Creamy Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe - Lauren's Latest (2024)

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Made with minimal ingredients and maximum flavor this creamy Chicken Ranch Casserole is a simple dinner that the whole family will enjoy. Serve with some Butter Rice and Maple Glazed Carrots for the perfect meal!

Chicken Options

An essential part of this recipe, obviously by the title. I love using chicken tenders because they cook much faster than an actual chicken breast. Be aware that your cooking time will increase if you’re using whole chicken breasts. Chicken cutlets would work well and have the same cooking time as listed below. If you only have the thicker chicken breast, feel free to cube it up and throw it in the bottom of the 9×13 dish.

The Ranch Sauce

The creamy sauce for this casserole is made up of cream of chicken soup, sour cream, ranch seasoning, and cheese. All four of these ingredients are mixed together to make the most delicious slather for chicken that there ever was.

Feel free to use light sour cream and a homemade version of cream of chicken soup for a healthier option.

Crunchy Topping Options

I tend to gravitate towards crushed Ritz crackers for any casserole topping because they create a perfectly crunchy and buttery top, but feel free to use club crackers, soda crackers, french fried onions, or even corn flakes (a la funeral potatoes).

Can I add bacon into this recipe?

You can absolutely add bacon to this recipe! You’ll be going from a chicken casserole to a *fancier* chicken bacon ranch casserole. Simply precook the bacon, crumble, and sprinkle it on top with the ritz crackers. I prefer cooking bacon in the oven but you could always use store-bought crumbled bacon.

How to Make Chicken Ranch Casserole

You only need about 10 minutes of prep to get this casserole ready for the oven! Don’t forget the exact measurements and directions are listed in the recipe card below.

Preheat and Prep

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

Make Sauce

Stir cream of chicken soup, sour cream, ranch seasoning, and cheese together in a large bowl.

Layer Ingredients

Spread the chicken pieces into the bottom of the pan.

Spread the creamy mixture over the chicken evenly. It doesn’t look good now but trust me, when it comes out of the oven it will look like heaven.

Crush Ritz Crackers and top casserole. You’re looking for medium to small pieces.

Bake and Serve!

Bake 25-35 minutes or until chicken is thoroughly cooked. Enjoy on its own or with rice.

Can I Make This in Advance?

Yes! Simply make according to recipe directions and store covered in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. If you are planning on storing it longer than that, I’d recommend adding the crushed crackers right before baking.

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

This chicken ranch casserole recipe can last 3-4 days, stored in the refrigerator covered.

To reheat, bake at 325-350 degrees F for 20-30 minutes. Or for individual portions, you can nuke it in the good ol’ microwave. Either way, be careful because the contents WILL be hot.

Can you Freeze Chicken Ranch Casserole?

Yes, you absolutely can! Put together the whole casserole, minus the topping, seal in an airtight container and then freeze, unbaked. When ready to bake, thaw, then add the Ritz topping and bake.

Thaw it out in the fridge the day before baking or reheating.

If you want to freeze a baked casserole, follow the directions, let cool completely, and then freeze.

What to Serve with Chicken Ranch Casserole

If you’ve got some time on your hands while the casserole is baking consider making these side dishes:

• Roasted Green Beans
• Roasted Cauliflower
• Famous Butter Rice
• Homemade Crescent Rolls (No-Knead Recipe)
• Strawberry Salad
• Pear Salad

More Chicken Casseroles to Try!

• Chicken Wild Rice Casserole
• Chicken and Stuffing Casserole with Sour Cream
• Swiss Chicken Casserole
• Southwest Chicken Pasta Casserole
• Pesto Chicken and Rice Casserole
• Southwest Crockpot Egg Noodle Casserole

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