Classic Poppy Seed Chicken has the most amazing cream-based sauce and a buttery, Ritz cracker topping that we just can’t get enough of. This casserole is simple to make and quick to prepare before letting your oven do the rest of the work.
We are suckers for a creamy casserole with a Ritz topping. There is something so delicious and addicting about that creamy sauce and buttery Ritz topping that makes us keep coming back for more. It’s a rarity to not go back for seconds and thirds, which means the whole family ends up fighting over that last piece. You can set aside that cream of chicken soup though, because we are sticking with whole ingredients and making it from scratch. The flavor simply can’t be beat, and you’ll feel good knowing exactly what went into your dinner. We know you’ll love this one as much as we do!
Chicken Options:
We don’t always have the time to cook up chicken breasts the day of, and this recipe really doesn’t require that kind of time commitment anyway. You’re welcome to bake, boil, or cook chicken on the stovetop as needed, but don’t feel bad if you just prefer using store-bought pre-cooked chicken, or shredding a rotisserie chicken. We won’t judge.
Can I make Poppy Seed Chicken gluten-free?
You absolutely can! Whether you are avoiding gluten or just trying to reduce carbohydrate intake, you can swap out the Ritz crackers for your preferred gluten-free or keto crackers.
Serving Suggestions:
We prefer to serve this over a bed of rice with a side of broccoli and a green salad, but you can serve with your favorite sides, or even just by itself!
Freezer Instructions:
You’ll want to freeze this dish before baking. Prepare your casserole, but do not add the Ritz cracker topping. Cover your baking dish with a layer of plastic wrap and a layer of foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Be aware that cream based sauces can change texture and consistency when frozen and thawed.
Thaw overnight in the fridge, and add the Ritz topping immediately before popping in the oven. Cook time will need to be slightly adjusted and cooked longer.
Storage and Reheating Instructions:
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. You can reheat smaller portions in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time until warmed through, or you may reheat a large portion in an oven preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit until warmed through.
If you like this recipe, you may be interested in these other delicious casserole recipes:
Great recipe! Add veggies for more color and serve over rice!
This is one of our very favorite dishes! I buy rotisserie chicken just for this recipe.
Thank you for sharing it.
Thank you so much for not adding cream of * soup. I couldn’t have it because most soups have gluten. I’ve been wanting to make and eat this for a long time, but I didn’t know how to change it.
Delicious
This was pretty good but I found it too be too salty. I checked the nutrition stats and it was over 1,100 mg per serving . If I make it again I’ll make some adjustments on sodium .
Thanks for pointing that out. I would think using unsalted butter and unsalted chicken broth would help substantially. I am going to give it a try soon and will report back. I made a recipe like this years ago and loved it.
Ok, I finally made it! I did use unsalted butter and salt free chicken base. Greek yogurt instead of sour cream. I did add some other spices- paprika & ground mustard. So yummy! Served the first time with roasted potatoes, carrots & onion. Leftovers over rice with sautéed zucchini.
So easy and so good. Very picky husband but he loved it! Thanks Rachel!
Interesting site for good chicken recipes