If you're tired of the same old chicken dishes, Chicken Poppy Seed Casserole is just the tasty twist for your whole family to enjoy. This casserole is a hearty dish that brings together tender chicken, creamy sauce, and a buttery Ritz cracker topping.
The creamy texture of the chicken soup and sour cream adds richness to the casserole, while the poppy seeds provide a subtle nutty flavor. Customize this recipe by adding veggies like peas or broccoli for extra color and nutrition. If you're feeling fancy, swap out the Ritz cracker mixture for buttery breadcrumbs for a different crunch.
If you give it a try, please leave us a rating or comment below!
Try some of our other favorite casseroles, such as One Pot Cheeseburger Hamburger Helper, Cheesy Beef and Noodles Casserole, Bubble Up BBQ Chicken Bake, or Lazy Lasagna Ravioli.
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Ingredients for Creamy Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole
- Chicken breasts, shredded
- Cream of chicken soup
- Sour cream
- Salt
- Pepper
- Poppy Seeds
- Chicken broth
- Garlic powder
- Parsley, dried
- Parmesan cheese
- Butter
- Ritz crackers
FAQs
Chicken Poppy Seed Casserole is a creamy, comforting dish made with cooked chicken, a creamy sauce, poppy seeds, and a buttery cracker topping. It is baked until bubbly and golden.
Yes, you can use any cooked chicken, such as rotisserie chicken, leftover roasted chicken, or even boiled chicken breasts or thighs. Just make sure it is shredded or cut into bite-sized pieces.
Yes, you can add vegetables such as peas, broccoli, or carrots. Steam or cook the vegetables before adding them to the chicken mixture to ensure they are tender.
To lighten up the casserole, you can use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream, low-fat cream of chicken soup, and whole-grain crackers for the topping.
Yes, you can prepare the casserole up to a day in advance. Cover and refrigerate until ready to bake. You may need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking directly from the refrigerator.
Yes, you can freeze it. Assemble the casserole, other than the cracker topping, but do not bake it. Cover tightly with aluminum foil or plastic wrap and freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before baking as directed. Add the cracker topping before placing into the oven.
Top Tips
- If you want to boil chicken, just put the chicken in a big pot, cover it with water, and add some salt and pepper. Let it boil gently until it reaches 165 degrees F. The cooking time will depend on how much chicken you have, but usually takes around 10-15 minutes for 4-5 medium-sized pieces.
- For baking chicken, sprinkle some salt and pepper on it and bake at 400 degrees F for 20 minutes. Make sure it reaches 165 degrees F before taking it out. I like to bake a lot at once, then I just use leftover chicken in different recipes throughout the week.
- Another option is to simply buy a rotisserie chicken from the store.
- Cream of chicken or cream of mushroom soup adds creaminess and flavor to the dish. You can also use low-sodium or homemade versions for a healthier twist.
- For a veggie twist, swap the chicken for tofu or chickpeas and use vegetable broth instead of cream of chicken soup. Add in your favorite veggies like bell peppers or spinach for a colorful and tasty vegetarian version.
- To make this casserole gluten-free, use a gluten-free cream of chicken soup or make a homemade sauce with gluten-free flour. Substitute gluten-free crackers or breadcrumbs for the topping, and you'll have a delicious gluten-free Chicken Poppy Seed Casserole that everyone can enjoy.
- To store leftovers, transfer your casserole to an airtight container or covered tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze individual portions in freezer-safe bags for up to 3 months.
How to make Easy Poppy Seed Chicken
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Prepare a 9x13" casserole dish with nonstick spray. Mix shredded chicken, cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, parmesan cheese, sour cream, poppy seeds, dried parsley, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a large bowl.
- Layer the chicken mixture in the bottom of the casserole dish.
- In a small bowl, combine melted butter with crushed Ritz crackers.
- Sprinkle the buttery Ritz crackers over the top of the casserole.
- Bake the creamy casserole in the oven for 35-40 minutes, until it's bubbly and golden brown. Let it rest 5-10 minutes before serving. Serve over cooked noodles, white rice, or brown rice.
Easy Chicken Poppy Seed Casserole Recipe
Ingredients
- 5 cups cooked chicken, cubed or shredded
- 2 (10.5 oz) cans cream of chicken soup
- 2 cups sour cream
- ⅔ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
- 2 teaspoon dried parsley
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ cup butter, melted
- 2 cups Ritz crackers, crushed
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Prepare a 9x13" casserole dish with nonstick spray. Mix shredded chicken, cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, parmesan cheese, sour cream, poppy seeds, dried parsley, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
- Spread the chicken mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish.
- In a small bowl, melt butter, then mix in crushed Ritz crackers.
- Sprinkle the buttery crackers over the top of the casserole.
- Bake the casserole in the oven for 35-40 minutes, until it's bubbly and golden brown. Let it rest 5-10 minutes before serving. Serve over cooked noodles or rice.
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