Description
This Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole is a comforting and easy-to-make dish featuring tender shredded chicken baked in a creamy soup mixture, topped with crunchy crushed Ritz crackers and melted cheddar cheese. Perfect for a family dinner, it delivers a delicious blend of textures and flavors in under an hour.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Mixture
- 3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
- ½ cup milk
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp seasoning salt
Topping
- 1 cup crushed Ritz crackers
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a large baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Mix Chicken and Soup: In a bowl, combine shredded cooked chicken breasts with the cream of chicken soup and milk, stirring until the mixture is smooth and evenly blended.
- Season: Add garlic powder, onion powder, and seasoning salt to the chicken mixture, stirring well. Taste and adjust seasonings as desired for optimal flavor.
- Layer Crackers: Spread half of the crushed Ritz crackers evenly on the bottom of the prepared baking dish to create a crispy base layer.
- Add Chicken Mixture: Pour the creamy chicken mixture over the cracker layer and spread it out evenly for consistent cooking.
- Top with Cheese and Crackers: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the chicken layer, then top with the remaining crushed Ritz crackers to add a crunchy golden topping.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes or until the top is bubbly, golden brown, and cooked through.
Notes
- For extra flavor, consider adding chopped onions or celery to the chicken mixture before baking.
- Use cooked and shredded chicken breasts from a rotisserie chicken to save time.
- You can substitute cheddar cheese with a cheese blend or mozzarella for a different taste.
- If you prefer a crispier topping, broil the casserole for an additional 2-3 minutes after baking, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- This casserole can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated; bake just before serving.
