Go Back

Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole

This poppy seed chicken casserole is very simple to make with shredded chicken and an easy creamy sauce. You can use leftover cooked chicken if you have it.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Course lunch/dinner
Cuisine Italian
Servings 6 people
Calories 3784.5 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Large Pot For boiling chicken
  • 2 Mixing Bowls One large, one medium
  • 1 9-inch Square Baking Dish
  • 2 Forks For shredding chicken
  • 1 Measuring Cups/Spoons For accurate ingredient measurement

Ingredients
  

Main

  • 4 skinless boneless chicken breast halves
  • 1 sleeve buttery round crackers such as Ritz, crushed
  • ½ cup butter melted
  • 1 teaspoon poppy seeds or more if desired
  • 1 10.5 ounce can condensed cream of chicken soup
  • 1 8 ounce container sour cream
  • 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese

Instructions
 

  • Gather all ingredients. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
  • Place chicken breasts into a large pot; cover with water and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium, cover, and simmer until chicken is no longer pink in the center, about 20 minutes. Drain; shred chicken with two forks. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Mix crackers, melted butter, and poppy seeds together in a large bowl until combined; set aside. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
  • Stir condensed soup and sour cream together in a medium bowl; pour 1/2 of the mixture into a 9-inch square baking dish. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
  • Add shredded chicken in an even layer. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
  • Top with remaining soup mixture. Sprinkle with Cheddar cheese. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
  • Top with cracker mixture. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
  • Bake in the preheated oven until cheese has melted and the sauce is bubbly, 25 to 30 minutes. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

Notes

To enhance flavor, consider poaching the chicken in seasoned broth rather than plain water. For the cracker topping, ensure a fine, even crush for consistent texture. Using freshly grated sharp Cheddar cheese will melt more smoothly and offer a richer flavor profile than pre-shredded. If the casserole seems too thick, a splash of chicken broth can be added to the soup mixture. For a richer, more complex flavor, briefly toast the poppy seeds in a dry pan before adding them to the cracker mixture.