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Ritz Chicken Casserole Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 64 reviews

This Ritz Chicken Casserole is a comforting and creamy baked dish combining tender shredded chicken, egg noodles, sharp cheddar cheese, and a flavorful vegetable mix, all topped with a buttery Ritz cracker crust. Perfect for a satisfying family meal, it blends wholesome ingredients with rich creaminess and a crispy topping for a delightful texture contrast.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 2–3 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 stalks celery, chopped
  • 1 red bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1 tbsp minced garlic
  • 2 (10.5 oz) cans cream of chicken soup
  • 1 cup half and half
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 3 cups egg noodles, cooked
  • 1.5 pounds chicken breast, cooked and shredded
  • 1 tbsp parsley
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Topping

  • 1 sleeve Ritz crackers
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 4 tbsp butter, melted

Instructions

  1. Prepare the vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped celery, red bell pepper, and onion, cooking until the vegetables are softened and translucent, approximately 5-7 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
  2. Mix the sauce: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cream of chicken soup and half and half. Stir in 2 cups of shredded sharp cheddar cheese until well blended.
  3. Combine casserole ingredients: Add the cooked and shredded chicken, cooked egg noodles, sautéed vegetables, and parsley into the soup and cheese mixture. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Mix thoroughly to evenly distribute all ingredients.
  4. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to warm while you prepare the casserole.
  5. Assemble the casserole: Transfer the mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
  6. Prepare the topping: Place Ritz crackers in a sealed plastic bag and crush them into fine crumbs with a rolling pin or by hand. In a bowl, combine the crushed crackers with 1 cup of shredded sharp cheddar cheese and melted butter. Mix until the crumbs are evenly coated.
  7. Add the topping: Sprinkle the cracker and cheese mixture evenly over the top of the casserole.
  8. Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the casserole is bubbling around the edges.
  9. Rest and serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow it to set. Garnish with additional parsley if desired.

Notes

  • For best melting results, shred your own cheddar cheese rather than using pre-shredded cheese which often contains anti-caking agents.
  • You can use rotisserie chicken to save time on cooking and shredding the chicken breast.
  • If cream of chicken soup is unavailable, you can substitute with cream of mushroom soup or homemade white sauce.
  • Feel free to add vegetables like mushrooms or peas for added variety.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.

Keywords: Ritz Chicken Casserole, creamy chicken casserole, baked chicken noodle casserole, comfort food, cheesy casserole

Find it online: https://busyrecipe.com/ritz-chicken-casserole-recipe/