Description
This hearty Million Dollar Chicken Rice-a-Roni Casserole combines flavorful chicken-flavored Rice-A-Roni with a creamy blend of cheeses, tender cooked chicken, and a crispy topping of French fried onions. It’s a comforting, easy-to-make casserole perfect for weeknight dinners or potlucks.
Ingredients
Scale
Rice and Main Ingredients
- 1 box chicken flavor Rice-A-Roni
- 4 cups cooked chopped chicken
- 1 (10.5-oz) can unsalted cream of chicken soup
Dairy Ingredients
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 4 oz cream cheese, room temperature
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
Seasonings and Toppings
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- 1 (3-oz) can French fried onions
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350º F and spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Rice-A-Roni: Cook the chicken flavor Rice-A-Roni according to the package instructions to ensure perfect texture and flavor.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the cooked Rice-A-Roni, unsalted cream of chicken soup, sour cream, cottage cheese, cream cheese, onion powder, garlic powder, and chopped cooked chicken. Stir thoroughly until the mixture is well blended and creamy.
- Assemble Casserole: Spread the rice and chicken mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle grated parmesan cheese over the top, followed by a layer of French fried onions for added crunch.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 30 minutes, until the top is golden and bubbly and the casserole is heated through.
Notes
- Make sure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature for easy mixing.
- You can substitute cooked rotisserie chicken for convenience.
- The French fried onions add a delicious crunch, but you can omit them for a lower fat version.
- This casserole can be prepared ahead and refrigerated before baking; just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking cold.
- Leftovers reheat well in the microwave or oven.
