Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole is the ultimate comfort dinner. It's easy to make and full of flavor even with the simplicity of store-bought ingredients. This is a winner if you are looking for something new to add to your weekly dinner rotation. Even picky eaters love the flavor and texture of this casserole.
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The filling is creamy and velvety from the cream of chicken and mushroom soups. They also add the perfect savory flavor to the chicken and vegetables. We use minimal spices to complement the other ingredients and the cracker topping provides a fantastic textural contrast!
If you like easy dinner casseroles, you will love our Chicken and Stuffing Casserole, Hobo Casserole, Ritz Cracker Chicken, and this Chicken Noodle Casserole.
Why You'll Love Ritz Cracker Topped Chicken Casserole
- Family favorite: This is a simple yet delicious recipe that your whole family is sure to enjoy!
- One pan recipe: The entire chicken Ritz cracker casserole is cooked in one pan for easy cleanup and less time in the kitchen.
- Freezes well: Make it ahead and freeze it or store the leftovers in the freezer - it thaws and bakes so well!
Ingredients
Below are all the components for our chicken casserole with Ritz cracker topping. This recipe is made with simple, common ingredients that are readily available at any grocery store.
For the casserole
- Sour cream: The tangy flavor of sour cream helps to balance the richness of the cream soups. For a lighter version, use Greek yogurt instead.
- Cream soups: We use both cream of chicken and cream of mushroom soup in this recipe. It provides the perfect balance of flavors and makes it nice and creamy.
- Milk: The milk helps the filling reach the correct consistency. The soup and sour cream are quite thick.
- Spices: We add onion powder, Italian seasoning, and black pepper to ensure the veggies, noodles, and chicken all are well seasoned.
- Veggies: We chose to go simple here with frozen peas and carrots. You may use frozen mixed veggies that include corn and green beans if you prefer.
- Chicken: Any cooked and shredded chicken is great for this recipe. We usually use rotisserie chicken so there's no other cooking needed.
- Noodles: The texture and flavor of egg noodles fit in this casserole perfectly. Feel free to use another variety like penne if you like,
For the cracker topping
- Ritz crackers: This is a key ingredient to achieve the crunchy goodness on top. We love the original Ritz for this but feel free to try this recipe with garlic herbs or garden vegetable flavor.
- Butter: To help the crackers brown beautifully, we mix them with melted butter. Unsalted is preferred to control the salty flavor.
- Spices: Garlic powder and Italian seasoning give the cracker crumbs extra flavor. If you choose to use a flavored variety, omit the seasonings.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Casserole Variations
- Cheesy: Add cream cheese to the casserole filling and shredded cheddar to the topping for awesome cheesy flavor.
- Vegetarian: Swap the chicken for extra veggies like mushrooms and broccoli to make this recipe vegetarian-friendly.
- Bacon ranch: Use a packet of ranch seasoning in place of the spices and add bacon bits for a fun twist.
How to Make Chicken and Ritz Cracker Casserole
To get started, ensure that you preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and spray a 9x13 baking dish with non-stick spray. You will also want to boil water and cook the egg noodles so they have some time to cool just a bit before you add them to the other ingredients.
Step 1: Combine the wet ingredients. Combine sour cream, soup, spices, peas, and carrots in a large mixing bowl. Stir the ingredients until they are well incorporated.
Step 2: Add chicken and noodles. Gently fold the shredded chicken and the cooked egg noodles into the soup mixture.
Step 3: Transfer to the pan. Pour the chicken mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly.
Step 4: Make the topping. Stir the crushed crackers and seasonings into the melted butter until they are well coated.
Step 5: Sprinkle and bake. Sprinkle the Ritz topping over the top of the casserole. Put it in the oven and bake it for 30-35 minutes. Remove it when the chicken casserole is bubbly and the top is golden brown. Enjoy!
HINT: Don't overcook the pasta.
Cook the noodles just until they are al dente. This prevents them from becoming mushy when they're cooked a bit more in the casserole.
Storage Directions
- Storing: Store leftovers tightly covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or tightly wrapped in the freezer for up to three months.
- Reheating: Place a portion on a plate and heat it in the microwave for 2-3 minutes or until warmed through. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight or cook it straight from frozen.
- Make Ahead: Prepare the casserole without the cracker topping and store it in the refrigerator for 1-2 days before serving. Let it sit on the counter for thirty minutes, add the topping, and bake as directed.
Serving Suggestions
- Keep the side light and fresh by preparing a simple garden salad or this strawberry spinach salad.
- Homemade biscuits and sheet pan breadsticks are both great to dip in the extra creamy "sauce" and wipe your plate clean!
- Finish the meal with a delicious dessert like our pecan pie bars or strawberry fluff salad.
Expert Tips
- Cook the chicken: Instead of using Rotisserie chicken, you can cook and then shred chicken breasts or thighs.
- Tent with foil: Ovens vary so if you notice the topping becoming darker than you would like, tent the casserole with aluminum foil.
- Let it rest: Allow the casserole a few minutes to rest before serving to make it easier to scoop out of the pan.
Recipe FAQs
Sure! Italian-style or panko breadcrumbs are great alternatives - even crushed cornflakes! I prefer the salty and buttery flavor of the crackers and in a pinch even club crackers are tasty here!
Yes. Ensure it is fully drained before you add it to the other ingredients so it doesn't make the Ritz chicken casserole watery.
Of course! The topping won't be as crispy using this method unless you transfer it to a baking dish and broil it. Follow the same directions as above and cook on high for 2-3 hours or on low for 4-5 hours in your slow cooker.
More Delicious Chicken Dishes
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Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole
Ingredients
Casserole Ingredients
- 1½ cups sour cream
- 1 10.5 ounce can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 10.5 ounce can cream of chicken soup
- ½ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 cup frozen peas and carrots
- 3 cups cooked and shredded chicken I used rotisserie chicken
- 12 ounce package egg noodles cooked and drained
Ritz Cracker Topping
- 1 sleeve Ritz crackers crushed (about 1 ½ cups crushed)
- ¼ cup butter
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350℉ and spray a 9 x 13 baking dish with a non-stick cooking spray. Then, set aside.
- Add sour cream, soups, milk, onion powder, black pepper, Italian seasoning, peas, and carrots in a large bowl. Mix until well combined.
- Fold in shredded chicken and cooked noodles until completely coated. Then, pour into the prepared baking dish.
- In a medium bowl, add crushed Ritz crackers, melted butter, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Mix until well combined. Then, sprinkle over the top of the casserole.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes until bubbly and topping is golden brown.
Notes
- Cook the chicken: Instead of using Rotisserie chicken, you can cook and then shred chicken breasts or thighs.
- Tent with foil: Ovens vary so if you notice the topping becoming darker than you would like, tent the casserole with aluminum foil.
- Let it rest: Allow the casserole a few minutes to rest before serving to make it easier to scoop out of the pan.
Nutrition
*All nutrition information provided is automatically calculated and is an estimate and will vary based on ingredients, brands, and changes in cooking methods listed in the recipe. If you need exact numbers on your ingredients, I would recommend calculating them with your prefered nutrition calculator.
Ryan Allen
I hope you enjoy my take on this yummy casserole. My family loves and I hope yours does too.