The recipe prices will vary based on fluctuating grocery costs. Please use what is posted as a guide.
This Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole is creamy and topped with crackers and poppy seeds. It’s a comfort food classic that kids and adults both love.
It costs approximately $8.53 to make this casserole. The casserole serves six for about $1.42 per serving.
Casseroles make for a quick and easy meal throughout the week. Some of our favorites include this Cheeseburger French Fry Casserole, Pizza Casserole, and Tuna Noodle Casserole.
Our recipe for Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole is a classic family favorite you will want to add to your menu rotation. The recipe uses basic pantry ingredients to create a budget-friendly meal.
The creamy base is topped with a crunchy, buttery, cheesy topping. Is your mouth watering yet? Serve the casserole alongside some 1-Hour Dinner Rolls and a Caesar Salad for a complete meal the whole family will love.
Ingredients & Estimated Cost:
- 3 cups shredded chicken – $2.93
- 1 cup sour cream – $1.48
- 1 (10.75-ounce can) cream of chicken soup – $0.68
- 1 (10.75-ounce can) cream of mushroom soup – $0.68
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese – $0.56
- 2 cups Ritz crackers – $0.96
- ½ cup salted butter – $0.88
- 1 Tablespoon poppy seeds – $0.36
To learn more about how we price our recipes, check out Budget Recipes Explained.
How to make Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole
- First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Next, spray a quart baking dish with cooking spray.
- Then, mix the chicken, sour cream, chicken, mushroom soup, and half of the cheese in a bowl.
- Evenly spread the mixture into the baking dish. Sprinkle the top with the remaining cheese.
- Then, combine the crackers and melted butter in a bowl and pour it over the cheese. Sprinkle the poppy seeds over the top of the crackers.
- Finally, bake the casserole for thirty minutes. Allow the dish to cool for five minutes before serving.
***For complete recipe instructions, see the recipe card below.
Recipe Variations and Substitutions
- To add more bulk to this recipe or to get more servings out of it, place 8 cups of cooked rice in the bottom of a lightly greased 9×13-inch pan. Then, put the chicken mixture over the top, followed by the cheese and cracker topping. When we make the casserole this way, we usually double the cracker topping. Because let’s be honest, the topping is everyone’s favorite part, and we don’t want to skimp on it!
- You can also add frozen broccoli florets that have been defrosted to the chicken mixture.
Storage Tips
SERVE: Serve on its own or with cooked rice or butter noodles.
STORE: Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
FREEZE: This can be frozen for up to 3 months. Freeze without the cracker topping. Add the crackers before reheating.
Recipe FAQs
Our recipe calls for shredded chicken, cream of mushroom and chicken soup, sour cream, cheddar cheese, Ritz crackers, butter, and poppy seeds. For the exact measurements, refer to our recipe card.
This casserole dish should take about thirty minutes to bake. However, each oven works differently, so we always recommend checking on it before the timer goes off to ensure it is baking properly.
Yes! Poppy seeds add flavor, a nice crunch to any topping, as well as health benefits. It is a great seed to add to various recipes like this casserole.
Get Kids Involved
Ages 2-3: Your child will have fun crushing the crackers with you. A fun counting game will be to count the number of crackers before crushing them.
Ages 4-5: Ask your child to help pour the ingredients into the bowl and mix them. This will be great practice for improving measuring skills.
Ages 6-8: Teach your child how to use a can opener to open the soup cans and pour them into the bowl. They can then pour the mixture into the bowl and cover the dish with the shredded cheese, cracker mixture, and poppyseed.
Ages 9-11: Supervise them while they prepare the entire recipe. Remember to have them read it twice before beginning the recipe.
Ages 12+: Let them prepare the entire recipe unsupervised while you do the happy dance in the corner!
Budget Tips
We love to double the recipe and stick one in the freezer to save for a rainy day or to deliver to a friend who needs dinner. Two meals for less than twenty dollars is a great deal!
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Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole
Equipment
- mixing bowl
- Casserole dish
- mixing spoon
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
FILLING:
- 3 cups shredded chicken
- 1 cup sour cream
- 10.75 ounce can cream of chicken soup
- 10.75 ounce can cream of mushroom soup
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
TOPPING:
- 2 cups crushed Ritz crackers
- ½ cup salted butter melted
- 1 Tablespoon poppy seeds
Instructions
PREP OVEN AND BAKING DISH:
- Heat the oven to 350°F and spray a quart baking dish with cooking spray.
MAKE CASEROLE FILLING:
- Combine the chicken, sour cream, chicken soup, mushroom soup, and half the cheese together in a bowl.
- Pour evenly into the pan and spread.
- Sprinkle with the remaining cheese.
MAKE TOPPING:
- Combine the crackers and melted butter and pour over the cheese.
- Sprinkle the poppy seeds evenly over the crackers.
BAKE CASSEROLE:
- Place the casserole in the oven to bake for 30 minutes.
FINISH AND SERVE:
- Cool for 5 minutes and then serve.
Tara says
Love this comforting casserole but even better that it’s budget-friendly! Always so helpful with lots of tips to guide me through. Thanks!
Tayler says
I made this casserole for dinner last night and it was absolutely wonderful! My whole family devoured it and we will definitely be making it again soon!
Dannii says
What a delicious way to cook with chicken. Total comfort food.