Real Recipes From Real Home Cooks ®

poppy seed chicken casserole

(3 ratings)
Recipe by
Melissa K Hand
Spring Hill, TN

I have been making casseroles for most of my life, but this one HAS to be the most-requested! My husband, daughters and granddaughters beg for it almost weekly. I have taken it to sick friends and to gatherings and have served it to guests for dinner and I always gets raves and requests for the recipe. This chicken casserole is unique and elegant, but so simple to make. It is truly top-notch in terms of taste, texture and satiety.

(3 ratings)
yield 6 - 8
prep time 30 Min
cook time 30 Min
method Bake

Ingredients For poppy seed chicken casserole

  • 1 pkg
    (6.2 oz.) rice-a-roni, fried rice flavor - if you can’t find this just use the chicken flavor and add a dash of soy sauce
  • 2 Tbsp
    olive oil or butter
  • 4 c
    shredded cooked chicken (that is approximately 4 small or 2 large boneless half breasts or about 1 lb.)
  • 1 c
    sour cream
  • 1 can
    (10.75 oz.) campbell's healthy request cream of chicken soup, undiluted
  • 1 sm
    jar diced pimientos, well-drained
  • 1/2 c
    half & half or evaporated milk
  • dash
    mrs. dash, or similar, unsalted seasoning (use liberally)
  • dash
    morton's nature seasoning salt
  • dash
    fresh ground pepper, to taste
  • 36
    ritz crackers (1 sleeve), finely crushed
  • 6 Tbsp
    unsalted butter, melted
  • 3 Tbsp
    poppy seeds
  • non-stick cooking spray

How To Make poppy seed chicken casserole

  • 1
    Preheat oven to 375°F.
  • 2
    Prepare Rice-A-Roni according to package directions, except use 1 Tbsp. olive oil for browning rice mixture.
  • 3
    Spray bottom and sides of a 13" x 9" x 2" glass or ceramic baking dish with non-stick spray. Spread prepared Rice-A-Roni evenly on bottom of dish.
  • 4
    Combine shredded chicken, sour cream, chicken soup, pimientos, evaporated milk, Mrs. Dash, salt and pepper in a medium-size bowl. Stir well to blend all ingredients. Spoon chicken mixture evenly over top of Rice-A-Roni in baking dish.
  • 5
    In a small bowl, combine crushed Ritz crackers and melted butter; add poppy seeds. Mix well with a fork. Sprinkle evenly on top of casserole.
  • 6
    Bake Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole 30 minutes or until bubbly, and topping is lightly browned. Serve immediately.
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