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Irresistible Ritz Chicken and Rice Delight
You’re gonna want to make this as soon as you can. This ritz chicken and rice dish just hits the spot with that buttery crisp finish up top. My mom made it for us growing up and now my own kids keep asking for it week after week. The coolest part? The stuff you need is usually just chilling in your pantry and it’s a lifesaver on those busy evenings when you still wanna eat something that feels homemade and tasty.
Why Folks Go Back for More
So what’s the secret to this dish? It mixes everything great about comfort food—silky sauce, juicy chicken, and the kind of crunchy ritz topping that toasts up just right. The best part is how you can use whatever you’ve got hanging around in the fridge and it still tastes so good. Whether I’m making a weeknight meal or bringing it along to share, it basically disappears.
What You’ll Grab to Make It
- Star Player: You want about three cups cooked chicken cubed up—you can tear up a rotisserie chicken and call it a day.
- Rice Layer: One box of chicken Rice A Roni packs in the flavor super easy.
- Makes It Creamy: Grab a can of cream of chicken soup and a cup of sour cream for that rich magic.
- Secret Seasoning: All you need is some onion powder, garlic powder, plus salt and pepper to brighten things up.
- Topping That Wins: Melt butter, smash up a sleeve of Ritz crackers, toss in shredded cheddar, and you’ve got the crunch everyone loves.
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Time to Cook
- Get Ready
- Switch your oven on to 350°F, spray a 9x13 pan real quick, then make that Rice A Roni like it says on the box.
- Mix Up Goodness
- Blend together your cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and those easy seasonings in a big bowl. Add cubed chicken and the cooked rice to that mix.
- Build It Up
- Pour the whole mixture into your dish. Mix cheese, smashed Ritz crackers, and melted butter together, then throw it all over the top.
- Bake Time
- Slide it in for 25 minutes, then broil a few minutes just to get that topping super golden and extra crisp.
Easy Ways to Change It Up
Ready to get creative? Try using ground turkey for the chicken, or add mushrooms and zucchini if you want veggies. You could keep it all veggie if that’s how you roll. Swap the rice or toss in a spice you really like. Cooking’s supposed to be fun, so make it your own!
How This Dish Always Wins
This is my go-to whenever I need a kitchen win. One dish for everything means I’m not stuck washing loads of pans. The ritz topping is buttery and crispy enough to get everyone at the table excited. That creamy base keeps every bite soft and tasty, so you never end up with dry chicken. Cooking and serving this feels kinda like you’re nailing it at dinnertime.
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Common Questions
- → Can I prepare this in advance?
Absolutely. Put together the dish ahead of time, but hold off on adding the cracker topping till you’re about to bake. Cover it and pop it in the fridge for up to a day.
- → How should I cook the chicken for this?
Using rotisserie chicken makes things fast. You can also simmer chicken breasts, toss in leftovers, or set chicken and broth in a slow cooker until it’s fall-apart tender.
- → Is this ok to freeze?
Yep! Stick leftovers (without cracker topping) in the freezer for around 2 months. Thaw in the fridge and crumble on fresh crackers right before reheating so they stay crunchy.
- → Could I swap in a different kind of rice?
You’ll get best results with Rice-A-Roni, but plain cooked rice with a spoonful of chicken bouillon stirred in gets close. Two cups of cooked rice should do the trick.
- → How do I stop the top from burning?
Don’t wander off during the last broil! Three minutes is usually enough to get the cracker crust golden. If you’re nervous, just skip the broiling part.