Description
A creamy, cheesy chicken casserole that combines tender shredded chicken with a savory blend of cheeses and crispy Ritz cracker topping, baked to perfection for a comforting family favorite.
Ingredients
Chicken and Cheese
- 4 cups cooked and shredded chicken (about 1 1/2 lbs of boneless chicken breasts)
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened at room temperature
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 10.75 oz condensed cream of chicken soup (do NOT add water or milk)
Seasonings
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Cracker Topping
- 32 Ritz crackers (1 sleeve)
- 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Prepare chicken: Shred the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces and set aside.
- Mix creamy base: In a large bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, condensed cream of chicken soup, garlic powder, and onion powder. Mix thoroughly until smooth.
- Add chicken: Add the shredded chicken to the creamy mixture and stir to coat evenly. Transfer the mixture into a 9×9-inch casserole dish.
- Make cracker topping: In a separate medium bowl, crush the Ritz crackers into small crumbs. Pour in the melted butter and toss until evenly coated.
- Assemble casserole: Spread the Ritz cracker mixture evenly over the top of the chicken mixture in the casserole dish.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for approximately 40 minutes, or until heated through and golden on top.
- Garnish and serve: Optionally garnish with chopped parsley before serving for added color and flavor.
Notes
- For extra flavor, add shredded cheese on top before baking or mix in additional herbs like thyme or parsley.
- Ensure the cream cheese is softened to prevent lumps in the mixture.
- This casserole pairs well with a simple green salad or steamed vegetables.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of casserole
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 33 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg
