This easy poppyseed chicken casserole is pure comfort food: creamy rotisserie chicken over rice, topped with buttery crushed Ritz crackers and a sprinkle of poppy seeds.
It takes just 7 ingredients and bakes in about 20 minutes, which makes it perfect for those busy weeknights when you need dinner on the table fast and want something the whole family will eat.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Only 7 ingredients
- Uses a store-bought rotisserie chicken, so no cooking chicken from scratch
- Bakes in about 20 minutes
- That buttery Ritz cracker topping!
What You’ll Need
- Cooked white rice: 4 cups. Leftover or microwave rice saves even more time.
- Cream of chicken soup: two 10.5-ounce cans make the creamy sauce.
- Sour cream: one 16-ounce container for extra creaminess and a little tang.
- Rotisserie chicken: shredded, so there’s no cooking chicken from scratch.
- Butter: 1 stick, melted, for the topping.
- Ritz crackers: 2 sleeves, crushed, for that buttery, crunchy top.
- Poppy seeds: sprinkled on top for the classic look.
How to Make Poppyseed Chicken Casserole
Step 1: Add the rice
Preheat the oven to 375°F. Spread the cooked rice evenly in the bottom of a 9×13-inch casserole dish.
Step 2: Make the creamy chicken layer
In a large bowl, mix the shredded rotisserie chicken, cream of chicken soup and sour cream until well combined. Spread it evenly over the rice.
Step 3: Add the topping
Stir the melted butter into the crushed Ritz crackers, then sprinkle the mixture over the casserole. Finish with a sprinkle of poppy seeds.
Step 4: Bake
Bake uncovered for 18–20 minutes, until the cracker topping is lightly golden and the casserole is heated through.
Busy Mom Tips
- Use leftover or microwave rice to save even more time.
- Serve it with a simple green veggie on the side. Green beans or broccoli are perfect.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use leftover chicken instead of rotisserie chicken?
Yes. Any cooked, shredded chicken works. You’ll need about 3–4 cups.
Can I make poppyseed chicken casserole ahead of time?
You can assemble the rice and chicken layers ahead and keep them in the fridge. Add the buttery cracker topping right before baking so it stays crunchy, and add a few extra minutes to the bake time since it’s starting cold.
What should I serve with poppyseed chicken?
A simple green veggie is perfect. Green beans or broccoli go great with it.
How to Store
Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for 3–4 days. The cracker topping will soften a bit, but it still tastes great reheated.
More Recipes You’ll Love
- Easy Ranch Chicken and Potato Sheet Pan Dinner
- Easy Taco Casserole with Ground Beef
- High-Protein 5-Ingredient Lasagna Soup
Easy Poppyseed Chicken Casserole
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Cook rice according to package directions. Spread the cooked rice evenly in the bottom of a 9×13-inch casserole dish.
- In a large bowl, combine the shredded rotisserie chicken, cream of chicken soup, and sour cream. Mix until well combined.
- Spread the chicken mixture evenly over the rice.
- Melt the butter and mix it with the crushed Ritz crackers.
- Sprinkle the buttery cracker mixture evenly over the top of the casserole.
- Sprinkle with poppy seeds.
- Bake uncovered for 18–20 minutes, or until the cracker topping is lightly golden and the casserole is heated through.
- Serve warm and enjoy! ❤️
