Name: Easy Poppy Seed Rotisserie Chicken Casserole Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 10
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 to 5 cups shredded rotisserie chicken; 2 cans of condensed cream of chicken (10.5 ounce can); 16 ounces of sour cream (regular or light); 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper; 2 cups butter crackers - crushed; 1 stick unsalted butter - melted (1/2 cup); 1 tablespoon dried parsley

Jump to Recipe

This Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole is a classic recipe that is so incredibly easy to make! A creamy chicken casserole topped with a buttery ritz topping that is a family favorite.

There is a white plate with a creamy chicken mixture and pieces of green broccoli on it. There is part of a white rectangular baking dish with a creamy white chicken mixture with a cracker crumb topping in it. There is a stainless steel spoon resting in the baking dish. There is a dark gray cloth napkin laying next to the plate. Items are on a white and black terrazzo surface.

It’s one of those great recipes that has a prep time of 10-15 minutes and made with simple ingredients.

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
Yields: 10-12 servings
Prep level: Beginner +

Things I Love About This Recipe

Fast & easy – Ready in 40 minutes with minimal prep.
A classic Southern comfort food that combines tender chicken with a flavorful cream sauce and topped off with a buttery crunchy topping.
One-pot meal made with only a handful of ingredients.
Casseroles are always great for a busy weeknight dinner, holiday company, and potluck dinners!
Crow Pleaser – The ultimate comfort food with simple flavors everyone will love

Ingredient Notes

There is a large measuring bowl with shredded cooked chicken. There are two cans of condensed soup, a white carton of sour cream, a stick of butter, a white bowl with yellow shredded cheese in it, four very small clear glass bowls with seasonings in them, and a clear plastic sleeve of light brown round crackers. Items are on a white and black terrazzo surface.

Chicken: You need 4 to 5 cups of shredded chicken. A large rotisserie chicken yields about that or leftover chicken. You can use both white and dark meat.

Cream of chicken soup: This recipe calls for 2 cans of condensed soup. You can make your own or pick up a couple of cans from your local grocery store. Homemade cream of chicken from Back to my Southern Roots.

Sour cream: Combined with the soup, this makes the creamy sauce for the casserole. You can use regular or light.

Cheddar cheese: For convenience, I use packaged shredded cheese. You can substitute parmesan cheese.

Poppy seeds: Usually found in the spice aisle at the grocery store. They add a subtle flavor, visual appeal, and are optional.

Seasonings: Garlic powder, dried parsley, and black pepper. Feel free to add other seasonings like Italian herbs or a dash of onion powder.

Buttery ritz crackers: You need about 2 cups of crushed crackers. Panko breadcrumbs are a great option for your favorite buttery cracker.

Melted butter: The melted butter is mixed with the crushed crackers or breadcrumbs to create the delicious buttery ritz cracker topping.

There is part of a white plate showing with a creamy chicken mixture on it. There is part of a white rectangular baking dish with a creamy white chicken mixture with a cracker crumb topping in it. There is a stainless steel spoon resting in the baking dish. Items are on a white and black terrazzo surface.

Step-by-Step Instructions

There is a large white mixing bowl with condensed soup, sour cream, shredded yellow cheese and seasonings in it. There is a large measuring bowl with shredded cooked chicken in the background. Items are on a white and black terrazzo surface.

There is a large white mixing bowl with condensed soup, sour cream, shredded yellow cheese and seasonings mixed all together. There is a stainless steel spoon resting in the bowl. There is a large measuring bowl with shredded cooked chicken in the background. Items are on a white and black terrazzo surface.

Preheat oven.
Shred or dice cooked chicken and set aside.
Pour the condensed soup into a large mixing bowl. Add the sour cream and shredded cheese. Next add the poppy seeds, garlic powder, and black pepper. Mix throughly.

There is a white rectangular baking dish with a creamy mixture made up condensed soup, sour cream, shredded cheese, shredded chicken and seasonings in it. The baking dish is on a white and black terrazzo surface.

Fully mix the chicken in with the poppy seed sauce.
Transfer the creamy chicken casserole mixture to a baking dish. Use a rubber spatula to even out the chicken mixture.

There is a medium white bowl with melted butter in it. There is a plastic zip top bag with cracker crumbs in it laying in front of the bowl. There is a very small clear glass bowl with dried green seasoning (parsley) in it, in front of the bowl. There is a wooden round rolling pin laying next to the white bowl. Items are on a white and black terrazzo surface.

There is a white bowl with a mixture of crushed light brown crackers, dried parsley, and melted butter in it. There is a stainless steel fork resting in the bowl. The bowl is on a white and black terrazzo surface.

Melt the butter in a medium bowl.
Pour the crushed butter crackers over the melted butter. Stir in the dried parsley. Mix throughly.

There is a white rectangular baking dish with a baked creamy mixture made up condensed soup, sour cream, shredded cheese, shredded chicken and seasonings in it. There is a cracker crumb topping on top of the chicken mixture. The baking dish is on a white and black terrazzo surface. There is a dark gray cloth napkin laying next to the dish.

Layer the cracker mixture evenly on top of the chicken mixture. Place in a heated oven.
Bake until the creamy chicken dish is fully heated and the cracker topping is golden brown.
Serve with your favorite side dish!

See recipe card below for ingredient measurements and cooking time.

Laura Belle’s Tips

Prep tip – Shred the rotisserie chicken while it’s still warm for easier handling.
Flavor boosters – Toast the poppy seeds in a dry skillet for 2-3 minutes before adding them to boost their nutty flavor. Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to brighten up the creamy sauce and balance the richness.
Texture tips – Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes after baking so the sauce thickens up and doesn’t run when you serve it. If you like extra crispy edges, use a wider, shallower baking dish rather than a deep one.

There is a white plate with a creamy chicken mixture and pieces of green broccoli on it. There is a fork resting on the plate. There is a white rectangular baking dish with a creamy white chicken mixture with a cracker crumb topping in it. There is a dark gray cloth napkin laying next to the plate. Items are on a white and black terrazzo surface.

Side Dishes for Chicken Casserole

Pair this creamy chicken with:

Mashed potatoes – Classic comfort food.
Roasted Brussels sprouts – crispy on the outside and tender on the inside
Steamed Broccoli – Easy and nutritious.
Side salad – A fresh, light contrast to the creamy chicken.
Garlic Bread – Great for dipping in the sauce!

Storage

Keep leftovers in an airtight container or seal the top of the dish tightly with plastic wrap in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave.

Make Ahead

Assemble the casserole (minus the cracker topping), cover and refrigerate up to 24 hours. Add the ritz cracker topping just before baking.
To freeze: Prepare per directions (minus the cracker topping) and freeze before baking. Wrap tightly with foil and freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, add the topping, then bake as directed.

Yield: 10 – 12 servings

Easy Poppy Seed Rotisserie Chicken Casserole Recipe

This Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole is a classic recipe that is so incredibly easy to make!

It's one of those great recipes that has a prep time of 10-15 minutes and made with simple ingredients.

A creamy chicken casserole topped with a buttery ritz topping that is a family favorite.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Total Time 40 minutes

Ingredients

4 to 5 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
2 cans of condensed cream of chicken (10.5 ounce can)
16 ounces of sour cream (regular or light)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 cups butter crackers – crushed
1 stick unsalted butter – melted (1/2 cup)
1 tablespoon dried parsley

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees f.
Shred chicken, place in a medium bowl and set aside. (see FAQ’s)
Pour the condensed soup into a large mixing bowl.
Add the sour cream and shredded cheese.
Next add the poppy seeds, garlic powder, and black pepper.
Mix throughly.
Add the chicken.
Mix until the chicken is fully incorporated into the poppy seed sauce.
Transfer the creamy chicken casserole mixture to a casserole dish.
Use a rubber spatula or wooden spoon to even out the chicken mixture.
Melt the butter in a medium bowl.
Pour the crushed butter crackers over the melted butter. (see FAQ’s)
Stir in the dried parsley.
Mix throughly.
Layer the cracker mixture evenly on top of the chicken mixture.
Place in a preheated oven.
Bake until the creamy chicken dish is fully heated and the cracker topping is golden brown.
Serve with your favorite side dish! (see FAQ’s)

Notes

Helpful Tools and Equipment

Large bowl

Medium bowl

Measuring spoons

Measuring cups

9 x 13 inch casserole dish or large baking dish

Rubber spatula

Cutting board

2 forks

Zip top plastic bag

Rolling pin
Oven mitts

Recipe Tips

Store any leftover casserole in an airtight container or seal the top of the dish tightly with plastic wrap and store 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator.

The best way to crush crackers is to place them in a zip top plastic bag. Release as much air as possible and seal the bag. Use a rolling pin or another heavy object and smash the crackers into crumbs.

Some of my favorite side dishes to serve with this classic casserole are: green beans, steamed broccoli, Brussels sprouts, or a green salad.

Easy Poppy Seed Rotisserie Chicken Casserole