If you are craving a comforting, creamy, and downright irresistible dish, this Chicken Rice Casserole Recipe is going to be your new best friend in the kitchen. It combines tender chicken, fluffy rice, and a rich, savory cream of chicken soup base, all baked to perfection under a golden, buttery Ritz cracker crust. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or simply want a nourishing meal that feels like a hug on a plate, this casserole delivers on texture, flavor, and warmth every single time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Chicken Rice Casserole Recipe shines thanks to a handful of simple, wholesome ingredients that come together beautifully. Each component plays a vital role in crafting that creamy, hearty, and delightfully crunchy experience you’ll love.
- 3 chicken breasts (cooked and shredded or cubed, about 4 cups): The star protein that provides juicy, tender bites throughout the casserole.
- 2 cans Campbell’s cream of chicken soup (or 1 large can): The soul of the casserole, adding rich, comforting flavor and a creamy texture.
- 2 cups Minute rice (or quick cooking rice, uncooked): Gives the dish substance and soaks up all the tasty juices perfectly.
- 2 cups chicken broth: Adds moisture and depth, ensuring the rice cooks tender while infusing savory notes.
- 1 cup sour cream: Brings a tangy creaminess that enhances the casserole’s luscious mouthfeel.
- 2 sleeves Ritz crackers (crushed): Creates the signature buttery, crispy topping that crowns the casserole beautifully.
- 1/2 cup salted butter: Essential for enriching the cracker crumb topping with golden richness and flavor.
How to Make Chicken Rice Casserole Recipe
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This steady moderate heat is perfect for cooking the casserole evenly, allowing the flavors to meld and the topping to achieve that golden, crisp finish.
Step 2: Mix All the Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cream of chicken soup, the cooked and shredded or cubed chicken breasts, uncooked Minute rice, chicken broth, and sour cream. Stir everything together thoroughly to ensure every bite will burst with creamy, savory goodness.
Step 3: Prepare the Baking Dish
Spread the mixed casserole filling evenly into a 9×13 inch baking dish. Getting a level surface here helps the casserole cook uniformly, so every portion has the perfect balance of chicken, rice, and sauce.
Step 4: Crush the Ritz Crackers
Take the Ritz crackers and place them in a sealable plastic bag. Use a rolling pin to crush them until they form fine crumbs. This will become the crispy, buttery topping that adds incredible texture contrast.
Step 5: Butter the Crumbs
Add softened salted butter into the bag with your crushed crackers. Seal the bag and shake it vigorously, coating every crumb evenly with butter. This step is the secret to that rich, golden crust everyone raves about.
Step 6: Top the Casserole
Evenly sprinkle your buttery cracker crumbs over the casserole mixture in the baking dish, making sure the entire casserole surface is covered for maximum crunch.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Place the baking dish on the middle rack of your preheated oven. Bake for 40 minutes, or until the topping is a beautiful golden brown and the rice is tender, allowing all those flavors to mingle and become irresistible.
Step 8: Rest and Serve
Once out of the oven, let your Chicken Rice Casserole sit for a few minutes before serving. This brief rest helps it to set slightly, making it easier to dish out perfect portions and enjoy every creamy, crunchy bite.
How to Serve Chicken Rice Casserole Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh garnishes can elevate this casserole to something spectacular. Finely chopped parsley or chives add a lovely pop of color and a hint of freshness that pairs beautifully with the richness of the dish.
Side Dishes
This casserole is quite filling on its own, but pairing it with a crisp green salad or steamed green beans balances the meal nicely by adding some vibrant crunch and lightness alongside the creamy textures.
Creative Ways to Present
For a special touch, serve it in individual ramekins or mini cast iron skillets to delight guests with personal-sized portions. You can also layer it into a clear glass baking dish for a crowd, showing off the beautiful layers of chicken, rice, and crust.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Place leftover Chicken Rice Casserole in an airtight container and refrigerate. It will stay delicious for 3-4 days, making it perfect for easy lunches or quick dinners during the week.
Freezing
You can freeze this casserole for longer storage. Wrap it tightly with foil or plastic wrap and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating for best results.
Reheating
Reheat individual portions in the microwave until warmed through, or place the entire casserole in a 350°F oven, covered, for about 20-25 minutes. Removing the cover in the last 5 minutes helps crisp up the topping again beautifully.
FAQs
Can I use rotisserie chicken for this recipe?
Absolutely! Rotisserie chicken works great because it’s already cooked and flavorful, saving you time while giving the casserole plenty of delicious chicken goodness.
Is it necessary to use Ritz crackers for the topping?
Ritz crackers are traditional and give that perfect buttery crunch, but you can substitute with crushed buttery bread crumbs or even crushed saltine crackers if needed.
Can I make this casserole dairy-free?
You can try swapping sour cream for a dairy-free alternative and choose a cream of chicken soup that is dairy-free as well, though the texture and flavor might be slightly different.
How can I make the casserole spicier?
Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or some chopped jalapeños to the chicken mixture, or sprinkle a dash of smoked paprika into the cracker crumbs for a subtle smoky kick.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
The recipe as written is not gluten-free because of the Ritz crackers and potentially the soup. However, you can use gluten-free soup and gluten-free cracker alternatives to make it safe for gluten-sensitive eaters.
Final Thoughts
This Chicken Rice Casserole Recipe is more than just a meal; it’s a comforting experience that brings warmth and smiles around the dinner table. With its creamy base, tender chicken, satisfying rice, and that unbeatable crunchy cracker topping, it’s a dish you’ll want to make again and again. So go ahead, gather your ingredients and try it out — you’re in for a delicious treat!
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Chicken Rice Casserole Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Chicken Rice Casserole is a comforting and hearty dish featuring tender cooked chicken, creamy soup, and tender rice baked to perfection under a buttery, crispy Ritz cracker topping. Perfect for an easy family dinner, it combines simple pantry staples into a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 3 chicken breasts (cooked and shredded or cubed, about 4 cups)
- 2 cans Campbell’s cream of chicken soup (or 1 large can)
- 2 cups Minute rice (or quick cooking rice, uncooked)
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup sour cream
Topping
- 2 sleeves Ritz crackers (crushed)
- 1/2 cup salted butter (softened)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the cream of chicken soup, cooked cubed or shredded chicken breast, uncooked rice, chicken broth, and sour cream. Stir well until all ingredients are thoroughly incorporated.
- Prepare the Baking Dish: Spread the combined mixture evenly into a 9×13 inch baking dish, ensuring an even layer for consistent cooking.
- Crush Crackers: Pour Ritz crackers into a sealable plastic bag and crush them with a rolling pin until you have fine crumbs.
- Butter the Crumbs: Add the softened salted butter into the bag with the crushed crackers, reseal, and shake vigorously to coat the crumbs evenly with the butter.
- Top the Casserole: Evenly spread the buttered cracker crumbs over the top of the casserole mixture in the baking dish.
- Bake: Place the casserole on the middle rack of the warm oven and bake for 40 minutes until the cracker topping turns golden brown and crispy, and the rice is tender.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and let the casserole sit for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your hearty and creamy Chicken Rice Casserole!
Notes
- Use cooked chicken breasts leftover or freshly cooked and shredded for best results.
- You can substitute cream of chicken soup with a homemade white sauce for a fresher taste.
- Minute rice or any quick cooking rice works well to ensure rice cooks fully without extra soaking.
- Squeezing excess moisture from cooked chicken can help avoid a watery casserole.
- Let the casserole rest after baking to allow it to set and cool slightly for easier serving.
- For a lower-fat variant, use reduced-fat sour cream and butter substitutes.
