Christmas dinner prep used to stress me out – until I discovered the magic of this air fryer Ritz cracker chicken casserole. Picture this: It’s December 23rd, my in-laws just called to say they’re coming two hours early, and I’ve got presents still unwrapped. That’s when this golden, buttery miracle saved my holiday sanity. In just 30 minutes flat, I had a bubbling, crowd-pleasing casserole on the table that tastes like I spent all day cooking.
The secret? That glorious Ritz cracker topping crisps up perfectly in the air fryer – no soggy breadcrumbs here! It’s become our family’s new Christmas tradition (alongside the annual “who forgot to defrost the turkey” panic). My kids actually cheer when they smell the garlic and onion powder wafting from the kitchen. Best part? You probably have most ingredients in your pantry right now. Rotisserie chicken? Check. Half-used sour cream tub from taco night? Perfect. That lonely can of cream of chicken soup buried behind the cranberry sauce? Let’s give it a holiday job!
This isn’t just another casserole – it’s your Christmas dinner superhero, ready to save the day when time’s tight but you still want that cozy, festive meal feeling.
Why You’ll Love This Christmas Air fryer Ritz Cracker Chicken Dinner Casserole
This casserole isn’t just delicious – it’s a holiday lifesaver! Here’s why it’ll become your new Christmas Eve tradition:
- 30 minutes flat from fridge to table (perfect for last-minute guests or gift-wrapping emergencies)
- That Ritz cracker crunch – the air fryer makes the buttery topping impossibly crisp without drying out the creamy chicken underneath
- Pantry superhero – uses up holiday leftovers and those half-used ingredients hiding in your fridge
- Kid-approved magic – even picky eaters gobble up the cozy flavors (mine call it “Christmas chicken crunch”)
- One-dish wonder – means more time for eggnog and less time scrubbing pots
Trust me, the first time you pull this golden beauty from the air fryer, you’ll wonder how you ever did Christmas dinner without it!
Ingredients for Christmas Air Fryer Ritz Cracker Chicken Dinner Casserole
Here’s all you’ll need for this holiday lifesaver – I bet you’ve got most of it already!
- 2 cups cooked chicken – shredded rotisserie chicken works beautifully (or use leftover holiday turkey!)
- 1 sleeve Ritz crackers – about 35 crackers, crushed (I put them in a bag and let the kids go wild with a rolling pin)
- 1/4 cup melted butter – the real deal, salted works best for that addictive Ritz flavor
- 1 can cream of chicken soup – the condensed kind, don’t dilute it
- 1/2 cup sour cream – full-fat gives the creamiest texture, but light works in a pinch
- 1 cup frozen mixed veggies – the classic peas-and-carrots blend is perfect (no need to thaw!)
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder + 1/2 tsp onion powder – our flavor power couple
- 1/4 tsp black pepper – freshly cracked if you’re feeling fancy
See? Nothing weird – just simple ingredients that transform into holiday magic!
How to Make Christmas Air Fryer Ritz Cracker Chicken Dinner Casserole
Okay, let’s make some holiday magic happen! This comes together so fast you’ll be shocked – just follow these simple steps and you’ll have everyone thinking you slaved away all day.
Step 1: Prep the Chicken Mixture
First, grab your biggest mixing bowl – I use the same red one my mom gave me when I got married (it’s seen more holiday meals than I can count!). Toss in your shredded chicken, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, frozen veggies (still frozen is fine!), garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Stir until everything’s happily combined – it’ll look like a creamy chicken cloud. Don’t overmix though, or your chicken will get stringy!
Step 2: Assemble the Casserole
Now, grease your baking dish – make sure it fits in your air fryer first! I learned that the hard way one Christmas Eve (oops). Pour in your chicken mixture and smooth it out. In a separate bowl, mix crushed Ritz crackers with melted butter until it looks like golden sand. Sprinkle this over the top evenly – I use my hands to pat it down gently so it sticks.
Step 3: Air Fry to Perfection
Pop it into your preheated air fryer at 350°F and let the magic happen! After about 15 minutes, peek in – you want golden brown perfection with bubbles peeking through the edges. If it needs more time, give it another 5 minutes. When it’s done, resist the urge to dive right in – let it rest for 5 minutes so it sets up nicely. That crispy topping will stay crunchy while the inside stays gloriously creamy!
Pro tip: If your air fryer runs hot (mine does!), check at 12 minutes to prevent over-browning. And if you’re feeling extra festive, sprinkle some dried parsley on top before serving for a pop of Christmas color!
Tips for the Best Christmas Air Fryer Ritz Cracker Chicken Dinner Casserole
Want to take your casserole from great to “Santa-worthy”? Here are my foolproof secrets:
- Rotisserie chicken is your friend – saves time and adds amazing flavor (I grab an extra during holiday grocery runs)
- Crush crackers unevenly – some big pieces mixed with fine crumbs gives the topping amazing texture
- Broil for 2 minutes after air frying if you want that extra-golden crunch (watch closely!)
- Let it rest – those 5 minutes make the difference between saucy and soupy
- Double the cracker topping if you’re feeding crunch-lovers like my family (who am I kidding? I do this every time)
Follow these tips and you’ll have the most requested dish at the holiday table!
Ingredient Substitutions and Variations
Don’t stress if you’re missing something – this recipe is crazy flexible! Here are my favorite swaps:
- Cream of mushroom soup works beautifully if that’s what’s in your pantry (adds an earthy twist)
- Fresh veggies instead of frozen? Dice carrots and celery small so they cook through
- Gluten-free crackers can replace Ritz if needed (just add extra butter for that rich flavor)
- Greek yogurt subs for sour cream in a pinch – it’s tangier but still delicious
- Add cheese! A handful of shredded cheddar mixed into the chicken layer makes it extra festive
The beauty of this recipe? It welcomes all your holiday leftovers and pantry surprises with open arms!
Serving Suggestions for Christmas Air Fryer Ritz Cracker Chicken Dinner Casserole
This casserole shines brightest when you treat it like the holiday star it is! I love serving it with garlic mashed potatoes (the creamy contrast with the crunchy topping is magical) and cranberry-studded Brussels sprouts for festive color. For Christmas brunch? Pair it with a bright citrus salad! Pro tip: Transfer portions to mini cast iron skillets for adorable individual servings that’ll have everyone snapping photos before they dig in.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
This casserole keeps like a dream! Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days – though mine never lasts that long. For longer storage, freeze before baking (just assemble without the cracker topping, wrap tightly, and freeze for up to 2 months). When reheating, pop individual portions in the air fryer at 325°F for 5-7 minutes to revive that magical crunch. The oven works too – 10 minutes at 350°F with foil over the top to prevent over-browning.
Nutritional Information
Just so you know, these numbers are estimates – your exact nutrition will depend on your ingredients. But here’s the scoop per serving (about 1 cup):
- 280 calories
- 16g fat (7g saturated)
- 15g protein
- 18g carbs (2g fiber, 2g sugar)
Not bad for a dish that tastes this indulgent! The protein from the chicken helps balance out all that buttery Ritz goodness.
FAQs About Christmas Air Fryer Ritz Cracker Chicken Dinner Casserole
Can I use fresh vegetables instead of frozen?
Absolutely! Just dice carrots, celery, or other veggies small so they cook through in the air fryer. I love using fresh green beans around the holidays – adds a festive crunch!
How do I make this gluten-free?
Easy swap! Use gluten-free crackers (I like the almond flour ones) and check that your cream of chicken soup is GF. The texture comes out just as delicious with these simple changes.
My air fryer is small – can I halve the recipe?
Yes! Use a 6-inch baking dish and reduce cooking time by about 5 minutes. Just keep an eye on that golden topping – it’ll tell you when it’s done.
Can I prep this ahead for Christmas Day?
You bet! Assemble everything (without the cracker topping), cover, and refrigerate overnight. When ready, add the buttery crackers and air fry as directed – just add 2-3 extra minutes since it’ll be cold.
What if I don’t have Ritz crackers?
Buttery round crackers like Club or Townhouse work great in a pinch. Even crushed cornflakes mixed with melted butter make a tasty stand-in when holiday baking supplies run low!
30-Minute Christmas Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole Air Fryer Magic
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Diet: Low Lactose
Description
A quick and delicious Christmas dinner casserole made with Ritz crackers and chicken, cooked in an air fryer.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 1 sleeve Ritz crackers, crushed
- 1/4 cup melted butter
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, mix chicken, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, mixed vegetables, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper.
- Transfer mixture to a greased baking dish that fits in your air fryer.
- In another bowl, combine crushed Ritz crackers and melted butter.
- Sprinkle the cracker mixture evenly over the chicken mixture.
- Place the baking dish in the air fryer and cook for 15-20 minutes until golden brown and bubbly.
- Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken for a faster option.
- Substitute cream of mushroom soup if preferred.
- For extra crunch, broil for 1-2 minutes after air frying.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American