My Ritz chicken casserole features a creamy, cheesy chicken filling and is topped with a golden, buttery Ritz cracker topping that ties the whole recipe together. It’s made with rotisserie chicken for convenience, less than 10 ingredients total, and takes only 15 minutes to assemble!

If you love my Ritz cracker chicken casserole, be sure to try my broccoli casserole with Ritz crackers or my green bean casserole with Ritz cracker topping next!

This Ritz chicken casserole is the perfect dish to throw together when I need something that’s cozy and comforting but also easy to make.

My 10-year-old daughter, Leah, has been a huge fan of Ritz crackers ever since she was little, so I pretty much always have these on hand in our pantry. 

When I first made this casserole, Leah took one look, saw the golden topping, and already knew she would love it. After that first bite, she said it tasted even better than it looked!

This chicken casserole with Ritz crackers is so simple to make because it uses ingredients like rotisserie chicken, canned soup, and ranch seasoning, which keep the whole process convenient.

The buttery, flaky Ritz crackers are truly the superstar of this recipe. They add a rich, salty, savory taste to this casserole, and I love how well their crunch complements the rest of the creamy, cheesy dish.

Chicken casserole with Ritz crackers ingredients

• Shredded chicken – I use rotisserie chicken to keep this easy chicken casserole recipe with Ritz crackers simple and convenient!
• Cream of chicken soup – This savory condensed soup forms the creamy base of the casserole and helps bind all of the ingredients together.
• Cream of celery soup – Adds savory depth to the casserole while also balancing out the richness.
• Sour cream – This ingredient adds a satisfying tanginess and keeps the creamy base smooth.
• Milk – Helps me loosen the filling so the casserole doesn’t end up too thick. 
• Ranch seasoning – Pre-made ranch seasoning helps me infuse hints of garlic, onion, and savory herbs into the recipe without having to add multiple seasonings.
• Cheddar cheese – Melts beautifully and brings sharp flavor into the recipe. I use the cheese in the filling and as a topping too!
• Ritz crackers – These crispy, buttery crackers create the signature topping for this casserole. 
• Melted butter – Coats the Ritz crackers and helps form a golden, crispy topping. I use unsalted since the soups and crackers adds enough salt to the dish.

How to make Ritz chicken casserole

A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.

Recipe tips

• Crush the Ritz crackers into different sizes. I use a mix of small and large bits to achieve the best overall texture. Be careful not to crush them too much, or the topping will end up mushy.
• Avoid adding additional salt. Unsalted butter is my go-to for this recipe since the condensed soup already adds plenty of salty flavor.
• Use freshly shredded cheese. I always prefer freshly shredded cheese over pre-shredded cheese as it melts and tastes so much better.
• Don’t skip the resting before serving. Letting the Ritz cracker chicken casserole sit for a few minutes will help it thicken up and make it easier to serve too. 

Variations

• If you don’t have Ritz crackers on hand, any buttery cracker of choice will work just fine. Panko breadcrumbs also work well in this casserole and in recipes like my macaroni corn casserole.
• Cream of mushroom soup can be used in place of another condensed soup to add a savory, earthy flavor. I also love how the mushroom bits add extra texture.
• To add some subtle heat, use Pepper Jack cheese instead of cheddar. This is my husband’s favorite way to spice up this chicken casserole with Ritz crackers.
• Fresh parsley is my go-to garnish! It adds a pop of color and an extra layer of freshness.

What to serve with this easy chicken casserole recipe with Ritz

This Ritz chicken casserole tastes delightful with classic, simple sides like my Ninja Foodi rice and my mashed potatoes without milk. When I want to pair this creamy, crunchy casserole with other sides that have a satisfying crunch, I opt for my broccoli salad recipe or my parmesan-crusted baked green beans.

Ritz chicken casserole FAQs 

How do I keep the Ritz cracker topping crunchy instead of soggy?

Don’t crush the crackers too finely and avoid pressing them into the creamy chicken mixture. Laying them lightly on top will prevent the layers from mixing and turning soggy.

Can I use canned chicken or leftover turkey?

Absolutely! This recipe is easy to customize with your protein of choice.

Can I assemble this the night before without the crackers getting mushy?

Yes, but it’s best to add the crushed crackers just before baking to keep the topping nice and crispy. Otherwise, they’ll soak up moisture from the filling overnight.

How should I store leftovers?

I transfer any leftovers to an airtight container or cover the baking dish tightly before refrigerating it. It will last for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.

How do I reheat leftovers?

My favorite way to reheat this Ritz chicken casserole recipe is in the oven at 350°F. It only takes about 15 minutes and keeps the topping crispy!

More casserole recipes

• Cheesy chicken broccoli and rice casserole
• Chicken tater tot casserole recipe
• Corn casserole without sour cream
• Crockpot sweet potato casserole with canned yams
• Macaroni corn casserole recipe
• Pork chop casserole