Million Dollar Chicken Casserole
A comforting, creamy casserole with shredded chicken, rice, and a crunchy topping, perfect for weeknight dinners and festive occasions.
Ingredients
For the Casserole
- 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced use leftover roast chicken or rotisserie for speed
- 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of chicken soup or substitute cream of mushroom for a different note
- 1 cup sour cream use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream for a lighter option
- 1 cup mayonnaise plain Greek yogurt can replace half for tangier creaminess
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese swap for Gruyere or Monterey Jack for different melty flavors
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan optional, for an umami boost
- 2 cups cooked rice or 12 oz cooked pasta rice delivers a more traditional texture; pasta makes it heartier
- 1 small can chopped green chiles or 1/2 cup frozen peas for a bright pop
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 cup crushed buttery crackers or panko for topping crushed Ritz crackers are classic; panko gives extra crunch
- 2 tablespoons melted butter toss with crumbs for a golden crust
- Fresh parsley or chives for garnish
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In a large bowl, combine the cream of chicken soup, sour cream, mayonnaise, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir until smooth.
- Fold in the shredded chicken, cooked rice or pasta, chopped green chiles or peas, and 3/4 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese.
- Spoon the mixture into the prepared baking dish and smooth the top.
Topping and Baking
- In a small bowl, mix the crushed crackers or panko with the melted butter and the remaining cheddar. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the casserole.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes, until the edges bubble and the topping is a deep, toasty gold.
- Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped parsley or chives and serve warm.
Notes
For a green boost, stir in a cup of steamed broccoli before baking. For different flavors, consider various cheeses or toppings.