Ritz Cracker Chicken and Rice Casserole Recipe
Ritz Cracker Chicken and Rice Casserole is a comforting and easy-to-make dish combining tender cooked chicken, flavorful chicken rice, and a creamy sauce, all topped with a crunchy Ritz cracker topping. This casserole is perfect for family dinners and requires minimal preparation with simple pantry ingredients.
- Author: Zane
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish, Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Main Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked and cubed chicken
- 6.9 oz box Chicken Rice-A-Roni
- 1 cup sour cream
- 10.5 oz can cream of chicken soup
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Ritz Cracker Topping
- 1 sleeve Ritz crackers, crushed (about 30 crackers)
- 3 tablespoons butter, melted
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it is ready when your casserole mixture is prepared.
- Cook Rice-A-Roni: Prepare the Chicken Rice-A-Roni according to the package directions, typically by cooking the rice and seasoning in a skillet with water and butter.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked and cubed chicken, cooked rice from the Rice-A-Roni, sour cream, cream of chicken soup, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir until well blended to create a creamy mixture.
- Prepare Topping: In a small bowl, mix the crushed Ritz crackers with the melted butter until the crumbs are evenly coated.
- Assemble Casserole: Transfer the chicken and rice mixture to a greased 9×13 inch baking dish and spread evenly. Sprinkle the buttered Ritz cracker crumbs evenly over the top.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the casserole is heated through.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your creamy, crunchy chicken and rice casserole!
Notes
- For extra flavor, you can add 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese to the mixture before baking.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- To make this recipe gluten free, substitute the Rice-A-Roni with a gluten-free rice mix and use gluten-free crackers for the topping.
- You can add sautéed vegetables such as mushrooms, peas, or broccoli for added nutrition and texture.
- Ensure the chicken is cooked thoroughly before using in this recipe; rotisserie chicken works great for convenience.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: Ritz Cracker Chicken, Chicken Rice Casserole, Easy Chicken Dinner, Creamy Chicken Casserole, Comfort Food