This Ritz Chicken Casserole is a classic comfort food dish that’s incredibly easy to make. It features a creamy chicken filling topped with buttery, crunchy Ritz cracker crumbs. Perfect for a weeknight dinner or a potluck.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple and Quick: With minimal prep and readily available ingredients, this casserole comes together in just 45 minutes.
- Comforting Flavors: The creamy chicken filling and buttery Ritz cracker topping create a classic and satisfying taste.
- Easy to Customize: You can easily add your favorite vegetables or adjust the seasonings to your liking.
- Crowd-Pleasing: This casserole is a hit with both kids and adults, making it perfect for family dinners or gatherings.
Ingredients
- Condensed Chicken Soup: Provides a creamy base for the filling.
- Italian Seasoning: Adds a blend of Mediterranean herbs.
- Sour Cream: Adds richness and tanginess to the filling.
- Salt: Enhances the flavors.
- Pepper: Adds a hint of spice.
- Sliced Green Onions: Adds a mild onion flavor.
- Cooked and Shredded Chicken: Provides a protein-rich base.
- Ritz Crackers (Crushed): Forms the buttery and crunchy topping.
- Unsalted Butter (Melted): Adds richness and helps bind the cracker crumbs.
Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How to Make Ritz Chicken Casserole
Step 1: Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Step 2: Combine Filling Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine the condensed chicken soup, Italian seasoning, sour cream, salt, and pepper. Stir until well blended.
Step 3: Add Chicken and Green Onions
Fold in the cooked and shredded chicken along with the sliced green onions. Ensure the chicken is well coated with the creamy sauce.
Step 4: Transfer to Baking Dish
Transfer the chicken mixture into the prepared 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
Step 5: Prepare Ritz Cracker Topping
In a separate bowl, combine the crushed Ritz crackers with the melted butter. Mix until the crackers are evenly coated.
Step 6: Add Topping
Sprinkle the buttered cracker crumbs evenly over the chicken mixture in the baking dish.
Step 7: Bake
Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the casserole is heated through.
Step 8: Cool and Serve
Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving.
Pro Tips for Making the Recipe
- Use Quality Chicken: Rotisserie chicken, leftover chicken, or poached chicken breasts work well.
- Crush Ritz Crackers Evenly: Use a food processor or a zip-top bag and rolling pin to crush the Ritz crackers into even crumbs.
- Don’t Overbake: Bake until the topping is golden brown and the filling is heated through to prevent drying out.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste the filling before baking and adjust the salt and pepper as needed.
- Add Vegetables: Feel free to add other vegetables like peas, carrots, or mushrooms to the filling.
How to Serve
- Main Course: Serve as a comforting main course.
- Side Dish: Pair with a side salad or steamed vegetables for a balanced meal.
- Potluck Dish: Perfect for potlucks and gatherings.
- Family Dinner: Ideal for a simple and satisfying family meal.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating
Reheat in the oven at 350°F or in the microwave until warmed through.
Freezing
Freeze cooled casserole in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
FAQs
1. Can I use a different type of cracker?
Yes, you can use other buttery crackers like saltines or club crackers.
2. Can I use a different type of soup?
Yes, you can use cream of mushroom or cream of celery soup instead of cream of chicken soup.
3. Can I add cheese to the filling?
Yes, you can add shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese to the filling.
4. Can I make this gluten-free?
Use gluten-free cream of chicken soup and gluten-free crackers to make this recipe gluten-free.
PrintRitz Chicken Casserole Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main-course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Ritz Chicken Casserole is a classic comfort food dish that’s easy to prepare and always a hit. Tender shredded chicken is combined with a creamy sauce and topped with buttery, crunchy Ritz crackers.
Ingredients
- 10.5 ounces can condensed chicken soup
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 cup sliced green onions
- 3 cups cooked and shredded chicken
- 1 sleeve Ritz crackers, crushed
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prep Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C), and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Combine Creamy Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the condensed chicken soup, Italian seasoning, sour cream, salt, and pepper. Stir until the ingredients are well blended.
- Add Chicken and Green Onions: Fold in the cooked and shredded chicken along with the sliced green onions into the mixture. Ensure the chicken is well coated with the creamy sauce.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Transfer the chicken mixture into the prepared 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
- Prepare Ritz Topping: In a separate bowl, combine the crushed Ritz crackers with the melted butter. Mix until the crackers are evenly coated with butter.
- Add Ritz Topping: Sprinkle the buttered cracker crumbs evenly over the chicken mixture in the baking dish.
- Bake Casserole: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the casserole is heated through.
- Cool and Serve: Once baked, remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
- You can use rotisserie chicken for a quick and easy option.
- For a spicier casserole, add a dash of hot sauce or cayenne pepper to the creamy mixture.
- Feel free to add other vegetables like peas, carrots, or mushrooms.
- For a richer topping, you can add shredded cheddar cheese to the Ritz cracker mixture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 80mg