Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole

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This Ritz cracker chicken casserole is one of my favorite one-dish wonders. It’s a crowd-pleasing dish that always hits the spot. With just a few pantry staples and cooked chicken—rotisserie or leftover—this creamy, buttery bake is on the table in no time. You could call this a potluck dinner-winner!

A can of cream of chicken soup brings the creamy richness, while onion and garlic powders add savory depth. The topping of crushed Ritz crackers and melted butter turns crisp and golden in the oven, making every bite satisfyingly crunchy and creamy.

Whether you’re feeding a family, using up leftover chicken, or need a dependable dish that everyone will eat, this Ritz chicken casserole delivers comfort with minimal effort.

What I Love About This Recipe

• Quick, no-fuss preparation. With only a handful of ingredients and minimal prep, this casserole comes together in minutes. It’s ideal for weeknights when time is tight but you still want something warm and filling.
• Creamy filling with balanced seasoning. The condensed soup provides richness and structure, while onion powder, garlic powder, and herbs add subtle flavor without making the casserole taste overly seasoned or heavy.
• Signature buttery crunch. Crushed Ritz crackers mixed with melted butter create a golden topping that stays crisp while baking, offering contrast to the creamy chicken underneath.
• Perfect for leftovers and shortcuts. This recipe is especially convenient when you have leftover roast chicken or rotisserie chicken on hand, turning leftovers into a complete meal.
• Comfort food appeal. Familiar flavors and textures make this casserole approachable for all ages, which is why it’s such a reliable family favorite.

Ingredient Notes

• Cooked chicken – Diced or shredded chicken both work well. Rotisserie chicken adds flavor and saves time, while leftover baked or poached chicken is equally suitable.
• Cream of chicken soup – Acts as the base of the sauce, providing creaminess and structure. Cream of mushroom or cream of celery can be substituted if needed.
• Ritz crackers – Their buttery flavor and light texture are key to the topping. Crush them gently so you get a mix of fine crumbs and small pieces.
• Butter – Unsalted butter lets you control the seasoning and ensures the cracker topping browns evenly.
• Herbes de Provence or Italian herb blend – Adds gentle herbal notes that complement the chicken without overwhelming the dish.
• Seasonings – Onion powder and garlic powder give depth without adding moisture, which helps keep the filling thick and cohesive.

Steps to Make Ritz Chicken Casserole

1. Prepare the baking dish so the casserole releases easily and heats evenly.
2. Crush the crackers and toss them with melted butter until evenly coated, making sure no dry crumbs remain.
3. Combine the soup, cooked chicken, and seasonings, stirring until the mixture is well blended and evenly seasoned.
4. Spread the chicken mixture into the baking dish in an even layer so it heats through consistently.
5. Sprinkle the buttered cracker crumbs evenly over the top to create full coverage.
6. Bake until the filling is bubbling around the edges and the topping is golden and crisp, then let it rest briefly before serving.

Pro Tips

• Chicken: Use warm or room-temperature chicken so the casserole heats evenly.
• Seasoning: Taste the filling before baking—condensed soups vary in saltiness.
• Topping: Don’t pack the crumbs down; a loose layer crisps better.
• Resting: Let the casserole stand briefly so it sets and serves cleanly.

Recipe Variations

• Vegetables: Sauté diced onions and celery until softened, then add them to the filling mixture before baking.
• Mushrooms: Add a small can of sliced mushrooms (drained) or 4 to 6 ounces of fresh sliced mushrooms sautéed in butter or olive oil.
• Turkey: Make the casserole with leftover diced turkey.
• Ham: Add 1 cup of diced ham to the chicken filling for smoky flavor.
• Bacon: Add a few tablespoons of fried crumbled bacon to the filling for crunch and richness.

What to Serve with Ritz Chicken Casserole

• Salad: A tangy slaw or simple green salad with vinaigrette would complement the richness of the casserole.
• Potatoes: These fried smashed potatoes would be great with the casserole, or you might like these sweet potato fries or air fryer roasted potatoes.
• Rice: Serve it over rice. Try this never-fail Instant Pot rice or this savory cauliflower rice.
• Vegetables: Green beans, broccoli, or peas provide a colorful contrast and complement the chicken nicely.

How to Store

• Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Freeze: Freeze the baked casserole tightly wrapped for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
• Reheat: Reheat covered in the oven until warmed through, uncovering near the end to re-crisp the topping.

Ritzy Chicken Casserole

Diana Rattray

Creamy chicken casserole with a buttery Ritz cracker topping — easy to make, satisfying, and always a hit!

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Servings 5 servings

Calories 379

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• Butter, for greasing the baking dish
• 1 standard sleeve Ritz crackers, crushed (about 32 crackers)
• 6 tbsp melted unsalted butter
• 1 (10.5-oz) can cream of chicken soup
• 3 to 3 ½ cups diced cooked chicken
• 1 tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp herbes de Provence, or Italian seasoning
• Kosher salt, to taste
• Ground black pepper, to taste

Recommended Equipment

• 2-quart baking dish

Instructions

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• Heat the oven to 375°F and butter a 2-quart baking dish.
  Butter
  
• Combine the crushed crackers with the melted butter and toss until the crumbs are well coated. Set aside.
  1 standard sleeve Ritz crackers | 6 tbsp melted unsalted butter
  
• Combine the condensed cream of chicken soup, chicken, onion, and garlic powders, and herbs de Provence (or Italian seasoning) in a bowl; stir until well blended. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Turn the mixture into the prepared baking dish.
  1 (10.5-oz) can cream of chicken soup | 3 to 3 1/2 cups diced cooked chicken | 1 tsp onion powder | 1/2 tsp garlic powder | 1/2 tsp herbes de Provence | Kosher salt | Ground black pepper
  
• Sprinkle with the buttered Ritz cracker crumbs.
  
• Bake the Ritz chicken casserole for 20 to 30 minutes or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbling around the edges.
  
• Let the casserole stand for 5 minutes before serving.
  

Nutrition

Calories: 379kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 23gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 99mgSodium: 273mgPotassium: 233mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 458IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 54mgIron: 2mg

Disclaimer:

Our nutritional information is based on a third-party application that analyzes the ingredients list to determine the values. The information is meant to be helpful, but should be considered an estimate. Values may differ depending on measurements, brands, serving variations, and database availability.

Keyword chicken casserole, condensed soup, ritz crackers, sour cream

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