Easy Poppy Seed Chicken Recipe

This easy poppy seed chicken recipe features boneless chicken baked until beautifully juicy and tender, and topped with a creamy and savory sauce, sprinkled with poppy seeds for extra texture and taste.

For more easy baked chicken recipes, try our Creamy Marry Me Chicken Recipe, or our Oven-Roasted Barbecue Chicken.

If you’re looking for a curry-style chicken dish, our Indian-inspired Butter Chicken Recipe is a family favorite. I’m sure you’ll love it too!

Ingredients for poppy seed chicken Casserole

• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• Cream of chicken soup
• Sour cream
• Poppy seeds
• Butter
• Ritz crackers (or any buttery cracker)
• Salt
• Pepper

Optional ingredients:

• Onion (diced)
• Garlic (minced)
• Worcestershire sauce
• Lemon juice

How to make Poppy Seed Chicken with Ritz Crackers

To begin, you’ll need boneless, skinless chicken breasts that have been cooked and shredded. You can cook the chicken breasts using any method you prefer, such as boiling, grilling, or baking.

Once the chicken is cooked and shredded, set it aside.

Next, you’ll need to prepare the creamy base for the dish. In a mixing bowl, combine a can of cream of chicken soup and a cup of sour cream.

Add salt and pepper to taste, and mix well until the ingredients are fully blended.

Once the creamy base is ready, add the cooked and shredded chicken to the mixing bowl.

Use a spoon or spatula to mix the chicken and creamy base together until they are fully combined.

Now it’s time to add the poppy seeds to the mixture. Sprinkle two tablespoons of poppy seeds over the chicken and creamy base mixture.

Use a spoon or spatula to mix the poppy seeds into the mixture, making sure they are evenly distributed.

The final step is to prepare the buttery cracker topping. In a separate mixing bowl, combine a quarter cup of melted butter with one and a half cups of crushed Ritz crackers or any buttery cracker of your choice.

Mix the ingredients together until the crackers are fully coated with the butter.

Pour the chicken and creamy base mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish. Use a spoon or spatula to spread the mixture evenly across the dish.

Then, sprinkle the buttery cracker topping evenly over the top of the chicken mixture.

Bake the dish in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 25-30 minutes, or until the cracker topping is golden brown and the chicken mixture is heated through.

Once the dish is done baking, remove it from the oven and allow it to cool for a few minutes before serving.

What to add to Baked poppy seed chicken to make it better

The poppy seeds in this recipe add a slight texture but not a ton of flavor, but there are a few things you can add to the dish to make it even better. Here are some ideas:

Vegetables: You can add diced onions, bell peppers, or mushrooms to the chicken mixture for added texture and flavor. Saute them in a little butter or oil before adding them to the dish.

Herbs: Adding fresh or dried herbs like thyme, rosemary, or parsley to the chicken mixture or the topping can add a burst of flavor to the dish.

Cheese: Sprinkling shredded cheddar, parmesan, or mozzarella cheese on top of the chicken before baking can make the dish even more delicious.

Nuts: Chopped almonds, pecans, or cashews can add a crunchy texture and nutty flavor to the topping.

Seasonings: Adding a dash of Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, garlic powder, or paprika to the chicken mixture or the topping can enhance the overall flavor of the dish.

Personally, I like to add a pinch of dried red chili flakes, and a splash of smoky chipotle sauce to my portion, for a decent amount of kick when I feel for a spicier chicken meal.

What to serve with Chicken Casserole with Poppy Seeds

Poppy seed chicken can be fortified with starch-rich sides if you want a more substantial meal, or simply serve it with a salad of your choice, for a lighter meal. Here are a few more suggestions:

Rice: White or brown rice is a classic side that can help soak up the delicious sauce from the chicken.

Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes make this comfort food dish extra satisfying and are a great choice for a hot chicken dinner in cold weather.

Steamed Vegetables: Steamed vegetables such as broccoli, green beans, or carrots can add some color and nutrition to the meal.

Salad: A fresh green salad with a tangy vinaigrette can balance out the richness of the chicken and provide a refreshing contrast.

Bread: Serve some crusty bread or dinner rolls on the side to help scoop up the sauce and add some added crunch to the meal.

Occasions to serve Chicken and Poppy Seed Sauce

Of course, you can whip up this savory chicken with crunchy topping whenever you want, but here are a few more ideas for when to make it:

Family dinner: This chicken bake with buttery crackers is easy to make and can be a great option for a weeknight dinner or a lazy weekend meal.

Potluck: If you’re looking for a dish to bring to a potluck, creamy chicken with poppy seed topping is a great choice to feed a crowd.

Dinner party: Poppy seed chicken can also be served at a dinner party. It’s a simple yet delicious dish that can be easily dressed up with some fancy sides or garnishes.

Holiday meal: Poppy seed chicken can be a tasty addition to a holiday meal. It can be served alongside traditional holiday sides like mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, or cranberry sauce.

Meal prep: Chicken dishes are always great options for meal prep, and this one-pan chicken poppy seed recipe is no exception. You can make a big batch and portion it out for easy and convenient meals throughout the week.

How to store Chicken and Crackers Casserole

To store poppy seed chicken, you’ll want to follow a few simple steps to ensure it stays at its best. Here’s what you should do:

Let it cool: Allow the poppy seed chicken to cool down to room temperature before storing it. This will prevent condensation from forming inside the container and causing the chicken to become soggy.

Transfer to an airtight container: Once the chicken has cooled down, transfer it to an airtight container. Make sure to choose a container that’s the right size for the amount of chicken you’re storing. It should be able to hold all the leftovers with some extra space for good measure.

Refrigerate: Place the container in the refrigerator and make sure it’s stored at or below 40°F (4°C). This will extend the chicken’s shelf life.

Leftover poppy seed chicken can be stored in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. After that, it’s best to discard it because it won’t be safe to eat.

More Chicken Recipes

Baked Barbecue Chicken
Baked Chicken Tenders
Best Ground Chicken Burger
Crispy Baked Chicken Wings
Fried Chicken Without Buttermilk
Grilled Chicken Kabobs
Hui Hui Chicken
Korean Fried Chicken Without Gochujang
Tempura Chicken

Poppy Seed Chicken FAQs

Give this timeless classic a try and savor the chickeny goodness and deliciously comforting flavor of poppy seed chicken.

Print Recipe

Easy Poppy Seed Chicken Recipe

This easy poppy seed chicken recipe features juicy, baked boneless chicken, topped with a creamy and savory sauce, and sprinkled with poppy seeds.

Ingredients

• 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
• 1 can 10.75 oz cream of chicken soup
• 1 cup sour cream
• 2 tablespoons poppy seeds
• 1/4 cup butter melted
• 1 1/2 cups Ritz crackers or any buttery cracker, crushed
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
• In a mixing bowl, combine the cooked and shredded chicken, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, salt, and black pepper. Mix well.
• Pour the chicken mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish.
• In another mixing bowl, combine the melted butter and poppy seeds. Mix well.
• Add the crushed Ritz crackers to the butter mixture and stir until well coated.
• Sprinkle the cracker mixture evenly over the top of the chicken mixture.
• Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the cracker topping is golden brown and the chicken mixture is heated through.
• Allow to cool for a few minutes before serving.

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