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Delicious homemade Chicken Casserole with a golden-brown topping, ready to be served as a comforting family meal.

Easy Chicken Casserole

This easy chicken casserole is the ultimate comfort food, featuring tender chicken, a creamy sauce, and a golden, bubbly cracker topping. It's a simple and satisfying dish that's perfect for weeknight dinners and potlucks.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • 1 cup frozen carrots
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
  • 1 cup crushed Ritz crackers about 30 crackers
  • 1/4 cup melted butter

Equipment

  • 9x13-inch baking dish
  • Large saucepan
  • whisk
  • Large bowl
  • small bowl
  • Measuring cups
  • Measuring spoons
  • Oven
  • spatula

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
  2. Cook and shred your chicken. You can boil it, bake it, or use leftover rotisserie chicken.
  3. In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
  4. Whisk in the flour until smooth.
  5. Gradually whisk in the chicken broth and milk until smooth.
  6. Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring constantly, until it thickens.
  7. Remove from heat and stir in the salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and sour cream.
  8. In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, creamy sauce, cream of mushroom soup, peas, carrots, water chestnuts, diced tomatoes and green chilies, and 1 cup of the cheddar cheese. Mix well.
  9. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish.
  10. In a small bowl, combine the crushed Ritz crackers and melted butter. Toss to coat.
  11. Sprinkle the cracker mixture evenly over the casserole.
  12. Top with the remaining 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese.
  13. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the topping is golden brown.
  14. Let the casserole stand for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Leftover chicken casserole can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat it in the oven or microwave until heated through. You can also freeze it for up to 2-3 months. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Feel free to experiment with different vegetables, cheeses, and cracker toppings to customize the recipe to your liking. For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free cream of mushroom soup and gluten-free crackers or breadcrumbs.