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Creamy Million Dollar Chicken Casserole Recipe with Crispy Ritz Topping

Creamy Million Dollar Chicken Casserole - featured image
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A creamy chicken casserole with a buttery, crispy Ritz cracker topping that is quick, easy, and perfect for family dinners or gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded or cubed (rotisserie chicken works well)
  • 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
  • 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/2 cups crushed Ritz crackers (about 30 crackers)
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • Optional: 1/2 cup frozen peas or corn

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Crush 1 1/2 cups of Ritz crackers until fine but slightly chunky. Mix with 6 tablespoons melted butter in a small bowl and set aside.
  3. In a medium bowl, beat together softened cream cheese and cream of chicken soup until smooth.
  4. Stir in sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, chopped onion, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Fold in peas or corn if using.
  5. Gently fold in the cooked chicken pieces, coating evenly without breaking them up too much.
  6. Transfer the mixture into a prepared 9×13 inch casserole dish and spread evenly.
  7. Sprinkle the buttery Ritz cracker topping evenly over the casserole.
  8. Bake uncovered for 30-35 minutes until the topping is golden brown and the casserole is hot throughout. Tent with foil if topping browns too fast.
  9. Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Do not over-crush the Ritz crackers to avoid a dusty topping. Use real butter for the topping for best flavor and crunch. Let the casserole rest before serving for easier slicing. For extra crispiness, broil for the last 2 minutes but watch closely to prevent burning. Can be made ahead and refrigerated before baking. For gluten-free, substitute Ritz crackers with gluten-free buttery crackers or almond flour crackers. For dairy-free, use plant-based cream cheese, sour cream, and cheddar alternatives.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken casserole, creamy chicken, Ritz cracker topping, comfort food, easy casserole, family dinner

Find it online: https://sparklechew.com/creamy-million-dollar-chicken-casserole-recipe-with-crispy-ritz-topping-easy-and-delicious/