Description
Ritz chicken casserole brings comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen, combining creamy textures with crispy cracker toppings. Hearty layers of tender chicken and rich sauce make this classic dish perfect for family dinners you’ll cherish.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Main Ingredients:
- 1 rotisserie chicken, shredded
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Vegetable and Starch Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked rice (white or brown)
- 1 cup broccoli florets (fresh or frozen)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Sauce and Binding Ingredients:
- 1 can (10.5 ounces / 298 grams) cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup milk
- 1 1/2 cups crushed Ritz crackers
- 1/4 cup (4 tablespoons) melted butter
Instructions
- Prepare the cooking environment by heating the oven to 350°F, creating an ideal temperature for a perfectly baked casserole.
- Combine shredded rotisserie chicken, cooked rice, and broccoli florets in a spacious mixing bowl, establishing the foundational layers of the dish.
- Incorporate cream of chicken soup, sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, milk, and seasonings into the mixture, blending thoroughly to create a rich, creamy consistency.
- Transfer the integrated mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish, ensuring an even distribution across the entire surface.
- Create a crispy topping by thoroughly mixing crushed Ritz crackers with melted butter, coating the crackers completely for maximum crunch.
- Generously distribute the buttery cracker mixture over the chicken blend, covering the entire casserole surface to guarantee a uniform, golden-brown crust.
- Position the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, watching for a bubbling interior and a perfectly crisp, golden-brown topping.
- Remove the casserole from the oven and allow it to rest for several minutes, enabling the ingredients to settle and cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Prevent dryness by ensuring the chicken and rice are not overcooked before mixing, maintaining moisture and tenderness.
- Swap ingredients for dietary needs: use gluten-free crackers for celiac diets, low-fat cheese for lighter versions, or plant-based alternatives for vegetarian adaptations.
- Enhance flavor complexity by adding fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary, which complement the creamy chicken base and elevate the overall taste profile.
- Maximize meal prep efficiency by preparing casserole components in advance, storing separately, and assembling just before baking to maintain optimal texture and freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 456
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 820 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 21 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg