Creating Million Dollar Chicken Casserole is a straightforward process. Follow these steps to make your delicious meal:

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Prepare the Baking Dish: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
3. Mix the Sauce: In a large bowl, combine the cream of chicken soup, sour cream, mayonnaise, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth.
4. Add Chicken: Fold in the shredded chicken and any optional mixed vegetables until well coated with the sauce.
5. Add Cheese: Stir in 1 1/2 cups of the shredded cheddar cheese until evenly distributed.
6. Transfer to Baking Dish: Pour the chicken mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
7. Prepare the Topping: In a separate bowl, mix the crushed Ritz crackers with melted butter. Stir until the crackers are evenly coated.
8. Top the Casserole: Sprinkle the buttery cracker mixture evenly over the chicken mixture in the baking dish.
9. Add Remaining Cheese: Top with the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese for extra cheesiness.
10. Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until bubbly and golden brown on top.
11. Cool and Serve: Once baked, remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.

This step-by-step guide ensures that you can create this incredible casserole with ease. Each step builds on the last, resulting in a dish that’s both satisfying and delicious.