Description
This Ritz Chicken and Rice Casserole is creamy, comforting, and crowned with a buttery Ritz cracker crunch that’s downright irresistible. It’s a cozy, crowd-pleasing dish that comes together fast using pantry staples and rotisserie chicken—perfect for busy weeknights or family gatherings.
Ingredients
For the Casserole Base:
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3 cups cooked, cubed chicken
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1 (6.9 oz) box Chicken Rice-A-Roni, prepared according to package directions
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1 cup sour cream
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1 (10.5 oz) can cream of chicken soup
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½ teaspoon garlic powder
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1 teaspoon onion powder
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1 teaspoon salt
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¼ teaspoon black pepper
For the Topping:
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6 tablespoons butter, melted
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1 sleeve Ritz crackers, crushed
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1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray.
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Prepare the rice: Cook the Chicken Rice-A-Roni as directed on the box. Set aside.
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Make the filling: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the sour cream, cream of chicken soup, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until smooth. Stir in the cooked chicken and prepared rice.
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Assemble the casserole: Spread the chicken and rice mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
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Make the topping: In a small bowl, combine the melted butter and crushed Ritz crackers. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese. Sprinkle the mixture evenly over the casserole.
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Bake: Bake for 25 minutes, then broil for 2–3 minutes until the top is golden and crispy.
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Serve: Let cool slightly before serving. Enjoy the creamy filling with a crunchy topping in every bite.
Notes
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Time-saver tip: Use rotisserie chicken to cut down on prep time.
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Rice swap: You can use plain cooked rice with added seasoning if you don’t have Rice-A-Roni.
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Make it ahead: Assemble the casserole in advance, refrigerate, and bake when ready (add 5–10 extra minutes of bake time).
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Freezer-friendly: This dish freezes well—just thaw overnight and bake as usual.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes (plus 2–3 minutes broil)
- Category: Main Dish, Casserole
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American