Ritz Chicken Rice Casserole is a family favorite dish.
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:
- 3 cups cooked cubed chicken
- 1 6.9 oz box Chicken Rice-A-Roni, prepared according to package directions
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 10.5 oz can cream of chicken soup
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
For the Topping:
- 6 tablespoons butter melted
- 1 sleeve Ritz crackers crushed
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray.
- Prepare the rice: Cook the Chicken Rice-A-Roni as directed on the box. Set aside.
- 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.
- Assemble the casserole: Spread the chicken and rice mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
- 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.
- Bake: Bake for 25 minutes, then broil for 2–3 minutes until the top is golden and crispy.
- Serve: Let cool slightly before serving. Enjoy the creamy filling with a crunchy topping in every bite.
Notes
- Time-saver tip: Use rotisserie chicken to cut down on prep time.
- Rice swap: You can use plain cooked rice with added seasoning if you don’t have Rice-A-Roni.
- Make it ahead: Assemble the casserole in advance, refrigerate, and bake when ready (add 5–10 extra minutes of bake time).
- Freezer-friendly: This dish freezes well—just thaw overnight and bake as usual.