Southern Chicken Casserole with Ritz Crackers

I’ve included some videos I found relevant and helpful. 😍

Looking for a quick and easy dinner that’s sure to please the whole family? This Southern Chicken Casserole with Ritz Crackers is just what you need.

With only 10 minutes of prep time, you can have a delicious, comforting meal on the table in just 30 minutes. It’s perfect for busy weeknights when you want something hearty and satisfying without spending hours in the kitchen.

This casserole combines tender shredded chicken with a creamy mixture of soups and sour cream, topped with gooey melted cheese and crispy buttered Ritz crackers.

The result is a dish that’s packed with flavor and texture, guaranteed to become a new family favorite. Plus, it’s easily customizable – you can switch up the soups or add vegetables to make it your own.

Exact Ingredients List

Here’s what you’ll need to make this tasty Southern Chicken Casserole with Ritz Crackers:

• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 can (10.75 oz) condensed cream of chicken soup
• 1 can (10.75 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup
• 1 cup reduced sodium chicken broth
• 5-6 cups cooked, shredded chicken
• 1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
• 2 sleeves Ritz crackers, crushed (about 60 crackers)
• 1 ½ sticks (12 tablespoons) butter, melted
• Optional: chopped fresh parsley for garnish

You can use rotisserie chicken to save time. Just grab one large or two smaller chickens and shred the meat.

For the broth, you can use store-bought or homemade. If you make your own, it’ll add extra flavor to your casserole.

The Ritz crackers give a nice crunch on top. Make sure to crush them coarsely for the best texture.

Don’t forget to grease your 9×13-inch baking dish before you start. This will make serving and cleanup much easier.

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F and grab a 9×13-inch baking dish. Grease it well to prevent sticking.

In a large bowl, mix the sour cream, cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, and chicken broth. Whisk until smooth.

Add your shredded chicken to the bowl. Stir it in until everything is well combined.

Pour this mixture into your greased baking dish. Spread it out evenly.

Sprinkle the grated cheddar cheese on top of the chicken mixture.

In a separate bowl, crush the Ritz crackers. Pour in the melted butter and mix well.

Spread the buttery cracker crumbs over the cheese layer.

Pop the dish in the oven, uncovered. Bake for 20-25 minutes.

Your casserole is done when it’s hot and bubbly, the cheese is melted, and the crackers are golden brown.

Let it cool for a few minutes. If you like, sprinkle some chopped parsley on top before serving.

Enjoy your warm, comforting Southern chicken casserole!

Possible Substitutes List

You can easily swap out some ingredients in this tasty chicken casserole. Here are some options:

Chicken: Use leftover turkey or canned chicken if you don’t have rotisserie chicken on hand.

Soups: Try cream of celery or cream of broccoli soup instead of cream of mushroom.

Sour cream: Greek yogurt works great as a lighter option.

Cheese: Experiment with different cheeses like Monterey Jack or Colby.

Crackers: If you’re out of Ritz, try crushed cornflakes or potato chips for a crunchy topping.

Broth: Vegetable broth can replace chicken broth in a pinch.

To make it even easier, check out this quick substitution guide:

Remember, these swaps might change the flavor a bit, but they’ll still give you a yummy result!

How To Make It Diabetes-Friendly

To make this casserole more suitable for people with diabetes, you can try these easy swaps:

• Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream to cut calories and fat.
• Pick low-fat cream soups to reduce saturated fat.
• Choose whole grain crackers over Ritz for added fiber.
• Use less butter – try 6 tablespoons instead of 12.

You can also boost the veggie content:

• Add 1 cup of frozen mixed veggies to the chicken mixture.
• Mix in 2 cups of fresh spinach leaves before baking.

To lower the carbs:

• Use only 1 sleeve of crackers for the topping.
• Try cauliflower rice in place of some of the chicken.

These tweaks will make the dish more balanced. You’ll get extra nutrients and fiber while cutting back on unhealthy fats and carbs.

Remember to watch your portion size too. Aim for about 1 cup per serving instead of larger amounts. Pair it with a big side salad to fill up your plate with low-carb veggies.

Tips, Tricks & Storing

Make your life easier with these handy tips for this yummy chicken casserole:

Save time by using a rotisserie chicken. Just shred the meat and you’re good to go!

For extra crunch, crush the Ritz crackers in a zip-top bag using a rolling pin.

Want to prep ahead? Mix the chicken and sauce up to a day before. Keep it in the fridge, then add the cheese and crackers right before baking.

Got leftovers? No problem! Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.

To reheat, pop individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes. For the whole casserole, bake at 350°F for about 20 minutes.

You can even freeze this casserole for up to 3 months. Just wrap it well and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Try mixing in some veggies like peas or broccoli for extra nutrition. Your kids might not even notice!