Cozy up with the ultimate comfort food by making this hearty Chicken and Celery Casserole! Bursting with tender shredded chicken, crisp celery, and savory sautéed onions, this creamy dish is elevated with a rich blend of sour cream, cheddar cheese, and a hint of thyme. Topped with a golden, buttery layer of crushed Ritz crackers, every bite offers the perfect balance of crunch and creaminess. Easy to assemble and baked to bubbly perfection in just under an hour, this casserole is a family-friendly dinner option that pairs beautifully with cooked white rice for a complete meal. Whether you're feeding a crowd or savoring leftovers, this homestyle chicken casserole is a satisfying, flavor-packed classic you’ll want to make again and again.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish and set it aside.
Heat the vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced celery and diced onion, cooking for about 5-7 minutes until softened. Remove from heat.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cream of chicken soup, sour cream, chicken broth, salt, black pepper, and dried thyme. Mix until smooth.
Fold in the shredded or diced cooked chicken, cooked celery and onion mixture, and shredded cheddar cheese. Stir until all components are evenly combined.
Pour the chicken-celery mixture into the prepared casserole dish and spread it out evenly.
In a small bowl, mix the crushed Ritz crackers with the melted butter until evenly coated.
Sprinkle the buttery cracker mixture over the top of the casserole as an even layer.
Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the casserole is bubbling.
Remove from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Serve the Chicken and Celery Casserole as is, or over cooked white rice if desired.
Calories |
5206 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 235.1 g | 301% | |
| Saturated Fat | 109.3 g | 546% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 10.1 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 962 mg | 321% | |
| Sodium | 7287 mg | 317% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 456.1 g | 166% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 18.4 g | 66% | |
| Total Sugars | 55.5 g | ||
| Protein | 315.0 g | 630% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.8 mcg | 9% | |
| Calcium | 1827 mg | 141% | |
| Iron | 30.5 mg | 169% | |
| Potassium | 4355 mg | 93% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.