Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole Recipe
The Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole is a comforting and flavorful baked dish featuring tender chicken breasts smothered in a creamy sauce, topped with melted cheddar cheese and a crispy, buttery Ritz cracker crust. Quick to prepare and perfect for busy weeknights, this casserole offers a delightful balance of creamy, crunchy, and savory elements that make it a family favorite.
- Author: Lilly
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Contains gluten (can be made gluten-free with substitutions)
Main Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 cups Ritz crackers, crushed
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Dish: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a casserole dish to prevent sticking and to help the top brown beautifully.
- Prepare Chicken: Trim and season the boneless, skinless chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Place them evenly in the prepared baking dish.
- Mix Creamy Sauce: In a bowl, combine the cream of chicken soup and sour cream until smooth. Spread this creamy mixture evenly over the chicken breasts to keep them moist and flavorful.
- Add Cheese Layer: Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese generously on top of the creamy sauce layer, adding that irresistible melty texture.
- Prepare Ritz Cracker Topping: Crush the Ritz crackers into fine crumbs—not too powdery—and mix with the melted butter. Sprinkle evenly over the cheese layer for a golden, crunchy topping.
- Bake Until Bubbly: Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked, the cheese is melted, and the cracker crust turns a beautiful golden brown.
Notes
- Evenly spread the creamy sauce and cheese for consistent flavor in every bite.
- Crush the Ritz crackers finely but avoid turning them into dust for the perfect crunchy topping texture.
- Use fresh chicken breasts for better juiciness and texture compared to frozen or pre-cooked meat.
- If the cracker topping browns too quickly, loosely cover the dish with aluminum foil halfway through baking.
- Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes after baking to set and make serving easier.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: Ritz cracker chicken casserole, cheesy chicken casserole, easy chicken dinner, comfort food casserole, quick chicken bake, weeknight dinner