Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole Recipe
Introduction
This Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole is a comforting and creamy dish perfect for weeknight dinners. With tender shredded chicken, a flavorful creamy sauce, and a crunchy cracker topping, it’s both easy to make and delicious to eat.
Ingredients
- Cooking spray
- 1 (10.75-oz.) can condensed cream of chicken soup
- 3/4 cup (4%) cottage cheese
- 3/4 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup sliced chives
- 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 4 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 1 cup frozen peas, thawed
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar
- 31 Ritz crackers (about 1 1/3 cups), crushed
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- Chopped fresh parsley, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Lightly grease an 11″ x 8″ baking dish with cooking spray.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together the cream of chicken soup, cottage cheese, sour cream, chives, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper until smooth.
- Step 3: Fold the cooked shredded chicken and thawed peas into the sauce mixture. Season with freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Step 4: Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread evenly. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese on top.
- Step 5: In a medium bowl, combine the crushed Ritz crackers with the melted butter. Sprinkle this crumb mixture evenly over the cheese layer.
- Step 6: Bake the casserole for 25 to 30 minutes, until the top is browned and the casserole is bubbling.
- Step 7: Allow the casserole to stand for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired.
Tips & Variations
- For extra flavor, stir in 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika or a squeeze of lemon juice into the sauce mixture.
- You can substitute shredded rotisserie chicken if short on time.
- Swap peas for cooked broccoli or green beans for a different vegetable twist.
- Use a mix of cheddar and Monterey Jack for a creamier cheese topping.
Storage
Store leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or warm the entire dish covered in the oven at 350°F until heated through, about 15-20 minutes.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the casserole and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking straight from the fridge.
Can I freeze the Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole?
This casserole freezes well. Freeze before baking in a suitable container. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bake as directed, adding extra baking time if needed.
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Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
This creamy Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole is a comforting and flavorful baked dish that combines tender shredded chicken with a rich sauce made from cream of chicken soup, cottage cheese, and sour cream. Topped with a crispy Ritz cracker and cheddar cheese crust, it’s a quick and easy meal perfect for family dinners or potlucks.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Cooking spray, for greasing
- 1 (10.75-oz.) can condensed cream of chicken soup
- 3/4 cup 4% cottage cheese
- 3/4 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup sliced chives
- 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 4 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 1 cup frozen peas, thawed
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Topping
- 31 Ritz crackers (from 1 sleeve), crushed (about 1 1/3 cups)
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Optional garnish
- Chopped fresh parsley, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare the dish: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C). Lightly grease an 11″ x 8″ baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Make the filling: In a large bowl, whisk together the condensed cream of chicken soup, cottage cheese, sour cream, sliced chives, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Add chicken and peas: Gently fold in the cooked shredded chicken and thawed peas into the creamy mixture. Season with freshly ground black pepper to your liking. Transfer this filling to the prepared baking dish and evenly spread it out in a smooth layer.
- Add cheddar cheese: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the chicken mixture in the baking dish.
- Prepare the topping: In a medium bowl, combine the crushed Ritz crackers with the melted unsalted butter until the crumbs are well coated.
- Top the casserole: Evenly sprinkle the buttered cracker crumbs over the cheese layer to create a crispy crust.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the casserole is browned on top and bubbling around the edges.
- Rest and garnish: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it stand for 5 minutes to set. If desired, sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
- For extra flavor, you can add chopped cooked onions or garlic when mixing the filling.
- Substitute frozen peas with other vegetables like carrots or corn if preferred.
- If you want a lower-fat version, use low-fat cottage cheese and reduced-fat sour cream.
- This casserole can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated before baking; just increase baking time slightly if baking from cold.
- Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven for best texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: chicken casserole, Ritz cracker casserole, creamy chicken bake, easy chicken dinner, comfort food, baked chicken dish, casserole recipes
