Ritz Cracker Chicken and Rice Casserole (Easy Dinner Recipe)

This Ritz Cracker Chicken and Rice Casserole is the kind of dinner that makes everyone at the table happy — tender chicken, creamy sauce, fluffy rice, and a buttery cheesy Ritz cracker topping that gets perfectly golden under the broiler. Made almost entirely from pantry staples and on the table in 45 minutes.

It is the casserole my family requests on repeat, and once you make it you will understand why. Simple, satisfying, and exactly the kind of comfort food a busy weeknight calls for.

Recipe Highlights

• Pantry staple ingredients — chicken, Rice-A-Roni, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and Ritz crackers are all you need
• That Ritz cracker topping — buttery, cheesy, and perfectly golden under the broiler — it is the best part of the whole dish
• 45 minutes start to finish — prep is minimal and most of the time is hands-off in the oven
• Easy to customize — add vegetables, swap the protein, or change up the soup flavor based on what you have
• Crowd-pleaser — even picky eaters love this one

Ingredients in Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole

Cooked chicken — Three cups, cubed. This is a great use for leftover rotisserie chicken or any pre-cooked chicken you have on hand. You can also cook chicken breasts in the crockpot ahead of time — just shred or cube before assembling.

Chicken Rice-A-Roni — One 6.9-oz box, prepared according to package directions before assembling the casserole. The seasoned rice is what gives this dish its savory, well-rounded flavor without a lot of extra work.

Sour cream — One cup adds creaminess and a subtle tang that balances the richness of the soup perfectly.

Cream of chicken soup — One 10.5-oz can. This is the base of the creamy sauce. Cream of mushroom or cream of celery are both easy swaps if you prefer.

Garlic powder — Half a teaspoon for a gentle savory depth.

Onion powder — One teaspoon adds a subtle sweetness and rounds out the seasoning.

Salt and pepper — One teaspoon salt and a quarter teaspoon pepper to bring everything together.

For the Ritz Cracker Topping

Butter — Six tablespoons, melted. This binds the topping and gives it that rich, golden finish under the broiler.

Ritz crackers — One full sleeve, crushed. Crush them right in the sleeve to control the texture — you want a mix of fine crumbs and slightly larger pieces for the best topping.

Shredded cheddar cheese — One cup mixed into the topping along with the crackers. It melts under the broiler and gives the topping a cheesy, golden crust that is genuinely the highlight of this dish.

How to make Ritz Cracker Chicken & Rice Casserole

Step 1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly spray a 9×13 baking dish with non-stick spray.

Step 2. Prepare the Rice-A-Roni according to package directions. While it cooks, cube or shred the cooked chicken.

Step 3. In a large bowl, whisk together the sour cream, cream of chicken soup, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until smooth and well combined.

Step 4. Add the cooked chicken and prepared rice to the soup mixture and stir until everything is evenly coated. Transfer to the prepared baking dish and spread into an even layer.

Step 5. In a separate bowl, stir together the melted butter and crushed Ritz crackers until all the crumbs are well coated. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese.

Step 6. Spread the Ritz cracker topping evenly over the casserole.

Step 7. Bake for 25 minutes. Switch the oven to broil for the last 2 to 3 minutes to get the topping perfectly golden and toasted — watch it closely so it doesn’t burn.

Step 8. Serve hot and enjoy!

How to Store and Reheat

Refrigerator: Cover with a lid or plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

Freezer: Freeze for up to 2 months in an airtight freezer-safe container. The Ritz topping may soften slightly after freezing — add a fresh sprinkle of crushed crackers and cheese before reheating for the best texture.

Reheating: Preheat the oven to 350°F, cover the dish with aluminum foil, and bake for 20 to 25 minutes until heated through. Remove the foil for the last 5 minutes to re-crisp the topping.

Tips for the Best Ritz Cracker Casserole

Use rotisserie chicken for the easiest version. A store-bought rotisserie chicken gives you perfectly cooked, already-seasoned chicken with almost no effort. Three cups is about half of a standard rotisserie chicken.

Crush the crackers in the sleeve. Squeeze and crush the Ritz crackers while they are still in the package for the easiest, least-messy method. You want a combination of fine crumbs and a few slightly larger pieces — this gives the topping the best texture.

Don’t skip the broil. The broiler step at the end is what takes the topping from good to great — it gets the crackers golden and slightly crispy and melts the cheese into a beautiful crust. Two to three minutes is all it needs, but keep a close eye on it.

Make the rice ahead. The Rice-A-Roni takes about 20 minutes to prepare, which is the most time-consuming step. Cooking it ahead of time makes assembly much faster on a busy weeknight.

Add vegetables directly to the filling. Frozen peas, chopped broccoli, diced carrots, or green beans all mix in beautifully at Step 4 without changing anything else about the recipe.

Variations and Substitutions

Soup swaps: Cream of mushroom, cream of celery, and cream of broccoli all work well in place of cream of chicken. Each gives a slightly different flavor but the casserole is delicious either way.

Cracker alternatives: Butter crackers, Club crackers, or Townhouse crackers all work well as a Ritz substitute if needed.

No Rice-A-Roni? Use 2 cups of cooked white or brown rice seasoned with a chicken bouillon cube or a packet of chicken seasoning.

Different proteins: Ground beef, turkey, or pork all work in place of chicken. For a vegetarian version, omit the meat and add extra vegetables or use drained canned white beans for protein.

Add vegetables: Frozen peas, green beans, broccoli florets, chopped carrots, or diced bell peppers all work well stirred into the filling before baking.

What to Serve with Ritz Chicken Casserole

This casserole is a complete meal on its own — protein, starch, and creamy sauce all in one dish. If you want to round it out, a simple green salad, roasted vegetables, or steamed broccoli all work beautifully alongside it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use cream of mushroom soup instead of cream of chicken? Yes — cream of mushroom, cream of celery, or cream of broccoli all work well as substitutes. The flavor will be slightly different but equally delicious.

Can I make this casserole ahead of time? Yes — assemble the casserole through Step 6, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Add the Ritz topping right before baking so it stays crispy. You may need to add 5 to 10 extra minutes to the bake time if going straight from the fridge.

Can I use regular rice instead of Rice-A-Roni? Yes — use 2 cups of cooked white or brown rice. Season it with a chicken bouillon cube or a teaspoon of chicken seasoning to add the flavor that Rice-A-Roni brings to the dish.

Can I add vegetables to this casserole? Absolutely — frozen peas, chopped broccoli, diced carrots, or green beans all mix in beautifully with the chicken and rice. Stir them in at Step 4 before transferring to the baking dish.

What crackers can I use instead of Ritz? Butter crackers, Club crackers, or Townhouse crackers all work well as substitutes with a similar buttery flavor and texture.

Why is my Ritz cracker topping soggy? The most common cause is covering the casserole while it bakes. Bake uncovered the entire time so steam can escape and the topping stays crispy. The broil step at the end also helps lock in the crunch.

Can I freeze Ritz cracker chicken casserole? Yes — freeze for up to 2 months. For the best texture after freezing, add a fresh layer of crushed Ritz crackers and cheese before reheating.

More Casserole Recipes to Try

• Broccoli Cheddar Casserole — cheesy, creamy, and packed with broccoli — a classic side dish that works for any occasion.
• Ranch Chicken Tater Tot Casserole — crispy tater tots, ranch-seasoned chicken, and a cheesy topping — a crowd-pleaser every single time.
• Chicken and Stuffing Casserole — tender chicken with a savory stuffing topping that makes the whole house smell incredible.
• Cheesy Wild Rice Casserole — a heartier rice casserole with wild rice and plenty of cheese throughout.
• Southwest Tater Tot Casserole — a fun Tex-Mex twist on the classic tater tot casserole with bold southwestern flavors.

Creamy, cheesy, and topped with the most satisfying buttery cracker crust — this is the weeknight dinner your family will ask for again and again. Leave a rating below and let us know what they thought!