Introduction

Chicken Noodle Casserole is a comforting and creamy dish perfect for cozy family dinners. Combining tender chicken, hearty noodles, and a crispy cracker topping, it’s both satisfying and easy to prepare.

A white bowl filled with a creamy macaroni and cheese dish with three layers: a base layer of soft cooked macaroni with small pieces of chicken and mixed vegetables mostly peas and carrots, a middle layer of melted yellow cheddar cheese coating the pasta, and a top layer of crispy golden breadcrumbs sprinkled with green herbs. A silver spoon with a decorative handle rests inside the bowl. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface scattered with bits of shredded cheese, small vegetable pieces, and chicken. A light blue striped cloth with embroidered yellow flowers is positioned to the left of the bowl, and in the background, a glass baking dish with more macaroni and cheese is slightly out of focus. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

3 cups diced cooked chicken
1/2 yellow onion, diced
1 can cream of chicken soup
3/4 cup mayonnaise
1 cup shredded cheese
2 cups frozen peas and carrots
12 oz egg noodles, cooked and drained
25 Ritz crackers (about 1 cup crumbs)
1/4 cup butter

Instructions

Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, combine the diced chicken, diced onion, cream of chicken soup, mayonnaise, shredded cheese, and frozen peas and carrots.
Step 2: Stir the ingredients together until the mixture is creamy and well blended. Gently fold in the cooked egg noodles, taking care not to break them.
Step 3: Transfer the mixture to a casserole dish, spreading it evenly across the bottom.
Step 4: Crush the Ritz crackers into fine crumbs using a blender or food processor. Sprinkle the cracker crumbs evenly over the casserole mixture. Melt the butter and drizzle it over the crumbs.
Step 5: Bake the casserole at 350°F for 35 to 45 minutes, or until the cracker topping becomes crispy and golden brown. Let the casserole rest for 15 minutes before serving.

Tips & Variations

For extra flavor, add a teaspoon of garlic powder or fresh herbs like thyme or parsley to the filling.
Substitute the cream of chicken soup with a homemade white sauce for a lighter option.
Use crushed saltine crackers or breadcrumbs if you don’t have Ritz crackers on hand.
Mix in some cooked mushrooms or bell peppers for added texture and taste.

Storage

Store leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through to maintain the crispy topping, or microwave portions on medium power for 1-2 minutes if short on time.

How to Serve

A white bowl filled with a mix of cooked egg noodles and small pieces of vegetables such as orange carrots and green peas, all coated in a light yellow creamy sauce. The dish is topped with green herbs sprinkled evenly. A shiny, silver spoon with a decorative handle rests on the right edge of the bowl. The bowl is placed on a white marbled surface with scattered small bits of vegetables and noodles around. In the lower left corner, part of a blue and white striped cloth with yellow flower embroidery is visible. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use rotisserie chicken for this casserole?

Yes, rotisserie chicken works perfectly and saves time since it’s already cooked and flavorful.

Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

Absolutely. Assemble the casserole but don’t bake it. Cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking as directed.

Creamy Chicken Noodle Casserole with Ritz Cracker Topping Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 132 reviews

This comforting Chicken Noodle Casserole is a creamy and cheesy baked dish combining tender diced chicken, savory cream of chicken soup, sautéed onions, peas and carrots, and hearty egg noodles, all topped with a buttery, crunchy Ritz cracker crumb crust. Perfect for a family dinner, it bakes until golden and bubbly, delivering a satisfying homestyle meal with simple ingredients.

Author: Ruby
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Category: Casserole
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Filling

3 cups diced cooked chicken
1/2 yellow onion, diced
1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
3/4 cup mayonnaise
1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or a blend)
2 cups frozen peas and carrots
12 oz egg noodles, cooked and drained

Topping

25 Ritz crackers (about 1 cup crumbs)
1/4 cup butter, melted

Instructions

Prepare the filling: In a large mixing bowl, combine the diced cooked chicken, diced onion, cream of chicken soup, mayonnaise, shredded cheese, and frozen peas and carrots. Stir the mixture well until it is creamy and evenly blended.
Incorporate noodles: Gently fold the cooked and drained egg noodles into the creamy mixture. Take care not to break the noodles to maintain texture in the casserole.
Transfer to casserole dish: Pour and spread the combined mixture evenly in the bottom of a greased casserole dish to create a uniform layer.
Prepare crumb topping: Using a blender or food processor, crush the Ritz crackers into fine crumbs. Sprinkle the cracker crumbs evenly over the casserole filling. Drizzle the melted butter over the crumbs to help them brown and become crispy during baking.
Bake the casserole: Place the casserole in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) and bake for 35 to 45 minutes, until the topping is golden brown and crispy, and the casserole is hot and bubbly around the edges.
Rest before serving: Remove from oven and allow the casserole to rest for 15 minutes. This helps it set and makes serving easier.

Notes

You can substitute the cream of chicken soup with cream of mushroom or cream of celery for a different flavor.
If you prefer extra cheesy casseroles, add an additional 1/2 cup of shredded cheese on top before adding the cracker crumbs.
Use freshly cooked egg noodles rather than instant to avoid mushiness.
Try mixing in herbs like parsley or thyme for added freshness.
The casserole can be assembled ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to 24 hours before baking.

Keywords: Chicken casserole, chicken noodle casserole, baked chicken and noodles, creamy chicken casserole, comfort food