Description
This comforting Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole combines tender shredded chicken with a creamy seasoned sauce and a crispy, buttery Ritz cracker topping. Easy to prepare and perfect for a family dinner, it offers a delightful mix of creamy, cheesy, and crunchy textures baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Mixture
- 4 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 2 cans (10.5 ounces each) cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley or thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Topping
- 1 1/2 sleeves Ritz crackers, crushed (about 36 crackers)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.
- Mix Creamy Base: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and chicken broth until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Season and Add Cheese: Stir in garlic powder, onion powder, dried parsley or thyme, salt, pepper, and 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Mix thoroughly to combine all flavors well.
- Combine Chicken: Fold the cooked shredded chicken into the creamy mixture, ensuring every piece is coated evenly, then spread the filling evenly into the prepared baking dish.
- Prepare Cracker Topping: In a separate bowl, combine the crushed Ritz crackers, melted butter, and the remaining 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese. Stir until the cracker crumbs are evenly moistened with butter.
- Top the Casserole: Sprinkle the buttery cracker mixture evenly over the chicken filling to fully cover the top layer.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 25–30 minutes until the filling is bubbly around the edges and the Ritz cracker topping is golden brown and crisp.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5–10 minutes to set slightly, making it easier to scoop and serve.
Notes
- Use freshly shredded chicken for best texture and flavor.
- Feel free to swap dried parsley with thyme based on your preference.
- For a richer flavor, you can add a pinch of smoked paprika or cayenne pepper to the creamy mixture.
- Make sure the butter is fully melted before mixing with the cracker crumbs for an even topping.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven for best results.
