Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole (Crunchy Topping in 35 Minutes)

Name: Chicken Casserole with Ritz Crackers
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 3 cups cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie or poached); 1 tablespoon salted butter; 1 cup chopped yellow onion (or shallot); 2 cloves garlic (minced); 10 ounces frozen vegetable medley (thawed); 2 cans cream of chicken soup (10.5 ounces each, I prefer Pacific Foods brand); 1/2 cup chicken broth; 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 2 sleeves Ritz crackers; 4 tablespoons melted salted butter; 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

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Creamy chicken casserole with Ritz crackers is shredded chicken and cream of chicken soup baked under a buttery, golden cracker topping. It’s ready in about 35 minutes so it’s the perfect quick dinner for busy weeknights just like our chicken tater tot casserole.

This chicken casserole recipe features a spoonful of Dijon and a quick sauté of onion and garlic in butter before it bakes. It’s a small extra step, but it gives a homemade flavor. I also skip the sour cream to opt for a more “gravy” like texture. But the crunchy Ritz topping is what brings everyone back for seconds.

QUICK LOOK: Chicken Casserole with Ritz Crackers

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Bake Time: 25 minutes (If veggies are frozen, add 10 minutes to baking time)
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 6
Cook Method: Plan ahead for the chicken. Use leftover chicken or cook chicken in advance for this casserole. Then just mix in a bowl and bake in the oven.
Flavor & Texture: This tastes like a comforting chicken and gravy casserole. The dijon mustard adds richness, and the Ritz crackers add a crunchy texture.
Difficulty: Easy

The 30-Minute Chicken Casserole That Tastes Like a Church Cookbook Classic

This is one of those chicken casseroles I keep in my back pocket for busy weeks. If I’ve got leftover roasted chicken or shredded chicken (or a rotisserie chicken from the store), dinner is halfway done.

This chicken casserole with ritz crackers is one of those recipes that are all over the old church cookbooks from my grandma, right next to million dollar pie and church window cookies. It’s an easy casserole recipe that is in almost in every one!

The crunchy Ritz cracker topping is what brings smiles around the table, and I love that I can toss in whatever frozen veggies I have on hand.

Serve this casserole with side dishes like green beans, steamed broccoli, rice or cream cheese mashed potatoes.

Love old fashioned recipes? Try our pineapple pie and broccoli and cheese casserole. You’ll love the delicious recipes in our cookbook At the Family Table.

Enjoy! -Julie

What’s in Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole?

chicken casserole with ritz crackers ingredients on a table

I love mixed veggies with corn, carrots, green beans and peas.

I use either gluten free Campbell’s or Pacific Foods soup. Don’t want to use canned soup? Make homemade cream of chicken soup.

There are about 30 crackers in a sleeve of Ritz crackers, so you’ll need about 60 crackers. Use leftover crackers in our pineapple casserole.

How do you prep chicken for a casserole?

The easiest way to prep the chicken is to buy a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken. But you can also poach 2 large chicken breasts then shred. For a quick poach use about 3-4 cups of water or chicken stock and bring to a boil.

Add the chicken and lower the temperature to a simmer. Cook for about 12-15 minutes, checking that the internal temperature reaches about 160°F. Remove from heat and allow it to sit until it reaches 165°F. Remove from liquid and allow it to rest for 5 minutes, then shred.

How do you make chicken casserole with Ritz crackers?

Add the butter to a large skillet over medium heat. Add in the chopped onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until it softens. Stir in the garlic and remove from heat.

Add the onion mixture to the chicken and gently mix together. Add the frozen vegetables, cream of chicken soup cans, chicken broth, Dijon mustard, salt and pepper. Mix together. Pour the mixture into the greased casserole dish and spread out evenly.

Using a rolling pin, crush the Ritz crackers, leaving some medium sized pieces. Put the crushed crackers into a mixing bowl and add the melted butter and parsley. Mix well.

Coat the entire top of the casserole with the Ritz cracker topping. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the crackers are golden and the casserole is bubbling. Allow the casserole to sit for about 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or thyme or sliced green onion if desired.

baked chicken casserole with ritz crackers on a table

Chicken Casserole with Ritz Crackers

5 from 8 votes

Creamy chicken casserole with Ritz crackers made with shredded chicken, cream of chicken soup, and a buttery cracker topping. This easy Ritz chicken casserole is a family-favorite dinner ready in about 35 minutes.

Servings 6

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 25

Total Time 35

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Ingredients

3 cups cooked shredded chicken rotisserie or poached
1 tablespoon salted butter
1 cup chopped yellow onion or shallot
2 cloves garlic minced
10 ounces frozen vegetable medley thawed
2 cans cream of chicken soup 10.5 ounces each, I prefer Pacific Foods brand
1/2 cup chicken broth
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 sleeves Ritz crackers
4 tablespoons melted salted butter
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×13 casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray. Place the chicken into a large bowl and set aside. 3 cups cooked shredded chicken
Add the butter to a large skillet over medium heat. Add in the chopped onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until it softens. Stir in the garlic and remove from heat. 1 tablespoon salted butter, 1 cup chopped yellow onion, 2 cloves garlic
Add the onion mixture to the chicken and gently mix together. Add the thawed vegetables, cream of chicken soup cans, chicken broth, Dijon mustard, salt and pepper. Gently but thoroughly mix together making sure all the chicken is coated well. 10 ounces frozen vegetable medley, 2 cans cream of chicken soup, ½ cup chicken broth, 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Pour the mixture into the greased casserole dish and spread out evenly.
Using a rolling pin, crush the Ritz crackers, leaving some medium sized pieces. Put the crushed crackers into a mixing bowl and add the melted butter and parsley. Mix well. 2 sleeves Ritz crackers, 4 tablespoons melted salted butter
Coat the entire top of the casserole with the Ritz cracker topping. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the crackers are golden and the casserole is bubbling. Allow the casserole to sit for about 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

For a tangier, creamier filling, swap one can of cream of chicken soup for 1 cup of sour cream. This is closer to the classic diner-style version.
You can add some shredded cheddar cheese or mozzarella to make it even creamier and cheesier.
To make ahead, assemble the filling and refrigerate up to a day. Add the cracker topping just before baking and add about 10 minutes if baking from cold.

Leftovers store well in an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for about 5 days. You can microwave or place back into the oven until heated through. Top with extra fresh crushed Ritz crackers.

Refer to the article above for more recipe tips and tricks.

The calories shown are based on the recipe serving 6, with 1 serving being ⅙ of the recipe. Since different brands of ingredients have different nutritional information, the calories shown are just an estimate. **We are not dietitians and recommend you seek a nutritionist for exact nutritional information. **

Nutrition

Author Julie Clark

Course comfort food, Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine American

Calories 339

Keyword casserole, creamy, family-friendly, quick

Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole FAQs

How many Ritz crackers do you need for chicken casserole?

You need 2 sleeves, which is about 60 crackers, for a 9×13 dish. Crush them coarsely and leave some medium pieces so the top stays crunchy instead of turning to fine crumbs. Use less if you prefer!

How do you keep the Ritz topping crispy?

Toss the crushed crackers with melted butter before they go on, and add the topping right before baking. Bake uncovered until the top is golden, about 20 to 25 minutes.

Can you make chicken casserole with Ritz crackers ahead of time?

Yes. Assemble the filling in the dish, cover, and refrigerate up to a day. Add the buttered cracker topping right before it goes in the oven so it bakes up crisp. Add about 10 minutes to the bake time if it’s going in cold.

Why isn’t this a 4 or 5 ingredient chicken casserole?

It uses a few more than that on purpose. The sauteed onion, garlic, and Dijon are what give it a from-scratch flavor the shortcut versions don’t have. We only give you the best!