Description
Classic Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole is a comforting and creamy baked dish featuring shredded chicken, tangy sour cream, savory cream soup, and a buttery poppy seed cracker topping. This crowd-pleasing casserole is easy to prepare and perfect served over white rice for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 3 medium boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 3/4 pounds)
Casserole Mixture
- 1 (10.5-ounce) can cream of chicken or cream of mushroom soup
- 1 (16-ounce) container sour cream
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons poppy seeds (divided)
Topping
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 30 buttery round crackers (like Ritz), crushed
To Serve
- Cooked white rice
Instructions
- Cook the chicken: Place the chicken breasts in a large pot and cover them with water. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 15 to 20 minutes until the chicken is cooked through. Avoid boiling to prevent toughness. Remove chicken from water and allow it to cool before shredding into bite-sized pieces.
- Preheat oven and prepare baking dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Make the casserole mixture: In a large bowl, combine sour cream, canned cream soup, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well combined. Stir in half of the poppy seeds and the shredded chicken, mixing thoroughly. Pour this mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
- Prepare the topping: In a medium bowl, mix the melted butter, crushed buttery crackers, and remaining poppy seeds. Evenly sprinkle this mixture over the chicken casserole layer in the baking dish.
- Bake the casserole: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 30 minutes or until bubbly and heated through. The topping should be golden and crisp.
- Serve: Remove from oven and serve hot over cooked white rice for a complete and hearty meal.
Notes
- Use either cream of chicken or cream of mushroom soup according to preference.
- Be careful not to boil the chicken to avoid tough meat; gentle simmering is ideal.
- Buttery crackers like Ritz provide the best texture and flavor for the topping.
- This casserole can be assembled a day ahead and refrigerated before baking.
- For a lighter version, substitute light sour cream or Greek yogurt.
