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Crispy Million Dollar Chicken Casserole Recipe with Easy Ritz Topping

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A comforting and easy chicken casserole featuring a creamy, cheesy filling topped with a buttery, crispy Ritz cracker crust. Perfect for busy weeknights or potlucks.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded or chopped (rotisserie chicken recommended)
  • 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup (or cream of mushroom for a twist)
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 2 sleeves (about 7.1 oz) Ritz crackers, crushed finely
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped (optional)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Crush 2 sleeves of Ritz crackers finely using a food processor or by smashing them in a sealed bag with a rolling pin. Transfer crumbs to a small bowl and mix with 1/2 cup melted unsalted butter until evenly coated. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, combine 3 cups cooked shredded chicken, 1 can cream of chicken soup, 1 cup sour cream, 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, salt, pepper, and paprika. Stir gently until well mixed but not mushy.
  4. Spread the chicken mixture evenly into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Smooth the top with a spatula.
  5. Sprinkle the butter-coated cracker crumbs evenly over the filling.
  6. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and crispy and the filling is bubbly around the edges.
  7. Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to help it set and enhance flavors.

Notes

If the topping browns too quickly, loosely cover the casserole with aluminum foil halfway through baking. For gluten-free, use gluten-free crackers or almonds as topping. For dairy-free, substitute sour cream, cheese, and butter with dairy-free alternatives. Let casserole rest before serving for best texture. Leftovers can be reheated under the broiler to crisp topping.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken casserole, Ritz topping, creamy chicken, easy dinner, comfort food, crispy crust, rotisserie chicken, cheesy casserole

Find it online: https://lucydishes.com/crispy-million-dollar-chicken-casserole-recipe-with-easy-ritz-topping/