Crispy, crunchy, cheesy, saucy Ritzy Chicken Casserole is filled with tender chicken, topped with buttery crackers, and baked until bubbly and golden brown! This dish is so easy to make and the whole family will gobble it up! Who doesn't love delicious chicken casserole recipes?
Next time try this easy recipe from the blog is the King Ranch Chicken Casserole - it's like a super cheesy chicken enchilada, only easier to make!
Jump to:
Why you'll love this recipe
✔️ It's made with simple pantry ingredients and is ridiculously easy to make!
✔️ With only 7 ingredients, it's a simple and classic comfort food dinner that even your pickiest eaters will love this meal.
✔️ You'll love this easy weeknight dinner recipe!
It's the buttery, crispy topping ritz crumbs that makes this recipe. We love this simple recipe!
Ingredients
For the exact measurements for the Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole Recipe, please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Cooked boneless chicken breasts, leftover chicken or a large rotisserie chicken, diced or shredded chicken, if you have raw chicken, you'll need to cook it first.
- One sleeve of buttery Ritz Crackers - to substitute you could use gold fish or club crackers, flavored bread crumbs really any buttery cracker. Saltines would not be near as flavorful but they would work!
- Powdered ranch mix - powdered Italian mix would work as well!
- Condensed cream of chicken soup - cream of mushroom soup or cream of celery soup would be delicious as well.
- Milk - evaporated milk or chicken broth would work if you need a substitute.
- A brick of cream cheese and melted butter.
Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions. For complete directions for this easy chicken casserole, scroll down to the bottom of the blog post.
- Pre heat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9x13 casserole dish with non stick cooking spray, set aside.
- Soften the cream cheese in the microwave at 20 second intervals until its soft and spreadable. In a large bowl blend the cream cheese, canned soup, ranch mix and milk until well combined.
- Add the cooked chicken to the creamy sauce and mix together well.
- Pour into the prepared casserole dish, spread mixture evenly.
- Crush ritz crackers with a rolling pin. Spread the crunchy ritz cracker topping over the creamy filling and drizzle with melted butter. Bake until hot and bubbly.
Slow Cooker Ritz Chicken Instructions
- Spray crockpot cooking vessel with non-stick spray.
- Following instructions 2-5, layering the ingredients as directed.
- Cover, cook on low for 6-7 hours, or high for 3-4 hours. Enjoy!
Equipment
The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
- These mixing bowls - I have two sets and use them daily!
- 9x13-inch baking dish - this one has great handles, making it easy to handle when hot. Any 2 quart baking dish will work.
- wood spoons for cooking - this set is great as it includes a spoon, scraper and slotted spoon.
FAQ's
Yes, the chicken should be fully cooked before preparing this dish.
Yes, this dish can be made and assembled ahead of time and then frozen. The Ritz Chicken Casserole freezes great!
Fresh herbs and spices are where it's at! Parsley, terragon and thyme are delicious. Onion powder and garlic powder are flavor enhancing as well. Oh and don't forget the salt and pepper!
No, there's no need to cover this casserole unless the crackers are getting over-browned. Then just cover lightly with foil.
Things to know
If the top of the buttery chicken casserole is getting too brown, place a piece of aluminum foil over the top while it finishes browning.
Other seasonings you can use are garlic powder, onion powder or substitute powdered Italian seasoning mix.
Variations
- Make this Ritzy Chicken Casserole a complete meal by adding a cup of frozen peas or fresh broccoli prior to baking. Bake the casserole as directed. The vegetables will cook along with the casserole - wa-la! Dinner is done!
- No Ritz crackers? You can top it with just about any cracker or chip. Top the casserole with goldfish, crushed potato chips or crunched up club crackers - that will save you a trip to the store! Don't forget to drizzle with butter prior to baking!
- Adding a teaspoon of poppy seeds turns this into Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole!
- Stretch the meal by serving it over egg noodles or white rice.
- If you want a bottom crust, use two sleeves of ritz crackers. Crush the first sleeve and place in the bottom of the casserole and with the chicken mixture and then the second sleeve of crushed crackers.
- Garnish with parsley or thinly sliced green onions and fresh cracker black pepper.
- Substitute ½ cup sour cream for cream cheese for tangy goodness!
- Adding shredded cheddar cheese or parmesan cheese on top of the chicken mixture before adding the crushed ritz crackers will make this even better!
Storage
Refrigerator - Allow the creamy chicken casserole to completely cool, place in an airtight container. It will last in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Freezer - Leftovers freeze great. Place in freezer container and freeze up the three months.
Reheat - Thaw overnight in the refrigerator. For best results, reheat uncovered in the oven until hot and bubbly. This will crisp up the topping again. If you reheat in the microwave, the top will be soggy.
Serving suggestions
I'd keep it simple and serve Ritzy Chicken Casserole with roasted broccoli or ranch roasted brussels sprouts or steamed brussels sprouts - these are SO GOOD! A side of Southern green beans would be amazing!
Pick one of these with a simple garden salad and some easy dinner rolls - what a great meal!
Need more inspiration? Click here for what to serve with chicken casserole for tons of side dish ideas.
SERVE GREAT MEALS EVERY TIME! 👇
Easy weeknight dinner recipes
There are many great chicken casserole recipes on the blog. Check them out, I'll know you'll find a favorite! Here are more easy weeknight dinner recipes.
- Have you tried this recipe for Chicken Spaghetti with Rotel? It's SO creamy and SO good! Super easy to make as well. I bet your family will really love it!
- This classic recipe for Tuna Noodle Casserole is a family favorite!
- Love enchiladas? Give this delicious recipe for Green Chili Chicken Enchiladas a try. This dish is easy - no need to roll the enchiladas in this layered casserole.
- Be sure to try this recipe for Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole - easy to make and a great meal in one!
- Crockpot Chicken and Gravy is one of my go-to favorites and it's one of my favorite freezer meals! It's so creamy and versatile too. I usually turn leftovers into chicken soup on the third day. So little effort for both meal, It's really good!
- Chicken Alfredo Stuffed Shells is so popular! Super cheesy and rich, it's a tasty meal!
- Moist tender skillet chicken roasted with potatoes, salty Kalamata olives and lemons. It's so simple, but the perfect combination and an easy weeknight meal.
- Baked Pasta Primavera is creamy and loaded with vegetables - so good!
⭐ Love this recipe? Awesome! I'd sure appreciate a five-star rating below!
Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole
Equipment
Ingredients
- 6 cups cooked boneless skinless chicken breasts fully cooked and diced
- 10.5 ounces cream of chicken soup one can
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- ½ cup milk
- 1 tablespoon powdered ranch dressing mix
- ½ cup butter one stick melted
- 1 sleeve Ritz crackers about 40 crackers, crunched
I earn a commission from Instacart from qualifying purchases.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9x13 casserole dish with non stick coating spray, set aside.
- Soften the cream cheese in the microwave at 20 second intervals until its soft and spreadable. In a large mixing bowl, blend the cream cheese, canned soup, ranch mix and milk until well combined.
- Add in the cooked chicken into the soup mixture and mix together well. Pour into the prepared baking dish.
- Sprinkle crushed crackers on top of casserole, drizzle with melted butter. Bake for 20 minutes or until hot and bubbly!
Notes
- Make this Ritzy Chicken Casserole a complete meal by adding a cup of frozen peas or fresh broccoli prior to baking. Bake the casserole as directed. The vegetables will cook along with the casserole - wa-la! Dinner is done!
- No Ritz crackers? You can top it with just about any cracker crumbs or crushed chips. Top the casserole with goldfish, crushed potato chips or crunched up club crackers - that will save you a trip to the store! Don't forget to drizzle with butter prior to baking!
- Adding a teaspoon of poppy seeds turns this into Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole!
- Stretch the meal by serving it over egg noodles or white rice.
- If you were interested in a bottom crust, use one sleeve of ritz crackers for the bottom crust. Top with the second sleeve of crushed crackers.
- Garnish with parsley or thinly sliced green onions.
Jessica
About how long would you cook it for?
Bowl Me Over
You'll bake it for about 20 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Enjoy the casserole Jessica!
Maureen
This recipe is so delicious. A big hit here. Love anything with cheese so everybody chows down.
Thanks for making dinnertime easy and a hit.
Amy Clark
Why does it only serve 6 in a 9X13 pan?
Bowl Me Over
Because I believe that's a realistic serving. By all means if you'd prefer smaller servings and can stretch it further, that's great!
Cassandra
I have all the ingredients to make this tomorrow! Plus a few add-ins of my own! (It's freshly shredded cheddar and crispy bacon) I'll update once it's cooked and tested. Going to serve with buttery crescent rolls.
Bowl Me Over
Wonderful, enjoy Cassandra!
Dee
Is there a substitute for cream cheese? I just cannot have it. Thanks…I really want to try this.
Bowl Me Over
Can you have sour cream Dee? That would be really good as well. Ricotta or cottage cheese can be substituted too - is it dairy that doesn't work or would one of those ingredients work? If not, please let me know and I will research it for you. This is a great recipe and I'd love for you to be able to enjoy it!
Dee
Dairy is the problem. Thanks.