Description
This Creamy Ritz Chicken and Rice Casserole is the ultimate comfort food, featuring tender shredded chicken, creamy cheese sauce, fluffy rice, and a crispy, buttery Ritz cracker topping. It’s a simple, budget-friendly dish perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or potlucks. Enjoy a rich, cheesy, and satisfying meal that the whole family will love!
Ingredients
Casserole Base:
- Cooked White Rice: 2 cups (long-grain or jasmine recommended)
- Shredded Cooked Chicken: 3 cups (rotisserie, boiled, or leftover)
- Cream of Chicken Soup: 1 can (10.5 ounces)
- Sour Cream: 1 cup
- Milk: ½ cup (to thin out the sauce)
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese: 1 cup
- Shredded Mozzarella Cheese: ½ cup
- Garlic Powder: 1 teaspoon
- Onion Powder: 1 teaspoon
- Salt & Black Pepper: To taste
Ritz Cracker Topping:
- Ritz Crackers: 1 ½ cups, crushed
- Butter: 4 tablespoons, melted
- Parmesan Cheese: ¼ cup, grated (optional for extra flavor)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven – Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
- Prepare the Creamy Mixture – In a large mixing bowl, combine cream of chicken soup, sour cream, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix until smooth.
- Add Chicken, Rice, and Cheese – Stir in the shredded chicken, cooked rice, shredded cheddar, and mozzarella cheese until fully combined.
- Transfer to Baking Dish – Spread the creamy chicken and rice mixture evenly into the greased baking dish.
- Make the Ritz Cracker Topping – In a small bowl, mix the crushed Ritz crackers with melted butter and Parmesan cheese (if using). Sprinkle the buttery cracker topping evenly over the casserole.
- Bake Until Golden & Bubbly – Bake uncovered for 30-35 minutes, or until the casserole is hot, bubbly, and the top is golden brown.
- Cool & Serve – Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and enjoy!
Notes
- Use Freshly Cooked Rice: Freshly made rice absorbs the sauce better. If using leftover rice, warm it slightly before mixing.
- Shred Chicken While Warm: Warm chicken is easier to shred—use two forks or a stand mixer.
- Crush Crackers Evenly: For the best crispy topping, crush the Ritz crackers into small but not too fine pieces.
- Rest Before Serving: Letting the casserole sit for 5 minutes helps the sauce thicken.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 23g
- Cholesterol: 85mg