When it comes to easy, cozy, and crowd-pleasing meals, nothing beats a creamy, buttery, and crispy-topped casserole. And this Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole is one of the best! It’s packed with tender rotisserie chicken, a creamy savory sauce, and topped with a crunchy, golden Ritz cracker crust. Best of all? It’s ridiculously simple to make!
If your family loves classic comfort food, this dish will quickly become a favorite at your dinner table. The best part? It only takes a few minutes to prepare and is made with pantry-friendly ingredients. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family on a busy weeknight or looking for a dish to bring to a potluck, this casserole will always be a winner.
Let’s get started!
Why You’ll Love This Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole
- Quick & Easy: Minimal prep, no fancy techniques, and ready in under an hour!
- Comforting & Creamy: A rich and velvety sauce coats the chicken perfectly.
- Crunchy & Buttery Topping: Ritz crackers bring the perfect golden crispness.
- Kid-Friendly & Family-Approved: A meal that both kids and adults will devour!
- Perfect for Leftovers: It reheats beautifully for next-day meals.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Before we jump into making this delicious casserole, let’s take a look at what you’ll need:
For the Sauce:
✔️ 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken with herbs soup (Campbell’s recommended)
✔️ ¾ cup sour cream
✔️ ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
✔️ 1 tsp seasoned salt (Lowry’s recommended)
✔️ ½ tsp garlic powder
✔️ ¼ tsp black pepper
For the Chicken:
✔️ 3 cups rotisserie chicken, diced into ¾ to 1-inch pieces
For the Buttery Ritz Cracker Topping:
✔️ 2 cups crushed Ritz crackers
✔️ 6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grab an 8×8-inch casserole dish and place it on a rimmed baking tray (this helps catch any drips). Set it aside for now!
Step 2: Prepare the Creamy Sauce
In a large mixing bowl, stir together:
✅ Cream of chicken soup
✅ Sour cream
✅ Chicken broth
✅ Seasoned salt
✅ Garlic powder
✅ Black pepper
Mix until smooth and creamy. This sauce is the heart of the dish—it’s rich, flavorful, and clings perfectly to the chicken.
✨ Pro Tip: If you like a little heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a few dashes of hot sauce to spice things up!
Step 3: Add the Chicken
Now, it’s time to fold in the diced rotisserie chicken. Be gentle—you want to keep those chicken pieces nice and chunky! Stir until the chicken is fully coated in the luscious sauce.
✨ Shortcut Tip: Using rotisserie chicken is a huge time-saver! If you’re cooking your own, poached or baked chicken breast also works well.
Step 4: Assemble the Casserole
Transfer the chicken mixture to your prepared casserole dish. Use a spatula to spread it out evenly, creating a smooth, uniform layer.
At this point, it’s already smelling amazing—but just wait until we add the crispy Ritz cracker topping!
Crunchy Ritz Cracker Topping & Baking Perfection
Now that our creamy chicken base is ready in the casserole dish, it’s time for the magic touch—the buttery, golden Ritz cracker topping! This is what takes this dish from good to absolutely irresistible. The combination of crunchy, buttery crackers on top of the creamy, savory chicken is pure comfort food heaven.
Step 5: Make the Buttery Ritz Cracker Topping
This step is quick and simple, but oh-so-important for that delicious crunch!
In a medium bowl, combine:
✅ 2 cups crushed Ritz crackers – Use about 1 ½ sleeves of crackers and crush them into coarse crumbs (not too fine!). You can do this by placing them in a zip-top bag and gently crushing them with a rolling pin.
✅ 6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted – This binds the crumbs together and adds that rich, buttery flavor.
Stir everything together until the cracker crumbs are evenly coated in the melted butter.
✨ Pro Tip: If you want an extra crunch, add ½ cup of shredded cheese (like cheddar or Parmesan) to the cracker topping before baking!
Step 6: Sprinkle & Bake!
Now for the fun part—sprinkling that golden goodness on top!
Evenly distribute the buttery cracker crumbs over the casserole, making sure to cover every inch for maximum crunch.
Place the casserole in the preheated 350°F (175°C) oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when:
✔️ The edges are bubbly and the center is hot throughout
✔️ The cracker topping is golden brown and crispy
✨ Pro Tip: If the topping isn’t browning as much as you’d like, you can broil it for the last 2-3 minutes—just keep an eye on it so it doesn’t burn!
Step 7: Let It Rest & Serve
Once out of the oven, let the casserole sit for about 5 minutes before digging in. This helps everything set up and makes scooping easier.
Now, grab a spoon, dish up a big, creamy, crunchy scoop, and enjoy! 🍽️
Tips & Variations: Make It Your Own!
One of the best things about this Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole is that it’s easy to customize. Here are some fun variations:
🔸 Add Veggies: Stir in peas, carrots, or broccoli for a complete meal!
🔸 Spice It Up: Add a pinch of paprika, cayenne, or red pepper flakes for extra kick.
🔸 Cheesy Upgrade: Mix 1 cup of shredded cheese into the chicken mixture for an even richer dish!
🔸 Make It a Meal: Serve with rice, mashed potatoes, or a side salad for a well-rounded dinner.
FAQs, Storage Tips & Final Thoughts
By now, you’ve got a bubbling, golden-brown Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole ready to be devoured. But before you dig in, let’s cover some frequently asked questions and pro tips to make sure you get the best results every time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Absolutely! Assemble the casserole up to a day in advance, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or foil, and store it in the fridge. When you’re ready to bake, let it sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before placing it in the oven. You may need to add an extra 5-10 minutes of baking time if it’s coming straight from the fridge.
2. Can I use a different kind of chicken?
Yes! While rotisserie chicken is a great shortcut, you can also use:
- Leftover baked or grilled chicken – Just dice or shred it.
- Boiled or poached chicken breasts – Cook and chop into bite-sized pieces.
- Canned chicken (drained) – This works in a pinch but won’t be as tender.
3. How do I store leftovers?
If you have leftovers (which is rare because it’s that good!), store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
To reheat:
- Microwave individual portions for 1-2 minutes until warm.
- For the best texture, reheat in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes to crisp up the cracker topping again.
4. Can I freeze Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole?
Yes! This casserole freezes well, but do not add the cracker topping before freezing—it will get soggy.
To freeze:
- Assemble the casserole (without the topping) in a freezer-safe dish.
- Wrap tightly with plastic wrap and foil.
- Freeze for up to 3 months.
To bake from frozen:
- Let it thaw overnight in the fridge.
- Add the buttery cracker topping just before baking.
- Bake as directed, adding an extra 10-15 minutes to ensure it’s fully heated through.
5. Can I make this casserole gluten-free?
Yes! Just swap out:
✔️ Gluten-free cream of chicken soup (or make your own from scratch)
✔️ Gluten-free crackers (like Schär or Glutino) in place of Ritz
It will still be just as delicious!
6. What are some good side dishes to serve with this casserole?
This dish is hearty on its own, but if you want to round out your meal, try serving it with:
🥗 A fresh salad – Something light like a Caesar salad or mixed greens.
🥦 Steamed or roasted veggies – Broccoli, green beans, or asparagus pair perfectly.
🥔 Mashed potatoes – Because creamy chicken + mashed potatoes = heaven!
🍞 Dinner rolls or biscuits – Perfect for soaking up that creamy sauce.
Final Thoughts: Why This Casserole is a Must-Try
There’s something about a warm, creamy, crunchy-topped casserole that just screams comfort food, and this Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole is no exception. It’s:
✔️ Super easy to make with simple, pantry-friendly ingredients.
✔️ Rich, creamy, and buttery with the perfect crunchy topping.
✔️ A crowd-pleaser that both kids and adults will love.
✔️ Great for meal prep and makes fantastic leftovers!
Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole
- Total Time: 40 minutes
Description
This Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole is a comforting and creamy dish with a crunchy, buttery topping. Made with rotisserie chicken and a rich, savory sauce, it’s a quick and easy dinner that the whole family will love!
Ingredients
- 10.5 oz cream of chicken with herbs soup (Campbell’s recommended)
- ¾ cup sour cream
- ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 tsp seasoned salt (Lowry’s recommended)
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 3 cups rotisserie chicken, diced into ¾ to 1-inch pieces
- 2 cups crushed Ritz crackers
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
1️⃣ Preheat the oven:
Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place an 8×8-inch casserole dish onto a rimmed baking tray and set aside.
2️⃣ Prepare the sauce:
In a large mixing bowl, stir together the cream of chicken soup, sour cream, chicken broth, seasoned salt, garlic powder, and black pepper until smooth and well combined.
3️⃣ Add the chicken:
Gently fold the diced rotisserie chicken into the sauce mixture, being careful not to break up the pieces too much.
4️⃣ Assemble the casserole:
Transfer the chicken mixture into the prepared casserole dish, smoothing the top to create an even layer.
5️⃣ Make the cracker topping:
In a medium bowl, stir together the crushed Ritz crackers and melted butter until evenly coated.
6️⃣ Top and bake:
Sprinkle the buttery cracker crumbs evenly over the casserole. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and golden brown on top.
7️⃣ Serve:
Let the casserole rest for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy warm!
Notes
- For extra flavor, add ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese to the chicken mixture.
- If you like a crunchier topping, broil the casserole for the last 2 minutes of baking.
- Serve with a side of steamed vegetables or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
