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    Home » Recipes » Easy Dinner Recipes

    Easy Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole Recipe

    Aug 11, 2023 by Sandra Flegg

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    This easy Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole recipe is an easy meal for busy familes requiring only 10 minutes of prep time.

    This comforting casserole recipe features tender chicken, cut into chunks in a creamy sauce and a buttery Ritz cracker topping.

    Poppy seed chicken casserole, served on a plate with freshly steamed broccoli. this recipe!

    Chicken Poppyseed Casserole

    This hearty dinner recipe is a great recipe to make when you're short on time and the whole family will love it.

    On busy weeknights, I love having something ready to put straight into the oven and this casserole recipe is perfect for making ahead and cooking the next day for busy weeknights.

    It's also a creamy casserole that goes great with cooked white or brown rice or a side of mashed potatoes.

    Green veggies like steamed broccoli florets or green beans also make a great side or roasted carrots.

    Why You'll Love this Chicken Casserole

    • easy-to-find ingredients
    • minimal prep time - only 10 minutes prep time!
    • the best part is the buttery crushed crackers on top!

    Try out some more of my casseroles like this cheesy chicken enchilada casserole, this tasty million dollar chicken or this easy sloppy Joe casserole.

    Poppy seed chicken on a white plate.

    Ingredients for Creamy Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole

    I love how this recipe uses simple ingredients that I can always find in the grocery store. I've listed them below with a few notes and substitutions.

    Labelled ingredients chicken poppy seed casserole.
    • Chicken breasts, cooked and cubed or shredded - any cooked chicken will work in this recipe.   You can boil chicken in water or chicken broth for 15-20 minutes or bake it in a 400°F oven for 20 to 25 minutes until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.  In a hurry? You can also use a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken from the grocery store.
    • Sour cream - adds creaminess and tang to the sauce.
    • Condensed cream of chicken soup - I used Campbells, or you can use your own favorite brand. You could also subsitute one of the cans for cream of celery or cream of mushroom soup.
    • Buttery Ritz crackers -
    • Butter -
    • Poppyseeds - add a mild, nutty flavor to this casserole and a wee bit of crunch.
    • Salt & Pepper - I like to add a small amount of black pepper in the casserole and season individual servings with salt and pepper to taste.

    How to Make Poppy Seed Chicken

    You can find a full printable recipe card by scrolling to the bottom of this page. Below, I've listed easy step-by-step instructions with photos to help with making the recipe.

    Ingredients for creamy sauce for poppy seed chicken in bowl with wooden spoon.

    STEP ONE - Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9x-13-inch casserole dish.

    STEP TWO - In a large bowl, combine the sour cream, cream of chicken soup, black pepper and poppy seeds.

    Chicken is added to the creamy sauce in bowl with wooden spoon.

    STEP THREE - Stir in the chicken

    Chicken and cream sauce is spread out in casserole dish.

    STEP FOUR - Transfer the chicken mixture to prepared casserole dish and spread out evenly.

    VARIATION - SPREAD OUT 2 to 3 cups of cooked rice in the bottom of casserole dish before adding the chicken mixture.

    Ritz crackers and butter in small bowl.

    STEP FIVE - In a small bowl, combine the crused crackers and melted butter.

    Buttery Ritz cracker topping is sprinkled on top of the poppy seed chicken.

    STEP SIX - Sprinkle the buttery Ritz cracker mixture on top of the casserole

    OPTIONAL - Sprinkle the top of the casserole with 1 teaspoon of poppy seeds.

    STEP SEVEN - Bake in 350°F oven for 25 to 30 minutes, until filling is hot and bubby at the edges and cracker topping has lightly browned. Garnish with fresh parsley (if using), season with salt & pepper and enjoy!

    Spoonful of poppy seed chicken.

    How Long Will Poppy Seed Chicken Last In the Fridge?

    To store in refrigerator: Cover leftovers with plastic wrap, or transfer to an airtight container for 3-4 days.

    Reheat, covered in foil in a 350°F oven for 20 minutes, or in 30-second intervals on a plate in the microwave until heated through.

    Can i freeze this Baked Poppy Seed Chicken?

    To freeze baked casserole: The baked casserole can be frozen for up to three months.

    Cover the casserole dish, or transfer to airtight container and cover tightly with aluminum foil.

    To reheat the casserole, thaw in refrigerator overnight. Bake according to directions, adding an extra 15 minutes of time.

    Can you Make Poppy Seed Chicken Ahead of Time?

    To make ahead and refrigerate: Prepare as directed and put the casserole directly in the fridge instead of baking. Make sure it is tightly covered with plastic wrap and it can stay in the fridge for a few days. Bake it when you're ready and simply add 10 minutes to the baking time.

    To make ahead and freeze (unbaked): Prepare the casserole, and store it (without baking) in an airtight container. To bake, thaw in refrigerator overnight, then bake as directed, adding an extra 10 minutes to the baking time.

    Overhead view of poppy seed chicken casserole on white plate with freshly steam broccoli.

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    • Chicken noodle casserole on a white plate.
      BEST Chicken Noodle Casserole Recipe (Without Canned Soup)
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      Easy Homemade Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe
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    Poppy seed chicken casserole on a white plate with steamed broccoli.

    Poppyseed Chicken Casserole


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    • Author: Sandra Flegg
    • Total Time: 40 minutes
    • Yield: 8 servings
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    Description

    This easy Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole recipe is an easy meal for busy familes requiring only 10 minutes of prep time. 

    This comforting casserole recipe features tender chicken, cut into chunks in a creamy sauce and a buttery Ritz cracker topping. 


    Ingredients

    5 cups cooked, shredded chicken

    1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream

    2 (10.5 ounce cans) condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted

    1 Tablespoon poppy seeds

    ¼ teaspoon black pepper

    2 and cups crushed Ritz crackers, leaving some larger chunks

    ⅓ cup melted butter

    Optional garnish: chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley or curly parsley


    Instructions

    1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish.
    2. In a large mixing bowl, combine sour cream, cream of chicken soup, black pepper and poppy seeds.
    3. Stir in the chicken. 
    4. Transfer the chicken mixture to prepared casserole dish and spread out evenly.
    5. In a small mixing bowl, combine crushed Ritz crackers and melted butter.
    6. Sprinkle the buttery Ritz cracker mixture on top of the casserole. (optional sprinkle the top of the casserole with another teaspoon of poppyseeds)
    7. Bake in 350°F oven for 25 to 30 minutes, until filling is hot and bubbly at the edges.
    8. Garnish with fresh parsley, season with salt & pepper to taste and enjoy!

    Notes

    Storage & Reheating Instructions :

    To store in refrigerator: Cover leftovers with plastic wrap, or transfer to an airtight container for 3-4 days. 

    Reheat, covered in foil in a 350°F oven for 20 minutes, or in 30-second intervals on a plate in the microwave until heated through.

    Freeze & reheat baked casserole: 

    To freeze baked casserole: The baked casserole can be frozen for up to three months. 

    Cover the casserole dish, or transfer to airtight container and cover tightly with aluminum foil. 

    To reheat the casserole, thaw in refrigerator overnight. Bake according to directions, adding an extra 15 minutes of time. 

    Make-Ahead Instructions: 

    To make ahead and refrigerate: Prepare as directed and put the casserole directly in the fridge instead of baking. Make sure it is tightly covered with plastic wrap and it can stay in the fridge for a few days. Bake it when you're ready and simply add 10 minutes to the baking time.

    To make ahead and freeze (unbaked): Prepare the casserole, and store it (without baking) in an airtight container. To bake, thaw in refrigerator overnight, then bake as directed, adding an extra 10 minutes to the baking time.

    • Prep Time: 10 minutes
    • Cook Time: 30 minutes
    • Category: Dinner
    • Method: Oven Baked
    • Cuisine: American, Southern

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: 1 helping
    • Calories: 346
    • Sugar: 3.3 g
    • Sodium: 412.9 mg
    • Fat: 17 g
    • Saturated Fat: 8.4 g
    • Trans Fat: 0 g
    • Carbohydrates: 11.4 g
    • Fiber: 1.6 g
    • Protein: 37 g
    • Cholesterol: 136.3 mg

    Keywords: Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole, Poppy Seed Chicken

    If you've made this recipe, please come back and leave us a star rating and comment below. Or, tag us on social media @shesnotcookin or #shesnotcookin for a chance to be featured!

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    Hi, I'm Sandra! Welcome to my kitchen. A self-taught cook, I love being in the kitchen. My inspiration is the people who I love the most - my family. Here you will find our family's favorite recipes! More about me

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