Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole Recipe
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This Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole Recipe is a cozy Southern favorite featuring tender chicken, a creamy sauce, and a buttery cracker topping. Easy to make and ready in under 30 minutes, it’s a comforting family meal perfect for weeknight dinners and more.
The savory flavors and crunchy topping of this comfort-food casserole make it a beloved recipe. This flavorful Poppy Seed Chicken meets that description and has been a favorite Southern casserole and a staple in my kitchen for as long as I can remember. Perfect for a busy weeknight family supper or casserole to take to a friend or neighbor, it combines tender chicken with a creamy sauce and flavorful poppy seeds for a simple, delicious dish that’s always a hit.
Why You’ll Love This Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole Recipe
- Quick and Easy: Simple prep and bakes in under 30 minutes.
- Comfort-Food Delicious: Tender chicken in creamy sauce with crunchy, buttery topping.
- Kid and Family-Approved: The Whole family will enjoy, and it’s perfect for a weeknight dinner.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Convenient to assemble ahead and bake when ready.
- Adaptable: Perfect for meal prep, neighbors’ meals, and potlucks.
Ingredients
Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full listing of ingredients, instructions, notes, and estimated nutritional information.
- Chicken: Cooked and shredded.
- Cream of Chicken Soup: Use for a creamy sauce. Can use store-bought if you wish.
- Sour Cream: Adds richness and extra creaminess.
- Stone House Seasoning: My homemade seasoning adds a savory flavor.
- Poppy Seeds: Add a delicious, nutty flavor and a visual appeal.
- Cheddar Cheese: Tasty, rich, melty deliciousness.
- Crushed Butter Crackers: Gives a crunchy topping to the casserole.
- Butter: Melted butter binds the crushed crackers for a golden topping and adds rich flavor.
Ingredient Swaps
- Chicken: Use rotisserie or leftover chicken for even quicker prep.
- Soup: Can use store-bought cream of chicken if not making the homemade recipe.
- Cheese: Can use Monterey Jack instead of cheddar.
How to Make Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole
This cozy casserole is simple to assemble and bakes to a golden deliciousness in under 30 minutes.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prep. Preheat the oven, shred your chicken and cheddar, and melt the butter so everything is prepped to add to the recipe.
Mix. Set aside the butter crackers and melted butter. In a large mixing bowl, combine the remaining ingredients. Spread the chicken casserole mixture into a 9×13 baking dish.
Add topping. Add the crushed butter crackers (Ritz brand or similar) and melted butter into a small mixing bowl and stir until combined. Spread it evenly over the chicken casserole.
Bake and Serve. Bake as directed until bubbly and the topping is light golden brown. Let the casserole cool for a few minutes and serve.
Ways to Serve
- Serve with a favorite green vegetable, like broccoli or green beans.
- Layer the casserole over brown or white rice and serve with a veggie or house salad.
- Serve over egg noodles.
Recipe Variations
- Use Turkey: Swap chicken for shredded turkey breast. Perfect for using leftover turkey.
- Extra Crunch: Mix sliced almonds into the cracker topping mixture.
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free cream of chicken soup and crackers.
Recipe Success Tips
- Make-Ahead Chicken: Make extra baked chicken breast or shredded chicken from another meal earlier in the week. Shred easily with two forks or a stand mixer.
- Topping: Make sure to evenly crush the crackers for a uniform texture.
- Freshly Shredded Cheese: Shred cheese yourself from the block for the best results.
Storage Instructions
- Make Ahead: Assemble up to 2 days ahead, refrigerate, and bake when ready.
- Store: Cool completely and cover tightly. Refrigerate for up to 4 days.
- Freeze: Assemble unbaked or cool the baked casserole, wrap tightly with freezer-safe wrap, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
- Reheat: Bake at 350°F for 15-20 minutes (cover with foil if needed) or microwave individual portions. Heat the chicken to an internal temperature of 165 degrees before serving.
More Favorite Casserole Recipes
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can omit them. It will be delicious, but it will not have the nutty flavor from the poppy seeds.
Yes. Use gluten-free cream of chicken soup and crackers for an easy swap.
Why This Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole is a Comfort Classic
A rich, creamy sauce, tender chicken, and golden, crunchy topping make this poppy seed chicken casserole a top easy comfort recipe. A definite crowd-pleaser and family favorite, it’s perfect for weeknights or sharing with neighbors and friends!
Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds chicken, cooked and shredded, about 3 cups
- 1 1/2 cups cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon Stone House Seasoning
- 2 teaspoons poppy seeds
- 1/2 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded (about 2-ounces)
- 1/2 cup crushed butter crackers
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350º F.
- Mix the shredded chicken, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, Stone House Seasoning, poppy seeds, and shredded cheese together in a large bowl until well combined. Spread the chicken casserole mixture into a baking dish.
- Add the crushed crackers and melted butter to a small mixing bowl. Stir until well combined. Spread evenly on top of the poppy seed chicken casserole.
- Bake until the cracker topping begins to turn lightly golden brown and the internal temperature of the casserole is 165º F. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
- Make Ahead: Assemble up to 2 days ahead, refrigerate, and bake when ready.
- Store: Cool completely and cover tightly. Refrigerate for up to 4 days.
- Freeze: Assemble unbaked or cool the baked casserole, wrap tightly with freezer-safe wrap, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
- Reheat: Bake at 350°F for 15-20 minutes (cover with foil if needed) or microwave individual portions. Heat the chicken to an internal temperature of 165 degrees before serving.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Would it work to swap the sour cream for Greek yogurt?
Hi Rebecca,
Great question. That swap works beautifully! Thanks so much for mentioning it.