Creating your Million Dollar Chicken Casserole can be easy if you follow these steps:

1. Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to warm up while you prepare the casserole.
2. Mix Casserole Filling: In a large bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, and cream of chicken soup. Mix until smooth.
3. Add Seasoning: Stir in the garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper until well incorporated.
4. Incorporate Chicken: Add the cooked shredded chicken to the mixture, folding gently to combine.
5. Cheese: Stir in 1 ½ cups of the shredded cheddar cheese until evenly distributed.
6. Prepare Baking Dish: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray or butter.
7. Transfer Mixture: Pour the chicken mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
8. Prepare the Topping: In a small bowl, combine the crushed crackers with melted butter. Mix until the crackers are well coated.
9. Top the Casserole: Sprinkle the cracker mixture evenly over the chicken casserole.
10. Final Cheese Layer: Add the remaining ½ cup of shredded cheddar on top of the cracker layer for an extra cheesy finish.
11. Bake: Place the casserole in your preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly.
12. Cooldown: Once baked, allow the casserole to cool for 5-10 minutes to set before serving.

Following these steps ensures a delightful experience, and you’ll soon realize why this dish is referred to as “Million Dollar.”