Marry Me Chicken Casserole (Printable)

Tender chicken blends with sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and a creamy sauce, topped with golden buttery crumbs.

# What you need:

→ 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 ounces 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 make it:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
02 - In a large skillet over medium heat, add olive oil. Sauté diced onion for 3 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 additional minute.
03 - Stir in sun-dried tomatoes and spinach; cook until spinach wilts, about 2 minutes.
04 - Reduce heat and add softened cream cheese, stirring until melted and smooth.
05 - Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth. Add Italian herbs, crushed red pepper flakes if desired, kosher salt, and black pepper. Simmer gently for 2 minutes.
06 - Stir in shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan until fully melted and the sauce is creamy.
07 - Add cooked chicken breast, mixing thoroughly to coat with sauce. Remove skillet from heat.
08 - Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
09 - In a bowl, combine Ritz cracker crumbs with melted unsalted butter. Evenly sprinkle the mixture over the casserole.
10 - Place dish uncovered in the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the filling is hot and bubbly and the topping is golden brown.
11 - Allow casserole to rest for 5 minutes before serving. Optionally, garnish with chopped fresh parsley.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in one skillet before going into the oven, so cleanup is refreshingly minimal.
  • The Ritz cracker topping gets impossibly crispy and buttery while the filling stays creamy underneath.
  • You can assemble it hours ahead and bake when you're ready, making it perfect for unpredictable schedules.
02 -
  • Don't skip the resting period after baking; it prevents the casserole from falling apart when you serve it and gives you time to toss a quick salad.
  • Room temperature cream cheese is non-negotiable; cold cream cheese will seize up and create lumps that no amount of stirring will fix.
03 -
  • Use a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store and you cut your actual hands-on cooking time in half.
  • Make the topping mixture separately rather than trying to combine it over the casserole; it gives you better control and more even coating.
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