Million Dollar Chicken Casserole with Bacon and Jalapeños

Prep: 20 min8 servingsmedium
Million Dollar Chicken Casserole with Bacon and Jalapeños

This rich and creamy chicken casserole combines tender shredded chicken with crispy bacon, cream cheese, and spicy jalapeños for an indulgent comfort food dish. The mixture gets topped with buttery cracker crumbs that bake to golden perfection, creating a satisfying contrast of textures. Perfect for family dinners or potluck gatherings, this hearty casserole delivers bold flavors that explain its luxurious name. The combination of multiple cheeses and creamy ingredients creates an ultra-rich base that's balanced by the heat from jalapeños and freshness from green onions.

Nut-Free

Ingredients

8 servings
  • 4 cups cooked, shredded chicken
  • 1 package (1 pound) bacon, cooked and crumbled
    turkey bacon1:1note:less fat

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    Full guide →
  • 1 can (15-oz) low sodium cream of chicken soup
  • ½ cup cottage cheese
    ricotta cheese1:1note:creamier texture

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    Full guide →
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup Old El Paso Hot Jalapeño Slices, from 1 jar (12 oz)
  • 1 bunch green onions, thinly sliced
  • 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 ½ teaspoons onion powder
  • 1 sleeve (32 crackers) butter crackers, crumbled
    panko breadcrumbs1:1note:different texturedairy-freeadds gluten

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  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Instructions

  1. 1

    Heat oven to 400 degrees F

  2. 2

    Combine chicken, bacon, cream of chicken soup, cottage cheese, mayonnaise, cheddar cheese, cream cheese, jalapeños, half the green onions, garlic powder, and onion powder in a large bowl and mix well

  3. 3

    Transfer mixture to a 13x9-inch baking dish sprayed with cooking spray

  4. 4

    Mix crumbled crackers and melted butter in a small bowl

  5. 5

    Spread cracker mixture evenly over casserole

  6. 6

    Bake until top is golden brown and casserole is warmed through

  7. 7

    Garnish with remaining green onions and serve

Tips

Tip 1

Use rotisserie chicken for convenience, or cook chicken breasts in advance and shred when cool.

Tip 2

Cook bacon until extra crispy since it will soften slightly during baking.

Tip 3

Let cream cheese come to room temperature for easier mixing and smoother texture.

Good to Know

Storage

Refrigerate leftovers up to 3 days in covered container. Reheat in 350°F oven until warmed through.

Make Ahead

Assemble casserole without topping up to 1 day ahead. Add cracker topping just before baking.

Serve With

Serve hot directly from baking dish. Let cool 5 minutes before serving for easier portioning.

See pairing guide →

Common Mistakes

Watch

Don't skip softening cream cheese to avoid lumpy texture.

Watch

Don't overbake or cracker topping will burn before casserole heats through.

Substitutions

Dairy-Free Swaps

butter crackers→
panko breadcrumbs1:1note:different texturedairy-freeadds gluten

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Full guide →

General Alternatives

bacon→
turkey bacon1:1note:less fat

conf:4

Full guide →
cottage cheese→
ricotta cheese1:1note:creamier texture

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Full guide →
jalapeños→
mild green chiles1:1note:less heat

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Find more substitutions →

FAQ

Can I use leftover chicken instead of cooking fresh?

Yes, leftover roasted or grilled chicken works perfectly. Just shred it into bite-sized pieces before mixing.

Can I make this ahead and freeze it?

Assemble without topping and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight, add topping, and bake as directed.

What if I don't have butter crackers?

Ritz crackers, saltines, or panko breadcrumbs all work well as substitutes for the crunchy topping.