Description
This Creamy Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole is a comforting and easy-to-make dish featuring shredded chicken mixed with a creamy blend of soup and sour cream, topped with a buttery, crunchy Ritz cracker crust. Perfect for a family dinner, this casserole is baked to golden perfection and garnished with fresh parsley for a pop of color and flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Mixture
- 3 cups cooked, shredded chicken (rotisserie works well)
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Topping
- 1 sleeve Ritz crackers (about 30 crackers), crushed
- 1/4 cup melted butter
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Mix Chicken and Creamy Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir well until the mixture is smooth and fully combined.
- Spread Mixture in Dish: Evenly spread the creamy chicken mixture into the prepared baking dish, making sure it’s level.
- Prepare Cracker Topping: In a separate bowl, mix the crushed Ritz crackers with melted butter until the crackers are thoroughly coated with butter.
- Add Topping: Sprinkle the buttered cracker crumbs evenly over the top of the chicken mixture in the baking dish.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the topping turns golden brown and the casserole is bubbling around the edges.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven, garnish with freshly chopped parsley if desired, and serve warm.
Notes
- You can substitute the cream of chicken soup with a homemade white sauce for a fresher taste.
- For a lower-sodium version, use low-sodium cream soup and adjust salt accordingly.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Adding a handful of shredded cheese to the mixture before baking can enhance richness.
- Ensure the crackers are crushed finely for an even crust texture.
