Marry Me Chicken Casserole (Printable)

Creamy chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and a crunchy buttery topping baked to comfort.

# Ingredient List:

→ Chicken

01 - 3 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or cubed (rotisserie or poached)

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
03 - 2 cups baby spinach, roughly chopped
04 - 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
05 - 3 cloves garlic, minced

→ Dairy

06 - 1 cup heavy cream
07 - 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
08 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
09 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
10 - 4 oz cream cheese, softened

→ Pantry

11 - 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
12 - 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
13 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
14 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
15 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

→ Topping

16 - 1 1/2 cups Ritz cracker crumbs (about 1 sleeve, crushed)
17 - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
18 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

# How to Prepare:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté diced onion until softened, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
03 - Add sun-dried tomatoes and spinach to the skillet; cook until spinach wilts, approximately 2 minutes.
04 - Reduce heat to low, stir in softened cream cheese until melted and smooth.
05 - Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth. Add dried Italian herbs, crushed red pepper flakes if using, kosher salt, and black pepper. Simmer gently for 2 minutes.
06 - Stir in mozzarella and Parmesan until fully melted and the sauce becomes creamy.
07 - Add cooked chicken to the sauce and mix to coat evenly. Remove from heat.
08 - Spread the mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish.
09 - In a small bowl, combine Ritz cracker crumbs with melted butter. Sprinkle the topping evenly over the casserole.
10 - Bake uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes, until hot, bubbly, and the topping is golden brown.
11 - Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It comes together in your skillet, then slides straight into the oven—no babysitting required.
  • You can prep it hours ahead and bake it right before guests arrive, which feels like cheating but tastes like dedication.
  • That buttery Ritz topping hits different, crispy and rich against the creamy filling underneath.
  • It feeds six people generously, making it perfect for when you want to look like you tried.
02 -
  • Don't skip the resting time after baking—those five minutes make the difference between a sloppy scoop and a neat, presentable serving.
  • If your sauce looks thin when you transfer it to the baking dish, resist the urge to panic; it will thicken and concentrate as it bakes.
  • Make sure your cream cheese is softened before you add it, or you'll end up with little lumps fighting you instead of melting into silk.
03 -
  • Crush your Ritz crackers with uneven texture—some fine crumbs, some chunky bits—so you get layers of crispness and crunch.
  • If you're cooking for a crowd, double the recipe in two separate dishes rather than stacking everything into one, so the filling heats evenly and the topping gets properly golden.
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