The Very Best Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole - The Recipe Critic (2024)

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Poppy seed chicken casserole is such a classic dish that is incredibly easy to make! A creamy chickencasserole 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.

The Very Best Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole - The Recipe Critic (1)

A Reader’s Review

Another winner! My family loved it!

-Tammi

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!

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
The Very Best Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole - The Recipe Critic (2)

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!
The Very Best Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole - The Recipe Critic (3)

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.

The Very Best Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole - The Recipe Critic (4)

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!

Side Dishes

Perfect Sautéed Brussel Sprouts with Bacon

30 mins

Vegetables

Air Fryer Green Beans with Parmesan

15 mins

Salads

Copycat Olive Garden Salad

15 mins

Bread

Lion House Rolls

3 hrs 50 mins

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The Very Best Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole

4.62 from 13 votes

By: Alyssa Rivers

Poppy seed chicken casserole is such a classic dish that is incredibly easy to make! A creamy chickencasserole topped with a buttery ritz topping; this will be the best casserole that you ever make!

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes minutes

Servings: 5 Servings

Ingredients

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

Originally Posted on September 9, 2018

Updated on October 3, 2022

Nutrition

Calories: 361kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 27gFat: 28gSaturated Fat: 15gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 124mgSodium: 378mgPotassium: 232mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 0.2gVitamin A: 684IUVitamin C: 0.01mgCalcium: 153mgIron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Tried this recipe?Mention @alyssa_therecipecritic or tag #therecipecritic!

About Alyssa Rivers

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Alyssa Rivers and the food blogger behind The Recipe Critic. The blog launched in 2012 as a place to share my passion for cooking. I love trying new things and testing them out with my family. Each recipe is tried and true, family-tested and approved.

Read More About Me

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The Very Best Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole - The Recipe Critic (2024)

FAQs

Why do you have to soak poppy seeds before baking? ›

It is not absolutely necessary but some bakers like to soak the poppyseeds in warm water or warm milk to soften the slightly hard outermost part of the poppyseed. I like that little crunch with poppyseeds but if you don't, soak the poppyseeds in the milk you'll be using in this recipe.

How many calories are in poppyseed chicken? ›

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
614Calories
45gFat
15gCarbs
37gProtein
Jan 23, 2024

What happens if you don't soak poppy seeds? ›

No, we don't find it necessary to soak poppy seeds before adding them to this recipe. What happens if you don't soak poppy seeds? Failing to soak poppy seeds won't affect the taste of your bread or other baked goods. However, soaking them in water can help remove their hard outer shell, making them easier to digest.

How long to soak poppy seeds for baking? ›

At least 30 minutes (or up to overnight) before making the batter, stir the poppy seeds into 1/4 cup (60 ml) hot water (this step softens the poppy seeds so they are more digestible). Let sit at room temperature. Then strain. In a bowl, whisk or sift the flour with the baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

Are poppy seeds good for you? ›

Poppy seeds also provide the body with 2% to 4% of the daily needs for iron in one teaspoon. Iron is important for carrying oxygen throughout the body and helps us have a healthy immune system.

How many calories in a cup of poppy seed chicken casserole? ›

Generic Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole (1 cup) contains 10g total carbs, 9g net carbs, 15g fat, 4g protein, and 325 calories.

How many cups is 4 breasts of chicken? ›

Shredded Chicken by Cups Yield Chart
Chicken breastsAmount Shredded
8oz breast (approx 1)1 ⅓ cup
12oz breast (approx 2)2 cups
16oz breast (approx 2-3)3 cups
24oz breast (approx 3-4)4 cups
1 more row
Mar 13, 2023

What is the purpose of soaking the poppy seeds? ›

Soaking seeds in water before cooking or baking softens them, unlocking the nutrition inside (much like rain would in nature), and allowing our bodies access to absorb the health benefits of seeds. Poppy seeds are rich in calcium, phosphorus, zinc, and iron.

How do you soak poppy seeds quickly? ›

Using the water, milk, or oil from the recipe (that's key) soak the poppy seeds thoroughly. That now becomes your poppy seed mixture. The recipe above calls for 1 to 2 hours. The warmer the milk or water, the quicker that process will take place (some recipes call for 30 minutes, but I'd go at least 1 hour).

Should you soak seeds before baking? ›

Soaking seeds and grains (especially grains) before you bake with them is important for many reasons: 1. It makes them soft so they are more pleasant in the mouth and easier to chew completely so they won't break your teeth, take out your fillings, and are easier to digest. 2.

Should poppy seeds be toasted before baking? ›

Many bakers are used to toasting nuts and sesame seeds before baking them, and poppies are no different. “Since the temperature of most finished doughs doesn't exceed 210ºF,” says Pellicano, “I usually toast the seeds first in a 300ºF oven.

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