Million Dollar Chicken Bake

Servings: 8 | Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cook Time: 35 minutes | Total Time: 55 minutes

Intro:

Million Dollar Chicken Bake is rich, creamy, cheesy comfort food that’s loaded with tender shredded chicken, cream cheese, sour cream, mozzarella, cheddar, crispy bacon, green onions, and finished with a buttery Ritz cracker topping. Every bite is creamy, crunchy, cheesy, and packed with bold flavor, making it perfect for family dinners, potlucks, holidays, and meal prep.

Why This Works:

• Cream cheese creates an ultra-creamy filling.
• Sour cream keeps the casserole rich without becoming heavy.
• Mozzarella provides incredible cheese pulls.
• Sharp cheddar adds bold flavor and beautiful color.
• Bacon brings smoky richness.
• Green onions brighten every bite.
• Buttery Ritz crackers create the perfect crunchy topping.
• Easy enough for weeknights but impressive enough for guests.

Ingredients:

Chicken Filling

• 4 cups cooked shredded chicken
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 2 cups freshly shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 cups freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 1 cup cooked bacon, chopped
• ½ cup sliced green onions

Buttery Cracker Topping

• 2 sleeves Ritz crackers, crushed
• 6 tablespoons salted butter, melted
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder

Garnish

• ¼ cup chopped green onions
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• Extra chopped bacon

Kitchen Tools Needed:

• 9×13 baking dish
• Large mixing bowl
• Medium mixing bowl
• Rubber spatula
• Measuring cups
• Measuring spoons
• Cheese grater
• Aluminum foil

Prep:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Grease a 9×13 baking dish.
3. Cook and shred the chicken.
4. Cook bacon until crispy and chop.
5. Shred the mozzarella and cheddar cheeses.
6. Slice the green onions.
7. Crush the Ritz crackers.
8. Melt the butter.

Instructions:

Make the Filling

1. In a large bowl combine cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise until smooth.
2. Mix in garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, and kosher salt.
3. Fold in shredded mozzarella.
4. Fold in shredded cheddar.
5. Stir in shredded chicken.
6. Add chopped bacon.
7. Add sliced green onions.
8. Add chopped parsley.
9. Mix until evenly combined.

Assemble

10. Spread the chicken mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.

Make the Topping

11. Combine crushed Ritz crackers, melted butter, and garlic powder.
12. Toss until every crumb is coated.
13. Sprinkle evenly over the casserole.

Bake

14. Bake uncovered for 30–35 minutes.
15. If the topping browns too quickly, loosely cover with foil for the final 10 minutes.
16. Bake until bubbling around the edges and the topping is golden brown.

Finish

17. Remove from the oven.
18. Rest for 10 minutes.
19. Sprinkle generously with fresh chopped green onions.
20. Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley.
21. Finish with extra crispy bacon.
22. Serve hot.

Notes:

• Rotisserie chicken works perfectly for this recipe.
• Freshly shredded cheese melts much better than pre-shredded cheese.
• The Ritz cracker topping should stay crispy, so avoid covering after baking.
• If making ahead, prepare everything except the cracker topping. Add the topping just before baking.
• Leftovers reheat beautifully.
• For even more flavor, use smoked cheddar in place of half of the sharp cheddar.

Goes Great With:

• Roasted vegetables
• Garlic bread
• Caesar salad
• Butter Garlic Bacon Green Beans
• Creamy mashed potatoes