You’ll love my Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole recipe! It’s creamy and tangy with a nice crunch from the cracker topping. Perfect for a family dinner any night of the week.
When it comes to classic comfort food, few dishes compare to the flavor and ease of a good, hearty casserole. This Ritzy Chicken Casserole is a timeless family favorite that’s as easy to make as it is delicious to eat.
Casseroles were a familiar sight on our childhood dinner table. My mama was one busy lady, and there were many days when a good casserole saved dinner for her! All she had to do was stir together a few ingredients, pour them into a baking dish, and pop that in the oven! Bake a few dinner rolls, and we were good to go.
You might know this vintage recipe as “Escort Chicken” because it originally used Nabisco’s Escort crackers. Because those crackers are no longer made, it has been repurposed to use Ritz instead.
Recipe Snapshot: Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole
Cuisine: American
Cooking Method: Oven/Stovetop
Total Time: 1 Hour, 10 Minutes
Servings: 8
Primary Ingredient(s): Chicken, chicken broth, cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, Ritz crackers, butter
Skill Level: Easy
What Makes This Recipe Special
This casserole works so well because of how it balances different textures and flavors. The filling is rich and creamy from the combination of soups and sour cream, while the chicken keeps it hearty enough to serve as a main dish. Then you have the topping of buttery crackers baked until golden which adds a lovely contrasting crunch.
It’s also incredibly flexible. You can use either freshly cooked chicken, leftovers, or a rotisserie chicken. That kind of flexibility is what makes this a recipe you’ll serve over and over.
Ingredient Notes
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- Chicken — You can cook a whole chicken, use pieces, or take a shortcut with rotisserie chicken. I often use a rotisserie when I want to save time.
- Cream of Chicken and Cream of Mushroom Soups — These form the base of the casserole and give it a familiar, vintage flavor.
- Sour Cream — Adds a subtle tang and brightness that keeps the filling from feeling heavy.
- Ritz Crackers — For the signature topping. They come out of the oven a beautiful golden color with a buttery flavor that really complements the creamy filling.
The complete ingredient list with detailed measurements is included in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Recipe Variations and Substitutions
- Swap the cream of mushroom soup for cream of celery or cream of broccoli.
- Stir in cooked vegetables like peas, carrots, or corn for a more complete one-dish meal.
- Use Greek yogurt in place of sour cream if you prefer a slightly lighter option.
- Try different crackers such as Club, Townhouse, or even saltines if that’s what you have on hand.
- Crushed potato chips can be used for the topping if you want a different texture.
You’ll also find this recipe in my cookbook!
You can see Ritzy Chicken Casserole on page 212 of my cookbook, My Southern Table! Get your signed copy today.
How to Make Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole
STEP 1. Prepare the chicken: If using whole chicken or chicken pieces, poach for 20-30 minutes or until done (or use a purchased rotisserie chicken as a shortcut).
STEP 2. Remove skin and bones and cut into chunks. If using rotisserie chicken, remove skin and bones and cut into chunks.
STEP 3. In a large bowl, combine the chicken, broth, cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, and sour cream. Stir until well combined.
STEP 4. In a separate bowl, mix together the crushed Ritz crackers and melted butter until evenly coated.
STEP 5. Preheat the oven to 300°F and grease a 13×9 baking dish.
STEP 6. Spread half of the cracker mixture in the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
STEP 7. Top with the chicken mixture, then sprinkle the remaining cracker mixture on top.
STEP 8. Bake for 30 minutes or until bubbly and golden brown.
STEP 9. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.
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Recipe Tips
- Substitute Greek yogurt for the sour cream if you like.
- Use leftover chicken if you have it on hand.
- Add a can of drained, mixed vegetables (such as Veg-All) or diced, cooked vegetables such as carrots, peas, or corn to the chicken mixture.
- Swap out the cream of mushroom soup for cream of celery or cream of broccoli.
- Experiment with different toppings. Try another type of cracker or even crushed potato chips.
- If the casserole is browning too quickly, cover it loosely with foil.
Recipe Troubleshooting Tips
- The casserole is runny. It likely needs a few more minutes in the oven or a longer rest time after baking.
- The crackers are soggy. If you’re assembling the casserole and refrigerating before baking, store the crackers and butter seperately and add them just before cooking. Also, bake uncovered for best results.
- The topping isn’t crisp. Make sure the crackers are well coated in butter and bake uncovered.
Serving Suggestions
I always feel that this creamy chicken casserole needs something green on the side, not only for color but also for a well-rounded meal. Steamed or roasted vegetables like green beans, asparagus, or broccoli are great choices, as is a tossed green salad. Freshly made pull-apart rolls are delicious with it as well.
How to Store Leftovers
- Store completely cooled leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- To reheat, place individual portions in the microwave or oven until heated through. You can also reheat the entire casserole, covered with aluminum foil, in the oven at 350°F for about 20-25 minutes until warmed through.
Questions About Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole
Of course. This old recipe was originally made with Nabisco’s Escort Crackers and was called Escort Casserole. Try any cracker that crumbles easily — Townhouse, Club, Toasteds, Chicken in a Biskit, even saltines are good.
Yes, you can put together the casserole ahead of time and refrigerate it until ready to bake. Remove it from the fridge about 30 minutes before cooking.
You can freeze the leftovers, but the crackers will be soggy when thawed. I think it’s best to enjoy this recipe the same day it’s cooked.texture.
You can, but the texture is much softer. Fresh or rotisserie chicken gives a better result.
Sure! Stir in cooked vegetables like peas, carrots, or corn.
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Recipe
Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole
Ingredients
- 4 pound frying chicken (or 6 small chicken breasts; or substitute meat from a rotisserie chicken)
- ½ cup chicken broth or stock
- 10.5 ounces cream of chicken soup
- 10.5 ounces cream of mushroom soup
- 8 ounces sour cream
- 7 ounces Ritz crackers lightly crushed (about 2 sleeves)
- ½ cup butter melted (1 stick)
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken:If using a whole chicken or chicken pieces, add to a pan or pot with just enough water to cover. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to a simmer, and cook until completely done (about 20-30 minutes). Remove the chicken and let it sit until it’s cool enough to handle. Remove the skin and bones and discard. Cut the chicken into chunks. If using a rotisserie chicken, remove all skin and bones from the chicken and discard. Cut the chicken into chunks.4 pound frying chicken
- Place the chicken in a large bowl and add the broth, soups, and sour cream. Stir until thoroughly combined.½ cup chicken broth or stock, 10.5 ounces cream of chicken soup, 10.5 ounces cream of mushroom soup, 8 ounces sour cream
- Place the crushed Ritz crackers in a small bowl. Pour the butter over the crackers and toss until combined.7 ounces Ritz crackers, ½ cup butter
- Preheat the oven to 300 degrees. Grease or butter a 13×9 baking pan or casserole dish (or spray lightly with non-stick cooking spray).
- Pour half the cracker and butter mixture in the prepared baking dish. Top with the chicken mixture. Add the remaining crackers.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until bubbly. Remove from the oven
- Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Rotisserie chicken works very well and saves time.
- Lightly crush the crackers for the best texture, do not pulverize them.
- Let the casserole rest before serving so it firms up slightly.
- Add cooked vegetables if you want to stretch the dish or make it more complete.
- If making ahead and refrigerating, remove it from the fridge about 30 minutes before cooking.
- Store leftovers refrigerated for up to 3 days.
- Reheat covered to prevent the topping from over-browning.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information is calculated by software based on the ingredients in each recipe. It is an estimate only and is provided for informational purposes. You should consult your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian if precise nutrition calculations are needed for health reasons.