Hey friends!
Who’s ready for some comfort food?
Today, I’m excited to share my all-time favorite poppy seed chicken casserole recipe.
It’s creamy, cheesy, and packed with flavor. Plus, it’s a total crowd-pleaser!
Perfect for family dinners or cozy nights in.
Grab your apron and let’s dive into this delicious dish!
| 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 (cooked and shredded)
For the casserole base:
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp celery salt
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 cup sour cream (full-fat for richness)
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
For the topping:
- 1 tbsp poppy seeds
- 1/4 cup melted butter
- 1 cup crushed cracker crumbs (Ritz crackers work great here)
For serving:
- rice (optional, I like long-grain white rice)
Step 1: Prepare and Cook the Chicken
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
Bring a pot of water to a boil.
Add the chicken breasts to the boiling water and cook for 20 minutes.
Once done, remove the chicken from the water and let it cool on a cutting board.
After it has cooled, chop the chicken into 1-inch pieces.
Step 2: Make the Creamy Sauce
In a mixing bowl, combine a can of cream of chicken soup and sour cream.
Mix until the texture is smooth and creamy.
To the mixture, add celery salt, lemon juice, pepper, and garlic.
Stir until all the ingredients are completely combined.
Step 3: Prepare the Cracker Topping
In a separate bowl, mix together crushed crackers, poppy seeds, and melted butter.
Ensure that all the crackers are well-coated with the butter and poppy seeds are evenly distributed.
Step 4: Assemble the Casserole
In a 9×13 inch baking pan, layer the chopped chicken evenly across the bottom.
Pour the creamy sauce mixture over the chicken, spreading it out to cover the chicken completely.
Top the casserole with the Ritz cracker butter mixture, spreading it evenly over the creamy sauce layer.
Step 5: Bake and Serve
Bake the assembled casserole in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.
Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving.
Enjoy the casserole over rice or on its own for a delicious meal.
