Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole Pioneer Woman

Name: Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole Pioneer Woman
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 cup sour cream; 2 (10.5 ounce) cans condensed cream of chicken soup; 2 teaspoons poppy seeds; 5 cups cooked shredded chicken (equivalent to meat from 1 large or 2 smaller rotisserie chickens); ½ cup slivered almonds ((about 2 ounces)); 2 sleeves Ritz crackers (coarsely crushed (about 60 crackers total)); 12 tablespoons butter (melted (1 ½ stick) ); chopped fresh parsley

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Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole from Pioneer Woman with almonds and buttery Ritz crackers is a classic comfort food recipe that, with just 10 minutes of prep, can be on the table in 30 minutes. Serve it with rice, noodles, biscuits, salad, or broccoli.

With creamy, crunchy, and buttery flavors in every bite, Pioneer Woman Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole hits all the texture highlights! The best part is that the meal can be prepared in advance and kept refrigerated or frozen until ready to eat. It’s a great option to deliver to new moms, to sick families in need, or to just store in your freezer for a busy day.

Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole Pioneer Woman

Why We Love This Recipe

Simple ingredients mean you have everything on hand or can easily find it at your local grocery store.
A total of 30 minutes are needed from start to finish.
From the creamy sauce to the crunchy cracker topping, this is good old-fashioned comfort food!

Ingredients That You’ll Need:

In the printable recipe box at the bottom of the post, you’ll find specific measurements and complete cooking instructions for this Pioneer Woman Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole.

Sour cream: Provides a creamy, rich, tangy sauce for the casserole filling.
Condensed cream of chicken soup: The flavor base of the casserole filling.
Poppy seeds: Stir them straight into the filling!
Chicken: For a shortcut, pick up a rotisserie chicken from the store, or cook your own chicken at home.
Slivered almonds: This gives the Pioneer Woman Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole filling a nice crunch and a nutty flavor.
Ritz crackers and melted butter: A salty, buttery, crunchy topping is a must-have for any Southern casserole.

How to Cook the Chicken for Pioneer Woman Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole?

This Pioneer Woman Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole recipe calls for cooked chicken, and there are a few ways you can do this. Choose the one that works best for you:

Boiled and Pulled Chicken: Boil about 2 1/2 – 3 lbs. of boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs until cooked through (about 15 minutes). Chop or pull the chicken when it is cool enough to handle. About 5 cups of shredded chicken will be needed. I find that 2 1/2 lbs. of chicken breasts yield 5 cups of pulled chicken, but you can be flexible here; it doesn’t have to be exact.
Rotisserie Chicken: Use a rotisserie chicken (or two) from the grocery store, shred the meat, and use the meat in the recipe as instructed. One very large chicken should yield about 5 cups of meat. You will likely need two chickens if your store sells smaller chickens to equal about 5-6 cups shredded.
Leftover Chicken: Make this casserole with leftover grilled or baked chicken from a previous meal.
Canned Chicken: This Pioneer Woman Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole recipe works with canned chicken from the pantry as well.

Benefits Of Poppy Seeds

Manganese, a trace mineral vital to bone health and blood coagulation, is abundant in poppy seeds. This mineral aids in the metabolism of proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates. Their abundance of copper, an essential mineral for the formation of connective tissue and the transfer of iron, is another bonus.

Recipe Variations

You can choose any flavor combination of condensed soup you like: cream of chicken, cream of mushroom, or cream of celery are good choices.
Choose Healthy Request or 98% fat-free condensed soups for lighter options with less sodium.
Add vegetables to the dish. Steamed broccoli, frozen mixed vegetables, canned or frozen corn, frozen peas, or sautéed mushrooms would all make excellent additions!
Before adding the chicken filling, layer a layer of cooked rice on the bottom of the dish. In addition to wild rice, brown rice or white rice would also work well.
Cheese is an excellent addition. Before adding the Ritz crackers, stir in some grated cheddar cheese and sprinkle some grated cheese on top.
Add some herbs or other seasonings to the sauce. You can use dried or fresh parsley, thyme, basil, oregano, chives, or garlic.
You don’t have Ritz crackers? Try crushed potato chips, crushed Corn Flakes cereal mixed with melted butter, or buttery crackers (such as Keebler Club crackers).

How To Make Pioneer Woman Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole?

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Whisk together sour cream, chicken soup, and poppy seeds in a large bowl. Stir in chicken and slivered almonds.
Place the chicken mixture in a greased 9 x 13-inch baking dish.
Combine the Ritz crackers and melted butter in a small bowl.
Top the casserole with the buttered cracker crumbs.
Bake your casserole uncovered for about 20-25 minutes, or until the filling is hot and bubbly.
Garnish your Pioneer Woman Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole with fresh parsley and serve.

How long is Pioneer Woman Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole good for?

It is recommended that you eat this Pioneer Woman Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole and its leftovers within three days, but you can go as long as five days if it is properly stored. A baking dish with a lid, plastic wrap, or aluminum foil is all great ways to keep it covered.

If you can’t eat leftovers within this timeframe, then you should consider freezing any leftovers to minimize waste. Anything longer than that is risky and shouldn’t be eaten.

What to Serve with Pioneer Woman Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole?

Pioneer Woman Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole pairs well with almost any starch or vegetable you like. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Buttermilk Biscuits
Lemon Scones
Mexican Cornbread
Buttermilk Scones
French Baguette
Cornbread With Creamed Corn
Pumpkin Bread
Peas
Green Salad
Ham Salad

Recipe Tips

Cooking for a smaller family? All ingredients should be cut in half, and the casserole should be baked in an 8-inch square dish. The rest of the cooking directions remain the same.
Prepare two 8-inch square baking dishes with the casserole ingredients. Bake one now and freeze the other.
Use store-bought rotisserie chickens (or two) for easy, quick preparation. Rotisserie chicken also adds a lot of flavor to the dish.
For the best flavor and texture, use full-fat sour cream.
The casserole should be baked until it is heated. The ingredients are already cooked, so you only need to warm them in the oven until bubbly. It may dry out or become burnt if you bake it too long.

FAQ Section

Can you cook Pioneer Woman Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole without poppy seeds?

Pioneer Woman Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole without poppy seeds will certainly change the taste of the dish. If you aren’t a huge fan of poppy seeds, cut back on the amount you put in. But trust me, you might be convinced to become a poppy seed fan once you try this recipe!

Can you make Pioneer Woman Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole ahead of time?

Pioneer Woman Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole is a great make-ahead dinner. It can be assembled up to 24 hours before baking and kept covered in the refrigerator. When you are ready to bake, let the dish sit on the counter for 30-60 minutes to come to room temperature.

Can you freeze Pioneer Woman Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole?

You can freeze the Pioneer Woman Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole before baking; wrapped tightly, it keeps for up to 2 months in the freezer. Leftovers keep for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.

How do you reheat Pioneer Woman Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole?

When I reheat a single portion, I just microwave it for about 1-2 minutes until it’s hot. However, if I’m reheating large quantities, I think the best way is to bake Pioneer Woman Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole. Cover it with foil this time to keep moisture in and heat the leftover casserole in the oven at 350°F for 20-25 minutes.