Creamy Ritz Chicken Casserole: A Cozy Classic Straight from My Early Kitchen Days
There are some recipes that never leave you. They aren’t just written down on a notecard or saved in your phone’s Notes app — they’re tucked right into your memory. The kind of recipes that smell like home, sound like laughter around the table, and taste like love.
This casserole? This is one of those.
A Little Story Before We Start 🫶
Long before The Last Resort Lake House ever became a thing… it was just me and my little family, trying to figure out life. We didn’t have much, but what we did have was heart. And around our kitchen table, heart went a long way.
This Creamy Ritz Chicken Casserole was one of the very first recipes I ever made for us. No frills. No complicated ingredients. Just good, simple food that stretched a dollar and filled bellies.
I can still remember pulling it out of the oven in that little hand-me-down dish that was slightly chipped on one corner. (You know the one — we all have that dish.) And I’ll never forget the sound of the crunchy Ritz topping crackling as the butter bubbled up around the edges. It wasn’t just dinner… it was the start of so many cozy nights in our home.
And here’s the thing: decades later, it’s still one of my all-time favorites.
Why This Recipe Works
What I love most about this casserole is that it’s not trying to be fancy. But somehow… it feels fancy. There’s something about taking everyday ingredients — chicken, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and buttery crackers — and layering them in a pretty dish that makes an ordinary Tuesday night feel a little extra special.
✨ It’s simple: You only need a few basic ingredients.
✨ It’s cozy: That creamy filling and buttery cracker topping are comfort food at its best.
✨ It’s forgiving: You can prep it ahead, freeze it, or toss it in the oven at the last minute.
✨ It’s crowd-pleasing: Picky eaters? They’ll clean their plates.
This casserole has fed a lot of people over the years — my girls, my husband, friends around our lake house table. It’s one of those dishes that just belongs in a family recipe box.
📝 Ingredients You’ll Need
2–3 cups cooked chicken (shredded or chopped — whatever you have on hand) 1 can cream of chicken soup (classic comfort right here) 1 cup sour cream (gives it that creamy, tangy bite) 1 sleeve Ritz crackers, crushed 1 stick butter, melted Salt, pepper, and a little garlic powder (because we don’t do bland around here)
Optional add-ins:
A handful of frozen peas or broccoli Shredded cheddar cheese mixed into the filling A sprinkle of fresh herbs on top (if you’re feeling fancy)
🥘 Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Preheat and Prep
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grab your favorite baking dish — bonus points if it’s the one with the cute scalloped edges or the one your grandma used. This recipe deserves a little charm.
2. Mix It All Together
In a large bowl, combine the cooked chicken, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and your seasonings. Give it a good stir until everything’s cozy and creamy.
(If you’re adding veggies or cheese, this is the time to fold them in. Don’t overthink it — this recipe is wonderfully forgiving.)
3. Pour and Smooth
Spoon the chicken mixture into your baking dish and smooth it out evenly. Think of it like tucking a little casserole blanket in. Cozy vibes only.
4. Make the Topping
In a separate bowl, mix your crushed Ritz crackers with the melted butter. Stir until everything’s coated and crumbly. This is where the magic happens.
Sprinkle the buttery cracker mixture right over the top of the casserole.
5. Bake and Fall in Love
Pop it in the oven and bake for about 25–30 minutes, or until the top is golden and the edges are bubbling. Your kitchen will smell amazing — like the best kind of home.
💡 Pro Tips for the Perfect Casserole
Shred your chicken small. It makes every bite creamy and full of flavor. Use real butter. Trust me. This is not the moment for substitutions. Want to prep ahead? Assemble the casserole, cover it, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Just bake it when you’re ready. Freezer tip: You can freeze the unbaked casserole (just wait to add the topping). When ready to bake, thaw overnight in the fridge, top with Ritz, and bake.
🏡 A Recipe That’s Woven Into My Life
Every time I make this casserole, it takes me right back to those early days — to the chipped dish, the squeaky kitchen chair, the tiny dining table, and the sound of little hands tapping their forks, waiting for dinner.
I didn’t know back then that these ordinary weeknight meals would become the kind of memories that would stick with me forever.
It’s funny how food does that.
How something as simple as a buttery cracker topping can hold so much history.
I’ve made this casserole through every season of life:
When my girls were little and we needed quick dinners between dance practice and homework. When we were pinching pennies but still wanted something warm and special. When family came over and I needed a “make it and forget it” dinner that everyone would love. And now, when I get to share it with y’all here at the lake house.
There’s a sweetness in tradition — in passing down the recipes that held us through the early years.
🧺 What to Serve with It
This casserole is a star on its own, but here are a few of my favorite sides to round out the meal:
A simple green salad with a bright vinaigrette 🥗 Steamed green beans or roasted veggies 🌿 Fluffy dinner rolls (because who doesn’t love carbs with carbs?) Sweet tea or a glass of crisp white wine on the porch 🍷
It’s the kind of meal that doesn’t need fuss. Just a table, some people you love, and maybe a little candlelight if you’re feeling fancy.
🕰️ Storage & Reheating
Fridge: Store leftovers covered for up to 3–4 days. Freezer: Freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Reheat: Pop it back in the oven at 350°F until warmed through, or heat individual portions in the microwave.
Pro tip — if you want the cracker topping to stay crispy, reheat in the oven instead of the microwave.
✨ A Few Little Variations
Over the years, I’ve played with this recipe a little (because that’s what we all do). Here are a few fun spins you can try:
Add veggies: Peas, carrots, broccoli, or even corn. Make it cheesy: A layer of shredded cheddar under the cracker topping. Turn it Texan: Add a sprinkle of Cajun seasoning or a little hot sauce for a subtle kick. Individual servings: Bake it in ramekins or mini casserole dishes for a cozy dinner party.
But honestly? You can’t beat the classic. That first version is still the one I reach for most.
🫶 Why This Recipe Means So Much
I’ve made a lot of recipes since this one. Fancier. More complex. Prettier, even.
But nothing feels quite like this casserole.
It reminds me of the nights when everything was simpler. When the girls were little. When I didn’t need Pinterest boards or long ingredient lists to make something special. When a warm casserole on the table meant everything was right in our little corner of the world.
And maybe that’s why this dish still shows up in my kitchen today — because it’s not just about the flavor. It’s about the feeling.
It’s about love. And comfort. And knowing that sometimes, the simplest recipes are the ones that hold the most meaning.
📌 Save This Recipe
This creamy Ritz chicken casserole isn’t just another dinner — it’s a memory in the making. Whether you’re feeding your family on a weeknight, prepping ahead for company, or just craving a cozy dish that tastes like home, this one delivers every single time.
Print it, pin it, or tuck it in your favorite recipe box.
Years from now, you might find yourself pulling it out again… just like I do.
🐓 Creamy Ritz Chicken Casserole Recipe Card
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 6–8
Ingredients
2–3 cups cooked chicken, shredded or chopped 1 can cream of chicken soup 1 cup sour cream 1 sleeve Ritz crackers, crushed 1 stick butter, melted Salt, pepper, garlic powder to taste
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F. In a bowl, combine chicken, cream soup, sour cream, and seasonings. Spread into a baking dish. Mix crushed Ritz crackers with melted butter and sprinkle over the top. Bake 25–30 minutes or until golden and bubbly. Serve warm with your favorite sides and soak in that cozy feeling.
🏡 Final Thoughts
There’s a good chance this casserole will end up being one of your family’s “forever recipes,” too. The kind that doesn’t need measuring cups or a timer because you’ve made it so many times, it just lives in your bones.
And on those nights when life is busy, hearts are full, and dinner just needs to be easy — this one will have your back.
Because food isn’t just food. It’s the stories we carry, the memories we keep, and the love we share around the table.
✨ Simple. Cozy. Home.
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