Description
Comfort meets convenience in this irresistible Creamy Chicken Ritz Casserole, blending tender chicken and crispy crackers into a heartwarming meal. Smooth, cheesy layers meld perfectly, promising a delightful dinner you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 3 cups (720 ml) cooked, shredded chicken breast
Creamy Base:
- 10.75 ounces (305 grams) cream of chicken or cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup (240 ml) sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
Topping and Seasoning:
- 2 sleeves Ritz crackers, crushed
- 1/2 cup (115 grams / 1 stick) butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons poppy seeds (optional)
Instructions
- Warm the culinary workspace by heating the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 2.5-3 quart baking vessel with a light cooking spray coating.
- Create a silky foundation by whisking cream of chicken soup and sour cream until smooth and uniform in texture.
- Incorporate shredded chicken into the creamy mixture, ensuring each tender morsel is completely enveloped by the luxurious sauce.
- Gently transfer the chicken blend into the prepared baking dish, distributing it evenly across the surface.
- Crush Ritz crackers into fine, delicate fragments and combine with melted butter to form a golden, crispy topping.
- Optional: Enhance the topping’s complexity by sprinkling poppy seeds throughout the buttery cracker mixture.
- Meticulously spread the cracker topping across the chicken base, creating a uniform golden-brown blanket.
- Slide the casserole into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, watching for a rich, amber-hued crust and bubbling edges.
- Allow the casserole to rest for several minutes after removing from the oven, enabling flavors to settle and meld.
- Serve alongside vibrant green vegetables or a crisp salad to balance the dish’s rich, comforting profile.
Notes
- Swap Greek yogurt for sour cream to reduce calories and add extra protein, making the dish healthier without compromising creamy texture.
- Use rotisserie chicken for a time-saving hack that adds more depth of flavor and ensures tender meat throughout the casserole.
- Consider gluten-free alternatives like crushed gluten-free crackers or panko breadcrumbs to make the recipe suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
- Add fresh herbs like thyme or parsley to the cracker topping for an aromatic boost and bright, fresh flavor profile that elevates the entire dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 19 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg