Description
This comforting Chicken Casserole recipe combines tender shredded chicken with a creamy mixture of condensed soup, sour cream, and spices, topped with crunchy buttery Ritz crackers and melted cheddar cheese. Baked to golden perfection, it makes a delicious and easy dinner perfect for family meals or gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Creamy Chicken Mixture
- 2 (10.5-ounce) cans condensed cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup sour cream (240g)
- 1½ teaspoons onion powder
- 1½ teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 8 cups shredded cooked chicken (about 1kg/2 rotisserie chickens)
- 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese (approximately 170g)
Topping
- 2 full sleeves Ritz crackers, lightly crushed (250g)
- 4 tablespoons melted butter (56g)
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese (approximately 55g)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F. Lightly spray a 13×9-inch casserole dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking and ensure easy serving.
- Prepare Filling: In a large bowl, combine the condensed cream of chicken soup, sour cream, onion powder, garlic powder, kosher salt, and black pepper. Stir these ingredients together until smooth and well blended. Fold in the shredded cooked chicken and 1½ cups of the shredded cheddar cheese, mixing gently to distribute evenly.
- Assemble Casserole: Transfer the creamy chicken mixture into the prepared casserole dish, spreading it out evenly to ensure uniform baking and flavor in every bite.
- Prepare Topping: In a medium bowl, mix the lightly crushed Ritz crackers with the melted butter until the crackers are thoroughly coated, which will create a crunchy and flavorful topping.
- Top the Casserole: Sprinkle the buttery cracker mixture evenly over the chicken layer in the casserole dish, then finish by sprinkling the remaining ½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the top for a golden, cheesy crust.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the filling is bubbling and the cracker topping has turned a light golden brown, indicating the casserole is heated through and the flavors have melded beautifully.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for 15 to 20 minutes. This resting time allows the casserole to thicken, making it easier to serve and enjoy at the perfect consistency.
Notes
- Chicken Casserole is perfect for an easy dinner tonight! Stir together the creamy chicken filling and top it with cheese and crisp, buttery crackers.
- You can use leftover rotisserie chicken or any cooked shredded chicken for convenience.
- For extra flavor, consider adding chopped herbs like thyme or parsley to the filling.
- To make the topping gluten-free, substitute Ritz crackers with gluten-free crackers or crushed nuts.
- This casserole can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated before baking; just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking straight from the fridge.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 925 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 2043 mg
- Fat: 57 g
- Saturated Fat: 24 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 26 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 39 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 63 g
- Cholesterol: 230 mg
