Description
This Creamy Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole is a comforting, easy-to-make dish featuring tender shredded chicken baked in a rich and creamy sauce, topped with buttery crushed Ritz crackers for a perfectly golden and crunchy crust. Ideal for a family dinner or potluck, this casserole combines simple pantry ingredients for a deliciously satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Mixture
- 3 cups cooked, shredded chicken (rotisserie works well)
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Topping
- 1 sleeve Ritz crackers (about 30 crackers), crushed
- 1/4 cup melted butter
Garnish (optional)
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Mix Chicken Filling: In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Spread Filling: Evenly spread the creamy chicken mixture into the prepared baking dish to create a uniform base layer.
- Prepare Topping: In a separate bowl, combine the crushed Ritz crackers with the melted butter, mixing until the crackers are fully coated with butter for a golden crust.
- Add Topping: Sprinkle the buttery cracker mixture evenly over the chicken filling, ensuring full coverage for a crispy topping.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the topping turns golden brown and the casserole is bubbly around the edges, indicating it’s heated through.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven and optionally garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving for a pop of color and freshness.
Notes
- Using rotisserie chicken saves time and adds extra flavor.
- For a lower sodium option, use reduced-sodium cream of chicken soup and adjust salt accordingly.
- Crush the Ritz crackers finely but keep some texture for a better crunchy topping.
- This casserole can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated before baking; just add a few extra minutes to the bake time if baking from cold.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheated thoroughly before serving.
