Ritz Chicken Casserole

This Ritz chicken casserole is creamy, cheesy, and topped with buttery crackers for a family-friendly dinner that’s easy to prep in just 10 minutes!

Tender shredded chicken, creamy sauce, melted cheese, and a golden, buttery Ritz cracker topping come together for the ultimate comfort food. The classic Southern casserole is one of those weeknight meals that makes everyone at the table happy; even the picky eaters!

Before You Get Started

Before you mix everything together, here are a few quick tips to make sure your casserole turns out perfectly every time:

• Use fully cooked, shredded chicken. Rotisserie chicken is an easy shortcut, but you can also boil or roast your own. Slow cooker shredded chicken works well.
• Use store-bought or homemade condensed soups. I like the Campbell’s Heart Healthy varieties for a lower-fat and lower-sodium option.
• Grease your baking dish well so the edges don’t stick or burn.
• Ritz crackers create a buttery, golden topping. Substitute with crushed potato chips, crushed Corn Flakes cereal mixed with melted butter, or other butter crackers (like Keebler Club crackers).
• Crush your Ritz crackers in a zip-top bag with a rolling pin or the bottom of a measuring cup for an even, coarse texture. I like to leave a few bigger pieces for extra crunch.

** Pro Tip: Save a few crackers to crush fresh and sprinkle on top right before baking. It gives the crust extra crunch and texture.

Step-by-Step: How to Make Creamy Ritz Chicken Casserole

Step 1: Mix the Creamy Base

In a large bowl, whisk together the cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, and chicken broth. Stir until smooth and well combined. The broth loosens the sauce so it’s nice and creamy rather than thick or sticky.

** Flavor Booster: Add a pinch of garlic powder, onion powder, or herbs (like dried or fresh parsley, thyme, basil, oregano, and chives) here if you’d like a little extra flavor.

Step 2: Add the Chicken

Fold the shredded chicken into the creamy sauce until it’s evenly coated. If your chicken is cold from the fridge, let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes before mixing so it blends more easily and the casserole heats through quickly.

Step 3: Layer and Top with Cheese

Spread the chicken mixture into your prepared baking dish. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Don’t worry if some of it melts into the filling; that just makes it even better.

Step 4: Mix the Crackers and Butter

In a small bowl, combine your crushed crackers with melted butter and stir until all the crumbs are lightly coated. You want them to look moist, not drenched. Spread the cracker mixture evenly over the cheese layer.

Step 5: Bake Until Golden and Bubbly

Bake the casserole uncovered at 350°F for about 20 to 25 minutes, or until the filling is hot and bubbly and the cracker topping turns golden brown. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving so the sauce can thicken slightly.

** Tip: If your topping browns too quickly, just tent the dish loosely with foil and uncover it for the last 5 minutes so it crisps back up.

Serving Suggestions

This classic, old-fashioned chicken casserole goes well with almost any of your favorite starches and vegetables. For instance, pair it with rice, egg noodles, Southern cornbread, or 3-ingredient buttermilk biscuits. It’s also delicious with Southern-style green beans, Arkansas green beans, roasted broccoli, Southern fried apples, and brown sugar glazed carrots.

** Flavor Booster: A sprinkle of fresh parsley or chives on top adds a nice pop of color and freshness.

Variations and Customizations

• Soup swaps: Use cream of celery or all cream of chicken for a slightly different flavor.
• Add veggies: Stir in peas, broccoli, spinach, or diced bell peppers before baking.
• Try new cheeses: Colby Jack, mozzarella, or pepper jack add fun twists.
• Switch the topping: Crushed cornflakes, panko breadcrumbs, or potato chips all work if you don’t have Ritz on hand.
• Add protein: Mix in cooked bacon bits, diced ham, or leftover Thanksgiving turkey.
• Bulk it up: Replace some of the chicken in the filling with cooked rice or cooked pasta.
• Make it gluten-free: Use gluten-free soups and your favorite gluten-free buttery crackers instead of Ritz.

** Pro Tip: Halve the recipe and bake it in an 8 x 8-inch dish for smaller households or easy freezer meals.

Preparation and Storage Tips

• Ritz chicken casserole is a great make-ahead dinner. You can assemble the dish up to 24 hours in advance and keep it covered in the fridge until ready to bake. When ready to bake, allow it to sit on the counter and come to room temperature for at least 30-60 minutes before it goes in the oven.
• You can freeze the casserole before baking. Wrapped tightly, the assembled casserole will keep in the freezer for up to 2 months.
• Leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
• How to Reheat: If reheating an entire casserole, cover the dish loosely with foil and bake in a 350°F oven until warmed through (about 20-30 minutes). Individual portions can be reheated in the microwave for about 1 minute.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Why is my cracker topping soggy? That usually means there was too much butter or too little baking time. Use just enough butter to coat the crumbs and bake uncovered so the steam escapes.
• Can I use canned chicken or leftover turkey? Yes, both work well. Just drain canned chicken before using and shred any large pieces.
• Can I skip one of the soups? You can. Using two different soups adds depth, but it will still taste great with only cream of chicken if that’s what you have.
• Can I make this in a slow cooker or Instant Pot? It’s best in the oven for that golden topping, but you can warm the filling in a slow cooker and add the crumbs just before serving. Condensation from the covered slow cooker will thin the filling, so you’ll likely need less broth.
• My casserole turned out too thick or too runny. What happened? If it’s too thick, stir in a splash of milk or broth before baking. If it’s too thin, reduce the broth slightly next time or add an extra handful of chicken (or rice or pasta).