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ritz cracker chicken casserole recipe

Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole

Prep 15 minutes
Cook 35 minutes
Total 50 minutes
With golden Ritz crust and juicy chicken inside! So creamy, so crispy. A family favorite dish!
4 stars (1 ratings)
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Ingredients
  

For this mouthwatering ritz cracker chicken casserole recipe, you'll need:

  • 4 boneless , skinless chicken breasts (about 2 pounds)
  • 2 sleeves of Ritz crackers (about 60 crackers)
  • ½ cup unsalted butter , melted
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • ¼ cup milk

Instructions

  • Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
    Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels – this crucial step ensures the coating sticks properly and creates that perfect crispy exterior. If your chicken breasts are particularly thick, consider butterflying them or using a meat mallet to pound them to an even thickness of about 1/2 inch. This promotes even cooking and reduces the overall baking time by up to 10 minutes.
    Step 2: Create the Cracker Mixture
    Place the Ritz crackers in a ziplock bag and crush them using a rolling pin until they reach a coarse breadcrumb consistency, leaving some slightly larger pieces for texture. Pour the crushed crackers into a large bowl and add the garlic powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, pepper, and Parmesan cheese. Mix thoroughly to ensure even distribution of seasonings. The Parmesan adds a delicious umami flavor that complements the buttery crackers perfectly.
    Step 3: Prepare the Creamy Base
    In a medium bowl, whisk together the cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and milk until smooth. This velvety mixture serves as both a marinade and a sauce, infusing moisture and flavor into the chicken while creating a luscious base for your casserole. For additional flavor depth, try adding 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard or 1 teaspoon of ranch seasoning mix.
    Step 4: Assemble the Casserole
    Spread about 1/3 of the creamy mixture on the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Arrange the chicken breasts in a single layer over the mixture. Pour the remaining creamy mixture over the chicken, ensuring each piece is well-coated. Drizzle half of the melted butter over the chicken, then top generously with the seasoned cracker mixture. Finish by drizzling the remaining butter over the cracker topping to ensure maximum crispiness.
    Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection
    Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the topping is golden brown and crispy. Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving – this allows the juices to redistribute throughout the chicken and the sauce to thicken slightly, resulting in maximum flavor and moisture
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