Description
Comforting midwest chicken casserole blends creamy sauce, tender chicken, and buttery Ritz cracker topping for an irresistible family dinner. Hearty ingredients meld together, promising warmth and satisfaction with each delightful bite you’ll savor.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 3 cups cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie)
Dairy Components:
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
Seasoning and Binding:
- 1 (10.5 ounces/298 grams) can cream of chicken soup
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Topping:
- 1 sleeve Ritz crackers (about 30 crackers), crushed
Optional Garnish:
- Chopped parsley
Instructions
- Prepare the baking vessel by coating it with a light layer of grease and positioning the oven rack at the center, set to a moderate temperature of 350F (175C).
- Create a harmonious blend of shredded chicken, creamy soup base, tangy dairy elements, sharp cheese, and aromatic seasonings in a spacious mixing bowl, ensuring all components are thoroughly integrated.
- Transfer the velvety chicken mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it uniformly to create an even layer that promises consistent flavor in every bite.
- Craft a crispy topping by transforming classic Ritz crackers into delicate crumbs and marrying them with rich, melted butter until they form a golden, crumbly texture.
- Distribute the buttery cracker crumbs across the chicken mixture, creating a landscape of potential crunchiness that will transform during baking.
- Slide the casserole into the preheated oven, allowing it to transform for 25-30 minutes until the surface achieves a beautiful golden hue and the interior becomes piping hot and effervescent.
- Remove from the oven and permit the casserole to rest briefly, allowing the ingredients to settle and flavors to meld, then optionally garnish with fresh, verdant parsley for a touch of brightness.
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken for a super quick and easy preparation, saving time without compromising flavor.
- Swap regular crackers with gluten-free alternatives to make this dish suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
- Mix in some frozen mixed vegetables like peas and carrots to boost nutritional value and add colorful texture to the casserole.
- Consider reducing sodium by using low-sodium cream of chicken soup and adding fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary for extra flavor depth without extra salt.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg