Cream Cheese Ritz Cracker Casserole is the ultimate comfort food—rich, creamy, and irresistibly crunchy. This crowd-pleasing dish combines tender shredded chicken (or turkey), smooth cream cheese, and a savory cream soup base, all topped with a buttery, golden layer of crushed Ritz crackers.
The contrast between the creamy filling and the crisp topping makes every bite satisfying.
It’s simple to prepare, uses pantry staples, and is perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or holiday leftovers. Whether served as a hearty main or alongside vegetables, this casserole delivers cozy, homemade flavor that feels like a warm hug in a baking dish.
Cream Cheese Ritz Cracker Casserole is a decadent and crowd-pleasing dish that combines tender chicken, a creamy cheese filling, and a buttery Ritz cracker topping.
With its comforting textures and rich flavors, this casserole is perfect for holidays, potlucks, or any night when you want something cozy and satisfying. The cream cheese base makes the filling silky smooth, while the golden cracker crust adds crunch and buttery goodness.
It’s easy to make with pantry staples and can be customized with vegetables or protein swaps. Let’s dive into how to make this delicious, creamy casserole from scratch.
Cream Cheese Ritz Cracker Casserole is a rich, creamy, and comforting baked dish that combines tender shredded chicken with cream cheese, sour cream, and savory seasonings, all topped with a buttery Ritz cracker crumble.
The filling is smooth and flavorful, while the golden topping adds the perfect crunch. It’s an easy-to-make, crowd-pleasing casserole ideal for family dinners, potlucks, or holidays.
This dish balances creamy and crunchy textures and is typically baked until bubbly and golden brown.
Serve it with a side of vegetables or a fresh salad for a complete, hearty meal everyone will love.
In a large mixing bowl, add the softened cream cheese and stir until smooth. If the cream cheese is too stiff, microwave it for 20 seconds to soften further.
Add the cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and milk or broth. Mix well until the mixture is creamy and evenly combined. Stir in the garlic powder, onion powder, pepper, and salt as needed.
Now add your cooked, shredded chicken and gently fold it into the creamy mixture.
If you’re using any optional ingredients like veggies or shredded cheese, stir them in at this stage.
Place your Ritz crackers in a zip-top bag and crush them using a rolling pin or your hands until they resemble coarse crumbs.
Pour the melted butter over the cracker crumbs and toss or shake to coat evenly. Sprinkle the buttery cracker topping evenly over the casserole, covering it completely for that irresistible golden crust.
Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until hot and bubbly around the edges and golden brown on top.
If you want the top extra crispy, you can broil it for the last 1–2 minutes — just keep a close eye on it to prevent burning.
Let the casserole rest for about 5–10 minutes after removing it from the oven. This allows the creamy filling to set up slightly and makes it easier to serve.
Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley if desired, and serve warm with a side of vegetables, salad, or bread.
Servings 8
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Cream Cheese Ritz Cracker Casserole is a rich and indulgent baked dish, often made with shredded chicken or turkey, cream cheese, sour cream, and a buttery Ritz cracker topping.
Whether you’re making it for a weeknight dinner or a holiday side, mastering this casserole is easy with the right techniques.
Let your cream cheese sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before using. This makes it easier to mix with sour cream or soup and prevents lumps in the sauce.
This is a perfect dish for using pre-cooked or leftover chicken (or turkey). Just shred it finely for the best texture. Avoid over-chunking the meat—it should blend smoothly into the creamy base.
Cream cheese and Ritz crackers can be bland without proper seasoning. Add salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, or even a dash of paprika or poultry seasoning for depth. If using canned soup (like cream of chicken), go lighter on salt.
Want an ultra-rich texture? Add a splash of chicken broth, milk, or even a few tablespoons of mayonnaise to the cream cheese mixture. This helps it coat the chicken more evenly and prevents the casserole from becoming too dry after baking.
Bake just until bubbly and golden on top—usually about 25–30 minutes at 350°F (175°C). Overbaking will dry out the casserole and make the cracker topping too hard instead of buttery-crisp.
These materials heat evenly and help you avoid burning the bottom. If you're doubling the recipe, use a larger 9x13-inch pan and extend baking time by 5–10 minutes.
Mix crushed Ritz crackers with melted butter and sprinkle them evenly over the casserole right before baking. Adding them too early or letting them sit on the casserole before it hits the oven can make them soggy.
While not traditional, adding shredded cheddar, mozzarella, or Swiss into the filling or on top before the crackers adds an extra layer of richness and flavor.
A standard 9x9-inch casserole serves about 4–6 people. Double the recipe in a 9x13-inch dish to serve 8–10. For a potluck, scoop it into a disposable tray and bring extra crackers for topping just before reheating.
This dish is rich, so pair it with lighter sides like:
You can assemble the casserole (without the crackers) up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate it. Add the Ritz topping right before baking. It also freezes well for up to 2 months—just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheat leftovers in the oven at 325°F (160°C) for 15–20 minutes to keep the topping crispy. If microwaving, expect a softer cracker topping but still creamy and delicious.
With these tips, your Cream Cheese Ritz Cracker Casserole will come out irresistibly creamy, perfectly crunchy on top, and full of flavor. It’s a comfort food classic that wins hearts at every table — whether for a cozy dinner, church potluck, or holiday feast.
