Irresistible Paula Deen Chicken Casserole With Ritz Crackers Recipe

Paula Deen’s chicken casserole with Ritz Crackers bursts with Southern comfort and homespun charm, turning ordinary ingredients into a mouthwatering masterpiece.

Layers of tender chicken nestle beneath a golden, buttery cracker crown that crackles with every forkful.

Creamy and indulgent, this dish whispers stories of family gatherings and cherished kitchen memories.

Humble ingredients transform into something extraordinary through clever culinary alchemy.

Rich, velvety sauces embrace succulent chicken in a warm, inviting embrace that feels like a culinary hug.

Crisp cracker crumbs add a delightful crunch that elevates this casserole from simple to spectacular.

This recipe promises a delicious escape into pure, unapologetic comfort food that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Check out a plate of pure, soul-satisfying deliciousness that celebrates the magic:

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 502 kcal

Servings: 5

Paula Deen Chicken Casserole with Ritz Crackers Ingredients

• Cream Of Chicken Soup: Select low-sodium varieties for better flavor control.
• Sour Cream: Choose full-fat version for richer, smoother texture.
• Green Onions: Pick fresh, crisp stalks with bright green tops for maximum taste.

• Shredded Chicken: Use rotisserie chicken for convenient, tender meat or freshly poached chicken for pure flavor.

• Ritz Crackers, Butter: Select salted butter for deeper golden-brown crispiness and extra flavor complexity.

Kitchen Tools for Paula Deen’s Ritz Cracker Casserole

• Mixing Bowl: Large, sturdy bowl for combining creamy ingredients and creating the casserole base.
• Whisk: Perfect for blending soup, sour cream, and green onions smoothly.
• 2.5-quart Baking Dish: Spacious ceramic or glass dish for assembling and baking the casserole.
• Non-stick Cooking Spray: Essential for preventing ingredients from sticking to the dish.
• Measuring Cups: Helpful for accurate ingredient proportions.
• Spatula: Great for gently folding chicken into the creamy mixture.
• Cutting Board: Used for chopping green onions.
• Sharp Knife: Needed for precise green onion chopping.

How to Cook Paula Deen’s Chicken Casserole

• Preheat Kitchen Oven

Warm up your oven to a cozy 350°F, getting ready for a delightful cooking adventure. Grab your trusty baking dish and give it a quick spray with non-stick magic to ensure nothing sticks.

• Create Dreamy Cream Blend

Grab a spacious mixing bowl and whip together a velvety mixture of creamy soup, tangy sour cream, and freshly chopped green onions. Whisk everything until it looks smooth and inviting, like a culinary work of art.

• Fold In Tender Chicken

Gently introduce shredded chicken into your creamy concoction, making sure every morsel gets a luxurious coating of the silky sauce. Mix with love and care, creating a harmonious blend of flavors.

• Build Casserole Foundation

Spread your chicken and cream masterpiece evenly across the baking dish, creating a perfect canvas for the upcoming crispy topping. Make sure the layer looks smooth and tempting.

• Crown With Crunchy Topping

Crush Ritz crackers and marry them with melted butter in the same mixing bowl. Stir until each cracker piece glistens with buttery goodness, promising a golden, crispy finish.

• Bake To Perfection

Sprinkle the buttery cracker mixture over the casserole, covering every inch with a promise of crunchiness. Slide into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the top turns a gorgeous golden brown and the edges bubble with excitement.

Tweaks and Variations for Chicken Casserole Recipe

• Elevate Your Chicken Casserole: Expert Cooking Hacks and Twists
• Customize Protein Power: Swap shredded chicken with rotisserie chicken, turkey, or canned tuna for quick flavor transformations that keep the recipe exciting and versatile.
• Boost Veggie Nutrition: Mix in frozen mixed vegetables like peas, carrots, or broccoli to add color, texture, and extra nutritional value without changing the dish's core essence.
• Cheese Lover's Dream: Sprinkle shredded cheddar, monterey jack, or pepper jack cheese between the creamy layer and cracker topping for a melty, gooey surprise that takes the casserole to the next level.
• Spice It Up: Add a dash of dried herbs like thyme, rosemary, or a pinch of red pepper flakes to introduce subtle complexity and depth to the classic comfort food.

Serving Paula Deen’s Chicken Casserole with Flair

• Serve with Fresh Greens: Pair the casserole with a crisp green salad featuring mixed lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and a light vinaigrette for a balanced meal.
• Create Hearty Side Companions: Add roasted vegetables like broccoli or carrots to complement the creamy chicken dish and boost nutritional value.
• Enhance with Zesty Condiments: Offer hot sauce, chopped fresh herbs, or a dollop of sour cream on the side to let diners customize their plate's flavor profile.
• Host Cozy Family Gathering: Set this comfort dish as a centerpiece for a relaxed weekend dinner, encouraging shared moments and warm conversation around the table.

Meal Prep and Storage for Ritz Cracker Casserole

• Maximize Meal Prep: Prepare the entire casserole up to the topping stage and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking, perfect for busy weeknight dinners.
• Portion and Preserve: Store leftover casserole in airtight containers in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, ensuring maximum freshness and flavor retention.
• Freeze for Future Meals: Wrap the unbaked casserole tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, storing in the freezer for up to 2 months for quick and convenient meal options.
• Reheat with Care: Warm refrigerated or thawed casserole in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes, covering with foil to prevent excessive browning and maintain moisture.

Crispy Paula Deen Chicken Casserole With Ritz Crackers Recipe

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4.6 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Paula Deen’s chicken casserole combines creamy textures with crunchy Ritz cracker topping for a comforting Southern classic. Rich layers of tender chicken and cheese create a satisfying meal you’ll crave at family gatherings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 3 cups cooked and shredded chicken (rotisserie chicken)
• 1 cup sour cream
• 10.5 oz (298 g) condensed cream of chicken with herbs soup
• ½ cup (1 stick or 113 g) salted butter, melted
• 2 sleeves Ritz crackers, crushed
• ½ cup sliced green onion

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Instructions

1. Preheat: Warm the oven to 350°F (175°C) and generously spray a 2.5-quart baking dish with non-stick cooking spray to prevent adherence.
2. Blend Sauce: In a large mixing bowl, whisk cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and green onions until the mixture becomes smooth and uniform, creating a luxurious base for the casserole.
3. Combine Filling: Gently fold the shredded chicken into the creamy sauce, ensuring each morsel is completely enrobed with the rich, velvety mixture, then transfer the entire composition to the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly.
4. Prepare Topping: Pulverize Ritz crackers into fine crumbs using a rolling pin or food processor, then melt butter and thoroughly integrate it with the cracker fragments to craft a decadent, golden-hued topping.
5. Assemble and Bake: Sprinkle the buttery cracker crumbs across the chicken layer, creating a uniform, crisp coating. Slide the casserole into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, monitoring until the topping turns a tantalizing golden brown and the edges bubble with promise of a perfectly heated dish.

Notes

• Cracker Crumbling Technique: Use a rolling pin or food processor to crush Ritz crackers into uniform, fine crumbs for the most consistent and crispy topping texture.
• Butter Blending Tip: Completely melt butter before mixing with cracker crumbs to ensure even coating and ultimate golden-brown crispiness.
• Chicken Distribution Strategy: Fold shredded chicken gently into the creamy mixture to guarantee each bite is perfectly sauced and flavorful.
• Baking Precision Alert: Monitor casserole closely during the 25-30 minute baking window, looking for bubbling edges and a bronzed cracker topping as signs of perfect doneness.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 502
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 1060 mg
• Fat: 38 g
• Saturated Fat: 22 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 19 g
• Cholesterol: 98 mg