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This Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole isn’t your typical soup-and-crackers casserole. There’s one unexpected ingredient mixed into the filling that makes it extra smooth and creamy without being heavy. The filling is layered with real seasoning, not just the soup on its own, so every bite actually delivers flavor, topped with a golden, buttery cracker crust. This is the kind of dinner people ask you to make again.
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.
NikkiIngredients Needed For Chicken and Ritz Cracker Casserole
- 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
✱ Below shows step-by-step photos and instructions. For the complete recipe, along with ingredient amounts, scroll down to the recipe card.
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 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 Sour Cream & Onion Ritz crackers. Swap the original crackers for the sour cream and onion flavor for a topping with a little extra tang and bite.
- 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.
Gluten Free Ritz Chicken Casserole
Want to make this gluten free? It’s an easy swap. Use a gluten-free cream of chicken soup in the filling, a few brands make one, so just check the label since recipes vary. For the topping, swap the Ritz crackers for a gluten-free butter-style cracker, that keeps the same golden, crunchy topping you’d expect. The sour cream, mayo, and seasonings in this recipe are naturally gluten free, but it’s still worth a quick label check since formulations can change. If you’re cooking for someone with celiac, use a clean cutting board and utensils when crushing the crackers so you’re not dealing with any cross-contact.
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, and don’t skimp on butter. Small, even crumbs give the topping consistent crunch in every bite. Melt the butter fully and stir it into the crumbs until every piece is coated, that’s what turns the topping golden instead of just toasted.
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 Instructions
Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days.
Make Ahead: Assemble the Ritz cracker chicken casserole without the topping, cover, and refrigerate. Add the cracker topping just before baking.
Can You Freeze Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole?
Yes, freeze tightly covered for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating
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
If you love this Ritz Chicken Casserole, try my Chicken Poppy Seed Casserole! Same flavor with a little extra poppy seed crunch.
My Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil is another of my most-loved easy dinners. It’s perfect for entertaining and weeknight meals.
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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
Gluten Free Ritz Chicken Casserole:
Use a gluten-free cream of chicken soup and swap the Ritz crackers for a gluten-free butter-style cracker for the topping. Sour cream, mayo, and the seasonings are naturally gluten free, just double check labels since formulations can change.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, and don’t skimp on butter. Small, even crumbs give the topping consistent crunch in every bite. Melt the butter fully and stir it into the crumbs until every piece is coated, that’s what turns the topping golden instead of just toasted.
- Try Sour Cream & Onion Ritz crackers. Swap the original crackers for the sour cream and onion flavor for a topping with a little extra tang and bite.
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This is yummy and kid friendly.
Thank you! It really is a perfect recipe for the whole family.
So amazing and comforting! This will be a new regular at my house!