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Speedy Ritz Chicken and Rice Bake
Okay listen you’re gonna want this in your dinner rotation. This Ritz Chicken and Rice Bake nails that cozy homemade vibe with the juiciest, crispest topping ever. My kids always plead for it and my mom made it for us, so it’s basically a family tradition. Best part? The ingredients are pantry basics so you really don’t have to go hunt for anything. When you’re slammed on a weeknight but still want something awesome this is the answer.
What Keeps Folks Coming Back
Want to know why everyone devours this thing? That buttery Ritz crust is unreal, there’s plenty of creamy sauce, and the chicken turns out so luscious. You don’t even need to follow the plan exactly – throw in whatever you have and it just works every time. Tuesdays or potlucks, doesn’t matter. People always pile on more.
What to Grab Before You Start
- Crunchy Topper: Melt a chunk of butter, smash some Ritz crackers, add a handful of shredded cheddar, and that’s your crispy layer.
- Flavor Boosters: Salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder—go with your gut on how much.
- Cheat Code Chicken: Three cups of pre-cooked chicken. I just pull the meat off a store-bought rotisserie one.
- Creamy Magic: Mix a can of cream of chicken soup with sour cream (about one cup) for an easy rich base.
- Rice That Pops: A box of chicken-flavored Rice A Roni handles most of the flavor—it’s that easy.
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How to Whip It Up
- Start with the Base
- Crank the oven to 350°F and give a 9x13 inch pan a quick spray. Make your Rice A Roni by the package directions.
- Mash Up the Mix
- In a big bowl blend your soup, seasonings, and sour cream. Pile in your chicken and cooked rice. Stir until it all looks combined.
- Layer It In
- Spread the chicken and rice combo into your pan. Toss the crushed buttery crackers and cheese with melted butter and scatter it over everything.
- Bake Away
- Let it cook 25 minutes. For extra crunch, flip on the broiler for a minute or two and get it golden on top.
Easy Ways to Change It
Want some variety? Sometimes I toss in cooked ground turkey, or load it up with zucchini and mushrooms. If you want to ditch chicken altogether, go all veggies to keep it veggie-friendly. Try out wild rice or spice it different with your favorite blends. The sky’s the limit with this one.
How It Always Works Out
Honestly this is my no-fail dinner fix. One dish means less mess and that golden cracker top makes everyone eager to dig in. The sauce keeps the chicken super juicy so there’s no chance of it drying out. When you serve it up, just get ready for a bunch of thank-yous at the table.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I prep this bake ahead?
Yep, you can put everything together up to a day in advance. Just hold off on adding the cracker topping until it's time to bake, so it stays nice and crispy. Cover the dish and stash it in the fridge till you’re ready.
- → How should I cook the chicken for this?
Grab a rotisserie chicken if you want things fast. Or, you can simmer chicken breasts on the stove, toss in leftover cooked chicken, or let chicken cook up in some broth in your slow cooker until it falls apart.
- → Will this dish freeze alright?
You can totally freeze it for about 2 months. Let it thaw overnight in the fridge, and then put on a fresh cracker layer before heating it so you still get that great crunch.
- → Can I swap the rice for something else?
Rice-A-Roni tastes best here, but if you’re out, just use cooked rice and mix in a little chicken bouillon for extra flavor. Make sure you cook about 2 cups of rice as the package says first.
- → How do I stop the top from burning?
Keep a close eye when you broil it. Two or three minutes is all it takes to get golden. You can skip broiling if you don’t want to risk burning the cracker topping.