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Creamy Million Dollar Chicken Casserole Recipe with Bacon and Cheese Easy and Best

creamy million dollar chicken casserole - featured image

A creamy, cheesy chicken casserole layered with crispy bacon and sharp cheddar cheese, perfect for quick and comforting family dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced (rotisserie chicken works beautifully)
  • 6 slices bacon, cooked until crispy and crumbled
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 3 stalks green onions, thinly sliced
  • ½ cup chicken broth, preferably low sodium
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional: 1 cup crushed buttery crackers or panko breadcrumbs for topping

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease your 9×13 inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
  2. Cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy (about 6-8 minutes). Drain on paper towels, then crumble once cool. Save a bit of the bacon fat for extra flavor if desired.
  3. In a large bowl, combine softened cream cheese, sour cream, and chicken broth. Whisk until smooth and creamy. Add garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  4. Stir in shredded cooked chicken and 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Mix gently but thoroughly to coat the chicken in the creamy mixture.
  5. Pour half of the chicken mixture into the baking dish, spreading evenly. Sprinkle half of the crumbled bacon and half of the sliced green onions over this layer. Repeat with remaining chicken mixture, bacon, and green onions.
  6. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheddar cheese evenly on top. If desired, add crushed crackers or panko breadcrumbs for a crispy finish.
  7. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes or until bubbly and golden on top. The edges should be slightly browned.
  8. Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes after removing from oven before serving.

Notes

Make sure cream cheese is softened to avoid clumps. Use rotisserie chicken for a quick shortcut. Watch the topping during the last 5 minutes to prevent burning. For extra flavor, add smoked paprika to the creamy base. If casserole looks dry, add a splash more chicken broth before baking next time. Let casserole rest before serving for better texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken casserole, creamy chicken bake, bacon and cheese casserole, easy dinner, comfort food, baked chicken, cheesy casserole