Description
Million Dollar Chicken Rice-A-Roni Casserole is a creamy, cheesy baked dish that combines tender chicken, flavorful Rice-A-Roni, and a rich blend of cheeses topped with a buttery Ritz cracker crust. Perfect for a comforting family meal, this casserole is easy to prepare and offers a delicious balance of textures and flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 (7.2-oz) box chicken Rice-A-Roni
- 1 (10.5-oz) can cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1 (8-oz) package cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups cooked, chopped chicken
- 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
Topping
- 1 sleeve Ritz crackers, crushed
- ¼ cup melted butter
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Cook the Rice-A-Roni: Prepare the chicken Rice-A-Roni according to package directions, which typically involves boiling the rice mixture until tender.
- Mix Cheeses and Soup: In a large bowl, combine the cream of chicken soup, sour cream, cottage cheese, and softened cream cheese. Mix thoroughly until the blend is smooth and creamy.
- Add Chicken and Rice: Stir in the chopped cooked chicken and the prepared Rice-A-Roni mixture into the cheese and soup blend until evenly distributed.
- Spread in Baking Dish: Evenly spread this mixture into your prepared baking dish, creating a uniform layer.
- Prepare Topping: In a small bowl, mix crushed Ritz crackers, melted butter, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to form a flavorful topping mixture.
- Apply Topping and Cheese: Sprinkle the cracker topping evenly over the casserole, then top with shredded cheddar cheese for a melty, golden finish.
- Bake the Casserole: Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese on top is melted and golden brown.
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken to save time on cooking and chopping the chicken.
- For a lower fat version, use reduced-fat cream cheese and sour cream.
- Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes after baking to set before serving.
- If you prefer a crispier topping, broil for 1-2 minutes at the end, watching closely to avoid burning.
- This casserole can be prepared a day ahead and refrigerated; just add a few extra minutes to baking time if baking cold.
