This Ritz cracker chicken casserole is one of the easiest and creamiest chicken casseroles you can make.
It’s loaded with tender chicken in a rich, creamy sauce and topped with buttery Ritz crackers that bake into a golden, crispy layer. The contrast of creamy and crunchy is what makes this dish so good.
I make this when I need something quick, affordable, and guaranteed to be a hit with everyone at the table.
In this post
- How To Make Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole
- Ingredients
- Expert tips
- Storage
- FAQ
Why This Recipe Works
- Super creamy texture. Cottage cheese and cream cheese make it rich without being complicated.
- Crispy topping. Ritz crackers add the perfect buttery crunch.
- Very easy to make. Just mix, bake, and serve.
- Customizable. Add veggies, bacon, or spices to change it up.
Ingredients
You only need a 9-inch baking dish and a handful of simple ingredients for this chicken recipe. Most of them you already have in your kitchen.
- Chicken – use cooked chicken breast, thighs, or rotisserie for a shortcut.
- Cream of chicken soup – adds a rich, savory base.
- Cream cheese – makes the casserole extra creamy.
- Cottage cheese – the secret ingredient for a smooth texture.
- Mozzarella cheese – melts into a gooey, cheesy layer.
- Sour cream – adds tang and balances richness.
- Herbs – chives, parsley, or green onions for freshness.
- Ritz crackers – create the buttery, crispy topping.
- Butter – helps the crackers turn golden and crisp.
🥘 How To Make Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole
- Preheat the oven to 350F. Lightly grease a 9x13 or 8x11 baking dish with cooking oil or butter.
- Make the filling: Mix cottage cheese, cream cheese, sour cream, mozzarella, soup, and seasonings.
- Add chicken: Stir in cooked chicken until combined.
- Transfer: Spread the mixture into a baking dish.
- Prepare topping : Mix crushed Ritz crackers with melted butter.
- Top casserole: Sprinkle evenly over the chicken mixture.
- Bake: For about 40 minutes until bubbly and golden.
- Serve: Garnish with herbs and serve warm.
Rita's Tip
Drain excess liquid from cottage cheese before mixing. This keeps the casserole thick and creamy instead of watery.
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Buy Now → ❌ Common Mistakes
- Using watery cottage cheese. This can make the casserole too loose.
- Overbaking. The casserole can dry out if left too long.
- Adding too much salt. The soup and crackers are already salty.
- Skipping the butter topping. This is what makes the crust crispy and flavorful.
🌿 Variations
- Add bacon. Mix in crispy bacon for extra flavor.
- Make it spicy. Add jalapeños or chili flakes.
- Add vegetables. Broccoli, cauliflower, or carrots work great.
- Make it heartier. Add cooked rice or quinoa.
- Swap cheese. Use cheddar, gouda, or Monterey Jack.
Freezing and Storing Instructions
🍱 To Store. Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
🥶 To Freeze. Freeze unbaked for best results for up to 2 to 3 months.
🔥 To Reheat. Warm in the oven for best texture or microwave for convenience.
Easy Chicken Dinner Recipes
If you love chicken casserole recipes, you should definitely try one or all of these next time.
Or go to ALL DINNER recipes.
📖Recipe
Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole
Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole is the best creamy chicken casserole recipe. Chicken is coated in a rich creamy sauce, and topped with a buttery layer of Ritz crackers. This chicken bake is the perfect party dish and an easy base to add more ingredients t customize it further.
Ingredients
- 4 cups cooked chicken breast or thighs, shredded
- 4- ounce cream cheese softened at room temperature
- 1 cup cottage cheese or ricotta
- ⅓ cup grated mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2 cups condensed chicken soup, homemade, see notes
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 32 Ritz crackers, or any gluten-free crackers, crushed
- 4 Tablespoon unsalted butter melted
- 2 stalks green onion, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F. Lightly grease a 9x13 baking dish with cooking oil or butter.
- In a large bowl combine the cottage cheese, mozzarella, cream cheese, sour cream, cream of chicken soup, and seasonings. Stir to combine with a spatula.
- Add in the cooked chicken and mix again. Transfer the chicken mixture to a 9 inch prepared baking dish.
- In a separate medium bowl add Ritz crackers and melted butter. Toss to coat.
- Top the casserole with the Ritz crackers.
- Bake uncovered for 40 minutes. Garnish with green onions or fresh herbs (thyme or parsley works well here).
Notes
- Cream of Chicken Soup - homemade is better and without any nasties and preservatives. I make it with regular all-purpose flour.
- To make ahead you can whip up all the ingredients (just don’t add the crackers layer just yet), pour them into the casserole, cover them with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1-2 days. Then on the day, top it with butter and crackers and bake it as per the recipe instructions.
- Drain the liquid from cottage cheese - Depending on brand, cottage cheese will generally have plenty of liquid in it. It is fine, but I recommend draining it over a fine mesh strainer with a cheesecloth or a linen towel napkin in between. Wrap the chees in it and squeeze as long as you don’t have much liquid coming out.
Should I cover the chicken bake while cooking? - We don’t cover the chicken casserole in this recipe. However, it will greatly depend on the altitude and type of oven you are using. If the top layers start to get too brown during baking, cove rit will aluminum foil (but towards the end of cooking is better). In this case, you may need to bake it for additional minute.
- There is too much liquid once the chicken is baked. What did I do wrong?
If you end up with too much liquid in the casserole there can be a couple of things.
Naturally chicken will release some liquid. However, as we are using cooked chicken in this million dollar chicken casserole it should not have too much liquid. - Don’t cover the dish with foil as it will help the liquid to evaporate. Also if you are using low fat sour cream or cream cheese the texture can end up with more moisture.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
We are loving easy chicken recipes and over time have shared our easy Pesto Chicken, cheesy Zucchini Boats, and of course one pot chicken fajita pasta.
FAQs
Why is my casserole watery?
Usually from excess liquid in cottage cheese or low-fat dairy.
Usually from excess liquid in cottage cheese or low-fat dairy.
Can I skip cottage cheese?
No. It’s key for the creamy texture. Ricotta is the only good substitute.
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breast?
Yes. Both work great in this recipe.
Should I cover the casserole while baking?
No. Only cover if the top browns too quickly.
Rita
Easy Creamy Chicken Casserole for any occasion.
Cathy
Do you add milk to the condensed soup before you measure 2cups?
Rita
Cathy I am not sure why you want to add the milk?
Debi Montgomery
Where is your recipe for cream of chicken soup?
Rita
I added the link for two of my favorite ones to use. These are homemade without any additives
Patricia Rouse
How many calories in one serving
Rita
approximately 585 calories per serving. I'm working on adding a built in nutrition table to my recipes, but for now you can use https://www.verywellfit.com/recipe-nutrition-analyzer-4157076
Loser babe
The recipe calls for mozzarella but there is no direction re: when or where to add it.
Rita
mozzarella cheese is mixed with the cottage step in the step 2.:)
Ginger Hackney
The recipe says use a 9 x 13 inch pan but then further into the recipe it says use a 9 inch pan……???
Rita
yes 19 inch in this blog post content means 9x13. You can also use 8x11.