When you need a quick dinner recipe that feels indulgent, this Easy Ritz Chicken and Rice Casserole hits every note perfectly. This dish takes the creamy, comforting elements of a classic chicken and rice casserole and elevates it with two game-changing additions: cheddar cheese and a crunchy, buttery Ritz cracker topping. It is the ultimate combination of creamy, savory, and crunchy textures. This casserole is incredibly simple to assemble, relying on convenient ingredients to create a rich, satisfying meal that the entire family will request again and again.
Why This Easy Ritz Chicken and Rice Casserole is a Weeknight Winner
The Creamy and Crunchy Contrast
The magic of this dish lies in its texture. The base is a luxuriously creamy mixture of tender cooked chicken, fluffy rice, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and melted cheddar cheese. This savory foundation is then topped with a generous layer of Ritz crackers, crushed and tossed with melted butter. As it bakes, the topping becomes a golden-brown, crispy, and buttery crust that provides a perfect contrast to the soft, creamy filling beneath it.
A Quick Dinner Recipe for Busy Nights
This recipe is designed for speed. By using pre-cooked chicken (a rotisserie chicken is a perfect shortcut) and leftover or quickly-cooked rice, the assembly process takes only 15 minutes. You simply mix the filling ingredients in one bowl, spread it in a dish, and top it with the cracker mixture. It bakes uncovered for just 25-30 minutes, meaning you can have a hot, homemade, and incredibly delicious dinner on the table in well under an hour.
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Easy Ritz Chicken and Rice Casserole: Quick Dinner Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6–8 servings 1x
Description
A rich, creamy chicken and rice casserole with a buttery, crunchy Ritz cracker topping. This is the ultimate easy and quick dinner recipe, perfect for a busy weeknight and guaranteed to be a family favorite.
Ingredients
2 cups Cooked Chicken (shredded or diced)2 cups Cooked White Rice1 can (10.5 oz) Cream of Chicken Soup1 cup Sour Cream1/2 cup Milk1 tsp Onion Powder1/2 tsp Garlic Powder1 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese (divided)1 sleeve (approx. 30) Ritz Crackers (crushed)1/4 cup (1/2 stick) Unsalted Butter (melted)Salt and Pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.2. In a large bowl, combine the cooked chicken, cooked rice, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, milk, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.3. Stir in 1/2 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese.4. Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.5. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese over the top.6. In a separate small bowl, combine the crushed Ritz crackers and the melted butter.7. Sprinkle the buttery cracker crumbs evenly over the cheese layer.8. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the topping is golden brown.9. Let stand for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Using a rotisserie chicken and leftover rice is a great time-saver for this recipe. Do not cover the casserole while baking, as this will make the topping soggy. Crush the crackers into coarse pieces, not fine crumbs, for the best texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Casserole, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Ingredients for the Creamy Base and Crunchy Topping
The Casserole Filling
The base of this casserole gets its rich flavor and texture from a few key ingredients. Cream of chicken soup provides the classic savory, seasoned foundation. Sour cream adds a wonderful tangy brightness and extra creaminess that cuts through the richness. Milk thins the mixture to the perfect consistency. Finally, shredded cheddar cheese is stirred into the casserole and sprinkled on top, ensuring cheesy goodness in every single bite.
The Ritz Cracker Topping
The star of the show is the topping. A full sleeve of Ritz crackers provides a uniquely buttery, slightly sweet, and salty crunch that no other cracker can replicate. These are crushed—not to dust, but into small, coarse pieces—and then combined with melted unsalted butter. This buttery binder helps the crackers toast to a uniform golden brown in the oven and transforms them into an irresistible, crunchy lid for the casserole.
How to Assemble This Quick Dinner Recipe
Mixing the Creamy Base
First, preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. In a single large bowl, combine your cooked, diced chicken and your cooked rice. Add the can of cream of chicken soup, the sour cream, milk, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir this mixture well until everything is evenly coated. Next, fold in half a cup of the shredded cheddar cheese. This internal cheese is key to making the filling extra gooey and cohesive.
Creating the Topping
Spread the chicken and rice mixture evenly into your prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining half cup of cheddar cheese over the top of the filling. In a separate small bowl, combine your crushed Ritz crackers with the melted butter, tossing them with a fork until all the crumbs are moistened. Sprinkle this buttery cracker mixture evenly over the cheese layer, making sure to cover it from edge to edge. Bake this uncovered for 25-30 minutes.
The Secret to the Perfect Buttery Ritz Topping
Choosing the Right Cracker
While other buttery crackers exist, Ritz crackers are the classic choice for a reason. Their specific blend of salty, sweet, and buttery flavor is distinct. They are tender enough to absorb the butter but sturdy enough to provide a satisfying crunch. If you must substitute, a similar buttery round cracker will work, but plain saltines or breadcrumbs will not provide the same rich flavor profile that makes this dish so special.
Do Not Over-Crush
To get the best crunchy texture, avoid pulverizing the crackers into a fine powder. You want a variety of textures, from small crumbs to larger, quarter-sized pieces. The easiest way to achieve this is to place the crackers in a large zip-top bag and gently crush them with a rolling pin or the flat bottom of a measuring cup. This ensures the topping has body and a truly crunchy, rustic texture rather than a sandy one.
Time-Saving Hacks for Casserole Prep
The Rotisserie Chicken Shortcut
The biggest time-saver for this recipe is using a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken from the grocery store. One standard rotisserie chicken will yield more than enough meat for this casserole. Simply pull the meat from the bones and give it a rough chop. This trick eliminates the need to poach, bake, or pan-fry raw chicken, cutting your prep time significantly and adding the roaster’s savory flavor.
Using Leftover or Quick Rice
This easy Ritz chicken and rice casserole is the perfect vehicle for using up leftover rice from a previous meal. If you do not have leftovers, instant rice or “ready rice” packets that steam in the microwave are perfectly acceptable here. Since the casserole’s baking time is short (only 30 minutes), you must use fully cooked rice. Using uncooked rice will result in a soupy, crunchy mess, as there is not enough liquid or time for it to cook properly.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
Refrigerating Your Casserole
This casserole makes for fantastic leftovers, though the topping will soften over time. Store any remaining casserole in an airtight container, or simply cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil or plastic wrap. It will keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. The flavors will continue to meld, making it just as delicious the next day.
Reheating to Restore Crispness
The microwave is the fastest way to reheat a single portion, but it will result in a soft topping. To get the best results and restore some of the crunch, reheat the casserole in the oven or a toaster oven. Place a portion in an oven-safe dish and bake at 350°F for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. This helps to dry out and re-crisp the buttery Ritz cracker topping.
Customizing Your Chicken Casserole
Adding Vegetables
It is very easy to add vegetables to this dish. A 10-ounce bag of frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn, and green beans), thawed and drained, can be stirred directly into the chicken and rice mixture. Steamed or canned (and drained) broccoli florets are another classic addition. The vegetables add color, nutrition, and another layer of texture to the creamy filling.
Changing the Soup or Cheese
This recipe is a great template for substitutions. You can easily swap the cream of chicken soup for cream of mushroom or cream of celery soup for a different flavor profile. Likewise, while cheddar is a classic choice, you can use other great melting cheeses. Smoked gouda, Gruyère, or a Monterey Jack cheese would all be delicious and add a unique twist to this quick dinner recipe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this casserole ahead of time? Yes. You can assemble the entire casserole, but do not add the cracker topping. Cover the dish tightly and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, prepare the buttery cracker topping, sprinkle it on top, and bake as directed. You may need to add 5-10 minutes to the baking time.
My topping wasn’t crispy. What went wrong? This can happen for two reasons. First, you may not have used enough melted butter to coat the crumbs, or the crumbs were too fine. Second, if you covered the casserole with foil while baking, the steam would be trapped and make the topping soggy. This casserole must be baked uncovered.
Can I use breadcrumbs instead of Ritz crackers? You can, but it will change the flavor and texture. If using breadcrumbs (preferably Panko for crunch), you will want to add more butter and perhaps a pinch of salt and sugar to mimic the rich, buttery flavor of the Ritz crackers.
Conclusion
This Easy Ritz Chicken and Rice Casserole is the definition of a quick dinner recipe that does not compromise on flavor. The combination of the rich, creamy, and cheesy filling with the unmistakably buttery, crunchy cracker topping is a texture-lover’s dream. It is a fantastic way to use up leftovers and a guaranteed hit with both kids and adults. It is the perfect, indulgent solution for any busy weeknight. For another fast meal that packs a punch, check out this one-pot queso chicken and rice.