This is one of my favorite recipes to double and freeze. It's classic Southern comfort food that's quick and easy!
Table of Contents
🗝️ Key takeaways
- This creamy poppy seed chicken casserole recipe is an easy dinner the whole family will love.
- It makes a great weeknight dinner because it's easy to prep ahead.
- Save time by using leftover chicken or buy a rotisserie chicken at the deli.
There are some foods that just are an essential part of Southern Casserole Culture and this is one of them! Rich and creamy chicken casseroles show up at every potluck and church supper!
🧾 Ingredients
This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions for this comforting casserole in the green recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.
📖 Variations
- Substitute Cheddar cheese or Swiss cheese for the Pepper Jack.
- Use Corn Flakes for the topping instead of the buttery crackers.
- Use cream of mushroom or cream of celery soup.
- Try adding in a can of drained chopped green chiles.
- Add a layer of cooked white rice to the casserole before you add the chicken mixture.
🔪 Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions. Full instructions are in the green recipe card at the bottom of the page.
- Mix together cheese, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and poppy seeds in a
mixing bowl and stir in the cooked chicken. - Add the chicken mixture to a baking dish.
- Mix the cracker crumbs and melted butter.
- Top the chicken with the buttery cracker mixture and bake.
🥫 How to store chicken poppy seed casserole
You can also assemble it ahead of time (leave the cracker crumbs off until ready to bake) and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
To refrigerate.
Store this dish in an airtight container or tightly wrapped with plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to three days.
To freeze
Poppy seed chicken is one of those dishes that freezes well but you'll want to leave the crunchy buttery Ritz cracker topping off until you are ready to bake.
Cover with plastic wrap then aluminum foil and freeze for up to 3 months.
To thaw and bake
Put it in the refrigerator to thaw the night before you're ready to serve it then follow the instructions in the recipe card. It's best to let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight but you can bake it from frozen - plan on it taking an hour or so.
💭 Things to know
Expert Tip: Save time by using a rotisserie chicken or leftover chicken.
- You can use any type of leftover chicken that you have on hand.
- Parmesan cheese is a great addition to this creamy sauce.
- Add a dash of garlic powder to the cream soup for even more flavor in this family-favorite casserole.
- If you don't want to use cream of chicken soup you can use your own, homemade white sauce.
Be sure to read how to cook chicken breasts for a casserole! You'll have cooked chicken on hand to keep your dinnertime even easier!
👩🍳 FAQs
Poppy seeds are a good source of calcium and iron.
They add a little of both. Poppy seeds have a unique flavor and the tiny seeds add crunch as well.
For this casserole, yes you need to cook the chicken first.
This casserole should not be covered so that the buttery Ritz Cracker topping gets golden brown and crispy.
You can leave them out if you like. The casserole won't be the same but it will still be delicious.
📚 Related recipes
I love a good, easy chicken casserole recipe! Here are some we make all the time.
- Easy Chicken Cobbler is creamy and delicious anytime of the year but especially when you need a bite of comfort food.
- Southern Smothered Chicken is a delicious and easy dinner recipe. This golden brown chicken covered in an oh-so-creamy chicken gravy will bring the neighbors to the door with plates in hand!
- Chicken Spaghetti is another creamy casserole! Gooey cheese, tender pasta, and juicy chicken are baked together in a creamy sauce. RoTel tomatoes and chiles adds just a little kick of southwestern spice
- King Ranch Chicken is a super quick and easy creamy chicken casserole that the entire family will enjoy.
🍽️ Serve with...
Southern green beans are a classic side for this creamy chicken casserole. I use Southern fried cabbage to change it up sometimes!
These soft breadsticks go with everything!
There is no better to end a hearty meal than with a bowl of light and creamy Pineapple Fluff.
Here are 55 more great side dish ideas for poppyseed chicken!
🫶 Restless Chipotle recommends
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You'll need the following items to make this recipe successfully.
📞 The last word
Creamy Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole topped with buttery Ritz crackers just couldn't be easier!
Tender chicken in a cheesy, creamy sauce is perfect for taking to a sick neighbor and, since it freezes well, you can have it ready in no time at all.
It's one of those easy chicken casseroles you want to keep on speed dial!
We also love this chicken and stuffing casserole!
If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.
If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📖 Recipe
Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole
Print Pin Recipe Save Recipe Rate RecipeIngredients
- 1-½ pounds chicken breast, boneless - or thighs
- 10.75 ounces cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup Pepper Jack cheese, shredded
- 2 tablespoons poppy seeds
- 2 cups Ritz crackers, crushed, 1 sleeve
- ¼ cup butter, melted
Instructions
- Spray a casserole with non-stick spray.
- Preheat the oven to 375F
- Cook chicken and cube.
- Mix the cream of chicken soup, sour cream, Pepper Jack, and poppy seeds until smooth.
- Stir in the chicken.
- Add the mixture to the casserole dish.
- Mix the crumbs and the melted butter.
- Spread over the chicken mixture.
- Bake for 20 -30 minutes or until heated through.
- Serve hot.
Notes
- You can use any type of leftover chicken that you have on hand.
- Parmesan cheese is a great addition to this creamy sauce.
- Add a dash of garlic powder to the cream soup for even more flavor in this family-favorite casserole.
- If you don't want to use cream of chicken soup you can use your own, homemade white sauce.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition information is estimated as a courtesy. If using for medical purposes, please verify information using your own nutritional calculator. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
This recipe has been tested several times. If you choose to use other ingredients, or change the technique in some way, the results may not be the same.
First published March 18, 2020. Last updated September 14, 2023 for editorial improvements.
Sharon says
One of my favorite dishes. My sister always added a juice glass full of Sherry. Now I also add some Sherry if I have any on hand.
Judy P says
I am so glad I saw this!!! My ex-DIL made this and we all loved it, When they divorced, the recipe went with her and I couldn't remember what she put in it. I love this, it is sooooo yummy. Thank you!!