Description
Ritz cracker chicken casserole brings comfort and nostalgia to dinner tables with its crispy, creamy layers of pure satisfaction. Hearty ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a Southern-style dish that promises warmth and deliciousness in every single bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Main Proteins:
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup diced cooked chicken
Crackers and Breading:
- 2 cups crushed Ritz crackers
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
Wet Ingredients and Seasonings:
- 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of chicken soup
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp salt
Cheese and Optional Add-ins:
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and generously grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine cream of chicken soup, sour cream, milk, eggs, melted butter, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper, whisking until the mixture is smooth and well-integrated.
- Cut chicken breasts into bite-sized chunks, ensuring uniform cooking and easy serving.
- Fold the diced chicken and chicken chunks into the creamy sauce, coating each piece thoroughly.
- In a separate bowl, mix crushed Ritz crackers, breadcrumbs, and grated parmesan cheese to create a crunchy topping.
- Transfer the sauced chicken mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly across the surface.
- Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the chicken layer, creating a rich, melty foundation.
- Distribute the cracker-breadcrumb mixture uniformly across the top of the casserole, ensuring complete coverage.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the top turns golden brown and the chicken is cooked through.
- Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5-7 minutes to allow the sauce to set.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving for a pop of color and fresh herbaceous flavor.
Notes
- Swap cream of chicken soup with homemade cream sauce for a cleaner, less processed alternative that boosts flavor and reduces sodium.
- Replace whole milk with low-fat or plant-based milk to create a lighter, diet-friendly version without compromising creamy texture.
- Toast breadcrumb topping in a skillet before adding to enhance crunchiness and develop deeper, nuttier flavor profiles.
- Experiment with different cheese combinations like gruyère or smoked gouda to elevate the casserole’s complexity and add unexpected richness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg