If you’re looking for a comforting meal that brings together creamy textures, savory chicken, and a delightfully crunchy topping, you have to try this Creamy Chicken Rice Casserole with Ritz Cracker Topping Recipe. It’s a wonderful blend of tender chicken, fluffy rice, and rich creaminess that gets perfectly balanced by a buttery, golden Ritz cracker crust. This casserole feels like a warm hug on a plate and is guaranteed to become a family favorite that you’ll make over and over again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are straightforward, pantry-friendly, and each one plays an essential role in building the flavors and textures of this dish. From the creamy soup base to the crispy topping, every element contributes to making this casserole truly special.
- Chicken breasts (3, cooked and shredded or cubed): Adds hearty protein and tender texture to the dish.
- Campbell’s cream of chicken soup (2 cans or 1 large can): Creates a creamy, comforting sauce that ties everything together.
- Minute rice (2 cups, uncooked): Quick-cooking rice that soaks up all the delicious flavors without any fuss.
- Chicken broth (2 cups): Infuses the rice with extra chicken flavor and moisture.
- Sour cream (1 cup): Adds tangy richness and smooth creaminess to the casserole.
- Ritz crackers (2 sleeves, crushed): Provides a buttery, crispy topping that perfectly complements the creamy base.
- Salted butter (1/2 cup): Coats the cracker crumbs to ensure a golden, crunchy finish.
How to Make Creamy Chicken Rice Casserole with Ritz Cracker Topping Recipe
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Start by setting your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures it’s hot and ready when you finish assembling your casserole, giving you a perfect baking environment for even cooking.
Step 2: Mix the Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cream of chicken soup, shredded or cubed cooked chicken breasts, uncooked Minute rice, chicken broth, and sour cream. Stir it all together until the mixture is smooth and everything is well incorporated. This blend creates that luscious, creamy base you’re after.
Step 3: Prepare the Baking Dish
Spread your creamy chicken and rice mixture evenly into a 9×13 inch baking dish. Making an even layer helps everything cook uniformly so every bite tastes just as good as the last.
Step 4: Crush the Ritz Crackers
Place the Ritz crackers into a sealable plastic bag and use a rolling pin to crush them into fine crumbs. This step is key to creating that irresistible crunchy topping that makes this casserole extra special.
Step 5: Butter the Crumbs
Drop the softened salted butter into the bag with your crushed crackers. Seal it back up and shake vigorously until the crumbs are fully coated with butter. This butter coating ensures your topping bakes up golden and crispy instead of dry.
Step 6: Top the Casserole
Sprinkle the buttered cracker crumbs evenly over the casserole mixture in the baking dish. Distributing the topping evenly will give you that perfect crispy finish across every inch.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Place your casserole on the middle rack of the preheated oven and bake for 40 minutes. Keep an eye out for the Ritz cracker topping to turn a gorgeous golden brown and become wonderfully crisp, while the rice inside becomes tender and creamy.
Step 8: Serve and Enjoy
Once baked, let the casserole sit for a few minutes before serving. This resting step helps everything set perfectly and makes serving easier. Now dive in and enjoy your warm, creamy creation!
How to Serve Creamy Chicken Rice Casserole with Ritz Cracker Topping Recipe
Garnishes
Although this casserole stands beautifully on its own, adding a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or a touch of finely grated Parmesan cheese on top adds a lovely burst of color and a hint of extra flavor to brighten each bite.
Side Dishes
Pair your creamy chicken rice casserole with a crisp green salad or steamed vegetables like broccoli or green beans to balance the richness with fresh, crunchy greens. A light citrus vinaigrette on the side adds a delicious contrast.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve this casserole in individual ramekins or small baking dishes, topped with a few whole Ritz crackers for extra crunch. This personalized touch makes it feel like a special homemade treat that everyone will appreciate.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Let the casserole cool completely before transferring any leftovers into an airtight container. Stored in the refrigerator, it stays fresh and delicious for up to 3 days, making it perfect for weekday lunches or next-day dinners.
Freezing
This Creamy Chicken Rice Casserole with Ritz Cracker Topping Recipe freezes beautifully. Wrap the entire casserole tightly with plastic wrap and foil or portion it out into freezer-safe containers. You can freeze it for up to 2 months and enjoy convenience without sacrificing flavor.
Reheating
For the best texture, thaw frozen casserole overnight in the fridge. Reheat covered at 350°F until warmed through, about 25-30 minutes. If you love that crispy Ritz cracker topping, uncover it for the last 5-10 minutes of reheating to restore the crunch.
FAQs
Can I use leftover rotisserie chicken for this recipe?
Absolutely! Using pre-cooked rotisserie chicken is a fantastic shortcut that adds great flavor and saves prep time. Just shred or cube the chicken and use it right in the recipe.
Is there a substitute for Ritz crackers in the topping?
If you don’t have Ritz crackers on hand, buttery breadcrumbs or crushed saltine crackers work well as substitutes. Keep in mind, the buttery element is key for that golden crunch, so add melted butter accordingly.
Can this casserole be made dairy-free?
Yes! You can swap out the sour cream for a dairy-free alternative like coconut cream or cashew cream. Also, choose dairy-free butter or margarine for the topping to keep it completely dairy-free and just as tasty.
What if I don’t have Minute rice?
You can use regular white rice, but be sure to adjust the cooking time and liquid slightly, as the texture and cooking time will vary. Quick cooking rice or parboiled rice are the best options for this recipe.
Can I add vegetables to the casserole?
Definitely! Stirring in cooked peas, finely chopped carrots, or mushrooms before baking adds lovely color, nutrition, and flavor to your creamy chicken rice casserole.
Final Thoughts
This Creamy Chicken Rice Casserole with Ritz Cracker Topping Recipe is pure home comfort on a plate. It’s easy to make, packed with flavor, and has that magical crunchy topping that makes casseroles truly unforgettable. I encourage you to give it a try—whether it’s a busy weeknight or a cozy weekend dinner, this dish will bring smiles around your table and maybe even some new family requests for seconds!
Print
Creamy Chicken Rice Casserole with Ritz Cracker Topping Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Chicken Rice Casserole is a comforting and hearty dish combining tender cooked chicken, creamy soup, rice, and a crispy buttery cracker topping. Perfect for family dinners, it’s easy to prepare and bakes to golden perfection, delivering creamy, savory flavors with a satisfying crunch.
Ingredients
Chicken Mixture
- 3 chicken breasts (cooked and shredded or cubed, about 4 cups)
- 2 cans Campbell’s cream of chicken soup (or 1 large can)
- 2 cups Minute rice (or quick cooking rice, uncooked)
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup sour cream
Topping
- 2 sleeves Ritz crackers (crushed)
- 1/2 cup salted butter (softened)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the cream of chicken soup, cooked shredded or cubed chicken breast, uncooked rice, chicken broth, and sour cream. Stir until all ingredients are thoroughly incorporated.
- Prepare the Baking Dish: Spread the combined mixture evenly into a 9×13 inch baking dish to ensure even cooking.
- Crush Crackers: Place Ritz crackers in a sealable plastic bag and use a rolling pin to crush them into fine crumbs.
- Butter the Crumbs: Add softened salted butter into the bag with the crushed crackers, reseal, and shake vigorously to coat the crumbs evenly with butter.
- Top the Casserole: Evenly spread the buttered cracker crumbs over the top of the casserole mixture in the baking dish.
- Bake: Place the casserole on the middle rack of the preheated oven and bake for 40 minutes, or until the cracker topping is golden brown and crispy and the rice is tender.
- Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy this creamy, crispy, and satisfying Chicken Rice Casserole!
Notes
- You can use any cooked chicken you have on hand, including rotisserie chicken for convenience.
- For a lower-fat version, use reduced-fat sour cream and low-sodium broth.
- Minute rice is recommended for quick cooking, but you can substitute with other quick-cooking rice varieties.
- Make sure the butter is softened before mixing with the cracker crumbs for even coating.
- This casserole can be prepared in advance and refrigerated before baking; just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking from cold.
