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Creamy Crispy Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole

Creamy Crispy Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole - featured image
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A comforting casserole combining tender chicken, creamy sauce, and a crispy poppy seed cracker topping. Perfect for family meals and potlucks, this easy recipe delivers nostalgic flavor with a unique crunchy twist.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups cooked, shredded or cubed chicken breast (rotisserie chicken works great)
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
  • 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese (sharp or mild)
  • 1 ½ cups buttery crushed Ritz crackers (or buttery crackers of your choice)
  • 2 tablespoons poppy seeds
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Optional: 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • Optional: chopped fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease your 9×13 baking dish.
  2. Prepare the chicken: shred or cube about 4 cups of cooked chicken. If using raw chicken breasts, poach or bake until cooked through (internal temp 165°F / 74°C), then shred.
  3. In a large bowl, combine sour cream, cream of chicken soup, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and optional Dijon mustard. Stir until smooth.
  4. Fold shredded chicken and shredded cheddar cheese into the creamy mixture until well coated.
  5. Spread the chicken mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish.
  6. In a small bowl, mix crushed buttery crackers with poppy seeds. Pour melted butter over the cracker mixture and stir until evenly coated and clumpy.
  7. Sprinkle the buttery poppy seed cracker topping evenly over the chicken mixture.
  8. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and casserole is bubbly. If topping browns too fast, loosely tent with foil.
  9. Let casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
  10. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired and serve warm.

Notes

Use gluten-free crackers or crushed nuts for a gluten-free version. Substitute sour cream and cheese with plant-based alternatives for dairy-free. Avoid overcooking chicken to keep it tender. Coat cracker crumbs well with butter for a golden crunchy topping. Use fresh poppy seeds stored airtight in the fridge for best flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken casserole, creamy chicken, poppy seed topping, comfort food, easy casserole, family dinner, potluck recipe

Find it online: https://islatable.com/creamy-crispy-poppy-seed-chicken-casserole-recipe-easy-homemade-comfort-food/