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Chicken Casserole

Chicken casserole with creamy chicken, vegetables, and cooked long-grain rice baked until bubbly. A golden, caramelized Ritz cracker and cheddar crust cracks across every bite for easy weeknight comfort.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 560

Ingredients
  

Chicken and rice filling
  • 3 cooked chicken Use shredded cooked chicken.
  • 1.5 cup long-grain white rice Cooked before assembling.
  • 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
  • 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup frozen peas and carrots
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 0.25 salt To taste.
  • 0.25 pepper To taste.
Cheddar cracker topping
  • 1.5 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 sleeve Ritz crackers Crushed.
  • 3 tbsp butter Melted.

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan

Method
 

Prep
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9x13 baking dish.
  2. In a large baking dish, combine cooked chicken, cooked long-grain white rice, both soups, sour cream, chicken broth, peas and carrots, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper; stir until well mixed.
Assemble
  1. Spread the chicken mixture into the prepared baking dish so it sits in an even layer.
  2. Top with shredded cheddar cheese in a single even layer.
  3. Mix crushed Ritz crackers with melted butter and sprinkle over the cheese for an even coating.
Bake
  1. Bake at 350°F for 35-40 minutes until bubbly and the cracker topping is golden brown.

Notes

For best crunch, let the casserole rest 5 minutes after baking so the bubbly filling thickens slightly before serving. Store leftovers in the refrigerator up to 3-4 days; reheat in a 350°F oven until hot through. Freezing is yes—freeze tightly wrapped up to 2 months, thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat covered until warmed. For a lighter swap, use low-fat sour cream and reduced-fat cheddar (texture stays creamy and the topping still browns).