted butter over the cracker crumbs, ensuring each piece is lightly coated for maximum crispiness.
- Sprinkle the buttered cracker crumbs across the entire surface of the chicken mixture, creating a complete and even coverage.
- Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake until the top turns a beautiful golden brown and the edges become slightly bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and allow the casserole to rest for a few minutes, helping the ingredients set and cool slightly.
- Optional: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color and added freshness before serving.
Notes
- Pick rotisserie chicken for a quick, flavor-packed shortcut that saves time and adds depth to the dish.
- Consider using gluten-free crackers to make the recipe celiac-friendly without compromising the crunchy topping texture.
- Swap regular mayo with Greek yogurt to reduce calories and boost protein content while maintaining creamy consistency.
- Experiment with different cheese blends like pepper jack or gruyère to create unique flavor variations that elevate the classic casserole.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 485
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg