It’s creamy, cheesy, buttery, and topped with that iconic Ritz cracker crunch that everyone loves. This is exactly the kind of dish people bring to potlucks and family dinners and then leave with zero leftovers and three requests for the recipe 😅. Your version is absolutely solid, classic, and comforting — I’ll keep it as-is, just expand around it with tips, variations, and serving ideas, then finish with a clean recipe card at the end.

What Makes “Million Dollar” Chicken So Special? 💎

The magic of this casserole is in the combination of:

Tender cooked chicken – juicy and mild, perfect as a base
Creamy sauce – cream of chicken soup + sour cream + mayonnaise = ultra-smooth, restaurant-level richness 🥣
Double cheese layer – cheddar for sharpness, mozzarella for melty stretch 🧀
Buttery Ritz topping – that salty, golden, crunchy crown that keeps everyone going back “just for a little more”

It’s the kind of old-school comfort food that feels like a hug in a dish. No fancy techniques, no hard-to-find ingredients — just familiar flavors elevated and baked together in a cozy casserole.

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This is also a great “bridge” recipe:

Picky eaters tend to love it because it’s creamy and not spicy.
Busy cooks love it because it uses pre-cooked chicken (rotisserie for the win!) and pantry staples.
Hosts love it because it feeds a crowd and can be prepped ahead of time.

Ingredient Deep Dive 🛒

Let’s walk through what you’ve got and how each ingredient helps the dish shine.

Chicken 🍗

3 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced

This is one of the best parts of this casserole — it’s perfect for:

Leftover roasted chicken
Store-bought rotisserie chicken
Poached or baked chicken breasts

Shredded gives you softer, more integrated bites, while diced gives you more distinct chunks. Both work perfectly.

Creamy Base 🥣

1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of chicken soup
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup mayonnaise

This trio is what makes the casserole so rich and silky:

Condensed cream of chicken soup brings savory depth and a classic casserole texture.
Sour cream adds tang that keeps the dish from feeling flat or overly heavy.
Mayonnaise contributes extra creaminess and a little richness without making the casserole greasy when used in this balanced amount.

Together, they create that ultra-luxurious “million dollar” feeling.

Cheeses 🧀

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Two cheeses = more flavor and better texture:

Cheddar gives sharpness and classic cheesy flavor.
Mozzarella provides that gooey, stringy, melty pull that makes casseroles irresistible.

Pre-shredded cheese is fine, but shredding it yourself melts even smoother.

Cracker Topping 🧈🍪

1 sleeve Ritz crackers, crushed
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted

This topping is what takes it over the top:

Ritz crackers bring buttery flavor and a delicate crunch.
Melted butter binds the crumbs together and helps them toast to a beautiful golden brown.

It’s simple, but it tastes like you did something fancy.

Seasoning & Garnish 🌿

Salt and pepper to taste
Chopped parsley, for garnish (optional)

You’re already seasoning the filling to taste, which is perfect. The parsley is optional, but it adds a nice pop of color and a hint of freshness to balance the richness.

Step-by-Step With Extra Tips 👩‍🍳

Your instructions are clear and correct — I’ll keep them as they are and just add some helpful notes around them.

1. Preheat the Oven & Prep the Dish

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and set aside.

Greasing the dish (with butter, oil, or cooking spray) keeps the casserole from sticking and makes cleanup easier.
A 9×13 pan is perfect for this amount — it gives you a nice, even layer that bakes in about 25–30 minutes.

2. Combine the Filling

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked chicken, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, mayonnaise, cheddar cheese, and mozzarella cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Mix until well combined.

Tips:

Make sure the chicken is evenly distributed so every bite has chicken and not just pockets of cheese and sauce.
Go easy with the salt at first — the soup, cheese, and crackers all contain salt, so you might only need a light seasoning.
You can add a pinch of garlic powder, onion powder, or dried herbs if you want, but it’s not necessary; the recipe works beautifully as written.

3. Transfer to the Baking Dish

Transfer the chicken mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.

Press it lightly into an even layer so it bakes uniformly and the topping doesn’t slide around.

4. Prepare the Cracker Topping

In a separate bowl, mix together the crushed Ritz crackers and melted butter until well combined. Sprinkle the buttered cracker crumbs evenly over the top of the chicken mixture in the baking dish.

Tips:

You can crush the crackers right in the sleeve with your hands or with a rolling pin, then pour into the bowl.
Aim for small pieces, not fine dust — a mix of small crumbs and tiny chunks gives the best texture.
Even coverage ensures every portion gets that irresistible crunch.

5. Bake to Golden, Bubbly Perfection

Bake in the preheated oven for 25–30 minutes, or until the casserole is hot and bubbly, and the top is golden brown.

You’ll know it’s ready when:

You see the edges gently bubbling.
The cracker topping is a warm golden color.
The center is hot when you poke it gently (or reaches about 165°F / 74°C if you want to check with a thermometer).

6. Rest & Serve

Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley, if desired, and serve warm.

Letting it sit for about 5–10 minutes:

Helps it set slightly
Makes it easier to scoop clean portions
Prevents molten cheese-lava mouth burns 😅

Variations You Might Love 💡

You’ve got a wonderful base recipe. Here are optional twists you could try sometime (without changing your core version):

Add bacon: Stir in 1/2–1 cup cooked, crumbled bacon for smoky richness. 🥓
Add veggies: Fold in some thawed peas, corn, or steamed broccoli for extra color and nutrition. 🥦
Spice it up: Add a pinch of paprika, cayenne, or red pepper flakes to the filling if your crowd likes a bit of kick. 🌶️
Different cheeses: Swap part of the cheddar for Colby Jack, Monterey Jack, or even pepper jack.

Keep your main recipe as the “base classic,” and play with variations when you want to switch things up.

Serving Ideas 🍽️

Million Dollar Chicken Casserole goes great with:

Simple green salad with a light vinaigrette 🥗
Steamed or roasted veggies (green beans, broccoli, carrots)
Rice, buttered noodles, or mashed potatoes for extra comfort
Dinner rolls or garlic bread to scoop up every last bit of sauce 🥖

It’s also fantastic for:

Potlucks
Sunday dinners
Taking to a friend or family who needs a comforting meal 💛

Make-Ahead & Storage 🧊

Make-ahead (unbaked):

Assemble the casserole up through adding the cracker topping.
Cover tightly and refrigerate for up to 24 hours.
Bake straight from the fridge, adding a few extra minutes if needed.

Leftovers:

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3–4 days.
Reheat individual portions in the microwave or reheat in the oven at 325°F (163°C) until warmed through.

If reheating in the oven, you can loosely cover it with foil for part of the time so the topping doesn’t over-brown.