This Is Our #1 Casserole Recipe of All Time

Why, yes, it is a chicken casserole. Funny you should ask.

By
Kris Osborne
Kris Osborne wearing a light pink tunic with a flower pattern
Kris Osborne
Kris is a longtime writer, recipe developer and food media producer living in Hamilton, Ontario with her partner and two small (half Sri Lankan, half Polish) kids. She loves vegetables, flaky pastry, good coffee, and fancy drinks.
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Published on 02/17/24
A ritzy chicken casserole with a large serving spoon and portion removed, with a plated portion

The Spruce Eats / Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen

With a four-star rating and over 500 rave reviews, this comforting ritzy chicken casserole has earned the title of our site's most popular casserole recipe of all time. Creamy and crunchy, this simple but adaptable baked dish is a huge hit thanks to its accessible ingredient list, ease of preparation, and adaptability.

It Uses Everyday Ingredients

The hearty backbone of the dish is a savory mixture of condensed cream of chicken soup, sour cream, chicken broth, and diced cooked chicken, which is all satisfyingly enveloped in a salty Ritz cracker crust. If you’ve ever used crushed Ritz crackers in place of breadcrumbs, you know the result is top-notch!

It’s Easy, Actually 

It also comes together in a snap, making it an easy weeknight dinner option. Simply combine the wet ingredients with the chicken, season with salt and pepper, layer into a baking dish atop the optional crumbled Ritz cracker crust, then top with more crushed buttered crackers. Listen to some music, pour yourself a glass of wine, or help your kids with a bit of homework–when you come back, you’ll be delighting in the delicious contrast of creamy, crunchy, toasted, and pastry-like bites.

You Can Make It Your Own

What makes this recipe so beloved is how easily adaptable it is. Adding a vegetable helps boost the nutrition and make it a balanced meal. If you’re short on time, stir some lightly steamed frozen peas, carrots, green beans, or corn into the filling before baking and call it a day. 

Fresh vegetables, like broccoli, broccolini, and asparagus also welcome a light steam before being added. But you could also roast or sauté them with your favorite complimentary seasonings. For a bigger flavor boost, consider:

  • Stirring in leftover roasted veggies
  • Adding sautéed mushrooms and onions
  • Subbing the chicken breast for rotisserie or grilled chicken
  • Using a mix of cottage and cream cheese instead of sour cream
  • Seasoning it with garlic and onion powder  

But think outside the spice cabinet, too! How about a squeeze of Dijon mustard for complexity, a splash of hot sauce, or some powdered onion soup mix to enhance everything? One commenter even suggested sprinkling the top with shredded cheese before baking, but the cheese would also be great under that final layer of crackers. For a little more color, throw in a handful of chopped, fresh herbs like parsley or thyme. And for some added freshness, serve it with a bright salad or more green veggies on the side. 

It’s Family-Friendly 

The main components, like the chicken, soup, sour cream, and crackers handle the underlying flavor base, while its minimalism allows for easy customization to suit your family’s tastes. However you choose to riff on it, you'll end up with a comforting casserole the whole family will ask for again and again.