Comfort food made simple: creamy chicken plus buttery, crunchy Ritz crackers equals a homey, filling main.
When someone in your extended family or community needs a helping hand, a hot meal can be a lovely, practical gesture. Whether they’re recovering from surgery, in the middle of moving, or welcoming a new baby, this simple act can create a little oasis of calm in the midst of a busy or stressful time. Comfort food can actually bring comfort! One recipe I rely on for taking a hot dish to family or friends in need is Ritz cracker chicken casserole.
Ritz cracker chicken casserole, sometimes also known as “million-dollar chicken casserole,” is a time-honored classic in the comfort food tradition. This is not a new recipe; it’s been around since the 1950s, when home cooks were churning out easy-to-assemble casseroles using familiar convenience products (like Ritz crackers!). Maybe you grew up eating it at your grandma’s, or it was a favorite meal as a kid; this combo of creamy chicken topped with toasty, buttery Ritz crackers is simple and hearty.
You will love the short ingredient list and easy instructions for Ritz cracker chicken casserole. Even if you’re not an experienced cook, this is a casserole you can put together quickly for a weeknight dinner or as a meal to take to a family member or friend. If you have little kids, get them involved with crushing the Ritz crackers! The crackers crush easily by hand (no food processor required), either in the sleeve itself or when transferred into a plastic resealable bag. Ritz cracker chicken casserole is a foolproof way to get a hot meal on the table, and because of its simplicity, it has wide appeal.
Tips for cooked, shredded chicken
For this recipe, you need about four cups of cooked, shredded chicken. If you have between one and a half to two pounds of raw, boneless, skinless chicken breast, that should be enough. After seasoning with salt and pepper, how you cook it is up to you. Parboiling is the easiest option; cover the breasts with water, bring to a boil, and boil for about eight to ten minutes. Or, you can bake them. In a baking dish greased with a little olive oil, bake at 350°F for 35-45 minutes. Whichever method you use, check for doneness with a thermometer; it should read 165°F. Of course, you can also buy a cooked rotisserie chicken and skip this step altogether, as an easy time saver!
How do I store leftovers?
Store leftover Ritz cracker chicken casserole in an airtight container. Packed this way, leftovers will keep for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. You can also freeze leftovers for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. To serve, reheat servings in the microwave. Alternatively, to recrisp the cracker topping, place leftovers into your air fryer basket and reheat at 350°F for 5-7 minutes.
Serving suggestions
While Ritz cracker chicken casserole is delicious when made according to the instructions, there are plenty of easy variations. Try several to see which one you like best. First, you can toss in a bag of frozen mixed vegetables in step two. Or, you can sauté a diced sweet onion and eight ounces of sliced mushrooms and then add that mixture to the chicken. If you like things a bit spicy, try adding one teaspoon of paprika and three to four drops of Tabasco to the mixture during the second step. Finally, you can always add cheese! Mix in one cup of shredded cheddar cheese with the crushed crackers in step three.
As far as side dishes, start with bread. A lovely choice is Garlic Rolls, which can be made ahead. Additionally, consider serving a green salad like Kale Salad or Apple Walnut Salad for some color and crunch on the side. If you’re going for full-on comfort food mode, round off the meal with apple pie or apple crumble for a sweet and simple ending.
Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole
Ingredients
- 4 cups cooked and shredded chicken
- 10 1/2 ounces condensed cream of chicken soup
- 1/4 cup milk
- 3/4 cup sour cream
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 sleeve Ritz crackers crushed (about 30 crackers)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
- Green onions chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, cream of chicken soup, milk, sour cream, onion powder, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper until mixed well. Spread the mixture evenly in the prepared dish.
- In another bowl, mix the crushed Ritz crackers with the melted butter until evenly coated. Sprinkle the cracker mixture over the chicken mixture.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until the cracker topping is golden brown and the casserole is hot and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with green onions.
- Enjoy your delicious casserole with a side of steamed broccoli or a green salad.
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