Description
This Million-Dollar Chicken Casserole is a creamy, cheesy baked dish featuring shredded rotisserie chicken, peas, and green onions in a luscious sauce made from cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, and Parmesan. Topped with a buttery Ritz cracker crust, it's a comforting and flavorful meal perfect for family dinners or potlucks.
Ingredients
Casserole Filling
- 1 rotisserie chicken, shredded (about 5 cups)
- 2 cups frozen peas
- 5 green onions, thinly sliced
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Creamy Sauce
- 1½ cups cottage cheese
- ¾ cup plain Greek yogurt
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Topping
- 30 Ritz crackers (one sleeve), coarsely crushed
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish to prevent the casserole from sticking during baking.
- Make the creamy sauce: Add the cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, chicken broth, cornstarch, onion powder, garlic powder, dried thyme, dried parsley, black pepper, salt, Dijon mustard, and lemon juice to a blender. Blend on high for about 1 minute until the mixture is completely smooth and silky, ensuring a creamy texture for the casserole.
- Combine cheeses into sauce: Transfer the blended sauce into a large mixing bowl. Whisk in the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan until the cheeses are fully incorporated and the mixture is smooth.
- Add chicken and vegetables: Fold the shredded rotisserie chicken, frozen peas, and sliced green onions into the cheesy sauce. Mix gently until all ingredients are evenly coated with the creamy mixture.
- Assemble casserole: Spread the combined mixture evenly in the prepared 9x13-inch baking dish, smoothing the top to ensure uniform baking.
- Prepare topping: In a small bowl, combine the coarsely crushed Ritz crackers, melted butter, grated Parmesan cheese, and chopped parsley. Mix until the crumbs are well coated with butter and the mixture is evenly combined. Sprinkle this topping evenly over the casserole to form a flavorful, crispy crust.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. Bake until the filling bubbles around the edges and the topping turns deeply golden and crisp, indicating the casserole is thoroughly cooked.
- Rest and serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes to allow the filling to set slightly before serving. This helps with portioning and enhances the flavors.
Notes
- Using a store-bought rotisserie chicken helps save time and adds flavorful shredded chicken to the dish.
- You can substitute frozen peas with fresh peas if preferred; just adjust cooking times slightly if using fresh.
- For a richer flavor, use full-fat cottage cheese and Greek yogurt.
- Ritz crackers create a buttery, crunchy topping, but you can substitute with panko breadcrumbs if needed.
- Make sure to let the casserole rest before serving to improve texture and flavor melding.
- This casserole can be reheated in the oven or microwave, but the topping will be crispiest when freshly baked.