This healthy million dollar chicken bake is one of those easy recipes that’ll instantly earn a spot in your regular rotation. Made with a mix of low-fat cottage cheese, cheddar cheese, and extra crispy turkey bacon, this dish has all the cozy, creamy texture of your favorite million dollar chicken casserole—but lightened up with better-for-you ingredients and a boost of protein.
This is my go-to for busy weeknights when I want something comforting but still nourishing. It’s made with simple ingredients, comes together in one baking dish, and pairs perfectly with a side salad or some sauteed green beans. It’s the perfect dinner when you want big flavor without a ton of effort.
This recipe also makes excellent use of leftover chicken or shredded rotisserie chicken, but if you’re starting from scratch, you’ll love how the tender chicken breasts soak up all that flavor from the cheesy, savory topping. Oh—and that golden brown, slightly crispy top layer? That’s the best part.
If you love healthy chicken recipes, be sure to check out my healthy chicken alfredo casserole, one pan chicken feta orzo, and one pan chicken lemon orzo.
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Ingredients
- Chicken Breasts – Use boneless, skinless for best results. If using shredded rotisserie chicken, reduce baking time slightly.
- Low-Fat Cottage Cheese – Adds a creamy, protein-packed base to the topping.
- Low-Fat Cream Cheese – Let it come to room temperature for easier mixing.
- Low-Fat Shredded Cheddar Cheese – Divided; some gets mixed in, and the rest is sprinkled on top for that melty cheese finish.
- Cooked Turkey Bacon, chopped – Cook until crispy for best texture. You can also try crispy bacon or a plant-based alternative.
- Green Onions, sliced – Adds a fresh bite and pop of color.
- Avocado Oil or Olive Oil – Helps coat the chicken and lock in moisture.
- Dan-O’s Red Pepper Cheesoning
- Dan-O’s Original Seasoning
- See full recipe card below for measurements and details.
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 9x13 ceramic baking dish
Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the low-fat cottage cheese, cream cheese, 1 cup shredded cheddar, ¾ of the green onions, and ¾ of the crispy turkey bacon. Stir until you get a smooth cream cheese mixture
Step 3: Place chicken breasts into your casserole dish. Drizzle with olive oil and season on both sides with the Dan-O’s seasonings. Use clean hands to evenly distribute
Step 4: Spread the cheese and bacon chicken mixture over the chicken in an even layer.
Step 5: Sprinkle with the remaining ⅓ cup of cheddar cheese.
Step 6: Bake in a preheated oven for 20–23 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (use a meat thermometer to check).
Step 7: Broil on high for 1–2 minutes until the top is bubbly and golden.
Step 8: Top with more green onions and crispy bacon, and serve with your favorite side dishes like roasted potatoes or a simple salad.
Substitutions
- Cream Cheese – Swap for ricotta cheese or even sour cream if that’s what you have on hand.
- Cheddar Cheese – Mix in pepper jack cheese, mozzarella cheese, or a colby jack blend for different cheeses and flavor profiles.
- Turkey Bacon – Use regular crispy bacon if needed.
- Dan-O's Seasoning- If you don't have Dan-O's Red Pepper Cheesoning or Original seaosning, use salt, to taste, ½ teaspoon pepper, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes, 1 tablespoon grated parmesan and 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning instead.
This recipe is gluten-free as is.
Variations
Serve it with a side of corn salsa, or try stuffing leftovers into a wrap with lettuce and tomato for lunch the next time.
Add in the Veggies- Stir in sautéed bell pepper or green vegetables like spinach for a veggie boost.
Make it spicy- add a dash of cayenne or additional red pepper flakes.
Equipment
All you need to make this healthy million dollar chicken bake is:
- 9x13 Baking Dish or Casserole Dish
- Large Bowl for mixing
- Meat Thermometer
- Optional: Air Fryer for reheating leftovers
Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I make a small commission if you choose to purchase through qualifying links.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
To reheat, pop into the air fryer or oven until warmed through—this helps keep the top layer crispy! You can also cover with plastic wrap and microwave, but you may lose a little of the crunch.
Top Tip
Let your cream cheese come to room temperature before mixing—this helps create a smooth, lump-free creamy sauce without overmixing.
Dietitian Tip
This low carb chicken dinner is a great option for balancing blood sugar thanks to the high protein content and healthy fats. Add a simple salad or roasted veggies to round out the meal and boost your fiber! If you don't have blood sugar issues, add some roasted potatoes for a complex carbohydrate source and to help with satiety!
FAQ
Absolutely! Just shred and skip the oil + seasoning step. Reduce the cooking time to about 15 minutes since the chicken is already cooked.
You can assemble the million-dollar chicken bake ahead of time, wrap it in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, and freeze before baking. Let thaw in the fridge overnight before placing in a preheated oven.
Use the air fryer for 5–6 minutes to get that crispy top again. You can also use the oven or microwave for a quick heat-up.
Dinner
Looking for other easy dinner recipes like this? Try these:
Jump to: Recipe
Healthy Million Dollar Chicken Bake
Equipment
- 9x13 Baking Dish or Casserole Dish
- Large Bowl for mixing
- Meat Thermometer
- Optional: Air Fryer for reheating leftovers
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs chicken breasts about 4 filets
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil or olive oil
- 2 tablespoon Dan-O’s Red Pepper Cheesoning
- 1 tablespoon Dan-O’s Original Seasoning
- 1 cup low-fat cottage cheese
- 4 oz low-fat cream cheese softened (½ block)
- 1 cup low-fat shredded cheddar cheese plus ⅓ cup for topping
- 6 slices turkey bacon cooked extra crispy and chopped (reserve some for garnish)
- 1 bunch green onions sliced (reserve some for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 9x13 baking dish or line with aluminum foil.
- In a large bowl, mix together the cottage cheese, cream cheese, 1 cup shredded cheddar, half of the turkey bacon, and green onions until well combined.
- Place chicken breasts into the baking dish. Drizzle with oil and season both sides with the Dan-O’s seasoning blend. Use your hands or paper towels to evenly coat.
- Spread the cheese mixture over the chicken in an even layer.
- Top with the remaining ⅓ cup shredded cheddar cheese.
- Bake for 20–23 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F. Use a meat thermometer for accuracy.
- Broil for 1–2 minutes until the top is golden brown and bubbly.
- Garnish with extra turkey bacon and sliced green onions. Serve with a side salad or roasted potatoes!
Notes
Nutrition
Food Safety
- Cook chicken to a minimum temperature of 165 F
- Don’t leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
Abby says
I’m usually not a huge fan of cottage cheese but you couldn’t even taste it in this dish! It was so good!!! Thank you so much for this recipe!