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Dolly Parton’s 5-Ingredient Casserole
Video
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Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken (rotisserie works great)
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 sleeve (about 30) buttery round crackers, crushed
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish
In a large bowl, mix the shredded chicken, cream of chicken soup, and sour cream until smooth and well combined
Spread the chicken mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish
In another bowl, combine the crushed crackers with melted butter until all the crackers are evenly coated
Sprinkle the buttery cracker mixture evenly over the chicken layer in the baking dish
Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the casserole is hot and bubbly with a golden-brown topping
Let it cool for 5 minutes before serving
Kitchen Tools
- 9×13-inch baking dish
- Large mixing bowl
- Medium mixing bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Rolling pin or food processor for crushing crackers
Chef's Tips
Troubleshooting
Recipe Variations
Healthy Alternatives
Serving Suggestions
Nutrition Facts
Dietary Info
Garnish Ideas
Storage
Leftover Ideas
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Frequently Asked Questions
No, this recipe requires cooked chicken. Raw chicken won't cook through in the short baking time. Use rotisserie chicken, leftover chicken, or poach chicken breasts beforehand.
Dolly's original recipe uses Ritz crackers, but any buttery round cracker works. Saltines can work in a pinch but won't have the same buttery richness.
Yes! Assemble the chicken layer, cover and refrigerate up to 24 hours. Add the cracker topping right before baking to keep it crispy. Add 5-10 minutes to baking time if starting cold.
Yes, but for best results freeze before adding the cracker topping. Thaw overnight, add fresh cracker topping, and bake as directed.
The casserole should be bubbling around the edges and the cracker topping should be golden brown. Internal temperature should reach 165°F.
Absolutely! Frozen peas, diced celery, or chopped broccoli work great. Add about 1 cup of vegetables to the chicken mixture.
Make sure your chicken is well-drained and not too wet. Also, don't add extra liquid beyond what the recipe calls for. If it's still watery, bake for an extra 5-10 minutes.
You can use an 8x8 or 9x9 dish for a thicker casserole (increase baking time by 10 minutes), or use a larger dish for a thinner version (reduce time by 5 minutes).