Description
Comfort comes alive with million dollar chicken casserole, blending creamy textures and rich flavors from Southern kitchens. Crispy breadcrumb topping and tender chicken create a hearty meal that home cooks will savor with pure delight.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups (960 ml) shredded chicken
- 1 cup (240 ml / 4 oz) shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup (240 ml / 4 oz) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup (240 ml / 4 oz) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup (240 ml) sour cream
- 1 cup (240 ml) mayonnaise
- 10.75 oz (305 g) condensed cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup (240 ml / 4 oz) crushed buttery crackers
- ½ cup (120 ml / 4 oz) melted unsalted butter
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a baking dish to create an ideal cooking environment for the casserole.
- Chicken Base: Blend shredded chicken with sour cream, mayonnaise, and cream of chicken soup, creating a smooth, rich foundation that will serve as the heart of the dish.
- Cheese Infusion: Fold in cheddar, mozzarella, and parmesan cheeses, stirring thoroughly to distribute the dairy components evenly and ensure a luxurious, creamy texture throughout the mixture.
- Seasoning Elevation: Integrate garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and pepper to develop a complex flavor profile that will tantalize the taste buds.
- Layering Technique: Transfer the seasoned chicken mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it uniformly to guarantee consistent flavor in every bite.
- Crispy Topping Creation: Combine crushed buttery crackers with melted butter, then generously scatter the mixture across the chicken base to form a golden, crunchy crown.
- Baking Transformation: Slide the casserole into the preheated oven and bake until the edges become bubbly and the top achieves a beautiful golden-brown crust, typically taking 25-30 minutes.
- Resting and Finishing: Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest briefly, allowing flavors to meld and settle, then garnish with fresh parsley for a vibrant, aromatic final touch.
Notes
- Cracker Topping Tip: Crush crackers finely for an even, crispy layer that provides perfect textural contrast to the creamy chicken base.
- Cheese Melting Technique: Blend different cheese varieties at room temperature to ensure smooth, luxurious melting and maximum flavor integration.
- Seasoning Secret: Toast spices briefly before mixing to unlock deeper, more complex flavor profiles in the chicken mixture.
- Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the casserole up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate, allowing flavors to meld and develop an even more intense taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 505
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 1040 mg
- Fat: 37 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 112 mg