This Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole is creamy, crunchy, and packed with flavor—it’s a total crowd-pleaser that’ll have everyone coming back for seconds! With a buttery golden topping and a creamy filling made from rotisserie chicken, bacon, sour cream, and savory soup, this dish delivers serious comfort with very little effort.
Whether you’re making the most of a busy weeknight or need a cozy Sunday dinner idea, this casserole brings everyone to the table fast.
Bonus? It’s a great way to use up leftover chicken and transform it into a brand new meal.
Whether you’re serving it over mashed potatoes, with a side of veggies, or digging in straight from the pan, you’ll be hooked after one bite!
Why You’ll Love This Ritz Chicken Casserole
This dish is pure comfort food in every way—but with a shortcut twist that makes it ideal for even the busiest home cooks. It’s a one pan dinner idea that’s loaded with flavor, takes just 15 minutes to prep, and bakes to golden, bubbly perfection. The crispy Ritz cracker topping brings the crunch, while the creamy chicken filling is rich, hearty, and full of savory goodness. Plus, it’s super flexible—serve it for Sunday dinner, take it to potlucks, or make ahead for the week!
Ingredients
- 6 cups cooked shredded chicken (2 small rotisserie chickens, skin and bones removed)
- 8–10 slices cooked bacon, chopped
- ¾ cup sliced green onions, plus more for garnish
- 2 cans (10.5 oz each) cream of chicken soup
- 8 oz sour cream
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 sleeves Ritz crackers, crushed
- ½ cup unsalted butter (1 stick), melted
How to Make Chicken Casserole with Ritz Topping
Prep the Oven and Dish
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
Mix the Filling
In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, chopped bacon, sliced green onions, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and Italian seasoning. Stir everything together until it’s fully mixed and creamy.
Add to Pan
Spoon the chicken mixture into the greased baking dish and spread it out evenly with a spatula.
Make the Topping
In a separate medium bowl, mix the crushed Ritz crackers with the melted butter until all the crumbs are well-coated. You can crush the crackers in a zip-top bag with a rolling pin or just use your hands for a chunkier texture.
Top and Bake
Sprinkle the buttery cracker mixture evenly over the chicken filling. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the casserole is bubbling around the edges.
Garnish and Serve
Remove from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with extra sliced green onions and dig in!
How to Store Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole
Whether you’re prepping ahead or saving leftovers, this casserole stores beautifully! Here’s how to keep it fresh and delicious.
Refrigerator Storage
If you plan to eat the leftovers within a few days, the fridge is your best option. Allow the casserole to cool completely at room temperature. Scoop the leftovers into a glass or plastic airtight container, or simply cover the baking dish tightly with foil or plastic wrap. Store in the fridge for up to3 days.
Reheat Instructions
Microwave: Heat individual portions in the microwave for 1–2 minutes until hot
Oven: Reheat the entire dish at 300°F (150°C) for 15–20 minutes or until heated through. Cover with foil to keep the topping from over-browning, then uncover for the last few minutes to re-crisp the crackers.
Freezer Storage
This casserole is freezer-friendly—perfect for meal prep or making ahead for busy nights!
Assemble the casserole completely, but do not add the cracker topping y (the crackers will become soggy if frozen). Cover the casserole tightly with a double layer of plastic wrap and foil, or place in a freezer-safe container with a secure lid. Freeze for up to 2 months.
To bake from frozen:
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
Add the Ritz cracker topping right before baking.
Bake as instructed (350°F for 30–35 minutes), adding extra time if it’s still partially frozen in the middle
Pro Tip: If you’re freezing this casserole for gifting or meal trains, prepare it in an aluminum baking pan for easy transportation and cleanup!
FAQs
Can I use something other than rotisserie chicken?
Yes! While rotisserie chicken adds great flavor and saves time, you can absolutely use any cooked and shredded chicken—baked, boiled, grilled, or even poached. Boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs work best. Just make sure the chicken is fully cooked and seasoned before shredding it.
Can I use a different soup instead of cream of chicken?
Definitely. While cream of chicken is classic in this recipe, feel free to substitute with:
- Cream of mushroom
- Cream of celery
- Or even cream of chicken with herbs (for built-in flavor)
You can also use a homemade white sauce or a healthier low-sodium or gluten-free canned option depending on your dietary needs.
How can I make this casserole lighter or healthier?
Here are a few swaps:
- Use light sour cream or plain Greek yogurt to reduce fat.
- Choose reduced-fat cream soups or make a lighter homemade version.
- Use turkey bacon instead of pork bacon.
- Serve with a large side of veggies or a crisp salad to balance the richness.
While this is still comfort food, these changes can make it feel a bit lighter without sacrificing flavor.
Can I add vegetables to the casserole?
Yes! This is a great way to sneak in extra veggies. Stir in cooked or steamed vegetables such as: frozen peas,corn kernels, diced carrots, chopped spinach or steamed broccoli florets. Just make sure to pre-cook or thaw any frozen veggies and drain off any excess liquid so your casserole doesn’t become watery.
What can I use instead of Ritz crackers for the topping?
If you don’t have Ritz crackers or want to change it up, try one of these tasty alternatives:
- Butter crackers (like Club)
- Cornflakes, crushed and mixed with melted butter
- Panko breadcrumbs
- Crushed potato chips (for extra salty crunch!)
- Buttery croutons, crushed slightly
Any of these will give you that satisfying crispy top!
8. My cracker topping got soggy—what went wrong?
That usually happens if the topping was added too early and refrigerated, or if the casserole was covered while baking. For the crispiest Ritz topping:
- Add the crackers right before baking
- Bake the casserole uncovered
- Serve immediately after it cools slightly for maximum crunch!
Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole Recipe
Creamy, cheesy, and topped with buttery Ritz crackers, this easy chicken casserole is the ultimate comfort food made with rotisserie chicken and crispy bacon—perfect for busy weeknights or Sunday dinner!
8
servings15
minutes30
minutesKeep the screen of your device on
Ingredients
6 cups 6 cooked shredded chicken (I used 2 small rotisserie chickens, skin and bones removed)
10 slices 10 cooked bacon, chopped
3/4 cup 3/4 sliced green onions, plus more for garnish
2 cans 2 cream of chicken soup (10.5oz each)
8 ounce 8 sour cream
1 tsp 1 Italian seasoning
2 2 full sleeves Ritz crackers, crushed
1/2 cup 1/2 (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
Directions
- Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Take a 9×13-inch baking dish and lightly coat it with nonstick cooking spray. This prevents the casserole from sticking and makes cleanup a breeze later on. You can also lightly butter the dish if you prefer a richer base.
- Prepare the Chicken
- You’ll need 6 cups of cooked shredded chicken for this recipe. The easiest option is using two small rotisserie chickens—just remove the skin and bones, then shred the meat using two forks or your hands. If you’re cooking the chicken yourself, bake or boil boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs until fully cooked (internal temp of 165°F), let them cool slightly, and then shred.
- Cook and Chop the Bacon
- Cook 8 to 10 slices of bacon until crisp. You can fry them in a skillet, bake in the oven, or air fry them—whichever you prefer. Once cooked, place the bacon on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess grease. Once cooled, chop it into small bite-sized pieces.
- Thinly slice 3/4 cup of green onions, which is about 5–6 stalks depending on size. These add a fresh, mild onion flavor and a pop of color to the dish. Set a small amount aside for garnishing the top later.
- Mix the Creamy Filling
- In a large mixing bowl, add the following ingredients: shredded chicken, chopped bacon, sliced green onions, 2 cans (10.5 oz each) of cream of chicken soup, 8 oz of sour cream, 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning.
- Stir everything together thoroughly until all the ingredients are evenly combined and the mixture is creamy and cohesive. This will be the rich and savory base of your casserole.
- Using a spatula or large spoon, transfer the chicken mixture to your prepared 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread it out evenly from edge to edge so it bakes uniformly. Gently press it down to flatten the surface slightly—this helps the topping adhere nicely.
- Prepare the Ritz Cracker Topping
- In a medium bowl, add 2 sleeves of Ritz crackers that you’ve crushed. To crush them, you can leave them in their original sleeves and gently smash them with your hands or a rolling pin, or place them in a zip-top bag and crush them with a rolling pin or even a can. Don’t pulverize them to powder—you want a mix of finer crumbs and some small chunks for extra crunch and texture.
- Next, melt 1/2 cup (1 stick) of unsalted butter in the microwave or on the stovetop. Pour the melted butter over the crushed crackers and stir until all the crumbs are evenly coated in buttery goodness.
- Sprinkle the buttery cracker mixture evenly over the top of the chicken mixture. Try to cover the entire surface, edge to edge, for full crunch coverage. Gently pat it down to help the topping stick to the casserole filling.
- Bake the Casserole
- Place the baking dish in your preheated oven and bake uncovered at 350°F for 30 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the casserole is bubbling around the edges, the Ritz cracker topping is golden brown and crispy. Keep an eye on it during the last few minutes of baking to avoid over-browning.
- Once baked, remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes.
- Just before serving, sprinkle the reserved green onions on top for a fresh finish and a pop of color.