Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole
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Easy, quick, and comforting, crunchy Ritz cracker chicken casserole combines the most delicious textures and flavors that make it a family friendly meal that is incredibly irresistible.
With a prep time of just 10 minutes, this creamy chicken casserole recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners and may become your newest favorite recipe.
This recipe has some updated images from when I made it last, so there will be two separate dishes in the images – the Ritz Cracker Chicken Recipe remains the same!
Why This Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole is a Must-Try!
This casserole takes convenient weeknight dinners to the next level. Using pre-cooked or rotisserie chicken, you’re looking at just 10 minutes of prep time.
Mix the cooked chicken (chicken breasts work great) and cream of chicken sauce mixture, top with a crunchy topping, and pop it in the oven. You’ll be amazed at how quickly this family dinner comes together!
Casserole Ingredients
- Cooked, shredded chicken (rotisserie chicken works great!)
- Sour cream
- Condensed cream of chicken soup
- Unsalted butter
- Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper
- Grated Colby Jack cheese
- One sleeve of Ritz crackers, crushed
How to Prep Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts
While you can cook your chicken any way you like, using a store-bought rotisserie chicken is a fantastic time-saving option.
How to make Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole.
>>>>>>>>This recipe assumes you are using cooked, diced, or shredded chicken.
- Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Grease a 3-quart baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- Mix the Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine your shredded chicken, sour cream, cream of chicken soup, and 1/4 cup of melted butter. Add in Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to distribute the creamy sauce evenly. Stir in the grated Colby Jack cheese.
- Prepare the Casserole: Pour the mixture into the greased prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly.
- Top with Ritz Crackers: Crush your Ritz crackers and evenly sprinkle them over the top of your casserole. Drizzle the remaining 1/4 cup of melted butter on top. This helps the Ritz cracker topping turn a beautiful golden brown.
- Bake: Cook uncovered in the preheated oven for 25–30 minutes or until the center of the casserole is hot and bubbling.
Make It Your Own
While this recipe is perfect with Ritz crackers, don’t worry if you don’t have them on hand. You can easily substitute the buttery crackers with saltines, club crackers, potato chips, cereal flakes, or even panko crumbs.
The creamy filling will still blend with these alternatives, offering the perfect recipe for family meals.
Family-Favorite: Picky Eater-Approved
One of the best things about this a casserole recipe is its universal appeal. It’s creamy, crunchy, and delicious — a complete meal combination that’s hard to resist.
The savory flavor kids (and adults) love makes it an easy win for those difficult family dinner decisions. Even if you have a picky eater at the table, easy comfort food will likely win them over.
Storage Tips for Leftovers
Store leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate. The casserole is perfect for reheating and makes for an excellent leftover chicken meal!
Commonly Asked Questions
How long does Chicken Casserole last in the Fridge?
Stored in an airtight container, this easy chicken casserole recipe can last up to 3–4 days in the refrigerator.
Variations: Customize Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole
One of the beautiful things about casserole recipes is their adaptability. Whether you have chicken breasts or thighs, whether you’re feeding a picky eater or someone who loves a bit of heat, you can tailor this dish to meet your needs.
Picky Eater Meals: Sneak in the Veggies
If you have a picky eater at home, try sneaking some finely chopped vegetables like roasted carrots, smothered mushrooms, or fresh broccoli florets into the sauce mixture.
Buttery Cracker Topping: Mix and Match
While Ritz crackers offer a classic buttery crunch, don’t hesitate to mix them with other topping options for a unique texture.
Combine Ritz with panko crumbs, breadcrumb topping, or some grated Parmesan cheese for an extra flavorful crust.
Spice It Up: For the Heat Lovers
Red pepper flakes can be an excellent addition for those who like a little heat. Sprinkle them into the sauce mixture or on top of the crackers for a kick before serving to the dinner table.
Suggested Side Dishes for Casserole
Add a few simple side dishes to round out your meal and complement the creamy, crunchy Ritz cracker chicken casserole recipe.
- Bacon Wrapped Asparagus in Oven
- Roasted Broccoli
- Ninja Foodi Sweet Potato (the air fryer is a great way to make sides when the oven is full)
- Corn Succotash
Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole
Ingredients
- 3 cups shredded chicken cooked – chicken can also be roughly chopped or cubed
- 1 cup sour cream
- 10.75 oz. cream of chicken soup
- 1/2 cup melted butter divided into (2) 1/4th cups
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup shredded Colby jack cheese
- 1 sleeve Ritz crackers crushed
Instructions
Preparing the Oven and Casserole Dish
- Preheat your Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure that it's at the right temperature when you're ready to bake the casserole.
- Prepare the Casserole Dish: Take a 3-quart casserole dish and generously coat the inside with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking. Once coated, set the dish aside for later use.
Mixing Creamy Casserole Ingredients
- In a large mixing bowl, add the following ingredients: Shredded chicken, Sour cream, Condensed soup (e.g., cream of chicken), and 1/4 cup of melted butter.
- Season and Add Cheese: To the same bowl, add the seasonings: Italian seasoning, Salt, black pepper, and shredded cheese.
- Mix Thoroughly: Use a large spoon or spatula to mix all the ingredients together until they are well combined.
Assembling Chicken Casserole
- Transfer Mixture to Dish: Carefully pour the mixed chicken mixture into the greased casserole dish, spreading it out evenly.
Preparing the Ritz Cracker Topping
- Crush Ritz Crackers: Keep the Ritz crackers in their original sleeve and gently crush them by pressing down with your hands, making sure not to pulverize them into a powder.Add Cracker Topping: Evenly sprinkle the crushed Ritz crackers over the top of the chicken mixture in the casserole dish.Drizzle Butter: Finish the topping by drizzling the remaining 1/4 cup of melted butter over the crushed crackers.
- Bake the Casserole: Place the casserole dish in the preheated oven and bake it uncovered for 25-30 minutes. The casserole is ready when the center is hot, indicating that it's cooked through.
Video
Notes
Can I Freeze Ritz Casserole?
Yes, you can freeze Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole, but there are a few steps to follow to ensure that it retains its texture and flavor. After cooking the casserole, let it cool to room temperature. Then, transfer it into an airtight container or wrap it tightly with aluminum foil. This helps preserve the flavors and prevent freezer burn. You can freeze the casserole for up to 2–3 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight when you’re ready to enjoy it again. Reheat it in a preheated 350°F oven until it’s heated and the top is golden brown. Remember that the Ritz crackers’ texture may be softer after freezing and reheating. If you prefer a crispier topping, add a fresh layer of crushed Ritz crackers before reheating.Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer: The nutritional data provided here is auto-calculated and intended for your convenience only. As it’s generated via automation, its accuracy may be compromised. For precise nutritional insight, please compute the values utilizing the actual ingredients in your recipe through your chosen nutrition calculator or application.
Did You Make This Recipe?
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I am out of cream of chicken soup. Can I use cheddar cheese soup ?
Honestly I think it would be pretty good!
I bet that might even be better yet. That sounds really good. I’m thinking of putting some bacon on the top
Can this be made ahead of time and refrigerated until ready to bake?
Hi Robin! You could prep this ahead but I would not add the crackers till you are ready to cook- crackers in the fridge tend to get soft so it wouldn’t give you the same crunch on the casserole. Also remember that when you bring food from freezing to an oven, it might need just a tad longer cooking time than room temperature food.
I made this tonight, and added a package of frozen broccoli. So good! Thanks for sharing this recipe!!
Yum, that is a fantastic addiction to this casserole!
This sounds so good! I was thinking of maybe adding egg noodles, do you think I’d need to cook those first?
I would!
I added a half of a block of softened cream cheese and some bacon pieces. I used 6 cheese Italian blend rather than Colby jack, because it was what I had on hand. It was very yummy 😋