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Easy Chicken Recipes Team
4.25 from 8 votes
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A classic Southern recipe, this Poppy Seed Chicken will surely be a crowd-pleaser! Simple to prep, this is one comforting chicken bake that the whole family will love. Wonderfully creamy, serve it with rice and veggies for a hearty and satisfying dinner.
Table of Contents
What’s in Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole?
Chicken is baked with cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and poppy seeds, then finished with a buttery cracker topping. Creamy, rich, and crunchy, this Southern recipe is a sure fire hit!
- Cream of Chicken Soup: Makes this casserole super creamy and flavorful.
- Sour Cream: Adds richness and a delicious tangy flavor.
- Lemon: Adds a touch of balancing acidity.
- Garlic: Adds an earthy flavor and a pungent aroma.
- Salt + Pepper: Enhances the natural flavors of the chicken.
- Cooked Chicken: Use up whatever leftovers you have on hand, or cook up some quick pan seared chicken breasts.
- Butter Crackers: Add a rich buttery flavor and crunch!
- Unsalted Butter: Helps bind the crackers together.
- Poppy Seeds: Add crunch and a delicious nutty flavor.
Pro Tip: Make this recipe gluten-free by using gluten-free buttery crackers or gluten-free breadcrumbs and a gluten-free condensed soup.
Variations on Chicken Poppy Seed Casserole
- Substitute turkey in place of the chicken to use up leftovers.
- Swap out the cream of chicken soup for cream of mushroom, cream of celery, or condensed cheddar cheese soup.
- Add in leftover vegetables to bulk up the dish. Corn, peas, and mushrooms are great additions.
- Stir some grated cheese into the filling, and sprinkle a layer of grated cheese on top before adding the crackers.
- Add dried or fresh basil, chives, garlic, oregano, parsley, or thyme to jazz up the sauce.
- Make this recipe gluten-free by using gluten-free buttery crackers or gluten-free breadcrumbs and a gluten-free condensed soup.
What is poppy seed chicken casserole?
Poppy seed chicken casserole is a Southern dish consisting of cubed chicken, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, poppy seeds, and a buttery cracker topping served over rice, mashed potatoes, or pasta.
What kind of chicken should I use?
You can use any type of chicken you prefer. I like to grab a rotisserie chicken and shred it, but you could also use cooked boneless, skinless chicken breasts or baked chicken thighs.
Can I use a different type of soup?
You can use cream of mushroom, cream of celery, or condensed cheddar cheese soup in place of the cream of chicken soup.
Do poppy seeds add flavor or just texture?
Poppy seeds add a great subtle nutty flavor to this dish! You’re sure to love it!
What is the nutritional value of poppy seed chicken?
A serving of this casserole is 366 calories with 21 grams of protein, 25 grams of fat, and 15 grams of carbohydrates.
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover poppy seed chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 20-30 minutes.
How to Freeze
Poppy seed casserole can be frozen both baked and unbaked. Freeze poppy seed chicken casserole in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Let the casserole thaw in the refrigerator overnight before baking or reheating.
Important: Do not place a glass casserole dish directly from the refrigerator or freezer into the oven, as it could shatter. Allow the dish to come to room temperature for at least 30 minutes.
Serving Suggestions
Easy to make, filling, and comforting, this chicken poppy seed casserole recipe is a classic for a reason. This is a great weeknight dinner after a busy day. Serve it with rice, mash, or pasta for a comforting and hearty meal.
4.25 from 8 votes
Poppy Seed Chicken Recipe
When it comes to comfort food, you can't go wrong with a casserole, and this poppy seed chicken is a true family favorite.
Prep: 15 minutes minutes
Cook: 30 minutes minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes minutes
Servings: 8 people
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Ingredients
- 10 ounces cream of chicken soup undiluted (1 can)
- 1½ cups sour cream
- ½ lemon juiced
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 4 cups cooked chicken chopped
- 2 cups crushed round buttery crackers such as Ritz
- ¼ cup unsalted butter melted (½ stick)
- 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
- Cooked white rice optional, for serving
Equipment
9×13 Baking Pan
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray the inside of a 9×13 baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the soup, sour cream, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper. Fold in the chopped chicken and transfer the mixture to the prepared dish.
10 ounces cream of chicken soup, 1½ cups sour cream, ½ lemon, 1 teaspoon minced garlic, ¼ teaspoon kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper, 4 cups cooked chicken
In a separate bowl, stir together the crushed crackers, melted butter, and poppy seeds. Sprinkle the mixture over the chicken.
2 cups crushed round buttery crackers, ¼ cup unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
Bake for 25-30 minutes, until the top is browned and the sauce is bubbly. Serve plain or over rice.
Cooked white rice
Notes
- Substitute turkey in place of the chicken to use up leftovers.
- Easily substitute plain Greek yogurt for the sour cream.
- Swap out the cream of chicken soup for cream of mushroom, cream of celery, or condensed cheddar cheese soup.
- Add in leftover vegetables to bulk up the dish. Corn, peas, and mushrooms are great additions.
- Stir some grated cheese into the filling, and sprinkle a layer of grated cheese on top before adding the crackers.
- Add dried or fresh basil, chives, garlic, oregano, parsley, or thyme to jazz up the sauce.
- Serve with rice, mashed potatoes, or pasta.
- Make this recipe gluten free by using gluten free buttery crackers or gluten free breadcrumbs and a gluten free condensed soup.
- Nutritional information does not include optional ingredients.
Storage:Store poppy seed chicken casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Nutrition Facts
Poppy Seed Chicken Recipe
Amount Per Serving
Calories 366Calories from Fat 225
% Daily Value*
Fat 25g38%
Saturated Fat 11g69%
Trans Fat 1g
Polyunsaturated Fat 4g
Monounsaturated Fat 7g
Cholesterol 96mg32%
Sodium 521mg23%
Potassium 263mg8%
Carbohydrates 15g5%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 3g3%
Protein 21g42%
Vitamin A 540IU11%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 99mg10%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Author: Becky Hardin
Course:Dinner
Cuisine:American
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Reader Interactions
Leave a Review
- Amy Frank says
I enjoy all your recipes,and I really appreciate how in your instructions you include measurements of ingredients so we don’t need to scroll up and down the recipe. Thank you.
Reply
- Becky Hardin says
Thanks so much for your kind words, Amy!
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