Million Dollar Chicken Rice-A-Roni Casserole: The Ultimate Comfort Food You Need in Your Life
Creamy, cheesy Million Dollar Chicken Rice-A-Roni Casserole with a buttery Ritz cracker topping. An easy family dinner ready in under an hour.
By Dora Ortiz
This is the casserole people ask you to bring back. Buttery toasted Rice-A-Roni, tender chicken and a rich cream cheese and cheddar sauce, all hiding under a crunchy Ritz cracker crust. It tastes like a million dollars and costs a fraction of that.
Why You’ll Love It
- Pantry friendly: boxed rice, a can of soup and leftover chicken.
- Big batch: a 9x13 dish feeds eight, or gives you lunches for days.
- Kid approved: creamy, cheesy, mild and crunchy on top.
Tips for the Best Casserole
Toast the vermicelli well. That golden color is where the nutty flavor comes from. Don’t rush it.
Keep the rice a little loose. Pull it off the heat while there is still a bit of liquid in the pan. It keeps soaking up sauce in the oven, and stopping early keeps the casserole creamy instead of dry.
Soften the cream cheese. Cold cream cheese leaves lumps. Leave it out for 30 minutes or microwave it for 15 seconds.
What to Serve With It
Keep the sides simple: steamed green beans, roasted broccoli, or a crisp salad with a lemony dressing to cut through the richness.
Storing and Reheating
Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat single portions in the microwave with a splash of milk or broth, or warm the whole dish covered with foil at 325°F (165°C) for about 20 minutes.
Recipe
Million Dollar Chicken Rice-A-Roni Casserole: The Ultimate Comfort Food You Need in Your Life
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 45 min
- Total
- 1 hr
- Servings
- 8
- Calories
- 520
Ingredients
For the rice
For the casserole
For the topping
Instructions
- Heat the oven. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Cook the Rice-A-Roni. Melt 4 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the rice-vermicelli mix from both boxes and stir until the vermicelli is golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Slowly stir in the water and both seasoning packets, bring to a boil, then cover, lower the heat and simmer about 15 minutes, until most of the liquid is absorbed. It should still be a little saucy.
- Make the creamy filling. In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with the soup and sour cream until smooth. Stir in the garlic powder, onion powder, pepper and 1 cup of the cheddar.
- Combine. Fold the cooked Rice-A-Roni and the chicken into the creamy mixture until everything is coated. Spread it evenly in the baking dish and sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup cheddar on top.
- Add the cracker topping. Toss the crushed Ritz crackers with the melted butter and scatter them over the casserole.
- Bake. Bake uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes, until bubbling at the edges and golden on top. Rest 5 minutes, sprinkle with parsley and serve.
Notes
- Rice-A-Roni box sizes and water amounts change between brands and countries. Follow the liquid amount printed on your box.
- Leftover turkey works just as well as chicken.
- Make ahead: assemble without the cracker topping, cover and refrigerate up to 24 hours. Add the topping and bake 35 to 40 minutes.
Nutrition is an estimate per serving: about 520 calories.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it called Million Dollar casserole?
The name comes from how rich it tastes: cream cheese, sour cream and cheddar make a sauce that feels far more expensive than the simple pantry ingredients.
Can I freeze this casserole?
Yes. Freeze it baked or unbaked (without the cracker topping) for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, add a fresh topping and bake until hot in the center.
Can I use plain rice instead of Rice-A-Roni?
You can use 4 cups of cooked rice plus 1 teaspoon chicken bouillon and 1/2 cup broth, but the toasted vermicelli is what gives this version its classic flavor.
