Million Dollar Chicken Casserole

I’ve included some videos I found relevant and helpful. 😍

Are you looking for a tasty meal that’s easy to make? Million Dollar Chicken Casserole is a great choice. This dish is packed with flavor and takes only 10 minutes to prepare. You can have a delicious dinner ready in under an hour.

The casserole combines creamy cheeses, tender chicken, and a crunchy cracker topping. It’s perfect for busy weeknights or when you want to impress guests without spending hours in the kitchen. You’ll love how simple it is to put together, and your family will ask for it again and again.

Exact Ingredients List

Here’s what you’ll need to make this yummy Million Dollar Chicken Casserole:

• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 3/4 cup cottage cheese
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
• 4 cups cooked chicken, chopped
• 1 sleeve Ritz crackers
• 6 tablespoons butter, melted

Make sure you have all these items ready before you start cooking. The cream cheese should be at room temperature to mix easily.

For the chicken, you can use leftover roasted chicken or rotisserie chicken from the store. It’s a great way to use up extra chicken you might have.

Don’t forget to preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 2-quart baking dish before you begin mixing the ingredients. This will save you time later!

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grab a 2-quart baking dish and grease it well.

In a big bowl, mix these ingredients:

• 4 ounces cream cheese (room temp)
• 3/4 cup cottage cheese
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• 1/2 teaspoon each: garlic powder, onion powder, dried parsley

Stir in 4 cups of chopped cooked chicken. Pour this yummy mix into your greased dish.

Now for the topping! Crush a sleeve of Ritz crackers. You can use a food processor or put them in a bag and smash with a rolling pin. Mix the crumbs with 6 tablespoons of melted butter.

Sprinkle this cracker mix on top of your casserole. Pop it in the oven for 35-40 minutes.

Your Million Dollar Chicken Casserole is done when it’s bubbly and the top is golden brown. The crackers should be nice and crunchy.

Let it cool for a few minutes, then serve and enjoy your tasty meal!

Possible Substitutes List

You can easily swap out some ingredients in this Million Dollar Chicken Casserole. Here are some tasty options:

Cheese Swaps:

• Greek yogurt instead of sour cream
• Ricotta for cottage cheese
• Mozzarella or Monterey Jack instead of cheddar

Protein Changes:

• Turkey or ham instead of chicken
• Canned tuna for a seafood twist

Cracker Topping Ideas:

• Crushed potato chips
• Breadcrumbs mixed with herbs
• Crushed cornflakes

For a vegetarian version, try using chopped vegetables like broccoli or cauliflower instead of chicken. You can also use cream of mushroom soup if you don’t have cream of chicken.

Want to add some crunch? Mix in some slivered almonds or chopped water chestnuts before baking. These small changes can give your casserole a whole new flavor profile!

Remember, cooking is all about having fun and making the recipe your own. Don’t be afraid to try new things and see what you like best.

How To Make It Diabetes-Friendly

You can make this Million Dollar Chicken Casserole more diabetes-friendly with a few easy swaps. Try using low-fat cream cheese, cottage cheese, and sour cream to cut down on saturated fat. Replace the regular cheddar with a reduced-fat version.

Instead of cream of chicken soup, make your own sauce with chicken broth and Greek yogurt. This will lower the sodium and carbs. For the topping, use crushed almonds or whole grain crackers instead of Ritz crackers.

Cut back on the butter by using just 3 tablespoons mixed with olive oil. Add extra veggies like broccoli or cauliflower to boost fiber and nutrients without many carbs. You can also use less chicken and add more veggies to lower the protein content.

Here are some ingredient swaps to try:

• Low-fat cream cheese
• Fat-free cottage cheese
• Greek yogurt (instead of sour cream)
• Reduced-fat cheddar
• Homemade cream sauce
• Crushed almonds or whole grain crackers
• Mix of butter and olive oil
• Extra non-starchy veggies

These changes will make the casserole lower in carbs, fat, and calories while keeping the yummy flavor. Remember to watch your portion size too!

Tips, Tricks & Storing

Make your Million Dollar Chicken Casserole even better with these tips:

• Use rotisserie chicken to save time and add flavor.
• Add 1 cup of frozen mixed veggies for extra nutrition.
• Spice it up with a dash of cayenne pepper or hot sauce.

For a crispier topping, broil the casserole for 1-2 minutes at the end of cooking. Watch it closely so it doesn’t burn!

You can make this casserole ahead of time. Just prepare everything except the cracker topping and store in the fridge. Add the topping right before baking.

To freeze:

1. Cool the casserole completely
2. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil
3. Freeze for up to 3 months
4. Thaw in the fridge overnight before baking

Leftovers will keep in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven until heated through.

Try different cheese combos like mozzarella and Parmesan for new flavors. You can also swap the Ritz crackers for crushed potato chips or panko breadcrumbs.