Description
This Easy Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole is a creamy, comforting dish featuring tender cooked chicken baked under a buttery Ritz cracker topping. With simple pantry ingredients like cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and fragrant spices, this casserole comes together quickly for a hearty family meal that’s both delicious and satisfying.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Mixture
- 4 cups cooked chicken (shredded or diced)
- 10.5 oz cream of chicken soup (Campbell’s recommended)
- 1 cup sour cream (full-fat for best results)
- 3/4 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1/4 tsp paprika
Topping
- 1 sleeve Ritz crackers
- 7 tbsp butter (melted and slightly cooled)
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare baking dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish to prevent sticking.
- Create the chicken mixture: In a large bowl, combine the cooked shredded or diced chicken, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and paprika. Mix until all ingredients are well incorporated and creamy.
- Prepare cracker topping: Place the Ritz crackers in a large zip-top plastic bag and crush them into fine crumbs using a rolling pin or the bottom of a heavy pan. Pour the melted butter into the bag and toss to evenly coat the cracker crumbs with butter.
- Assemble casserole: Spread the creamy chicken mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the buttered cracker crumbs evenly over the top for a golden crunchy topping.
- Bake the casserole: Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes, until the topping is golden brown and the casserole is hot and bubbly around the edges.
- Serve and enjoy: Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving. This dish pairs well with a simple green salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
Notes
- For a lighter version, use reduced-fat sour cream and low-sodium cream of chicken soup.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- You can substitute cooked turkey for chicken if preferred.
- Adding shredded cheese to the chicken mixture or on top before the cracker topping adds extra richness and flavor.
- To make this dish gluten free, substitute Ritz crackers with gluten-free buttery crackers.
