Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole

Picture this: You pull a bubbling, golden Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole out of the oven in less than half an hour. The top crackles when you cut into it, and underneath, the chicken stays juicy and tender. It only takes three ingredients—so easy the kids can throw it together while they ask about math homework.

Grab a sleeve of Ritz, pile on some Parmesan, and pour over melted butter. Suddenly, plain chicken tenders turn into this cozy, buttery bake that tastes like you spent all afternoon in the kitchen, not stuck in traffic or running errands.

Why You’ll Fall Hard for This Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole

This isn’t your average throw-it-in-the-oven dinner. It’s the kind of meal that saves your week and still tastes like something you’d serve on a slow Sunday. No wonder home cooks can’t stop talking about it—they’re pinning it, printing it, and keeping it right on the fridge for easy access.

• Ridiculously Easy: Only three everyday ingredients—four if you count the butter—and no precooking, browning, or separate saucepans to wash.
• Kid-Approved: The buttery, salty cracker crust is basically a giant Ritz cookie over chicken; even the pickiest eater asks for seconds.
• Lightning Fast: Ten minutes of hands-on time, fifteen in the oven, and dinner is on the table faster than delivery.
• One-Dish Wonder: Mix, top, bake, serve, and store in the same casserole dish—minimal cleanup, maximum flavor.
• Secretly Elegant: The golden-brown topping makes it look like you spent hours crafting a gourmet crumb crust, perfect for last-minute company.
• Meal-Prep Hero: Double the batch, freeze one pan, and you have a future Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole ready to slide into the oven on chaos nights.

This recipe started the way a lot of good ones do—nothing much in the pantry and dinner needed on the table fast, with soccer practice looming. I remember standing there, eyeing a sad box of crackers, a chunk of Parmesan, and some chicken tenders that were on their last leg. Out of that scramble, this dish came together. Funny enough, now it’s the casserole everyone in my family begs for.

Ingredients Breakdown for the Perfect Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole

Let’s break down these magical three (okay, four) pantry staples so you understand why they work:

• Chicken Tenders (1.5 lbs / 680 g): I prefer tenders because they cook evenly and stay juicy, but boneless skinless breasts sliced into ¾-inch strips work just as well.
• Ritz Crackers (1 sleeve / ~30 crackers / 120 g): The star of the show. Their buttery, salty profile and tender crumb create that signature golden crust—generic crackers taste flat.
• Grated Parmesan Cheese (½ cup / 50 g): Adds umami and helps the crackers toast evenly; use the good stuff from the refrigerated section for maximum flavor.
• Butter (4 Tbsp / 56 g, melted): Optional but highly recommended for the true casserole experience; it binds the crumbs and delivers the signature toasty aroma.

Kitchen Tools You’ll Reach For

Thankfully, you don’t need a ton of fancy equipment for this Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole:

• 2-quart Casserole Dish: 8×8-inch or 9×9-inch works perfectly.
• Small Bowl: For mixing crumbs and cheese.
• Fork or Food Processor: To crush the Ritz crackers evenly.
• Measuring Cups & Spoons: For the Parmesan and butter.
• Meat Thermometer: The insurance policy against dry chicken.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole

Here’s how to make this unbelievably easy Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole without breaking a sweat:

1. Preheat & Prep: Heat oven to 375 °F (190 °C). Lightly grease your casserole dish or mist with non-stick spray.
2. Crush the Ritz: Pulse crackers in a food processor until they resemble coarse sand with a few pea-sized bits for texture. (Zip-top bag + rolling pin works too.)
3. Make the Topping: Stir together crushed Ritz and Parmesan in a small bowl.
4. Layer the Chicken: Pat chicken tenders very dry and arrange in a single, slightly overlapping layer in the dish.
5. Top & Butter: Sprinkle the cracker mixture evenly over the chicken, then drizzle melted butter across the surface.
6. Bake: Slide into the center of the oven and bake 18–22 minutes, until the topping is deep golden and the thickest tender registers 165 °F (74 °C).
7. Rest & Serve: Let the casserole stand 5 minutes so the juices redistribute and the crust sets up—then scoop straight from the dish.

Pro Tips for the Crunchiest Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole

• Don’t Overcrowd: A snug single layer is fine; a double layer will steam instead of roast.
• Press Lightly: After sprinkling, use the back of a spoon to tamp the crumbs so every bite has crust.
• Butter Last: Drizzling on top guarantees even toasting; mixing butter in first creates soggy spots.
• Foil Safety Net: If the browning is racing ahead of the internal temp, tent loosely with foil for the final 5 minutes.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Assemble through Step 5, cover tightly, and refrigerate up to 8 hours; add 5 extra minutes to the bake time.

Variations & Dietary Swaps for Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole

Want to mix things up or accommodate dietary restrictions? Here are ideas that keep the soul of the casserole intact:

• Spicy Southern Kick: Add ¼ tsp cayenne and ½ tsp smoked paprika to the crumb mix.
• Herb Garden: Stir 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning or ½ tsp each dried oregano and thyme into the crumbs.
• Garlic-Lovers: Whisk ½ tsp garlic powder into the melted butter before drizzling.
• Gluten-Free: Sub gluten-free butter crackers and certified-GF Parmesan; the method stays identical.
• Cheese-Overload: Scatter ½ cup shredded mozzarella under the crumbs for an extra-gooey center.
• Buffalo Twist: Toss chicken with ¼ cup Buffalo sauce before topping for a spicy-cool contrast.

What to Serve with Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole

This Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole is a team player that happily shares the plate with almost any side:

• Garlic Butter Green Beans for a 10-minute green element
• Creamy Roasted-Garlic Mashed Potatoes to catch the crispy crumbs
• Caesar Salad Kit straight from the bag for a no-think veggie
• Freezer-aisle waffle fries—because the oven is already hot
• Simple side of mac & cheese when comfort-food-on-comfort-food is the mood

Storage & Reheating for Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole

• Refrigerate: Cool completely, cover tightly, and store up to 3 days.
• Freeze: Wrap individual portions or the whole casserole (baked or unbaked) and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
• Oven Reheat: 350 °F for 10–12 minutes restores maximum crunch.
• Air-Fryer Reheat: 375 °F for 4–5 minutes—game-changer for leftover crust.
• Microwave: Works in 60-second bursts but expect a softer topping; place a paper towel under the plate to absorb steam.

Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole Troubleshooting / FAQ

Final Thoughts on Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole

Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole feels like comfort food at its best—just what you need when life’s moving too fast. It’s simple, comes together in no time, and you can switch things up with whatever you’ve got on hand. Best of all, everyone actually wants to eat it. Make it tonight and watch the pan disappear. Only crumbs left, I swear.

Related Recipes (Internal Links)

Craving more easy chicken casseroles? Check out these family favorites:

• Overnight French Toast Casserole
• Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecans

Share Your Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole

Don’t forget to share your creations with me on social media! Tag @CulinaryCravingcom on Instagram and use the hashtag #RitzCrackerChickenCasserole. I love seeing your cheesy, crunchy masterpieces!