Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole

This old-fashioned Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole is oh-so delicious – nobody will ever guess how quick and easy it is to make! Serve plain or over rice for the best weeknight dinner.

There’s no easier dinner than a simple casserole, and this one is no exception!

• It’s a great make-ahead meal – just assemble the chicken mixture and refrigerate for up to 3 days, then add the topping and bake!
• So quick to whip up! If you already have cooked chicken on hand, all you do is stir up the filling, add the cracker topping and put it in the oven – easy peasy.
• Leftovers are easy to reheat in the microwave or in the oven, and some say the casserole tastes even better the next day!

Ingredients you’ll need

This is just an overview of the ingredients needed – scroll to the recipe card at the bottom for exact quantities and instructions.

Ingredient notes

• Chicken: I’ll often buy chicken breast on sale. At home I cook it, cube or shred it and put it in the freezer – a great budget-friendly way to make dinner prep quicker!
  • If you’re buying fresh, use 2 pounds of chicken breast (or boneless, skinless chicken thighs if you want to use a cheaper cut). Simmer in a large pot of salted water on the stove, about 15-20 minutes for breast and 25-30 minutes for thighs.
  • Rotisserie chicken works great if you don’t want to bother with cooking your own! Just pick it off the bones and cut up or shred.
  • If you’re using frozen, defrost before using in the recipe.
• Condensed soup: I use one can cream of chicken and one can cream of celery for a little more flavor. Feel free to use two cans cream of chicken if that’s what you have on hand.
• Butter: Margarine works perfectly fine in this recipe, for the budget conscious among us.
• Poppy seeds: I use a moderate amount of poppy seeds, feel free to use more to taste.
• Seasoning/Worcestershire: These are not necessary, but do add a little extra flavor to the casserole. Other ideas I’ve seen people in my community do is add 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, or 1 tablespoon of lemon juice to the filling. Some do both! I’m a purist when it comes to old-fashioned recipes and choose to leave those out, but feel free to give it a try!

How to make Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole

1. Combine the chicken with the other filling ingredients. You can either blend the sauce together first and then fold in the chicken… Or go rogue like me and just dump everything into the bowl, stir with all your might, and pray it turns out well 😂

2. Evenly spread the filling in a 9-inch square casserole dish.

3. Combine the crushed crackers with the melted butter or margarine. Sprinkle over the filling. You can also sprinkle on more poppy seeds for garnish, if you want to!

4. Bake the casserole at 350°F for 20-30 minutes until the filling is bubbly and the topping is golden!

Recipe tips

Cooking for your family can be hectic, but this casserole is a crowd-pleaser that’s simple to make! Here are a few tips to ensure it’s a success every time:

1. Use rotisserie chicken to save time

Got a busy schedule? Grab a rotisserie chicken from the store! It’s already cooked and packed with flavor, making this step super quick and easy. Just shred or dice, and you’re good to go.

2. Crush crackers with ease

Need to crush those crackers fast? Toss them in a sealed zip-top bag and roll a rolling pin over them. This keeps the mess contained and gets them to the perfect size for that crispy topping.

3. Don’t skimp on butter

Mixing the crushed crackers with melted butter gives the topping its irresistible crunch and golden color. For best results, use real butter instead of margarine—it makes a difference!

4. Make ahead for busy days

This casserole can be prepped earlier in the day (or even the night before) and stored in the fridge. Just add the cracker topping right before baking to keep it crispy!

With these tips, you’ll have a delicious, comforting meal that brings everyone to the table. Simple, satisfying, and totally mom-approved!

Serving ideas

We like this the traditional way, served over rice! I will often make broccoli or green beans to go with it.

The husband also loves this casserole with biscuits or with dinner rolls. And my kids ask for mashed potatoes with pretty much anything, we’ve had it with the poppy seed chicken and it’s just dandy!

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If you tried this recipe, don’t forget to add a review by tapping the stars in the recipe card below!