Dolly Parton’s 5-Ingredient Casserole

I promise you will love Dolly Parton’s 5-ingredient casserole. It is the perfect comfort food for busy weeknights when you want a filling, family friendly dinner. The creamy chicken filling and crispy cracker topping are so good! When I want a quick meal that everyone will devour, this is my favorite shortcut recipe. 

Rotisserie chicken makes this recipe so easy to prepare. It is such a warm, comforting meal. This recipe is a true Southern classic and requires no special ingredients. Just combine the creamy mixture and cheese and top with crushed crackers. It is so easy to put together and the oven will do the rest.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

• Requires only 5 simple ingredients from the grocery store.
• Prep time is less than 10 minutes.
• Rotisserie chicken makes this recipe super easy.
• Cracker topping is buttery, crispy and golden brown.
• Budget friendly dinner that feeds a crowd.

Ingredients You Need

This recipe calls for only 5 ingredients to make a creamy, comforting casserole. Once you have the chicken shredded, it comes together so quickly.

• Cooked chicken: Shredded rotisserie chicken or cooked, leftover chicken makes this recipe very filling and protein-packed.
• Cream of chicken soup: This canned soup adds a savory flavor and is the base of the filling.
• Sour cream: The tangy sour cream balances out the cream of chicken soup.
• Cheddar cheese: Freshly shredded cheddar cheese melts into the filling and adds a cheesy layer.
• Buttery crackers: Crushed buttery crackers, like Ritz crackers, create a golden brown crust on top.

How to Make It

Here’s how to make this Southern dinner.

Prepare the Dish

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×9 inch baking dish with nonstick spray or coat it with butter.

Mix the Base

In a large bowl, mix the shredded chicken, cream of chicken soup and sour cream until well combined.

Layer the Casserole

Spread half of the chicken mixture into the bottom of the baking dish. Add half of the shredded cheese.

Add the Rest

Gently spread the remaining chicken mixture over the first layer of cheese. Spread the remaining shredded cheddar cheese over the casserole.

Top and Bake

Crush the buttery crackers into coarse crumbs and sprinkle over the casserole. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until the edges are hot and bubbling and the topping is golden brown.

Tips for Success

• Shred the rotisserie chicken while it’s still warm.
• Grate the cheddar cheese from a block for best melting results.
• Do not crush the crackers too finely. You want some larger pieces for more texture.
• If the cracker topping is browning too fast, loosely cover the casserole with foil.
• Allow the casserole to sit for 10 minutes before serving.

Storage Instructions

• Store: Cover and refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days.
• Freeze: Assemble the casserole without the cracker topping and freeze for up to 2 months. Add the cracker topping just before baking.
• Reheat: Heat leftovers in a 350°F oven until hot and bubbling. You can also reheat individual servings in the microwave until hot.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve with a simple green salad with a light vinaigrette.
• Serve with steamed green beans or roasted broccoli.
• Serve with warm dinner rolls to sop up the excess sauce.
• Take it to your next potluck! It travels well and will be a crowd pleaser.

Dolly Parton’s 5-Ingredient Casserole

Jennifer

You will love Dolly Parton’s 5-ingredient casserole. This easy, comforting chicken dinner features a creamy filling and a buttery, crispy cracker topping.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Course Main

Servings 6

Equipment

• 9×9 inch baking dish
• large mixing bowl

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 3 cups cooked chicken shredded (rotisserie chicken works best)
• 1 can cream of chicken soup 10.5 ounce can
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1.5 cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded and divided
• 1 sleeve buttery crackers like Ritz, crushed

Instructions

 

• Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×9 inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, cream of chicken soup and sour cream. Mix until the chicken is coated.
• Spread half of the chicken mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle half of the shredded cheddar cheese.
• Spread the remaining chicken mixture over the cheese. Top with the remaining shredded cheddar cheese.
• Crush the buttery crackers into coarse crumbs and sprinkle over the top.
• Bake uncovered for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the edges are hot and bubbling and the topping is deeply golden brown. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.

*Nutritional information is a calculated guesstimate. Please note that this can change with different brands and modifications you may make to the recipe. For the most accurate information, use a nutritional calculator with the exact brands and measurements you’re using with each recipe.

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