Description
This creamy and comforting Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole combines tender shredded chicken with a flavorful mix of cream of chicken soup, sour cream, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, and fragrant poppy seeds. Topped with buttery crushed Ritz crackers, it bakes to a golden brown, making it an easy, crowd-pleasing meal perfect for weeknights or family gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 4 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
- Salt and pepper to taste
Topping
- 1 cup crushed Ritz crackers
- 1/4 cup melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s at the perfect temperature when you’re ready to bake the casserole.
- Mix the creamy base: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the cream of chicken soup, sour cream, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, and poppy seeds until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
- Add chicken and season: Fold the shredded cooked chicken into the creamy mixture, ensuring each piece is well coated. Taste and season with salt and pepper according to your preference.
- Prepare the casserole dish: Grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish lightly with butter or non-stick spray, then spread the chicken mixture evenly in the dish.
- Make the topping: Combine the crushed Ritz crackers with melted butter in a small bowl until the crackers are evenly coated.
- Add the topping: Sprinkle the buttery cracker mixture evenly over the chicken layer to create a crunchy topping.
- Bake the casserole: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the casserole is bubbly around the edges.
- Serve and enjoy: Remove from the oven, allow it to cool slightly, then serve hot for a comforting and delicious meal.
Notes
- You can substitute cooked turkey for the chicken if preferred.
- For extra flavor, add a handful of chopped green onions or shredded cheddar cheese in the creamy mixture.
- Make sure to shred the chicken finely for even coating and better texture.
- If you want a lower fat version, use light sour cream and reduced-fat mayonnaise.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven to maintain crispness.
