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Million Dollar Chicken Casserole

A slice of million dollar chicken on a blue plate

5 from 12 reviews

This Million Dollar Chicken Casserole recipe is an easy dinner idea you can prep in advance. Tender shredded chicken is turned in a creamy casserole that’s topped with crushed Ritz crackers.

Ingredients

For the Instant Pot shredded chicken*

  • 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 1 small yellow onion, roughly chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup chicken stock

For the chicken casserole

  • 3 ounces whipped cream cheese
  • 2/3 cup sour cream
  • 3/4 cup cottage cheese
  • 1 can (10.5 oz.) condensed cream of chicken soup
  • 3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 3 cups crushed ritz crackers
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • Scallions, optional garnish

Instructions

Make the shredded chicken

  1. Add the chicken thighs, sea salt, ground black pepper, and olive oil to the bowl of an Instant Pot.
  2. Stir to coat the chicken in the olive oil and seasoning.
  3. Add the onion, garlic, and chicken stock and stir to mix.
  4. Seal the Instant Pot and set it to cook on high pressure for 10 minutes.
  5. When the cook time is up, allow the pressure to naturally release.
  6. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the chicken from the pressure cooker to a cutting board.
  7. Shred the chicken with two forks and set it aside. Discard everything else.

To assemble and bake

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the whipped cream cheese, sour cream, and cottage cheese until well incorporated.
  3. Add the condensed cream of chicken soup and mix to combine.
  4. Add the shredded cheddar cheese, the Instant Pot shredded chicken, sea salt, ground black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and dried oregano to the mix. Stir to combine.
  5. Transfer the cheesy chicken mixture to a 9×9-inch baking pan.
  6. Combine the crushed Ritz crackers and the unsalted butter in a separate bowl and mix to combine.
  7. Evenly distribute the Ritz cracker mixture over the contents of the baking pan.
  8. Bake for 45 minutes.
  9. If you like, you can finely chop scallion greens and sprinkle them over the top of your casserole for a pop of color.

Notes

*If you don’t have an Instant Pot, you can roast the chicken in the oven. Check out my white chicken lasagna recipe for instructions. Once the chicken is cooked, shred it and proceed with this recipe.

Keywords: million dollar chicken casserole, million dollar chicken bake, chicken casserole with ritz crackers