Million Dollar Chicken Bake 💵🧄🧀🍗 — Creamy, Cheesy & Crispy Casserole Recipe
This Million Dollar Chicken Bake is made with a rich and bold flavor combo that can’t be beaten! Tender chicken breast is layered with a velvety mixture of two kinds of cheese, bacon, and green onions and baked to tender, juicy perfection!
This Million Dollar Chicken Bake is rescuing chicken breast destined for boring, chewy baking everywhere! If you have ever had Million Dollar dip, you know what I am talking about. If not, you are in for a treat.
It is packed with flavor, baked right in a rich and creamy sauce. The best part is that not only is it delicious, but it can go from the fridge to the oven in as little as 10 minutes!
This dish is packed with flavor and pretty rich in its own right, so I like to pair it with side dishes that are lighter generally. Of course, it goes well with all of the classics, but it also pairs well with healthy favorites.
It's VLOGTOBER Day 22 | Let's Make Million Dollar Chicken
Million Dollar Chicken Bake 💵🧄🧀🍗
Juicy baked chicken breasts smothered in a rich “million dollar” topping—cream cheese, sour cream, mayo, bacon, cheddar, and green onion—finished bubbly and golden with an optional buttery cracker crunch. Weeknight-easy, company-delicious.
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 30–35 mins
Total: ~50 mins
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 2.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts (4–6 pieces, even thickness)
- 1 tsp kosher salt + 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder • 1/2 tsp onion powder • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar (or cheddar–jack), divided
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella (melt stretch), optional
- 6 slices bacon, cooked & crumbled (about 1/2 cup)
- 1/2 cup sliced green onions (plus extra for garnish)
- Optional crunchy topping: 1 cup crushed buttery crackers (Ritz), mixed with 2 tbsp melted butter
- Nonstick spray or a little oil for the dish
Instructions
- Prep: Heat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Season chicken: Pat chicken dry. Sprinkle all over with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Arrange in the dish in a single layer.
- Make “million dollar” topping: In a bowl, mix cream cheese, sour cream, mayo, 1 cup cheddar, mozzarella (if using), half the bacon, and most of the green onions.
- Assemble: Spread the mixture evenly over the chicken. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup of cheddar and the rest of the bacon. If using the cracker topping, mix crumbs with melted butter and scatter over the cheese.
- Bake: Bake 30–35 minutes (thinner breasts may take 25–28) until chicken is 165°F/74°C in the thickest part and the top is bubbling. For extra color, broil 1–2 minutes.
- Finish: Rest 5 minutes. Garnish with the remaining green onions. Serve with a green salad, steamed veg, or rice.
Tips
- Even cooking: Pound thick ends to an even 3/4–1" thickness.
- Juiciness: Don’t overbake—pull right at 165°F.
- Lighter swap: Use Neufchâtel (1/3 less fat) and Greek yogurt for part of the sour cream/mayo.
- Thigh option: Boneless thighs bake ~5 minutes longer; still pull at 175°F for best texture.
Nutrition (est., per serving, 1/6)
~520 kcal • Protein 39g • Fat 36g • Carbs 8g (w/ cracker topping: ~12g).
Million Dollar Chicken Bake FAQ
Can I make this ahead?
Yes—assemble up to 24 hours ahead, cover, and refrigerate. Add 5–10 minutes to bake time if going in cold.
Can I use rotisserie or leftover chicken?
Yes. Shred 5–6 cups cooked chicken, mix with half the topping, spread in dish, add remaining topping/cheese/bacon, and bake 20–25 minutes until hot and bubbly.
How do I keep it from getting watery?
Pat chicken very dry, don’t overcrowd the dish, and bake uncovered so steam can escape. Pound to even thickness for consistent doneness.
Gluten-free option?
Skip the cracker topping or use a GF cracker/pork rind crumb. All other ingredients are typically GF—verify labels.
Freezer-friendly?
Yes. Assemble without cracker topping, wrap well, and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight, add topping, and bake as directed.