Discover the magic of this Million Dollar Chicken Casserole, a recipe designed to bring comfort and incredible flavor to your dinner table without breaking the bank. This dish is perfect for busy weeknights and is so satisfying, it tastes like a million bucks.
Key Ingredients for Million Dollar Chicken Casserole
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced (rotisserie chicken works wonderfully)
- 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup milk (or half-and-half for extra richness)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (plus more for topping)
- 1 cup Pepperidge Farm® herb seasoned stuffing mix (or any herb-seasoned breadcrumb mix)
- 1/4 cup melted butter
How to Make Million Dollar Chicken Casserole
This Million Dollar Chicken Casserole is a dream to prepare, taking minimal effort for maximum flavor payoff. Its creamy, savory sauce coats tender chicken, all topped with a delightful, buttery crunch. Ready in under an hour including prep time, it’s the perfect cozy meal for any occasion.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preheat and Prepare: Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray or a little butter. This simple step prevents sticking and ensures your casserole slides out perfectly.
Cook the Chicken (if not pre-cooked): If you aren’t using pre-cooked chicken, now is the time to cook it. You can boil, bake, or pan-fry chicken breasts until they are cooked through. Once cooled slightly, shred or dice the chicken into bite-sized pieces. About 2 cups of cooked chicken is ideal for this recipe.
Mix the Creamy Base: In a large mixing bowl, combine the two cans of condensed soups (cream of mushroom and cream of chicken). Add the sour cream and milk, stirring until everything is smooth and well incorporated. This forms the luscious, creamy foundation of your casserole.
Add Seasonings and Cheese: To the soup mixture, stir in the garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Mix gently until the seasonings are evenly distributed. Then, add 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese to the bowl and fold it into the creamy mixture. Reserve any extra cheese for the topping.
Incorporate the Chicken: Add the shredded or diced cooked chicken to the bowl with the creamy soup mixture. Fold everything together gently until the chicken is thoroughly coated. Ensure every piece of chicken is hugged by that delicious, cheesy sauce.
Assemble the Casserole: Pour the chicken and soup mixture evenly into your prepared baking dish. Spread it out gently with a spoon or spatula to create a uniform layer.
Prepare the Topping: In a separate small bowl, combine the herb seasoned stuffing mix with the melted butter. Stir until the stuffing mix is evenly moistened by the butter. This creates a wonderfully savory and crispy topping for your casserole.
Top and Bake: Sprinkle the buttered stuffing mixture evenly over the chicken mixture in the baking dish. If desired, you can sprinkle a little extra shredded cheddar cheese over the stuffing before baking.
Bake Until Golden and Bubbly: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the casserole is heated through, the sauce is bubbly around the edges, and the stuffing topping is golden brown and delightfully crispy.
Rest and Serve: Once baked to perfection, carefully remove the casserole from the oven. Let it rest for about 5-10 minutes before serving. This short resting period allows the flavors to meld and the casserole to set slightly, making it easier to serve.
Why You’ll Love This Million Dollar Chicken Casserole
This phenomenal Million Dollar Chicken Casserole is your guaranteed ticket to dinner time success, boasting an incredibly rich and creamy texture that coats every bite of tender chicken. What makes it truly shine is its unbelievable affordability; transforming simple pantry staples into a gourmet-feeling meal is pure magic for your budget, making it feel like a true indulgence without the hefty price tag. The savory herb-seasoned stuffing topping adds a delightful crunch and depth of flavor, elevating it far beyond a basic chicken bake, perhaps even outshining a classic pot pie! Don’t just dream about delicious, budget-friendly meals – make this Million Dollar Chicken Casserole tonight!
When it comes to convenience and comforting flavors, this dish is a true winner. It’s a fantastic way to use up leftover cooked chicken, reducing food waste and saving you time and money. The combination of creamy soups, savory chicken, and that irresistible crunchy topping makes it a crowd-pleaser for all ages, perfect for family dinners or casual get-togethers. You’ll find yourself reaching for this recipe again and again.
Storing and Reheating Tips
Storing Leftovers:
- Allow the Million Dollar Chicken Casserole to cool completely before storing.
- Transfer any leftover portions to an airtight container.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Reheating:
- Oven Method (Recommended): Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the desired portion of casserole in an oven-safe dish. Cover loosely with aluminum foil to prevent the topping from burning. Heat for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. Remove the foil for the last 5 minutes if you want to re-crisp the topping.
- Microwave Method: For a quicker reheat, place a serving in a microwave-safe dish. Cover with a paper towel and microwave on medium power for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through. Note that the topping may not be as crispy with this method.
Freezing for Future Meals:
- Assemble the casserole but do not bake it.
- Cover the unbaked casserole tightly with plastic wrap, then with aluminum foil.
- Freeze for up to 2-3 months.
- When ready to cook, thaw the casserole overnight in the refrigerator. Then, bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time as needed. Alternatively, you can bake directly from frozen by covering with foil and baking at 350°F (175°C) for about 50-60 minutes, then uncovering and baking for an additional 10-15 minutes until golden and bubbly.
Final Thoughts
This Million Dollar Chicken Casserole is proof that incredible flavor doesn’t have to come with a high price tag. Gather your ingredients, get cooking, and savor every comforting bite of this budget-friendly delight!
try also :
- Lentil and Sweet Potato Salad
- Cranberry Brie Bites
- Crispy Sweet Potato Bites
- Matcha Cake Recipe
- find more in Pinterest
Million Dollar Chicken Casserole
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray or a little butter.
- If you aren’t using pre-cooked chicken, now is the time to cook it. You can boil, bake, or pan-fry chicken breasts until they are cooked through. Once cooled slightly, shred or dice the chicken into bite-sized pieces. About 2 cups of cooked chicken is ideal for this recipe.2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the two cans of condensed soups (cream of mushroom and cream of chicken). Add the sour cream and milk, stirring until everything is smooth and well incorporated.1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup, 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup, 1/2 cup sour cream, 1/4 cup milk
- To the soup mixture, stir in the garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Mix gently until the seasonings are evenly distributed. Then, add 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese to the bowl and fold it into the creamy mixture. Reserve any extra cheese for the topping.1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Add the shredded or diced cooked chicken to the bowl with the creamy soup mixture. Fold everything together gently until the chicken is thoroughly coated.2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- Pour the chicken and soup mixture evenly into your prepared baking dish. Spread it out gently with a spoon or spatula to create a uniform layer.
- In a separate small bowl, combine the herb seasoned stuffing mix with the melted butter. Stir until the stuffing mix is evenly moistened by the butter.1 cup Pepperidge Farm® herb seasoned stuffing mix, 1/4 cup melted butter
- Sprinkle the buttered stuffing mixture evenly over the chicken mixture in the baking dish. If desired, you can sprinkle a little extra shredded cheddar cheese over the stuffing before baking.1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Place the baking dish in the preheated oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the casserole is heated through, the sauce is bubbly around the edges, and the stuffing topping is golden brown and delightfully crispy.
- Once baked to perfection, carefully remove the casserole from the oven. Let it rest for about 5-10 minutes before serving.