Pioneer Woman Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole
Dinner

Pioneer Woman Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole

Pioneer Woman Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole is made with tender shredded chicken, a rich sour cream sauce, and a buttery cracker topping. The result is a comforting, crunchy, and savory dinner that the whole family loves. It serves a crowd and is perfect for busy weeknights.

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đź’› Why You Will Love This Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole Recipe:

  • Quick Prep: You can assemble this entire dish in just 10 minutes using rotisserie chicken.
  • Kid-Friendly: The mild, creamy sauce and crunchy topping make it a massive hit with picky eaters.
  • Make-Ahead Friendly: Prepare it the night before and just pop it in the oven when you get home.

🍗 Pioneer Woman Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole Ingredients

  • 4 cups cooked chicken, shredded
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 2 cans cream of chicken soup, 10.5 oz each
  • 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
  • 1.5 sleeves Ritz crackers, crushed
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
Pioneer Woman Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole
Pioneer Woman Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole

🍲 How To Make Pioneer Woman Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  2. Mix the sauce by combining the sour cream, cream of chicken soup, and poppy seeds in a large bowl.
  3. Fold in the chicken until the meat is thoroughly coated in the creamy mixture.
  4. Spread the mixture evenly into your prepared baking dish.
  5. Make the topping by stirring the crushed Ritz crackers and melted butter together in a small bowl.
  6. Top and bake by sprinkling the crumbs over the chicken and baking for 25-30 minutes until bubbly and golden.

Recipe Tips

  • Use Rotisserie Chicken: Save time and add flavor by using a store-bought rotisserie chicken instead of boiling breasts yourself.
  • Don’t Over-Crush: Keep the cracker crumbs slightly chunky for the best texture contrast against the creamy filling.
  • Check the Seasoning: The soup and crackers are salty, so taste your sauce before adding any extra salt.
  • Broil for Crunch: If you want a darker crust, broil the dish for the last 1-2 minutes, watching closely.
Pioneer Woman Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole
Pioneer Woman Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole

🥗 What To Serve With Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole?

Serve this rich casserole with steamed broccoli or green beans to balance the creaminess add a side of fluffy white rice or egg noodles to soak up the sauce a crisp glass of iced tea pairs perfectly.

🎚 How To Store Leftovers Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole?

  • Refrigerate: Store leftovers Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
  • Freeze: Assemble the unbaked Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole wrap tightly with foil, and freeze for up to 3 months.

🥵 How To Reheat Leftovers Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole?

1. In the Oven (The Best Method)

This is the ideal method for reviving the crunchy topping and heating the creamy interior evenly.

  • Preheat: Set your oven to 350°C.
  • Add Moisture (Crucial): If reheating a large portion, sprinkle 1–2 tablespoons of milk or chicken broth over the filling (not the topping). This adds moisture back into the sauce.
  • Cover (Initial Heat): Cover the casserole dish loosely with aluminum foil.1 This traps steam to prevent the filling from drying out while the center heats.
  • Re-Crisp: Heat for 20–30 minutes (for a large portion) or 10–15 minutes (for a single slice). Remove the foil for the last 5 minutes to re-crisp the poppy seed topping.

2. In the Microwave (Fastest Method, Loss of Crunch)

Use this only for speed, as the topping will become soft and the filling can heat unevenly.

  • Prep: Place a single serving in a microwave-safe bowl. Add a splash of milk or broth over the filling.
  • Heat: Cover the dish loosely and heat on medium power (50–70%) for 1–2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Pioneer Woman Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole
Pioneer Woman Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole

Note: If you want a crispy bite, scoop the reheated filling onto a few fresh crackers before eating.

FAQs

Can I use low-fat ingredients for Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole?

Yes, you can use low-fat sour cream and soup, but the sauce will be slightly less rich. The texture might be a bit thinner, but it still tastes great.

Can I freeze the Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole?

Absolutely, but it is best to freeze it before baking so the cracker topping stays crisp. Thaw it in the fridge overnight before baking.

What other meats can I use for Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole??

You can easily swap the chicken for leftover holiday turkey or even cooked cubed ham. Both work wonderfully with the creamy poppy seed sauce.

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Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole Nutrition Facts

  • Calories: 485 kcal
  • Total Fat: 32g
  • Saturated Fat: 14g
  • Cholesterol: 95mg
  • Sodium: 980mg
  • Total Carbohydrate: 24g
  • Dietary Fiber: 1g
  • Sugars: 2g
  • Protein: 26g

Pioneer Woman Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole

Recipe by Imen DridiCourse: Dinner, Lunch, MainCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Beginner
Servings

6

servings
Prep time

20

minutes
Cooking time

30

minutes
Calories

485

kcal

Pioneer Woman Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole is made with tender shredded chicken, a rich sour cream sauce, and a buttery cracker topping. The result is a comforting, crunchy, and savory dinner that the whole family loves. It serves a crowd and is perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

  • 4 cups cooked chicken, shredded

  • 1 cup sour cream

  • 2 cans cream of chicken soup, 10.5 oz each

  • 1 tablespoon poppy seeds

  • 1.5 sleeves Ritz crackers, crushed

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted

Directions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  • Mix the sauce by combining the sour cream, cream of chicken soup, and poppy seeds in a large bowl.
  • Fold in the chicken until the meat is thoroughly coated in the creamy mixture.
  • Spread the mixture evenly into your prepared baking dish.
  • Make the topping by stirring the crushed Ritz crackers and melted butter together in a small bowl.
  • Top and bake by sprinkling the crumbs over the chicken and baking for 25-30 minutes until bubbly and golden.

Notes

  • Use Rotisserie Chicken: Save time and add flavor by using a store-bought rotisserie chicken instead of boiling breasts yourself.
    Don’t Over-Crush: Keep the cracker crumbs slightly chunky for the best texture contrast against the creamy filling.
    Check the Seasoning: The soup and crackers are salty, so taste your sauce before adding any extra salt.
    Broil for Crunch: If you want a darker crust, broil the dish for the last 1-2 minutes, watching closely.

Imen Dridi

AboutImen Dridi

I’m Imen, a home cook and recipe tester who loves recreating the world’s favorite chef-inspired dishes in a simple, real-kitchen way.

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