Dolly Parton’s 5-Ingredient Casserole is a cozy, layered oven-baked dish that combines tender cooked chicken, a creamy binding soup and cheese, crunchy cracker topping, and a touch of butter for a satisfying weeknight meal.
Dolly Parton’s 5-Ingredient Casserole is beloved because it turns pantry staples into a family-friendly dinner in under an hour.
Dolly Parton’s 5-Ingredient Casserole is the kind of comfort food that freezes well and feeds a crowd without fuss. If you love simple casseroles, try pairing this with a green salad and a loaf of crusty bread – it’s a complete meal in one pan.
I sometimes think of this as a modern comfort classic – the kind of recipe that Dolly herself would happily share when company is coming. If you want similar cozy casseroles, check out this Cattle Drive Casserole or this Chicken Blue Ribbon Casserole for more inspiration.
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What Makes This Dolly Parton’s 5-Ingredient Casserole So Special
This Dolly Parton’s 5-Ingredient Casserole shines because it balances creamy, savory, and crunchy textures all in one dish. The short ingredient list keeps shopping and prep quick, while the assembly is so forgiving you can make it with leftover rotisserie chicken or pantry canned chicken. The cracker topping browns beautifully under the oven heat, giving you that contrast people love in casseroles.
Why home cooks reach for Dolly Parton’s 5-Ingredient Casserole often:
- Minimal shopping – five core ingredients
- Flexible – swap the cheese or cracker type
- Crowd-pleaser – mild flavors that appeal to kids and adults
- Make-ahead friendly – assemble and refrigerate before baking
Ingredients Needed for Dolly Parton’s 5-Ingredient Casserole
Makes 6-8 servings
- 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken (rotisserie or poached)
- 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of chicken soup
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1 sleeve Ritz crackers (about 2 cups crushed) mixed with 4 tablespoons melted butter
Note: keep the measurements above exactly as listed for predictable results – the balance of creaminess and topping depends on them.
If you enjoy casseroles like this, try another comforting recipe here.
Equipment
You’ll need:
- 9×13-inch baking dish
- Mixing bowl
- Fork or potato masher (to crush crackers if you don’t use a food processor)
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Oven set to 350°F
Prep – Quick Notes Before You Start
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease the 9×13-inch baking dish. If using whole crackers, place them in a sealed bag and crush with a rolling pin – or pulse a few times in a food processor. Soften the cream cheese at room temperature for 15-20 minutes so it blends smoothly.
(Internal link: For a richer, creamy texture inspiration, see this variation: https://janacuisine.com/chicken-blue-ribbon-casserole/.)
Step-by-Step Method
Count only the main action steps below as numbered steps. Preheat and prep above are not counted as Step 1.
Step 1 – Mix the Creamy Base
Combine the softened cream cheese and the can of cream of chicken soup in a medium bowl. Whisk until smooth and fully combined. This creates the creamy binding layer that coats the chicken.
Step 2 – Add Chicken and Cheese
Fold in 1 cup of the shredded cheddar and the 2 cups of cooked, shredded chicken. Season lightly with salt and pepper to taste. The mixture should be thick and scoopable.
Step 3 – Assemble the Casserole
Spread the chicken mixture evenly into the prepared 9×13-inch baking dish. Smooth the top with a spatula so the cracker topping sits evenly.
Step 4 – Prepare and Add the Topping
Combine crushed Ritz crackers with the 4 tablespoons melted butter until the crumbs are moistened. Sprinkle the cracker mixture evenly over the chicken base, then finish with the remaining 1/2 cup shredded cheddar scattered on top.
Step 5 – Bake Until Bubbling
Bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes, or until the casserole is hot and the top is golden brown. Check at 20 minutes – if the cracker topping is browning too quickly, tent lightly with foil for the remainder of baking.
Step 6 – Rest and Serve
Remove from the oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving – this helps the casserole set so it slices cleanly. Garnish with chopped parsley or chives if you like.
Why This Recipe Works
The cream of chicken soup adds savory moisture while the softened cream cheese gives body and silkiness – together they create a sauce that holds shredded chicken and melted cheese. The buttered cracker topping crisps in the oven, providing texture contrast and a buttery flavor that elevates every bite. The method is simple enough for newbie cooks but delivers results that look and taste like effort went into them.
Tips, Troubleshooting, and Variations
If the casserole seems too runny: let it rest longer – the cream will firm as it cools. If it’s still thin, you can stir in 1/4 cup instant mashed potato flakes into the filling before baking to thicken without changing flavor.
If topping browns too fast: tent lightly with foil after 15-20 minutes.
Make it lower fat: use reduced-fat cream cheese and reduced-fat cheddar, and swap the butter for a light olive oil spray on the cracker crumbs.
Gluten-free option: substitute gluten-free crackers for Ritz and confirm the soup is GF.
Add-ins: toss in 1/2 cup frozen peas, or 1/3 cup drained canned corn for extra color and sweetness.
Personal note – I once doubled this for a potluck and added a sliced scallion on top at the last minute; people asked for the recipe immediately. It’s that kind of crowd-pleaser.
Serving Suggestions
Serve slices warm with bright, acidic sides to balance the casserole’s richness:
- A crisp green salad with lemon vinaigrette
- Steamed green beans or roasted broccoli
- Warm dinner rolls or crusty bread
Dolly Parton’s 5-Ingredient Casserole makes enough for seconds – it’s perfect for feeding an informal group or for weekday leftovers. (Here’s that exact dish name again for quick reference: Dolly Parton’s 5-Ingredient Casserole.)
Storage and Reheating
- Refrigerate: Keep leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freeze: Portion into freezer-safe containers and freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Reheat: Warm individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or reheat a baking dish at 350°F for 15-20 minutes until hot throughout.
Nutrition Notes
Per serving (approximate):
- Calories: 420
- Protein: 26 g
- Fat: 28 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
Nutrition will vary based on exact brands and chicken used. Using light cream cheese and reduced-fat cheddar will noticeably lower calories and fat.
Safety and Food Handling
- Make sure cooked chicken reaches 165°F when freshly prepared. If using leftover chicken, ensure it was refrigerated promptly and used within 3-4 days.
- Cool leftovers to room temperature no longer than two hours before refrigerating.
- When reheating from frozen, fully thaw in the refrigerator for safe, even heating.
FAQs
Can I use canned chicken instead of cooked rotisserie chicken?
Yes – drained canned chicken works in a pinch. Two 12.5 oz cans will be roughly equivalent to the 2 cups shredded.
Can I make this dairy-free?
Substituting dairy-free cream cheese and dairy-free shredded cheese is possible, but the texture and flavor will change. The cracker topping should still work.
Is the cracker type important?
The original uses buttery crackers like Ritz for flavor and browning. You can use saltines or other sandwich crackers, but results will vary.
Can I double this recipe?
Yes – use a 9×13 as written for the base recipe; to double, use a larger pan or two pans and increase bake time slightly if stacked.
Conclusion
This comforting, simple dish is why Dolly Parton’s 5-Ingredient Casserole stands out – it’s quick to assemble, uses pantry-friendly ingredients, and delivers rich, homey flavor with minimal fuss. Two key benefits are its speed and versatility – it adapts to whatever chicken and cheese you have on hand and scales easily for gatherings.
If you tried this recipe, please leave a comment and a star rating below so others can find it – I’d love to hear what variations you made. Share this recipe on Pinterest or Facebook to help friends discover an easy dinner win – and if you want to see the original inspiration online, check out Dolly Parton’s 5-Ingredient Casserole | 12 Tomatoes.
Dolly Parton’s 5-Ingredient Casserole
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Soften cream cheese at room temperature for 15-20 minutes.
- Combine the softened cream cheese and the can of cream of chicken soup in a medium bowl. Whisk until smooth and fully combined.
- Fold in 1 cup of the shredded cheddar and the cooked, shredded chicken. Season lightly with salt and pepper to taste.
- Spread the chicken mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Smooth the top with a spatula.
- Combine crushed Ritz crackers with the melted butter until the crumbs are moistened. Sprinkle evenly over the chicken base, then finish with the remaining shredded cheddar.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until hot and golden brown. Tent with foil if browning too quickly.
- Remove from the oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
