Description
Hearty chicken casserole with ritz crackers combines comfort and flavor in one delightful dish. Crispy cracker topping and creamy filling make this classic midwestern meal a perfect family dinner. Comfort awaits you at the table.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups (720 ml) cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie)
- 1 cup (240 ml) sour cream
- 1 cup (240 ml) shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup (60 ml) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 (10.5 oz/298 g) can cream of chicken soup
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- 1 sleeve Ritz crackers (about 30 crackers), crushed
- Chopped parsley
Instructions
- Preparation: Grease a baking dish and position the oven rack centrally, preheating to 350F (175C) for optimal cooking conditions.
- Mixture Creation: In a large mixing bowl, combine shredded chicken, cream soup, sour cream, cheese, and seasonings, whisking thoroughly to ensure a uniform and flavorful base.
- Assembly: Elegantly spread the chicken mixture into the prepared baking dish, creating an even layer that promises consistent texture and taste throughout the casserole.
- Topping Development: Crush Ritz crackers and blend with melted butter, creating a golden, crisp coating that will add textural contrast to the creamy chicken base.
- Crumb Application: Generously sprinkle the buttery cracker crumbs across the entire surface of the chicken mixture, ensuring complete coverage for maximum crunchiness.
- Baking Process: Carefully transfer the casserole to the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, watching for a rich golden-brown top and bubbling edges that indicate complete heating.
- Finishing Touch: Extract the casserole from the oven, allow a brief resting period to let flavors meld, then optionally garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a vibrant presentation.
Notes
- Optimize Chicken Moisture: Shred chicken while still warm to maintain tenderness and prevent dryness, ensuring each bite remains juicy and flavorful.
- Cracker Coating Technique: Crush Ritz crackers unevenly for varied texture, creating a more interesting and crispy top layer that provides multiple crunch levels.
- Soup Base Customization: Swap cream soups with homemade versions or Greek yogurt for reduced sodium and healthier alternatives without compromising richness.
- Temperature Control: Let casserole rest 5-10 minutes after baking to allow internal temperature to stabilize and prevent burning, helping ingredients set perfectly and enhancing overall flavor integration.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg