Roasted Chicken Casserole
Your New Go-To for Potlucks, Busy Nights, and Cozy Gatherings
This chicken casserole has been my secret weapon for potlucks, Sunday suppers, and those nights when I need something warm, comforting, and ridiculously crowd-pleasing without spending hours in the kitchen.
The best part? No fancy equipment needed. Just your hands, a bowl, and the kind of kitchen joy that happens when kids get to crush crackers into buttery, golden perfection.
The Ultimate Cozy Chicken Casserole (That Kids Actually Love Making!)
This isn’t just another casserole—it’s the dish that disappears first at every gathering. Creamy, cheesy, with just enough heat to keep things interesting and that irresistible crunch on top that everyone fights over. It’s comfort food at its finest, and it comes together so easily you’ll wonder why you haven’t been making it every week.
The Ingredients:
4 cups shredded cooked chicken (rotisserie makes this a breeze!)
1 (10.5 ounce) can cream of chicken soup
1 cup sour cream
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup sliced green onions (that fresh pop!)
1/2 cup slivered almonds (unexpected crunch)
6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled (because bacon)
1½ teaspoons hot sauce (Tabasco® or your favorite—adjust to taste)
1 sleeve buttery crackers (Ritz® are perfect), crushed
1/2 cup butter, melted
Let’s Make It Happen
Step 1: The Fun Part
Hand those crackers to the kids and let them crush away! Seriously, this is where the joy happens. They can use their hands, a rolling pin, whatever works—just get those buttery crackers into delicious crumbs. Mix them with the melted butter and set aside. (Try not to eat it all before it makes it onto the casserole.)
Step 2: The Creamy Dream
In a large bowl, mix together the shredded chicken, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, Cheddar cheese, green onions, almonds, bacon, and hot sauce. Use your hands or a spoon—no mixer needed. Just fold everything together until it’s wonderfully combined and looking absolutely irresistible.
Step 3: Assembly Time
Spread the chicken mixture into a 9x13-inch baking dish. Then comes the moment we’ve all been waiting for—sprinkle that buttery cracker topping all over the top like you’re tucking it in with a golden, crispy blanket.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Pop it into a 350°F oven for about 30-35 minutes, until it’s bubbling around the edges and that topping is golden and gorgeous.
Why You’ll Love This
This is the dish you make when you want to feel like a kitchen hero without breaking a sweat. It’s perfect for:
Buffet tables that need a reliable star
Weeknight dinners when you want comfort without complexity
Potlucks where you need to feed a crowd
Teaching moments with kids who love getting hands-on in the kitchen
The creamy, cheesy filling. The smoky bacon. That fresh bite from the green onions. And oh, that buttery cracker crust that adds the most satisfying crunch to every single bite.
This is the kind of recipe that becomes a family favorite—the one everyone requests, the one that makes your house smell like home, the one that proves the best dishes don’t need to be complicated.
Cari Ann Carter is a multi-faceted entrepreneur whose passion for sustainable living and design has flourished across several successful ventures. As the creative force behind DIY Designer Homestead, she has cultivated an expanding Instagram following through her authentic home design content, organic gardening expertise, and signature floral arrangements. Her professional foundation rests on the Cari Ann Carter Group, a respected real estate company with 26 years of experience offering comprehensive design, build, and renovation services, as well as property staging and curated home events.
Cari Ann is now expanding her vision with the launch of Fresh Roots Living. Join us on social media for more inspiration: Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.
See our recent feature in Minneapolis Lakes Magazine.