Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

Absolutely. Boneless, skinless thighs work great and stay extra juicy. Cooking time is about the same—just make sure they’re fully cooked and tender.

Can I substitute the cream of mushroom soup?

Yes. If mushroom isn’t your thing, you can use another can of cream of chicken or even cream of celery. The flavor stays classic and comforting.

How do I store leftovers?

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3–4 days . The topping will soften (still tasty!), but you can crisp it up in the oven or air fryer if you want.

Can I freeze this casserole?

You can freeze the creamy chicken mixture, but the Ritz topping won’t stay crunchy after freezing. If you plan to freeze, freeze the chicken and sauce, then add a fresh cracker topping after reheating.

What can I serve with it besides rice?

Rice is the classic, but it’s also great over egg noodles, mashed potatoes, or even steamed veggies if you want to keep it lighter.

4 Easy Steps to the Slow Cooker Chicken Casserole with Ritz Crackers

Description

Creamy, cozy Slow Cooker Chicken Casserole with Ritz Crackers made with tender chicken in a rich, comforting sauce and topped with buttery cracker crunch. Perfect over rice for an easy weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 4 medium)
1 (10.5 oz) can cream of chicken soup
1 (10.5 oz) can cream of mushroom soup
1 ¼ cups sour cream
1 tsp black pepper, divided (or use 1 ½ tsp for extra pep)
1 ¼ cups Ritz crackers, crushed
4 tbsp butter, melted
¼ tsp onion powder
¼ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp Italian seasoning

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Instructions

In the slow cooker, mix cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, and ½ tsp black pepper until smooth.
Add the chicken breasts and turn to coat completely in the sauce.
In a small bowl, stir together crushed Ritz crackers, remaining ½ tsp black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and melted butter.
Sprinkle the cracker mixture evenly over the chicken.
Cover and cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or on HIGH for 2½–3½ hours, until chicken is cooked through and tender.
Spoon over rice and serve hot.

Notes

Pepper note: For a milder taste, keep total pepper to 1 tsp. For a bolder flavor, use 1½ tsp total.

For a more “casserole-style” texture, shred the chicken in the slow cooker and gently stir into the sauce before serving.

The cracker topping will soften as it cooks—still delicious! If you want it crispier, add the topping during the last 45–60 minutes on HIGH.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 6 hours
Category: Dinner
Method: Slow Cooker
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 Serving
Calories: 560 kcal
Sugar: 3 g
Sodium: 1100 mg
Fat: 32 g
Saturated Fat: 12 g
Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 18 g
Fiber: 1 g
Protein: 45 g
Cholesterol: 150 mg