This budget creamy chicken casserole for two is a classic comfort food dinner made with tender chicken, creamy sauce, and a buttery cracker topping. Perfectly portioned for small households, it’s an easy, affordable baked meal with simple pantry ingredients.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 30–35 mins
Total Time: 45–50 mins
Servings: 2
Ingredients For Budget Creamy Chicken Casserole for Two
- 1 large chicken breast (about 8 oz total)
- ½ can cream of chicken soup (about 10.5 ounces total per can → use 5 to 6 ounces)
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons chicken broth
- ¾ sleeve Ritz crackers (about 10–12 crackers)
- 3 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 bay leaf (for boiling water)
- Salt, for boiling the chicken
How to Make Budget Creamy Chicken Casserole for Two
- Boil Chicken
Place the chicken breast in a small saucepan with salted water and a bay leaf. Boil gently until fully cooked, about 12–15 minutes. - Shred or Dice
Remove the chicken, discard the bay leaf, and shred or cut into bite-size pieces. - Prepare the Dish
Spread the cooked chicken evenly in the bottom of a small casserole dish (around 8×8 inches or similar). - Mix the Filling
In a bowl, combine cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and chicken broth. Stir until smooth. - Add the Sauce
Pour the mixture evenly over the cooked chicken. - Prepare the Topping
Crush the Ritz crackers and mix them with the melted butter until coated. - Top the Casserole
Spread the buttery cracker crumbs over the filling. - Bake
Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30–35 minutes, or until hot and bubbly with a golden-brown topping.
Equipment
- Stainless Steel Measuring Cups
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Durable, & easy to clean. - Glass 8×8″baking dish
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Serving Suggestions
- Serve with steamed green beans, simple side salad, or roasted carrots for two.
- Great with a small portion of mashed potatoes to make a heartier meal.
Tips
- Use rotisserie chicken to save time — 1 ¼ cups shredded chicken works perfectly.
- If the topping browns too quickly, loosely cover with foil during the last 10 minutes.
- For a creamier casserole, add an extra tablespoon of sour cream.
- Store extra cream of chicken soup in an air tight container in the refirgerator up to a week or Freeze it in a freezer bag for up to a month.
Substitutions
- Replace Ritz crackers with buttery breadcrumbs or crushed Club crackers.
- Substitute cream of chicken soup with cream of mushroom for a deeper flavor.
- Swap chicken for turkey when using holiday leftovers.
Storage
Not recommended for freezing in small portions due to the sour cream-based sauce.
Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat in the oven at 325°F for 10–12 minutes to keep the topping crisp.
Budget Tips
- Use leftover or rotisserie chicken to save time and money.
- Buy cream of chicken soup store-brand for lower cost.
- Replace Ritz crackers with crushed saltines if needed.
- Freeze extra soup portions for future recipes to avoid waste.
Estimated Cost: Approximately $6–$8 for two servings depending on local prices.
Try These Budget Comfort Recipes for Two
- Budget One-Pot Beef and Pasta for Two
- Budget Bang Bang Chicken for Two
- Slow Cooker Beef Tips and Gravy for Two
- One-Pot Goulash for Two
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