Creamy Million Dollar Chicken Bake with Buttery Ritz Crust
🍳 Instructions
1. Preheat Oven
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Prepare the Filling
In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, cheddar cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
Stir in the cooked chicken until evenly coated.
3. Assemble the Bake
Pour the creamy chicken mixture into the prepared baking dish.
Spread evenly.
4. Prepare the Ritz Crust
Crush the Ritz crackers in a zip-top bag or food processor.
Mix crushed crackers with melted butter (and Parmesan if using).
Sprinkle evenly over the top of the chicken mixture.
5. Bake
Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes, until the topping is golden brown and the casserole is bubbly.
🥄 To Serve
Serve warm with steamed vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a simple side salad.
💡 Tips
For extra flavor, mix 1 teaspoon paprika or cayenne into the cracker topping.
You can make this ahead of time — assemble, cover with foil, refrigerate, and bake when ready.
Substitute Ritz crackers with panko bread crumbs for a lighter, crispier topping.
I can also give you a “quick 15-minute prep” version where the chicken is pre-cooked and the casserole is layered for ultra-fast assembly. Do you want me to share that?
