Southern Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole
This Ritz cracker chicken casserole brings together tender chicken, a creamy and savory sauce, and a buttery cracker topping that bakes up golden and crisp. It’s quick to assemble, deeply comforting, and exactly the kind of dinner that disappears fast once it hits the table.
This Ritz cracker chicken casserole leans into everything I love about comfort food. I mean, you’ve got tender chicken tucked into a creamy, savory sauce and a buttery cracker topping that turns golden in the oven. The whole thing is rich and has that salty crunch from the crackers. And hey, while I’m all for mac and cheese and fried chicken, there’s something about this paprika-packed casserole that’s trying hard to unseat that Southern favorite in my heart!
The topping is really what takes the cake here. Ritz crackers soak up melted butter as they bake and form a fabulous crisp layer that contrasts with the creamy filling underneath. A little Worcestershire sauce in the base gives you a kick, and the celery brings just enough freshness and crunch to prevent this from feeling too heavy.
It’s also the kind of recipe that you can work around a hectic schedule quite easily. Rotisserie chicken keeps prep quick, and the rest of the ingredients are just a handful of pantry staples or grocery store goodies that many of us already have lying around. Slide this Southern chicken casserole into the oven, and about half an hour later, you’ve got something warm, cozy, and guaranteed to make everyone at the table happy! Phew.
Additional upgrade
While this is quite tasty using the cream of chicken soup, I like to squeeze in a vegetable too, which is not typically in the traditional recipe. Celery comes to mind, so cream of celery soup and 2 ribs of celery chopped do the trick!
If you want a little kick, add a decent pinch of red pepper flakes or a 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne powder.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
(Be sure to check the recipe card for a full list of ingredients and quantities)
- Rotisserie Chicken: Using pre-cooked chicken saves time and adds tons of flavor. You can substitute leftover roasted chicken or poached chicken breasts if you like.
- Cream of Chicken Soup: This creates the creamy base of the Ritz cracker chicken casserole. Cream of celery works just as well and brings a bit of extra vegetable flavor, but you’ll lose some of the savory depth.
- Sour Cream: For richness and a slight tang. Greek yogurt is great in a pinch or if you want to lighten things up without losing the creaminess.
- Celery: This is such a hidden gem for giving this casserole a bit of crunch and loads of freshness.
- Ritz Crackers: The signature topping of dreams. When you toss the crumbs with butter and bake, it creates a golden crust that contrasts so well with the creamy filling. Club crackers or another buttery round cracker will work if needed.
- Worcestershire Sauce: The only umami booster you need here.
How to Make Chicken Casserole with Ritz Crackers
- Prep the Baking Dish. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and lightly grease an 8×8 casserole dish so the filling doesn’t stick during baking.
- Crush the Crackers. Place the Ritz crackers in a zip-top bag and crush them into coarse crumbs. Leave a few larger pieces to give the topping extra texture once it’s baked.
- Mix the Filling. In a bowl, whisk together the soup, sour cream, Worcestershire sauce, and seasonings until smooth. Stir in the chopped chicken and celery so everything is well coated.
- Assemble the Casserole. Spread the chicken mixture evenly into the prepared dish. Then, cover the top of the chicken casserole with Ritz cracker crumbs and drizzle with melted butter.
- Bake. Pop the dish in the oven for about 25 minutes, until the filling is bubbling and the cracker topping turns golden.
- 8×8 Casserole Dish: The perfect size for this Southern chicken casserole. Everything will bake properly without burning around the edges.
- Large Mixing Bowl: Plenty of room for whisking the sauce and tossing with the chicken and veggies.
- Zip-Top Bag: This is a must in my house as it makes crushing crackers quick and mess-free.
Serving Suggestions
Chicken casserole with Ritz crackers is incredibly rich, so it works well with lighter sides that can bring a bit of freshness to the table.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Make sure the crushed crackers stay on top of Southern chicken casserole rather than mixed into the filling. Drizzling the melted butter over them helps them toast and stay crisp while baking.
If the mixture seems too dense before you bake it, stir in a few tablespoons of chicken broth or milk to loosen it first. The sauce should spread easily in the dish, but you may need a little bit more (or less!).
Absolutely, you can. I recommend assembling the casserole without the cracker topping and refrigerating it for up to a day if you’re short on time. It’s easy to add the crackers and melted butter just before baking so the topping stays crisp.
Spice Blends for Sale
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Preheat your oven to 350°F. Spray an 8×8 inch casserole dish with non stick cooking spray and set aside.
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In a Ziplok bag add a sleeve (33) Ritz crackers and crush. Set aside.
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Whisk together the soup, sour cream, Worcestershire sauce, onion and garlic powders, salt, pepper and paprika. Add a 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne or red pepper flakes for a little kick, optional.
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Add the chopped chicken, celery and mix to coat thoroughly. Spread into the bottom of prepared casserole dish.
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Top your casserole with the crushed crackers and melted butter. Bake for 25 minutes until top is golden brown.
Calories: 308kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 57mg | Sodium: 730mg | Potassium: 155mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 817IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 83mg | Iron: 1mg
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
