10/14/2026
Creamy Chicken & Noodle Casserole with Buttery Ritz Topping!
Tender chicken, soft egg noodles, savory mushrooms, and a rich homemade sour cream sauce come together in this comforting Creamy Chicken & Noodle Casserole! Finished with a golden, buttery Ritz cracker topping, this family-favorite dinner is creamy underneath, crispy on top, and absolutely irresistible!
Ingredients:
For the Casserole:
8 oz egg noodles
1½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into ½-inch pieces
2 tsp kosher salt, divided
¾ tsp ground black pepper, divided
3 tbsp vegetable oil, divided
4 tbsp unsalted butter, divided
8 oz cremini or white mushrooms, sliced
3 tbsp all-purpose flour
1½ cups chicken broth
1 cup milk
½ tsp onion powder
½ tsp garlic powder
8 oz sour cream
Nonstick cooking spray, for greasing
For the Crispy Topping:
1 sleeve Ritz crackers, coarsely crushed
2 tbsp butter, melted
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook the egg noodles for 2 minutes less than the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
Season the chicken pieces with ½ tsp salt and ¼ tsp black pepper. Heat 1 tbsp butter and 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the chicken and cook for 5–7 minutes, turning occasionally, until lightly golden on all sides. Transfer to a plate. The chicken will finish cooking in the oven.
In the same skillet, melt another 1 tbsp butter with 1 tbsp vegetable oil. Add the sliced mushrooms and sauté for 4–5 minutes, until tender and lightly browned. Season with ½ tsp salt and ¼ tsp pepper, then transfer to the plate with the chicken.
Add the remaining 2 tbsp butter and 1 tbsp vegetable oil to the skillet. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1–2 minutes, stirring constantly, until lightly golden.
Slowly pour in the chicken broth, followed by the milk, whisking continuously until smooth. Add the remaining 1 tsp salt, ¼ tsp black pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder. Simmer for about 8 minutes, until thick and creamy.
Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the sour cream until fully incorporated. Add the cooked egg noodles, chicken, and mushrooms, gently folding everything together until evenly coated in the creamy sauce.
Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread evenly into the corners.
In a small bowl, combine the crushed Ritz crackers with the 2 tbsp melted butter. Mix until the crumbs are evenly coated, then sprinkle generously over the entire casserole.
Bake uncovered for 30–40 minutes, until the casserole is bubbling around the edges, the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C), and the buttery cracker topping is beautifully golden and crispy.
Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving warm. Enjoy the creamy chicken and noodles beneath that irresistible crunchy topping!
Chef's Tip: Slightly undercook the egg noodles before assembling the casserole so they stay tender without becoming mushy. For the crispiest topping, crush the Ritz crackers into coarse crumbs rather than fine powder, and add them just before baking.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 50–65 mins
Total Time: 1 hour–1 hour 15 mins
Servings: 8