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Dolly Parton’s Iconic Southern Chicken Casserole

A comforting casserole featuring tender chicken, creamy sauce, and a golden topping of buttery crackers, perfect for gathering loved ones.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Southern
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 3 cups shredded cooked chicken
  • 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese (divided) Reserve half for topping
  • 1 sleeve buttery round crackers, crushed
  • 1 cup cream of chicken soup
  • 0.5 cups milk
Optional Ingredients
  • 2-3 tablespoons melted butter For enhancing cracker topping
  • 0.25 cups diced pimentos Optional, can substitute with sautéed onions

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
  2. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
  3. In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, cream of chicken soup, and milk until well mixed.
  4. Fold in 3/4 cup of cheddar cheese into the chicken mixture.
Assembly
  1. Transfer the chicken mixture to the baking dish, smoothing it into an even layer.
  2. Sprinkle the crushed crackers over the top.
  3. Add the remaining 3/4 cup of cheddar cheese on top of the crackers.
Baking
  1. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until the edges bubble and the top is golden brown.
  2. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

For extra flavor, toss the crushed crackers with melted butter before topping. Use store-bought rotisserie chicken for convenience. The cracker layer should gently cover the chicken without pushing down too hard.