Easy & Delicious Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole: Your New Family Favorite!

Discover the magic of a truly simple yet incredibly satisfying meal with our Easy Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole! Requiring just 6 staple ingredients, this recipe transforms into a creamy, comforting dish crowned with a perfectly golden, crunchy Ritz cracker topping. It’s the ultimate go-to for busy weeknights, potlucks, or any time you crave a heartwarming, fuss-free dinner that guarantees smiles around the table.

Why This Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole Will Become Your Go-To Recipe

In a world of complex recipes, this Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole stands out for its incredible simplicity and unwavering deliciousness. It’s a true classic that delivers on taste without demanding hours in the kitchen or an extensive shopping list. Here’s why it’s a must-have in your recipe repertoire:

• Effortless Preparation: With only 6 key ingredients and minimal prep time, you can whip this casserole up quickly, making it ideal for those hectic weeknights.
• Unforgettable Flavor & Texture: Experience the perfect harmony of tender, shredded chicken enveloped in a rich, savory cream sauce, all beautifully contrasted by the buttery, crisp texture of the Ritz cracker topping.
• Family Approved: This dish is consistently a crowd-pleaser, beloved by adults and children alike. It’s comfort food personified, bringing warmth and satisfaction to every meal.
• Versatile and Adaptable: While fantastic as is, this chicken casserole is also incredibly flexible. Easily customize it with your favorite vegetables or seasonings to suit your family’s preferences.
• Make Ahead & Freezer-Friendly: Prepare it in advance for easy meal planning or freeze portions for convenient dinners later on.

Get ready to add this amazing Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole to your regular dinner rotation – it’s destined to become a household favorite!

Serving Suggestions: What to Pair with Your Creamy Chicken Casserole

This creamy chicken casserole is a hearty meal on its own, but pairing it with the right side dishes can elevate your dinner experience. Here are some fantastic options to complement its rich flavors and crunchy topping:

• Fresh Vegetables: Lighten up the meal with some vibrant, steamed vegetables. Classic choices like steamed broccoli, sweet corn, or tender green beans are always a hit. You can even mix these veggies directly into the casserole for an all-in-one dish!
• Crisp Green Salad: A refreshing green salad, bursting with various colorful vegetables and a light vinaigrette dressing, provides a lovely contrast to the casserole’s creamy texture.
• Simple Roasted Vegetables: For a deeper flavor profile, consider roasted asparagus, carrots, or Brussels sprouts. Roasting brings out their natural sweetness and adds another layer of texture.
• Fluffy Rice or Quinoa: If you desire an extra carbohydrate side, a bed of plain white or brown rice, or a healthy serving of quinoa, can beautifully soak up any leftover creamy sauce.
• Warm Bread or Dinner Rolls: A crusty baguette or soft dinner rolls are perfect for mopping up every last drop of the delicious sauce, ensuring no flavor goes to waste.

No matter what you choose, this Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole is sure to be the star of your meal!

“Fixed this tonight and it was delicious. My husband said keep fixing it just like this. Thank you!
– Tammy”

Make Ahead & Freezer-Friendly: Tips for Convenient Meals

One of the many advantages of this Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole is its adaptability for make-ahead preparation and freezing. This feature is a game-changer for meal planning, allowing you to enjoy a delicious homemade dinner even on your busiest days.

Preparing Ahead of Time:

You can assemble the creamy chicken base a day in advance. Simply mix the soup, sour cream, green onion, and shredded chicken in your baking dish, cover it tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate. When you’re ready to bake, just sprinkle the butter-cracker topping over the cold casserole and bake as directed, adding an extra 5-10 minutes to the baking time to ensure it’s heated through.

Freezing for Later Enjoyment:

This casserole is excellent for freezing! If you anticipate needing smaller portions, you can divide the recipe into two smaller pans. Cook one now and save the other for later. Here’s how to freeze it effectively:

• Assemble, Don’t Bake: Prepare the casserole up to the point of adding the cracker topping.
• Wrap Thoroughly: This is crucial to prevent freezer burn. Wrap the unbaked casserole dish tightly with at least two layers of plastic wrap, followed by a layer of aluminum foil. Label with the date and baking instructions.
• Freezing Duration: It can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.
• Thawing and Baking: When ready to cook, thaw the casserole overnight in the refrigerator. Once thawed, add the fresh butter-cracker topping and bake according to the recipe instructions. If baking from frozen (though not recommended for optimal texture), cover with foil for the first 30-45 minutes, then uncover, add topping, and bake until bubbly and golden, which could take 60-90 minutes total.

Having a frozen Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole on hand means you’re always just a bake away from a comforting, homemade meal!

Flavor Boosters: Enhancing Your Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole

While this 6-ingredient casserole is fantastic as is, it’s also a perfect canvas for culinary creativity. Feel free to experiment with different seasonings and additional ingredients to tailor it to your taste!

Spice and Herb Variations:

Beyond the basic ingredients, a dash of extra flavor can transform your casserole. Common seasonings most people have on hand that work wonderfully include:

• Onion Powder & Garlic Powder: These are excellent for intensifying the savory base. Add about 1/2 teaspoon of each to the cream mixture.
• Dried Herbs: A pinch of dried thyme, rosemary, or a poultry seasoning blend can add a lovely aromatic depth.
• A Little Kick: For those who enjoy a bit of heat, a dash of cayenne pepper or a pinch of red pepper flakes can provide a subtle warmth without overpowering the dish.
• Smoked Paprika: Adds a beautiful color and a smoky undertone that pairs well with chicken.

Essentially, any seasoning you typically enjoy with chicken would be a great addition to this versatile casserole.

Vegetable Additions:

Boost the nutritional value and texture by incorporating vegetables into your creamy chicken mixture:

• Broccoli Florets: Steamed or lightly blanched broccoli adds vibrant color and a healthy crunch.
• Peas & Carrots: A classic combo that adds sweetness and familiar comfort.
• Mushrooms: Sautéed sliced mushrooms can bring an earthy, umami flavor.
• Spinach: Wilted fresh spinach or thawed frozen spinach (squeezed dry) is an easy way to sneak in greens.

Just remember to pre-cook or lightly steam denser vegetables to ensure they are tender by the time the casserole finishes baking.

Cheesy Goodness:

Cheese makes everything better! Stirring in some shredded cheese into the chicken mixture or sprinkling it over the cracker topping during the last 10 minutes of baking can add incredible flavor and gooey texture.

• Cheddar Cheese: A sharp or mild cheddar will melt beautifully and add a familiar, tangy taste.
• Mozzarella: For a milder flavor and excellent meltiness.
• Parmesan: A sprinkle of grated Parmesan adds a salty, umami kick.

Don’t be afraid to get creative and make this Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole truly your own!

Essential Ingredients for Your Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole

This remarkable casserole thrives on its short and sweet ingredient list, making it approachable for any home cook. Here’s a deeper look into each component and some helpful tips for substitutions:

• Cream of Chicken with Herbs Soup: This forms the creamy, flavorful base of your casserole. You have options here! While the “with herbs” version adds a nice touch, regular cream of chicken soup works perfectly. For a different flavor profile, consider cream of mushroom or cream of celery. For those who prefer to control sodium or ingredients, making your own cream of chicken soup from scratch is a fantastic alternative. You can find a recipe to make your own from scratch here.
• Sour Cream: Adds a delightful tang and contributes to the overall creaminess of the dish. A popular and healthier substitute is plain Greek yogurt, which offers a similar texture and a slight tang. Many inquire about using mayonnaise; however, as this substitution hasn’t been tested, we cannot confirm how it would affect the final taste and texture of the casserole.
• Green Onion: An optional but highly recommended addition, green onions provide a mild, fresh onion flavor that brightens the casserole. If green onions aren’t to your liking, feel free to omit them. Alternatively, a small amount of finely diced regular onion or a shallot can be used, but be aware that these will impart a stronger onion flavor than the subtle notes of green onion.
• Cooked & Shredded Chicken: The star protein of this dish. For ultimate convenience, a store-bought rotisserie chicken is your best friend – simply shred the meat. Leftover cooked chicken from another meal is also perfect. If neither is available, you can easily boil or roast chicken breasts or thighs and then shred them yourself. Canned chicken, well-drained, is another quick option.
• Ritz Crackers: The secret to that irresistible golden, buttery, and crunchy topping! These crackers provide a unique flavor and texture that truly makes the casserole special. If you don’t have Ritz crackers, regular saltine crackers or Club crackers can be used as alternatives. For those mindful of sodium intake, look for unsalted versions of these crackers.
• Salted Butter: Essential for binding the cracker crumbs and creating that rich, golden topping. If you’re looking to reduce the overall sodium content of the dish, unsalted butter is a simple and effective substitute.

These few ingredients, when combined, create a symphony of flavors and textures that make this Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole a true comfort food masterpiece.

How to Make Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide

1. Preheat Oven & Prepare Dish: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven heats, lightly spray a 2.5-quart baking dish (or a 9×9 inch square baking dish) with non-stick cooking spray. This crucial step ensures your casserole doesn’t stick and makes cleanup a breeze.
2. Create the Creamy Base: In a large mixing bowl, combine the entire 10.5-ounce can of condensed cream of chicken with herbs soup, 1 cup of sour cream, and ½ cup of sliced green onion. Whisk these ingredients together thoroughly until they are smooth and fully integrated, forming a rich and savory sauce.



3. Add the Chicken: Gently fold in the 3 cups of cooked and shredded chicken into the creamy mixture. Stir until the chicken pieces are evenly coated with the luscious sauce. This ensures every bite is flavorful and moist.



4. Spread into Dish: Transfer the entire chicken mixture into your prepared baking dish. Use a spatula to spread it out evenly across the bottom of the dish, creating a consistent layer.
5. Prepare the Cracker Topping: Using the same bowl (to minimize dishwashing!), combine the 2 sleeves of crushed Ritz crackers with the ½ cup (1 stick) of melted salted butter. Mix well until all the cracker crumbs are fully moistened by the butter, creating a cohesive, buttery topping mixture.



6. Top and Bake: Evenly sprinkle the buttery cracker mixture over the chicken casserole, ensuring it covers the entire surface. Place the dish in your preheated oven and bake for approximately 25-30 minutes. The casserole is ready when the cracker topping is beautifully golden brown and the edges of the casserole are bubbling, indicating it’s heated through and perfectly cooked.



7. Serve Warm: Allow the casserole to rest for a few minutes after removing it from the oven. This helps the sauce set slightly and prevents any accidental burns. Then, serve it warm with your favorite vegetable side or a fresh, crisp salad for a complete and utterly delicious meal!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole

Here are some common questions and helpful answers to ensure your Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole turns out perfectly every time:

• Can I use a different type of chicken? Absolutely! While a rotisserie chicken is ideal for convenience, you can use any cooked and shredded chicken. Leftover baked or boiled chicken breasts/thighs work perfectly. Even drained canned chicken can be a quick substitute in a pinch.
• What if I don’t have Ritz crackers? While Ritz crackers offer a unique buttery flavor and crisp texture, you can substitute them with other buttery crackers like Club crackers, or even saltine crackers for a similar crunch. For a lower sodium option, look for unsalted versions of these crackers.
• Can I add vegetables to the casserole? Yes, and it’s highly recommended for added nutrition and flavor! Steamed broccoli florets, frozen peas, diced carrots, or corn can be gently folded into the chicken mixture before spreading it into the baking dish. Make sure denser vegetables like carrots or broccoli are lightly cooked beforehand.
• How can I make the topping extra crispy? The key to a super crispy topping is to ensure the crackers are thoroughly mixed with melted butter and sprinkled evenly over the casserole right before baking. Avoid covering the casserole during the last part of baking to allow the topping to crisp up.
• How long do leftovers last, and how should I reheat them? Leftover Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. To reheat, individual portions can be warmed in the microwave. For a larger portion, cover the dish loosely with foil and bake at 300°F (150°C) until heated through, removing the foil for the last few minutes to help crisp up the topping.
• Is this casserole spicy? No, the base recipe for this casserole is very mild and comforting. However, you can easily add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the creamy mixture if you prefer a subtle kick.

Craving More Comforting Casserole Recipes?

If you’ve fallen in love with the ease and deliciousness of our Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole, you’ll be thrilled to explore more comforting recipes from our collection. Perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or just a cozy night in, these casseroles promise warmth and flavor:

• Ritz Cracker Chicken Breasts
• Ritz Cracker Pork Chops
• Broccoli Chicken Casserole
• Chicken and Stuffing Casserole
• Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole
• Chicken and Biscuits Casserole
• Chicken Cobbler
• Poppy Seed Chicken
• No Peek Chicken Casserole
• Malibu Chicken Casserole
• Cheesy Ground Beef & Rice Casserole
• Creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole
• Swiss Chicken Casserole
• 30 Comforting Casseroles

Originally published: February 2017
Updated & Republished: April 2019