Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole
You’ll love my Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole recipe! It’s creamy and tangy with a nice crunch from the cracker topping. Perfect for 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.
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.
Ingredient List
- Chicken (Use a whole chicken or chicken pieces to equal about 4 pounds. Or substitute a rotisserie chicken for an even easier option.)
- Chicken Broth or Stock
- Cream of Chicken Soup
- Cream of Mushroom Soup
- Sour Cream
- Ritz Crackers
- Butter
You’ll find detailed measurements for all ingredients in the printable version of the recipe at the bottom of this post.
Can I use a different type of cracker for the topping?
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 This old recipe was originally made with Nabisco’s Escort Crackers and was called Escort Casserole.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.
Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Yes, you can put together the casserole ahead of time and refrigerate it until ready to bake. Either remove it from the fridge about 15 minutes before cooking, or add 10 to 15 minutes to the baking time if it’s cold.
Can I freeze leftovers?
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.
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.
How I Serve the Casserole
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 I Store the 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? I’m happy to help!
If you have more questions about the recipe, or if you’ve made it and would like to leave a comment, scroll down to leave your thoughts, questions, and/or rating!
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Recipe
Want to save this recipe?
Enter your email below and get it sent straight to your inbox.
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.
- Place the chicken in a large bowl and add the broth, soups, and sour cream. Stir until thoroughly combined.
- Place the crushed Ritz crackers in a small bowl. Pour the butter over the crackers and toss until combined.
- 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
- 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.
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.
Step-by-Step Photos and Instructions for How I Make Ritz Cracker and Chicken Casserole
- Prepare the chicken: If using whole chicken or chicken pieces, poach for 20-30 minutes or until done, then remove skin and bones and cut into chunks. If using rotisserie chicken, remove skin and bones and cut into chunks.
- In a large bowl, combine the chicken, broth, cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, and sour cream. Stir until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, mix together the crushed Ritz crackers and melted butter until evenly coated.
- Preheat the oven to 300°F and grease a 13×9 baking dish.
- Spread half of the cracker mixture in the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Top with the chicken mixture, then sprinkle the remaining cracker mixture on top.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until bubbly and golden brown.
- Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.
