Paula Deen’s Amazing Chicken Casserole

There’s something about a creamy chicken casserole that brings everyone to the table, and this Southern classic delivers exactly that kind of comfort. Tender chicken nestled in a rich, velvety sauce gets topped with buttery, golden crackers that add the perfect crunch to every bite. The combination of cream of chicken soup and sour cream creates a sauce that’s both familiar and indulgent, while the crackers bake into a topping that’s reminiscent of homemade stuffing.

This casserole is perfect for busy weeknights when you want something that feels special without requiring hours in the kitchen. Using rotisserie chicken or leftover cooked chicken means you’re mostly just assembling ingredients and letting the oven do the work. In 45 minutes, you’ll have a satisfying dinner that serves six people with minimal effort and even less cleanup.

Why You’ll Love Paula Deen’s Amazing Chicken Casserole

This casserole delivers serious comfort food appeal with straightforward preparation. The creamy sauce coats every piece of chicken, creating rich flavor throughout the dish without any complicated techniques or hard-to-find ingredients.

The buttery cracker topping transforms simple ingredients into something special. As it bakes, the crackers turn golden and crispy, providing textural contrast to the creamy filling underneath. That crunch factor is what makes this casserole so satisfying.

You can easily adapt this recipe based on what you have in your pantry or refrigerator. Add vegetables, swap different crackers, or adjust the seasonings to your family’s preferences without changing the basic method.

Leftovers reheat beautifully, which means this casserole works well for meal prep or planned leftovers throughout the week. The flavors actually deepen after a day in the refrigerator, making the second serving just as good as the first.

This recipe is naturally family-friendly with familiar flavors that even picky eaters tend to enjoy. The mild seasoning and creamy texture appeal to kids while still satisfying adults who appreciate classic comfort food.

Ingredients for Paula Deen’s Amazing Chicken Casserole

I always keep cream of chicken soup in my pantry specifically for recipes like this one where it creates a quick, flavorful base without making a sauce from scratch. Rotisserie chicken is my preferred protein here since it saves significant prep time and adds extra flavor from the seasoned skin.

The Protein & Base:

• 4 cups cooked chicken, shredded or cubed

The Creamy Sauce:

• 1 can (10.75 oz) cream of chicken soup
• 1 cup sour cream
• ½ cup chicken broth
• 1 tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• Salt and black pepper to taste

The Topping:

• 1 ½ cups buttery round crackers (like Ritz), crushed
• 4 tbsp butter, melted
• 1 tsp poppy seeds (optional)

Ingredient Notes:

For the chicken, rotisserie chicken from the grocery store makes this incredibly convenient and adds depth of flavor. You can also use leftover roasted chicken, poached chicken breasts, or even canned chicken if you’re in a real pinch. I aim for bite-sized pieces, either shredded or cubed to about half-inch chunks.

The combination of cream of chicken soup and sour cream creates the signature creamy texture. I use full-fat sour cream for the best flavor and richness, though reduced-fat works if you prefer. The chicken broth thins the sauce slightly so it’s creamy but not too thick, and it adds extra chicken flavor that reinforces the main ingredient.

Ritz crackers are the traditional choice for the topping because of their buttery flavor and the way they crisp up in the oven. You need about one sleeve from a standard box. Crush them into coarse crumbs, not fine powder, since you want some texture in the finished topping. Club crackers or even Saltines work as alternatives, though they’ll give you a slightly different flavor profile.

Fresh cracked black pepper makes a difference in this relatively simple seasoning blend. The onion and garlic powders provide savory depth without overwhelming the mild chicken flavor.

How to Make Paula Deen’s Amazing Chicken Casserole

The key to this casserole is getting the sauce consistency right so it’s creamy but not soupy, and making sure the cracker topping browns evenly. I find that spreading everything in an even layer helps both the filling and topping cook uniformly.

Prepare Your Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray. This size works perfectly for the amount of filling and ensures the casserole bakes through evenly without being too thick or too thin.

Create the Sauce: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and chicken broth. Whisk these together until smooth and well blended with no lumps of sour cream remaining. Add the onion powder, garlic powder, and a generous pinch each of salt and black pepper. Whisk again to distribute the seasonings evenly throughout the sauce. The mixture should be pourable but still thick enough to coat the chicken.

Combine with Chicken: Add your cooked chicken to the sauce mixture, folding it in gently with a spatula or large spoon until every piece is thoroughly coated. The chicken should be completely incorporated into the sauce with no dry spots visible.

Transfer to Baking Dish: Pour the chicken and sauce mixture into your prepared baking dish, using a spatula to spread it into an even layer. Make sure to reach into the corners and create a level surface so the topping distributes evenly.

Make the Cracker Topping: Place the crackers in a large zip-top bag and crush them with a rolling pin or the bottom of a heavy glass. You want coarse crumbs with some larger pieces, not fine powder. Transfer the crushed crackers to a small bowl and pour the melted butter over them, tossing with a fork until all the crumbs are coated with butter. If using poppy seeds, add them now and toss to distribute.

Top and Bake: Sprinkle the buttered cracker crumbs evenly over the chicken mixture, covering the entire surface. Don’t press them down; just let them sit loosely on top. Place the dish in your preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. The casserole is done when the filling is bubbling around the edges and the cracker topping has turned a deep golden brown. If the crackers are browning too quickly but the casserole isn’t bubbling yet, tent loosely with foil for the last few minutes.

Rest and Serve: Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for about 5 minutes before serving. This allows the sauce to thicken slightly and makes serving cleaner and easier.

A common mistake is using too much broth, which makes the filling soupy. Stick to the half-cup measurement, and if your filling seems too thick, you can always add a tablespoon or two more, but it’s harder to fix if you add too much.

What to Serve with Paula Deen’s Amazing Chicken Casserole

This rich casserole pairs best with lighter sides that add freshness and balance to the meal without competing with the creamy main dish.

Steamed Green Beans: Simple steamed green beans with a pat of butter and squeeze of lemon juice provide a fresh, crisp contrast to the creamy casserole. The bright green color also makes the plate more visually appealing.

Glazed Carrots: Carrots cooked until tender and tossed with a touch of honey or brown butter add natural sweetness that complements the savory casserole. The slight sweetness balances the richness of the cream sauce.

Garden Salad: A fresh mixed greens salad with cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and a tangy vinaigrette cuts through the richness and adds a refreshing element to the meal. The acidity from the dressing is particularly important with cream-based dishes.

Buttered Corn: Sweet corn, whether fresh, frozen, or canned, makes an easy side that feels appropriately Southern alongside this classic casserole. A little butter and salt is all it needs.

Roasted Broccoli: Broccoli florets roasted until slightly crispy with olive oil, salt, and pepper add a healthy vegetable component with great texture. The slight char on the edges provides flavor depth that works well with the mild casserole.

Mashed Potatoes: For an extra-indulgent comfort food meal, serve with creamy mashed potatoes. While this makes the meal quite rich, it’s perfect for Sunday dinners or special occasions when you want maximum coziness.

Biscuits or Dinner Rolls: Warm, flaky biscuits or soft dinner rolls are perfect for soaking up extra sauce from the casserole. They also help round out the meal if you’re not serving a starchy side.

Pro Tips & Variations

Time-Saving Approach: Use a store-bought rotisserie chicken and shred it while it’s still warm. This gives you perfectly seasoned, moist chicken in minutes without any cooking on your part.

Add Vegetables: Stir in a cup of frozen peas and carrots, chopped broccoli florets, or sautéed mushrooms to the chicken mixture before baking. This boosts nutrition and adds color without significantly changing the recipe.

Cheese Addition: Mix a cup of shredded cheddar or mozzarella into the chicken filling for extra richness and flavor. You can also sprinkle cheese over the top before adding the crackers for a gooey, cheesy crust.

Different Cracker Options: Try crushed butter crackers, Cheez-Its for a cheesy twist, or even cornbread stuffing mix instead of Ritz crackers. Each provides a different flavor profile while maintaining that crucial crispy topping.

Make It Lighter: Use reduced-fat sour cream and cream of chicken soup, and cut the butter for the topping in half. While it won’t be quite as indulgent, it significantly reduces calories while keeping the basic flavor intact.

Herb Boost: Add fresh or dried herbs like thyme, parsley, or sage to the filling for more complex flavor. A teaspoon of dried herbs or a tablespoon of fresh chopped herbs works well.

Individual Portions: Divide the mixture among 6 to 8 individual ramekins for single-serving casseroles. Reduce baking time to about 20 minutes and adjust topping amounts accordingly.

Storage & Reheating Tips

Store leftover casserole in an airtight container or covered with plastic wrap or foil right in the baking dish for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. The cracker topping will soften as it sits, but the flavor remains excellent.

To reheat, cover the casserole with foil and warm in a 325°F oven for about 20 minutes until heated through. For individual portions, microwave on medium power for 2 to 3 minutes, though the topping won’t crisp back up in the microwave.

If you want to restore some crispness to the topping when reheating, uncover the casserole for the last 5 minutes in the oven. You can also add a few fresh crushed crackers tossed in melted butter on top before reheating.

This casserole freezes reasonably well for up to 3 months. I recommend freezing it before baking for the best results. Assemble completely, cover tightly with plastic wrap and then foil, and freeze. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then bake as directed, adding 5 to 10 minutes to the baking time.

For already-baked casserole, freeze in portions, then thaw overnight and reheat as described above. The texture may be slightly different, but it’s still delicious.

Common Questions

Can I use cream of mushroom soup instead? Absolutely. Cream of mushroom soup creates a slightly earthier flavor that many people prefer. You can also use a combination of both soups for more depth.

How do I prevent the casserole from being too watery? Make sure your chicken is well-drained if using canned or if your rotisserie chicken is particularly moist. Also, measure your liquids carefully and don’t add extra broth beyond what the recipe calls for.

Can I make this ahead of time? Yes. Assemble the entire casserole up to 24 hours ahead, cover tightly, and refrigerate. Add about 5 to 10 minutes to the baking time since you’re starting with a cold casserole.

What can I substitute for sour cream? Plain Greek yogurt works well as a substitute and adds extra protein. Use the same amount, though the flavor will be slightly tangier. Heavy cream or cream cheese thinned with a bit of milk also work.

Is this recipe gluten-free? Not as written, but you can make it gluten-free by using gluten-free cream of chicken soup and substituting gluten-free crackers or crushed potato chips for the Ritz crackers.

This Southern classic proves that simple ingredients can create something truly satisfying. With minimal prep and maximum comfort, it’s a recipe that deserves a regular spot in your dinner rotation.