Description
Tucked inside this Million Dollar Chicken Casserole sits pure comfort that melts right into your dinner plate. Creamy, cheesy layers packed with tender chicken create a weeknight meal your family will absolutely devour.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast
Dairy and Creamy Base:
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 can (10.5 ounces) cream of chicken soup
- 1 can (10.5 ounces) cream of mushroom soup
Seasonings and Toppings:
- 1 cup crushed buttery crackers
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Heat your oven to precisely 350°F and position the rack in the center position for even cooking.
- Poach the 2 pounds of chicken breasts in salted water for 15-20 minutes until fully cooked, then shred using two forks.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine your shredded chicken with 1 can of cream of chicken soup, 1 can of cream of mushroom soup, 1 cup sour cream, 1 cup cheddar cheese, and ½ cup Parmesan cheese.
- Season the mixture with ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, and ¼ teaspoon paprika, stirring until everything is thoroughly incorporated.
- Transfer the creamy mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading it evenly across the surface.
- Melt ¼ cup unsalted butter and mix it with 1 cup of crushed buttery crackers until the crumbs are completely coated.
- Sprinkle the buttery cracker mixture over the top of the casserole, ensuring complete coverage.
- Bake at 350°F for exactly 30 minutes, watching for a golden-brown topping and bubbling edges that signal your casserole is perfectly done.
Notes
- Rotisserie chicken works perfectly as a quick shortcut for shredded chicken, saving tons of prep time.
- For a gluten-free version, swap regular crackers with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour crackers or crushed rice crackers.
- Experiment with different cheese combinations like adding monterey jack or switching to a sharper cheddar for more intense flavor.
- If watching calories, use low-fat cream soups and reduced-fat cheese to lighten up this classic comfort dish without sacrificing taste.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6 to 8
- Calories: 417 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 578 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg