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This Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole is one of those tried-and-true recipes that never lets you down. With tender chicken, a creamy filling, and a golden cracker topping, it’s comfort food at its finest. Easy to make and even easier to love!
I’ll tell you right now, I am someone who loves having go-to casserole dishes that are easy to throw together in a pinch. This Ritz cracker chicken casserole is one of those recipes that is always dependable and downright delicious. And that rich, creamy, and that buttery Ritz topping? That’s what takes it over the top.
You’re working with just pantry staples here, but the payoff feels like something special. It’s quick to prep, super forgiving, and works just as well as a main dish or a hearty side.
If you love recipes like creamy chicken bakes like Chicken and Rice Casserole or a Chicken Hash Brown Casserole, this one is right up your alley!
Why You’ll Love This Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole
- Easy, beginner-friendly recipe. No complicated steps here! Just mix, layer, and bake. It’s perfect if you’re just getting comfortable in the kitchen.
- Made with simple pantry ingredients. Everything in this recipe is easy to find and likely already in your kitchen, making it a great last-minute dinner option.
- Creamy with a buttery crunch. The contrast between the rich chicken filling and crispy Ritz topping is what makes this casserole so irresistible.
- Quick prep, big payoff. You can have this in the oven in about 10 minutes, but it tastes like you spent way longer on it.
- Feeds a crowd. This recipe makes a full 9×13 dish, making it ideal for family dinners, potlucks, or hosting.
Ingredients
- Cooked Chicken Breasts: Shredded or chopped, this is the heart of the casserole. I like to use rotisserie chicken for convenience.
- Cream of Chicken Soup: Adds that classic creamy, savory base that ties everything together. If you prefer not to use canned soup, you can use my Cream of Mushroom Soup recipe.
- Sour Cream: For a slight tang and extra creaminess to balance the richness.
- Mayonnaise: Helps create a smooth texture and enhances the overall flavor.
- Onion Powder: Adds subtle savory depth without overpowering the dish.
- Garlic Powder: A must for that warm, comforting flavor.
- Black Pepper: Adds a little kick!
- Kosher Salt: Add more to taste, depending on how salty your chicken was to begin with.
- Ritz Crackers & Butter: Buttery and crisp, these create that signature golden topping.
How To Make Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole
✱ Be sure to see the recipe card below for exact ingredients and full recipe instructions!
Step 1 | Preheat & Prep
Preheat oven to 350℉. Then lightly spray a 9 X 13 baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
Step 2 | Make Chicken Filling
In a large bowl, mix together cream of chicken soup, sour cream, mayonnaise, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt until smooth and creamy. Add the cooked and shredded chicken and mix to combine.
Step 3 | Layer in Baking Dish
Pour the chicken mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
Step 4 | Make Topping
Make Buttery Cracker Topping: In a bowl, combine crushed crackers and butter, stirring until the mixture is blended.
Step 5 | Assemble & Bake
Then evenly spread the cracker mixture over the chicken mixture. Bake uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes until bubbly and golden brown.
Easy Variations
- Swap Greek yogurt for sour cream. This lightens things up slightly while still keeping that creamy texture.
Use rotisserie chicken. Highly recommended! It’s a great time-saver that adds extra flavor. - Add shredded cheese. Mix in cheddar or mozzarella for an extra cheesy twist.
- Try different crackers. Club crackers or buttery round crackers work well if you don’t have Ritz.
- Add veggies. Stir in peas, broccoli, or sautéed mushrooms to add extra nutrients.
Expert Tips
- Grease your baking dish well. Use melted butter or cooking spray to prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze. This also helps the edges get just a little golden and delicious!
- Use well-seasoned chicken. Since this recipe is simple, the flavor of your chicken really matters. Rotisserie chicken or pre-seasoned shredded chicken works beautifully here.
- Don’t skip the butter in the topping. That melted butter is what gives the Ritz crackers their signature golden crunch!
- Crush crackers evenly. Try not to leave large chunks. Smaller, even crumbs create that perfect crispy topping in every bite!
What to Serve With Chicken on the Ritz
This Ritz cracker chicken casserole is rich and creamy, so I love pairing it with something fresh and light to balance things out. Things like Broccoli Salad or Caesar Salad would be good, but it’s also great with some Oven-Roasted Broccoli or Southern-Style Green Beans!
If you’re feeding a crowd, add some Homemade Dinner Rolls or Cornbread Muffins on the side, and you’ve got a full Southern spread that’s hard to beat.
Storage & Make-ahead Tips
Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days.
Freeze: Freeze tightly covered for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Make Ahead: Assemble the Ritz cracker chicken casserole without the topping, cover, and refrigerate. Add the cracker topping just before baking.
Recipe FAQs
They’re very similar, as both recipes use a creamy chicken base with ingredients like sour cream and mayonnaise. The main difference is that this version keeps things simple with a classic buttery Ritz cracker topping, while the million-dollar chicken casserole often includes cheese or extra mix-ins.
Yes, you can use canned chicken in a pinch if that’s what you have on hand. For the best flavor and texture, freshly cooked or rotisserie chicken is still the better option.
You can substitute the mayonnaise with additional sour cream or plain Greek yogurt. Just keep in mind the flavor will be slightly tangier and a bit less rich.
More Casserole Recipes to Try
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Ritz Chicken Casserole
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Ingredients
- 4 ½ to 5 cups chicken breasts - cooked and shredded or chopped
- 10.5 ounces cream of chicken soup
- 8 ounces sour cream
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ to ½ teaspoon black pepper - or to taste
- ¼ to ½ teaspoon kosher salt - to taste, this will greatly depend on how your chicken is seasoned
- 1 ½ sleeves Ritz crackers - you can use 2 sleeves for extra crunch
- 6 tablespoons salted butter - melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350℉. Then lightly spray a 9 X 13 baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
- Make Chicken Filling: In a large bowl, mix together cream of chicken soup, sour cream, mayonnaise, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt until smooth and creamy. Add the cooked and shredded chicken and mix to combine.
- Pour the chicken mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Make Buttery Cracker Topping: In a bowl, combine crushed crackers and butter, stirring until the mixture is blended.
- Tip: You can crush crackers directly in the sleeve and then pour them into the bowl to combine.
- Then evenly spread the cracker mixture over the chicken mixture.
- Bake uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes until bubbly and golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let it set up for 5-10 minutes. Enjoy!
Notes
Substitutions
- Swap Greek yogurt for sour cream. This lightens things up slightly while still keeping that creamy texture.
Use rotisserie chicken. Highly recommended! It’s a great time-saver that adds extra flavor. - Add shredded cheese. Mix in cheddar or mozzarella for an extra cheesy twist.
- Try different crackers. Club crackers or buttery round crackers work well if you don’t have Ritz.
- Add veggies. Stir in peas, broccoli, or sautéed mushrooms to add extra nutrients.
Tips
- Grease your baking dish well. Use melted butter or cooking spray to prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze. This also helps the edges get just a little golden and delicious!
- Use well-seasoned chicken. Since this recipe is simple, the flavor of your chicken really matters. Rotisserie chicken or pre-seasoned shredded chicken works beautifully here.
- Don’t skip the butter in the topping. That melted butter is what gives the Ritz crackers their signature golden crunch!
- Crush crackers evenly. Try not to leave large chunks. Smaller, even crumbs create that perfect crispy topping in every bite!
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