When you’re craving something creamy, comforting, and just downright delicious, look no further than Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole. It’s the ultimate comfort food, combining tender chicken, a creamy sauce, and a crispy, buttery Ritz cracker topping that adds the perfect crunch. This casserole is an easy, one-pan wonder that’s perfect for busy weeknights, potlucks, or a cozy family dinner. Trust me, once you take a bite of this warm, cheesy casserole, you won’t want to stop!
Why You’ll Love Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole
Versatile You can swap out the chicken for turkey or even add in some veggies like broccoli for a bit of color and extra nutrients.
Budget-Friendly Simple ingredients that won’t break the bank, but still deliver big flavor.
Quick and Easy You’ll have this casserole in the oven in no time, making it perfect for busy nights.
Customizable Want extra cheese? Go for it! Want to add a little more crunch? Double up on the crackers. This recipe allows you to get creative.
Crowd-Pleasing This dish is a guaranteed hit with kids and adults alike, making it ideal for family dinners or gatherings with friends. It’s the kind of dish everyone will want to go back for seconds.
Ingredients
Ingredients in Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole
Here’s what you’ll need for this crowd-pleasing casserole:
Chicken Breasts Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are perfect for this dish. They cook up tender and juicy, soaking in all the creamy goodness.
Cream of Chicken Soup The base of your creamy sauce. It adds a rich, savory flavor that binds everything together.
Sour Cream For that extra creamy texture and a little tang that balances the richness.
Cheddar Cheese Shredded cheddar cheese is essential for that ooey-gooey melted topping.
Ritz Crackers The star of the show! Crushed Ritz crackers provide a crispy, buttery topping that adds the perfect crunch to every bite.
Butter Melted butter makes the cracker topping golden and delicious, adding richness and flavor.
Milk To thin out the cream of chicken soup and make the sauce smooth and creamy.
Garlic Powder & Onion Powder A little sprinkle of each brings extra flavor to the casserole.
Instructions
Let’s Make Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole!
Preheat Your Oven Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that your casserole cooks evenly and gets that golden, bubbly top.
Prepare the Chicken In a large pot, cook your chicken breasts until they’re fully cooked through. You can either bake, boil, or sauté them—whatever works best for you. Once the chicken is cooked, shred it into bite-sized pieces.
Make the Creamy Sauce In a large mixing bowl, combine the cream of chicken soup, sour cream, milk, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir it all together until it’s smooth and well-combined.
Combine the Chicken & Sauce Add the shredded chicken to the creamy mixture and stir to coat.
Assemble the Casserole Transfer the chicken mixture into a greased 9×13 baking dish, spreading it evenly.
Top with Crushed Ritz Crackers Crush the Ritz crackers and sprinkle them evenly over the top of the casserole. Drizzle the melted butter over the crackers to give them that golden, crispy finish.
Bake to Perfection Place the casserole in the oven and bake for about 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and crispy.
Serve & Enjoy Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving. It’s perfect on its own or paired with a side salad or some roasted veggies.
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Calories per serving: Approximately 450-500 kcal
Preparation Time
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
How to Serve Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole
This casserole is great on its own, but here are a few ideas to complete your meal:
- With a Side Salad A fresh side salad with a light vinaigrette complements the richness of the casserole.
- With Roasted Vegetables Roasted carrots, broccoli, or green beans add a healthy and flavorful side.
- With Garlic Bread For extra comfort, serve with some warm, buttery garlic bread.
Additional Tips
- Shred the Chicken For best results, use cooked chicken breast that’s been shredded. It will mix well with the creamy sauce.
- Double the Recipe If you’re feeding a crowd, it’s easy to double the recipe and make a larger casserole.
- Add Veggies For an extra veggie boost, throw in some frozen peas or steamed broccoli to the chicken mixture before baking.
- Make Ahead This casserole can be assembled the night before and baked the next day, making it a great time-saver.
FAQ’s
1. Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Yes, chicken thighs will work perfectly. They’re a little juicier and might add a richer flavor.
2. Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can assemble the casserole, cover it, and refrigerate it overnight. Just bake it the next day!
3. Can I substitute sour cream with something else?
You can use Greek yogurt as a substitute for sour cream if you prefer.
4. Can I freeze this casserole?
Yes, you can freeze the casserole before baking. Just wrap it tightly and store it in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. When ready to bake, let it thaw in the fridge overnight and then bake as usual.
5. Can I add more cheese?
Of course! If you love cheesy casseroles, feel free to add more cheddar cheese on top for an extra cheesy layer.
6. How do I prevent the crackers from getting soggy?
Make sure to add the melted butter on top of the crackers right before baking to ensure they stay crisp and golden.
7. Can I use a different type of cracker?
While Ritz crackers are the best for that buttery crunch, you can try using other types of crackers if you prefer. Just make sure they’re buttery and crispy.
8. Can I use rotisserie chicken?
Rotisserie chicken is a great shortcut! Just shred it and mix it into the casserole for a quicker option.
9. Is this recipe gluten-free?
No, but you can use gluten-free crackers as a substitute to make it gluten-free.
10. How long should I bake this casserole?
Bake it for about 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and crispy. Keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn’t burn.
Conclusion
Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole is the ultimate comfort food, with its creamy filling, tender chicken, and crispy topping that everyone loves. It’s easy to make, budget-friendly, and perfect for feeding a crowd. Whether you’re cooking for family, hosting a gathering, or just treating yourself to a comforting meal, this casserole is guaranteed to hit the spot. Enjoy every bite!
Print
Ritz Cracker Chicken casserole
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: 40 minutes
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole is a comforting, creamy dish featuring tender chicken, a crunchy Ritz cracker topping, and a deliciously savory sauce. It’s an easy, family-friendly dinner that’s perfect for weeknights or gatherings.
Ingredients
– 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
– 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
– 1 cup sour cream
– 1 tsp garlic powder
– 1 tsp onion powder
– 1/2 tsp salt
– 1/2 tsp black pepper
– 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
– 1 1/2 cups Ritz crackers, crushed
– 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cream of chicken soup, sour cream, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir in the shredded chicken and ½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese.
3. Pour the chicken mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly.
4. In a separate bowl, mix the crushed Ritz crackers with the melted butter. Sprinkle the cracker mixture evenly over the chicken casserole.
5. Top with the remaining ½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese.
6. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the top is golden brown.
7. Let it cool for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
– For added flavor, you can mix in some chopped onions or bell peppers with the chicken mixture.
– You can substitute the chicken with turkey or use cooked rotisserie chicken for a faster prep time.
– If you prefer a healthier option, you can use a low-fat cream of chicken soup and sour cream.
– Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 370 kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 830mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 19g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 75mg