Description
Southern comfort meets creamy elegance in this ritz cracker chicken casserole, a hearty dish packed with cheesy goodness and crispy cracker topping. Nostalgic flavors and simple ingredients blend seamlessly, promising a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 3 cups rotisserie chicken, diced into 3/4 to 1-inch pieces
Liquid and Cream Base:
- 10.5 ounces (298 grams) cream of chicken with herbs soup (Campbells recommended)
- 3/4 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
Seasoning and Spices:
- 1 teaspoon seasoned salt (Lowrys recommended)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Topping:
- 2 cups crushed Ritz crackers
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and position a rack in the center. Coat an 8×8-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Create a creamy base by whisking cream of chicken soup, sour cream, chicken broth, seasoned salt, garlic powder, and black pepper in a spacious mixing bowl until the mixture becomes silky and uniform.
- Incorporate diced rotisserie chicken into the sauce, gently folding to maintain tender meat chunks and ensure even distribution of flavors.
- Transfer the chicken and sauce mixture into the prepared baking dish, using a spatula to spread it evenly across the bottom and create a smooth surface.
- Prepare the crispy topping by combining crushed Ritz crackers with melted butter, stirring thoroughly to ensure each cracker fragment is well-coated with buttery richness.
- Generously scatter the buttered cracker crumbs across the entire casserole surface, creating a golden, crunchy layer that will provide textural contrast.
- Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, watching for a bubbling center and a deep golden-brown cracker topping that signals perfect doneness.
- Remove from the oven and allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes, which helps the filling set and makes serving easier. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired and serve piping hot.
Notes
- Cracker Selection: Experiment with different butter cracker varieties like whole wheat or reduced-fat versions for unique flavor profiles and healthier alternatives.
- Protein Flexibility: Swap rotisserie chicken with leftover turkey, canned chicken, or shredded cooked chicken breasts to reduce food waste and accommodate ingredient availability.
- Gluten-Free Adaptation: Replace Ritz crackers with gluten-free crackers or crushed cornflakes to make the casserole suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
- Spice Customization: Add extra heat by incorporating diced jalapeños, red pepper flakes, or a dash of hot sauce into the sauce mixture for those who enjoy a spicier kick.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg