This poppy seed chicken is a classic, super creamy chicken casserole your family will love. Tender chunks of chicken in a creamy flavorful sauce, topped with buttery Ritz crackers. You’re going to want to put this one into your regular dinner rotation!
This is such a snap to make that it’s perfect for a busy weeknight dinner. It’s also popular at church suppers and potlucks. You won’t be taking home any leftovers with this baby!
Are you looking for more delicious chicken casserole recipes for your dinner rotation? Here are a few more of my favorites: chicken stuffing casserole, chicken cordon bleu casserole, chicken and rice casserole, and chicken noodle casserole. I promise your family will love each and every one of them! ♥
How to Make Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole
- Stir together the condensed soup and sour cream.
- Add the Worcestershire, garlic powder, lemon juice, and pepper to the soup and sour cream mixture.
- Add cubed chicken and stir to combine.
- Spread in an even layer into a 9×13 casserole dish.
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In a separate bowl, stir together the crushed crackers, melted butter, and poppy seeds.
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Sprinkle over the chicken and sauce. Bake.
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Bake for 30 minutes or until the top of the casserole is browned and heated through. Serve plain or over rice.
***See the full instructions below.
Poppy Seed Chicken Ingredients
- Chicken Breast: My family likes this best when I make this with cooked chicken breasts. If you prefer dark meat, just use chicken thighs. A rotisserie chicken is also a delicious and convenient way to go.
- Sour Cream or Plain Greek Yogurt: Originally this recipe was made with sour cream. Greek yogurt is a great alternative if you want to lighten things up!
- Cream of Chicken Soup: I like to use Campbell’s “healthy request” version because it’s lower in salt.
Topping:
- Ritz Crackers: You can switch out the Ritz and use bread crumbs, cornflakes, or a sprinkle of parmesan cheese instead.
- Poppy Seeds: Make sure you store poppy seeds properly. Evidentially, when stored properly, they can last for up to 3-4 years!
Storing + Freezing Tips + Make-Ahead
- How Long Can You Keep This In The Fridge? This will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 3 days if it is stored properly. It should be kept in an airtight container with a secure lid. The FDA recommends observing a 2-hour serving window for food safety. They also indicate that refrigerated items, including prepped foods and leftovers, should be stored at or below 40-degrees Fahrenheit to inhibit bacterial growth.
- Can You Freeze This? Yes. I make it through step #2 in the directions below and freeze it without the ritz cracker topping. Thaw in the fridge overnight and then bake. You may need to extend the baking time.
- Make-Ahead Tips: This will stay good in the fridge for a couple of days. If you are prepping ahead you can just prepare as directed and put it directly in the fridge, tightly covered with plastic wrap, instead of the oven. When you’re ready to bake it, just toss it in the oven.
- Reheat: Reheat leftovers in a small dish, covered with a damp paper towel, in the microwave.
What To Serve With Poppy Seed Chicken
I like to serve this with delicious cooked vegetables, like my Southern collard greens, brown sugar glazed carrots or honey glazed carrots, roasted green beans, or Southern style green beans. Our roasted broccoli and simple roasted peppers are delicious with this casserole as well, and also, the easiest veggie sides on our site.
It’s also great with a fresh salad like KFC coleslaw, fresh carrot salad, 1905 salad, broccoli salad, or my strawberry salad.
A side of fresh biscuits is always welcome. We love cathead biscuits, butter swim biscuits, Bisquick rolled biscuits, or our super easy Bisquick biscuits (drop style). Enjoy!
Variations + Substitutes + Additions
- Make poppy seed chicken with broccoli: Stir in 1 1/2 cups thawed frozen broccoli that has been well-drained at step #2 in the instructions below.
- Make poppy seed chicken with noodles: Sub out the cooked rice and serve the hot casserole over hot buttered egg noodles.
More Chicken Casseroles
- Crack Chicken Casserole
- Million Dollar Chicken Casserole
- Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
- Dorito Chicken Casserole
- Chicken Tortilla Casserole
- Chicken Tater Tot Casserole
- Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas
- KFC Famous Bowl Casserole
- Chicken and Potato Casserole
- Melt In Your Mouth Chicken
Tried This Recipe?
Leave a review, I love hearing your feedback! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Poppy Seed Chicken
Ingredients
- 5 cups chicken breast halves cooked and cubed
- 1 cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
- 2 cans condensed cream of chicken soup
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon dried garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Cracker Topping:
- 2 cups about 1 1/2 sleeve Ritz crackers crushed
- 1/2 cup butter melted
- 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
Serve Over Options:
- cooked rice
- cooked buttered noodles
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Stir together the condensed soup (2 cans) and sour cream (1 cup). Add the Worcestershire (1 teaspoon), garlic powder (1/2 teaspoon), lemon juice (1 tablespoon), and pepper (1/4 teaspoon) to the soup and sour cream mixture. Add cubed chicken (5 cups) and stir to combine. Spread in an even layer into a 9x13 casserole dish.
- In a separate bowl, stir together the crushed crackers (2 cups), melted butter (1/2 cup), and poppy seeds (1 tablespoon). Sprinkle over the chicken and sauce.
- In the preheated oven bake casserole for 30 minutes or until the top of the casserole is browned and heated through. Serve plain (that's how I serve most of the time) or over rice or noodles.
Notes
- Chicken Breast: My family likes this best when I make this with chicken breasts. If you prefer dark meat, just use chicken thighs. A rotisserie chicken is also a delicious and convenient way to go.
- Sour Cream or Plain Greek Yogurt: Originally this recipe was made with sour cream. Greek yogurt is a great alternative if you want to lighten things up!
- Cream of Chicken Soup: I like to use Campbell's "healthy request" version because it's lower in salt.
- Ritz Crackers: You can switch out the Ritz and use bread crumbs, cornflakes, or a sprinkle of parmesan cheese instead.
- Poppy Seeds: Make sure you store poppy seeds properly. Evidentially, when stored properly, they can last for up to 3-4 years!
Nutrition
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Love this chicken casserole!
Thanks, Andy!
It shows rice in the topping items but never mentions it in the instructions. Also no amount of rice is mentioned either.
Hi David. It was mentioned in the last sentence of the instructions on #4, “Serve plain (that’s how I serve most of the time) or over rice or noodles.” Thank you for pointing out to me that I wasn’t clear!!! I added a heading for “Serve Over Options” hoping to clarify. 🙂
This looks great! I love variations on chicken casseroles and I never pair chicken with worcestershire, thanks for the idea!
there is nothing better then when your whole family goes nuts for dinner. i love a great win like this, it looks delicious!
This poppy seed chicken recipe is so different and very interesting! We also make poppy seed Chicken in India, but the method is totally different. Loved the post.