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Poppy seed chicken casserole is such a classic dish that is incredibly easy to make! A creamy chicken casserole topped with a buttery ritz topping; this will be the best casserole that you ever make!
Casseroles are some of my family’s very favorite dinners! There are so many different options and they are usually quick and easy to make. Not to mention delicious! Try out some more of my casserole recipes like this easy taco casserole, this delicious tuna noodle casserole, or this yummy breakfast casserole.
A Reader’s Review
Another winner! My family loved it!
Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole Recipe
If you have been searching for the most delicious casserole of all time… well, you just found it! I am not kidding when I tell you that this casserole is so good that your family will devour it. In fact, you may want to double it because it will get eaten so quickly! This casserole is topped with buttery Ritz crackers that provide a stark contrast to the deliciously creamy chicken.
You know you’ve made a good dinner when even your kids eat it without any complaints. And even better than that, when they ask for it weekly! Not only does this poppy seed casserole taste delicious, but it’s super easy to make too. It takes less than 35 minutes from start to finish! We served this up with some delicious green beans and on top of some rice. Add in some dinner rolls, and you have yourself a meal to remember!
Ingredients in this Casserole
The ingredients that you need to make this poppy seed chicken casserole recipe are simple and easy, and the best part… You probably already have everything on hand in your kitchen! Check out the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact measurements.
- Cooked Chicken: To make things super easy, I grab a cooked rotisserie chicken from Costo and shred it up. It saves me so much time! Or, I quickly cook some frozen chicken breasts in my instant pot with this recipe!
- Sour Cream: This gives that delightful and delicious creamy texture.
- Cream of Chicken Soup: You can buy this at the store or make some at home with this recipe!
- Parmesan Cheese: This sprinkled throughout the casserole brings a delicious flavor.
- Poppy Seeds: Once you make this casserole, you will always make sure that you have some of these on hand! You will want to make it all the time.
- Ritz Crackers: Crush these up and use them to top the casserole. They will get brown and crispy as they cook.
- Butter: I used unsalted butter in this recipe.
How Do You Make Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole?
This recipe doesn’t require much more than mixing everything together in one bowl and then cooking it for a few minutes. It’s so easy, and the best part… You don’t have very many dishes to wash afterward! I love a delicious dinner and an easy cleanup!
- Combine: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Add cooked chicken, sour cream, cream of chicken soup, shredded parmesan cheese, and poppy seeds in a large bowl. Mix until incorporated. Spread along the bottom of a 2-quart casserole dish or 9×9 inch pan.
- Bake: Crush the Ritz crackers, add melted butter, and toss to coat in the butter. Sprinkle on top of the chicken mixture. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until bubbly.
Variations
I love casseroles so much because you can easily change them up or add to them to fit your needs. This poppy seed chicken casserole is no exception! Here are a few more ideas that you can try!
- Vegetables: You can easily add in a few vegetables! I have tried it with broccoli and carrots and thought it was absolutely delicious!
- Rice: I like to serve this dish on top of some cooked rice to make it a little bit heartier and more filling. You can use brown or white rice (or even cauliflower rice), depending on what you prefer!
Can I Freeze Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole?
If you want to make this ahead, you can easily freeze it! Make sure to freeze this poppy seed chicken casserole before baking and without the cracker topping. Cover the pan tightly with foil and place it in your freezer. It will last about 3 months. When you are ready to cook it, remove the casserole from the freezer and let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Mix the Ritz topping mixture and add it to your casserole before putting it into the oven.
What to Serve with Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole
If you are wondering what you should serve with this casserole, my answer would be that it goes with just about anything! But I’ve come up with a few favorites that will go with it so well. It will become a regular meal on your weekly dinner rotation!
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The Very Best Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 pound cooked, shredded chicken (about 2-3 cups)
- (1) 8 ounce container sour cream
- (1) 10.75 ounce can cream of chicken soup
- 1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
- 2 teaspoons poppy seeds
- 1 sleeve Ritz Crackers (about 1 cup crushed)
- 1/2 cup butter melted
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Add cooked chicken, sour cream, cream of chicken soup, shredded parmesan cheese, and poppy seeds in a large bowl. Mix until incorporated. Spread along the bottom of a 2-quart casserole or 9×9 inch pan.
- Crush the Ritz crackers, add melted butter, and toss to coat in the butter. Sprinkle on top of the chicken mixture. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until bubbly.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Can you use cream of mushroom instead of sour cream
You can definitely use cream of mushroom soup instead of sour cream. The flavor will be a bit different but should still be delicious!!
I ordered ur cookbook can’t wait to get
Small changes…used small plain Greek yogurt instead of sour cream and added small green giant riced cauliflower with light sauce.
This recipe is on repeat at my house.
My teenager loves it!!!
Easy and leftovers are divine.
Made this tonight.. all gluten free and super tasty
I’ve been making this dish since a stay w. a great aunt in the gulf of Mississippi (forgot the town’s name).
Anyway, I learned w. chicken breasts left whole, no need to cut up.
Don’t remember adding sour cream. I just made it today w. easy dump into casserole dish. Will do a dollop of sour cream on the side when dished up. It seems like cutting the breasts up will make it too dog’s dinner as an old feller once called mixed up casseroles. Oh yes, I mix the crackers a bit more down into the dish. It would be if you would like it juicy rather than crunchy.
Very tasty, but it was too soupy for my taste. I didn’t serve it over rice and feel it would have been better if I had done that. Would make it again with a bit less butter mixed with the Ritz crackers. Definately needs to be served over rice and a green side like broccoli or green beans would be delicious.
Has anyone ever tried making this with actual Poppyseed dressing? I have a hat I need to use up and want to make this casserole. It’d probably be too thin though
Can I add more cream of chicken or cream of broccoli? I don’t like sour cream or yogurt
Yes, that will work too.
What can I use instead of sour cream or cream cheese in this recipe? Would it change it too much if I left it out?
Would greek yogurt be okay?
Hi. Your recipe for The Very Best Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole calls for 1/2 shredded parmesan cheese.
Is that 1/2 tablespoon, 1/2 cup? 1/2 8 oz bag?
Thank you!
Thank you for letting me know! I just edited the recipe card. It is 1/2 cup of cheese.
Sometimes I put in cheese, sometimes I don’t. I like it both ways. I like to add some poultry seasoning, black pepper, and a couple shakes or so of Mrs. Dash Table Blend. Since I’m cooking for just myself, I vacuum seal and freeze individual servings for later use, keeping out just two servings (one for immediate use, and one for the next day). I microwave the frozen casserole in the freezer bag for 3-4 minutes. It’s fun, watching the bag puff up as the casserole cooks. If the vacuum seal pops, I know to check it to see if it is done cooking. It takes just like fresh-baked.