Hey, friends!
Are you in the mood for a cozy and comforting meal?
You’re going to love what I’m sharing today: poppy seed chicken casserole!
This dish is creamy, delicious, and packed with flavor.
It’s perfect for dinner and even better as leftovers.
So, grab your apron, and let’s dive right in!
| Preparation Time | 15-20 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 30-35 minutes |
| Total Time | 45-55 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Medium |
Ingredients
For the chicken:
- 2 chicken breasts
For the creamy sauce:
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1 tbsp lemon juice (freshly squeezed for best flavor)
- 1 tsp celery salt
- 1/2 tsp garlic
- 1 can cream of chicken soup (I use Campbell’s Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup)
- 1 cup sour cream
For the cracker topping:
- 1 cup crushed ritz crackers (about 1 sleeve Ritz crackers, finely crushed)
- 1 tbsp poppy seeds
- 1/4 cup melted butter
For serving (optional):
- rice (cooked white rice is a classic pairing)
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Meanwhile, bring a pot of water to a boil.
Once boiling, add the chicken breasts and cook them for about 20 minutes.
Take the chicken out of the water with tongs and let it cool on a cutting board.
Once the chicken is cool enough to handle, chop it into 1-inch pieces.
Step 2: Make the Creamy Sauce
In a mixing bowl, combine cream of chicken soup and sour cream.
Stir until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
Add celery salt, lemon juice, pepper, and garlic, and mix until these seasonings are completely integrated.
Step 3: Prepare the Cracker Topping
In a separate bowl, mix together the crushed crackers, poppy seeds, and melted butter.
Make sure the crackers are well-coated with the butter for a crispy topping.
Step 4: Assemble the Casserole
In a 9×13 inch baking pan, layer the chopped chicken evenly.
Pour the creamy sauce mixture over the chicken, ensuring it covers all the chicken pieces.
Finally, sprinkle the Ritz cracker butter mixture evenly over the top.
Step 5: Bake and Serve
Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for about 30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and crispy.
Once done, you can serve the casserole over rice, or enjoy it on its own.
Bon appétit!
