This Ritz Chicken and Rice Casserole is the ultimate comfort food! It's a creamy, cheesy, and incredibly satisfying casserole that combines tender chicken, flavorful Rice-A-Roni, a rich cream sauce, and a buttery, crunchy Ritz cracker topping. I love how this recipe is both easy to make and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. It's perfect for a weeknight dinner, a potluck, or any time you're craving a warm and delicious casserole.
Why You'll Love This Ritz Chicken and Rice Casserole
- Ultimate Comfort Food: This casserole is warm, creamy, cheesy, and incredibly satisfying.
- Easy to Make: Using Rice-A-Roni and pre-cooked chicken simplifies the process.
- Flavorful: The combination of chicken, rice, creamy soup, and seasonings creates a delicious flavor profile.
- Crunchy Ritz Topping: The buttery Ritz cracker topping adds a delightful crunch and richness.
- Family-Friendly: A guaranteed crowd-pleaser that kids and adults will love.
Ingredients for Ritz Chicken and Rice Casserole
Here's what you'll need to make this comforting casserole. The full list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Main Ingredients
- Cooked chicken, cubed (Meat)
- Chicken Rice-A-Roni box (Rice Mix) Specific brand mentioned
- Sour cream (Dairy)
- Cream of chicken soup (Soup Base)
Seasoning
- Garlic powder (Spice)
- Onion powder (Spice)
- Salt (Seasoning)
- Pepper (Spice)
Ritz Topping
- Butter, melted (Fat)
- Ritz crackers sleeve (Crackers) Specific brand mentioned
- Shredded cheddar cheese (Dairy)
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card below.)
Variations
I love this Ritz Chicken and Rice Casserole as is, but here are a few ideas for variations:
- Add Vegetables: Stir in some steamed broccoli florets, peas, or mixed vegetables.
- Different Soup: Use cream of mushroom or cream of celery soup instead of cream of chicken.
- Different Cheese: Use a blend of cheeses, such as Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or pepper jack.
- Make it Spicy: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce to the soup mixture.
- Use Different Crackers: Try using butter crackers or saltines for the topping.
How to Make Ritz Chicken and Rice Casserole
Let me show you how easy it is to make this Ritz Chicken and Rice Casserole:
Prep
- I prepare a 9 x 13 pan by spraying lightly with non-stick spray and set it aside.
- I preheat my oven to 350°F (175°C).
- I prepare the Rice-A-Roni as directed on the package.
- The chicken needs to be cooked before assembling the casserole. You can simplify this step by using a store-bought rotisserie chicken or pre-cooked chicken.
Assemble the Casserole
- In a large bowl, I combine the sour cream, cream of chicken soup, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. I whisk it well.
- I add the cooked chicken & prepared Rice-A-Roni to the soup mixture and stir until everything is combined.
- I transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish.
Make the Ritz Topping
- In a separate small bowl, I melt the butter.
- I crush the Ritz crackers while still in the package (this is less messy!).
- I pour the cracker crumbs into the bowl with the melted butter. I stir until the cracker crumbs are well incorporated.
- Then I stir in the cheese.
Top and Bake
- I spread the Ritz cracker topping evenly on top of the chicken casserole.
- I bake the casserole for 25 minutes.
- I switch the oven to broil for the last 2-3 minutes, making sure the cracker topping is nice and toasted. Watch carefully to prevent burning!
Serve
- Serve and enjoy!
Tips and Tricks for the BEST Casserole
Here are my secrets for making this casserole truly exceptional:
- Use Rotisserie Chicken: A store-bought rotisserie chicken is a great time-saver and adds extra flavor.
- Don't Overcook the Rice-A-Roni: Prepare the Rice-A-Roni according to package directions, making sure not to overcook it.
- Freshly Shredded Cheese: Freshly shredded cheese melts better and has a more intense flavor for the topping.
- Watch the Broiler: Keep a close eye on the casserole when broiling the topping, as it can brown very quickly.
How to Serve
This Ritz Chicken and Rice Casserole is a complete meal on its own, but here are a few serving suggestions:
- Side Salad: A simple green salad or a Caesar salad would complement the richness of the casserole.
- Steamed Vegetables: Serve with steamed green beans, broccoli, or peas.
- Fruit Salad: A light fruit salad adds a refreshing contrast.
Make Ahead and Storage
You can assemble the casserole (without the topping) ahead of time and store it, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Add the topping and bake just before serving. Leftover casserole can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave.
FAQs about Ritz Chicken and Rice Casserole
- Can I use a different type of rice?
- This recipe is designed for Rice-A-Roni. Using plain rice would require adjusting the liquid and seasonings significantly.
- Can I make this without the cream of chicken soup?
- You could substitute with cream of mushroom or cream of celery, or make a homemade cream sauce, but the classic flavor comes from the condensed soup.
- Can I freeze this casserole?
- Yes
Enjoy this easy, creamy, comforting, and delicious Ritz Chicken and Rice Casserole! It's a perfect weeknight meal that the whole family will love.
Print
Ritz Chicken and Rice Casserole
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 1x
- Category: Main Course, Casserole
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Ritz Chicken and Rice Casserole is a creamy, comforting, and easy-to-make dish. Cooked chicken and prepared Rice-A-Roni are combined in a savory soup mixture and topped with a buttery, cheesy Ritz cracker crust.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Casserole:
- 3 cups cooked chicken, cubed or shredded
- 1 (6.9-ounce) box Chicken Flavor Rice-A-Roni, prepared according to package directions
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 (10.5-ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
For the Ritz Topping:
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 sleeve Ritz crackers, crushed
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (sharp or medium)
Instructions
- Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- Prepare Rice-A-Roni: Prepare the Chicken Flavor Rice-A-Roni according to the package directions.
- Prepare Chicken: Ensure your chicken is cooked and cubed or shredded. Using a store-bought rotisserie chicken is a convenient shortcut.
- Make Creamy Mixture: In a large bowl, whisk together the sour cream, undiluted cream of chicken soup, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Combine Casserole Base: Add the cooked chicken and the prepared Rice-A-Roni to the soup mixture in the large bowl. Stir gently until everything is evenly combined.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Pour the chicken and rice mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly.
- Make Ritz Topping: In a separate small bowl, melt the 6 tablespoons of butter. Crush the Ritz crackers while still in the sleeve (or place in a zip-top bag and crush with a rolling pin). Add the crushed cracker crumbs to the bowl with the melted butter. Stir until the crumbs are well coated. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese.
- Top Casserole: Sprinkle the Ritz cracker topping evenly over the chicken and rice mixture in the baking dish.
- Bake: Bake, uncovered, for 25 minutes.
- Broil (Optional): For a crispier, more golden topping, switch the oven to broil for the last 2-3 minutes of cooking. Watch very carefully to prevent burning.
- Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Rice-A-Roni: Follow the package directions exactly when preparing the Rice-A-Roni.
- Chicken: Using a rotisserie chicken saves time. You can also use leftover cooked chicken or bake/poach chicken breasts or thighs.
- Cheese: Sharp or medium cheddar is recommended for the topping, but you can use other cheeses like Colby or Monterey Jack.
- Topping: Ensure the cracker crumbs are well coated in butter for a crispy topping.
- Make-Ahead: You can assemble the casserole (without the topping) up to a day ahead and refrigerate. Add the topping just before baking. You may need to add 10-15 minutes to the baking time if baking from cold.
- Storage: Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat gently.
