Delicious Ritz Chicken and Rice Casserole made with simple pantry ingredients for a classic, comforting dish! Creamy, flavorful chicken casserole topped with toasted buttery crackers everyone loves!
This cheesy chicken and rice casserole is a perfect combination of tender chicken, creamy sauce, and fluffy rice, all topped with a crispy Ritz cracker crust. Make this chicken rice bake recipe with only a few ingredients, most of which are likely already in your pantry! A simple, yet delicious, meal that can be prepared in no time.
History of Ritz Chicken and Rice Casserole
Ritz Chicken and Rice Casserole is a classic American dish that has been enjoyed by families for generations. The exact origins of this classic casserole are unclear, it is believed to have become popular in the 1950s and 1960s, when convenience foods like condensed soup and pre-packaged crackers became widely available.
Today, Ritz Chicken and Rice Casserole remains a beloved comfort food that is often served at potlucks, family gatherings, and holiday dinners. It is a simple yet satisfying dish that can be easily customized to suit individual tastes and preferences. Whether you are looking for a quick and easy weeknight dinner or a comforting dish to share with friends and family, Ritz Chicken and Rice Casserole is sure to please.
Why You Will Love This Casserole Recipe
- Simple ingredients: This recipe requires only a handful of ingredients that are easy to find at any grocery store. You don’t need any fancy or expensive ingredients to make this dish.
- Family-friendly: This meal is sure to please even the pickiest eaters in your family. The combination of tender chicken, creamy rice, and buttery Ritz crackers is sure to be a hit with everyone.
- Versatile: You can easily customize this recipe to suit your tastes. Add your favorite vegetables or spices to make it your own.
Ingredients for Chicken & Rice Casserole
Chicken: You will need 3 cups of chicken, cooked and cubed, for plenty of protein in every bite.
Rice-A-Roni: Use one 6.9-oz box of chicken Rice-A-Roni to create a filling and delicious meal.
Sour cream: Add 1 cup of sour cream to balance all the amazing flavors in this dish.
Cream of chicken soup: One 10.5-oz can of cream of chicken soup will give this casserole more great taste and a soft texture too.
Garlic powder: To season this dish well, add in ½ teaspoon of garlic powder.
Onion powder: Using 1 teaspoon of onion powder will give the dish a subtle sweet taste.
Salt: Help enhance the wonderful flavors by adding 1 teaspoon of salt.
Pepper: For a subtle kick of spice, use ¼ teaspoon of pepper.
Topping
Butter: Help bind the topping ingredients by using 6 tablespoons of butter, melted.
Crackers: For amazing crunchy texture in this casserole, use 1 whole sleeve of Ritz crackers.
Cheese: You will need 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese as part of the incredibly delicious casserole topping.
How to make Ritz Cracker Chicken & Rice Casserole
Prep
Get started by preparing a 9 x 13 pan by spraying lightly with non-stick spray and set it aside. Then preheat the oven to 350°F.
Next, prepare the Rice A Roni as directed on the box. The rice needs to be cooked before preparing the casserole.
In addition, the chicken needs to be cooked through before assembling the casserole. You can simplify this step by using a store bought rotisserie chicken or you can try this easy chicken made in the crockpot.
Assembly
In a large bowl combine the sour cream, cream of chicken soup, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper, whisk well.
After that, add in the cooked chicken & rice to the soup mixture and stir. Proceed to transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish.
Next, in a separate small bowl, melt the butter for the topping. Then crush the Ritz crackers while still in package and pour the crumbs into the bowl with the melted butter. Stir until the cracker crumbs are well incorporated and then stir in the cheese.
Continue to spread the cracker topping on top of the chicken casserole.
Bake
Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes. Switch the oven to broil for the last 2-3 minutes, making sure the cracker topping is nice and toasted. Let cool for a couple of minutes, serve, and enjoy!
Variations and Substitutions for Chicken & Rice Casserole
Alternative Proteins: While the original recipe calls for chicken, there are several alternative proteins that can be used to make this casserole. Some popular options include ground beef, turkey, or pork. For a healthier option, ground turkey or chicken can be substituted for the chicken breast.
Vegetarian Options: For a vegetarian version of this casserole, the chicken can be omitted altogether and replaced with vegetables such as mushrooms, zucchini, or eggplant. Alternatively, tofu or tempeh can be used as a protein substitute.
Rice Varieties: While the original recipe calls for Rice-A-Roni, there are several other rice varieties that can be used. White rice, brown rice, wild rice, or a rice blend can be used to add more texture and flavor to the casserole.
Ritz Chicken and Rice Casserole
Ingredients
- 3 cups chicken cooked and cubed
- 6.9 oz box chicken Rice-A-Roni
- 1 cup sour cream
- 10.5 oz cream of chicken soup
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp salt
- ¼ tsp pepper
Ritz Topping
- 6 TBSP butter melted
- 1 sleeve of Ritz crackers
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Prep: Prepare a 9 x 13 pan by spraying lightly with non-stick spray and set aside. Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Prepare Rice A Roni as directed. The chicken needs to be cooked before assembling the casserole. You can simplify this step by using a store bought rotisserie chicken or you can try this easy chicken made in the crockpot.
- Assembly: In a large bowl combine the sour cream, cream of chicken soup, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper, whisk well.
- Add chicken & rice to the soup mixture and stir. Transfer to prepared baking dish.
- In a separate small bowl, melt the butter. Crush the Ritz crackers while still in package and pour the crumbs into the bowl with the melted butter. Stir until the cracker crumbs are well incorporated and then stir in the cheese.
- Spread the cracker topping on top of the chicken casserole.
- Bake: Bake casserole for 25 minutes. Switch oven to broil for the last 2-3 minutes, making sure the cracker topping is nice and toasted. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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What do you serve with chicken & rice casserole?
Ritz Chicken and Rice Casserole is a complete meal in itself, but if you want to add a side dish, you can serve it with a simple green salad or roasted vegetables. A glass of white wine or sparkling water can be a refreshing accompaniment to this dish.
Storage and Reheating Instructions for Casserole
To store the leftover casserole, cover it with a lid or plastic wrap and refrigerate it for up to 3 days. You can also freeze the casserole for up to 2 months. When reheating the casserole, preheat the oven to 350°F, cover the dish with aluminum foil, and bake for 20-25 minutes or until heated through.
Can I add vegetables to this casserole?
Yes, you can add vegetables to this casserole to make it more nutritious and flavorful. You can add chopped carrots, celery, onions, or bell peppers to the casserole before baking. You can also add frozen peas or green beans to the casserole for a pop of color and texture.
Can you use cream of mushroom soup instead of cream of chicken in a Ritz cracker casserole?
Yes, you can use cream of mushroom soup instead of cream of chicken in this casserole. It will give a slightly different flavor to the dish, but it will still be delicious. You can also use cream of celery or cream of broccoli soup if you prefer.
For more amazing casserole recipes, try some of these:
- Broccoli Cheddar Casserole
- Beef Enchilada Casserole
- Southwest Tater Tot Casserole
- Chicken Fajita Casserole
- Cheesy Wild Rice Casserole
- Chicken & Stuffing Casserole
- Scalloped Corn Casserole
- Sausage Broccoli Casserole
- Ranch Chicken Tater Tot Casserole
- Cheesy Ham & Potato Casserole
- Enchilada Pasta Casserole
- Walking Taco Casserole
- Cheesy Beef & Zucchini Casserole
- Taco Cornbread Casserole
- Twice Baked Potato Casserole
- Chicken Enchilada Casserole
- Baked Chicken Parmesan Casserole
- Pizza Pasta Casserole
Ritz Cracker Chicken and Rice Casserole is a classic, filling, and comforting meal that the whole family is sure to enjoy! Make this chicken casserole with a few ingredients that results in a delicious meal comes together in no time.
Angie James says
Wow! Family loved it!
Didn’t have RiceARoni in pantry so I used Minute Rice instead.
Thanks for the recipe!
Jessica says
So glad to hear this Angie!