Description
Southern comfort meets creamy delight in this classic poppy seed chicken casserole, blending tender chicken, buttery crackers, and a rich, velvety sauce. Hearty layers of savory goodness invite you to savor each comforting bite of this beloved family-style dish.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups chicken (cooked, shredded or diced, rotisserie recommended)
- 1 sleeve Ritz crackers (about 30), crushed
- 4 tablespoons (¼ cup) butter, melted
- 1 can (10.5 oz / 298 g) cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded (optional for extra richness)
- 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
- Chicken Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly combine shredded chicken, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, cheddar cheese, poppy seeds, salt, and pepper until ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Assembly: Transfer the creamy chicken mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it uniformly to ensure consistent coverage and depth.
- Cracker Topping: Blend crushed Ritz crackers with melted butter in a separate bowl, creating a rich, golden coating that will provide a crispy texture.
- Topping Application: Evenly distribute the buttery cracker mixture across the surface of the chicken mixture, ensuring complete and consistent coverage.
- Baking: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, watching for a bubbling texture and a golden-brown cracker top indicating complete cooking.
- Serving: Allow the casserole to rest for 3-5 minutes after removing from the oven, then serve hot over rice, noodles, or alongside fresh vegetables.
Notes
- Pat chicken dry before mixing to prevent watery casserole and ensure a thick, creamy texture.
- Cover with foil halfway through baking if crackers start browning too quickly, maintaining a perfect golden crunch.
- Substitute rotisserie, leftover, or shredded chicken for convenience and reduced cooking time without compromising flavor.
- Replace regular crackers with whole wheat versions, use low-fat cream soup and sour cream to create a lighter, nutritious casserole without sacrificing taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg