Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole with Ritz Crackers

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Forget the canned cream soups! This Chicken Casserole with Ritz Crackers uses a quick homemade sauce that’s rich, creamy, and packed with flavor. Add a buttery cracker topping, and you’ve got comfort food perfection!

Sheila’s Recipe Snapshot for Chicken Casserole with Ritz Crackers

A simple homemade sauce and buttery Ritz cracker topping make this casserole unforgettable.

Taste and Texture: A creamy chicken filling topped with buttery Ritz crackers, nutty almonds, and poppy seeds makes it rich, crunchy, and full of comfort!

Difficulty: Simple and approachable! With a quick homemade sauce (no canned soup needed), this casserole comes together with pantry basics in about 20 minutes of prep.

Hot Tip: Crush the Ritz crackers just enough to leave a mix of fine crumbs and bigger chunks. The variation gives the topping that perfect crunch!

Swaps: Use leftover turkey instead of chicken, substitute almonds with pistachios or cashews, or leave out the poppy seeds if they’re not your thing.

Save-Worthy: This recipe is cozy, versatile, and travel-friendly, making it a staple for family dinners, potlucks, or gifting a comforting meal to a friend.

Think of this casserole as comfort food at its finest: tender chicken, a rich and tangy cream sauce, and a golden, buttery Ritz cracker topping. It’s the kind of dish that warms you from the inside out—perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or delivering to a friend who could use a little care.

Many comfort casseroles are made with canned cream soups, but I’ve adapted the recipe to replace that with a cream soup substitute. It’s fresh and delicious!

This casserole also travels beautifully. Pack it up in a disposable foil pan for a neighbor or friend, and they can simply reheat and enjoy. Whether you serve it right away or gift it to someone who needs a pick-me-up, it always hits the mark!

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Ingredient Notes for Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole Recipe

• Chicken Breasts | Use cooked, bite-sized pieces of boneless, skinless chicken. Leftover turkey works, too!
• Butter | Butter is key to making this casserole rich and savory! You will need it for both the sauce and to coat the topping.
• Flour | Flour is cooked in the butter and will thicken the sauce beautifully.
• Chicken Broth | Go with low-sodium for more control over seasoning.
• Milk + Sour Cream | The combo makes the sauce extra creamy with just the right amount of tang!
• Water Chestnuts | Add crunch and freshness. Swap with extra slivered almonds if preferred!
• Ritz Crackers | Ritz crackers make the perfect buttery, crunchy topping!
• Poppy Seeds | Adds a crunchy texture and a pretty speckled finish.
• Almonds | More crunch and nutty flavor!

Variations and Substitutions

• Protein: Swap the chicken for leftover Thanksgiving turkey.
• Nuts: Replace almonds with cashews, pistachios, or hazelnuts.
• Thickening Agent: Use cornstarch instead of flour if needed. Just be sure to whisk the cornstarch with a little bit of water before adding it to the pot!
• Water Chestnuts: Skip water chestnuts if you’re not a fan, or add extra nuts for crunch.

How to Make Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole

This casserole comes together with just a few simple steps—easy enough for any night of the week.

PREHEAT & PREP. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in bottom of 2-quart casserole dish; layer cooked chicken pieces on top of butter in casserole dish.

MAKE THE SAUCE. In a small saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons butter and stir in 3 tablespoons flour. Cook 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly.

Add milk and chicken broth and whisk continually until mixture thickens. Remove from heat and stir in salt, pepper, sour cream, and water chestnuts. Pour over chicken.

PREP THE CRUNCHY TOPPING. In a medium-sized bowl, combine crushed Ritz crackers with poppy seeds and almonds. Pour 2 tablespoons of melted butter into the cracker mixture and toss to coat.

BAKE & ENJOY. Sprinkle the crunchy topping all over the top of the casserole. Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly. Enjoy!

More Recipe Success Tips

If you have a family member who is not fond of water chestnuts, you can omit them or chop them up small. I like them because they are high in fiber and have no fat, are low in calories, and contain antioxidants and vitamins.

Cook the sauce slowly! After adding the milk and sour cream, whisk constantly over medium heat until thickened. This will ensure that the flour is cooked, and it prevents lumps and keeps it silky smooth!

Want a mess-free way to crush the Ritz crackers? Place the correct amount in a large zippered plastic bag and take out some frustration! Using a rolling pin or a serving spoon, crush away. Then you can toss the bag after you put the crackers in the recipe.

Let it rest before serving. A 5–10 minute rest after baking helps the sauce set so each serving holds together.

Double the recipe for gifting! Make one for yourself and one in a disposable foil pan to drop off with a friend! It makes a great gift for a neighbor, or maybe someone who recently had a baby. They will definitely thank you for it!!

Storage and Reheating Tips

• To store: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through to keep the topping crispy.
• To freeze: For longer storage, freeze before baking (without the cracker topping) for up to 2 months. When ready, thaw in the fridge, add the topping, and bake as directed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Looking for More Easy Casserole Recipes?

This easy chicken broccoli casserole and my summer squash casserole are both family favorites. I have an easy broccoli rice casserole recipe, too!

What to Serve With Chicken Casserole with Ritz Crackers

This poppy seed chicken casserole with Ritz crackers is a hearty main dish, but adding a few sides makes it feel like a full, balanced dinner. Because it’s creamy and rich, pairing it with something fresh and green works beautifully.

Try serving it with Instant Pot green beans, parmesan roasted asparagus, or a broccoli bacon salad with raisins to lighten things up.

This chicken casserole recipe also pairs well with a side of sweet potato biscuits or easy homemade yeast rolls!

Beyond the Recipe

This delicious Chicken Casserole recipe was given to me by my sweet friend, Betty Jo, who has been in heaven for a few years now. I always think of her whenever I make it… it’s a true life, love, and good food memory.

I once had the privilege to participate in a virtual potluck. I am blessed to be a member of a food blogging community that includes some very caring and encouraging ladies. There, I learned about a fellow blogger, Ashley from Center Cut Cook, who’d been going through a rough time for several years.

Ashley’s husband, Ryan, was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer at age 29. Their infant son, Miles, needed a kidney and liver transplant due to Primary Hyperoxaluria (type 1).

Of course, I was happy to spread the word about a fundraiser in Ashley’s honor along with my blogging friends. This creamy Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole is just one of the many delicious comfort food recipes from our virtual potluck!

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Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole With Ritz Crackers

Author: Sheila Thigpen

Forget the canned cream soups! This Chicken Casserole with Ritz Crackers uses a quick homemade sauce that’s rich, creamy, and packed with flavor. Add a buttery cracker topping, and you’ve got comfort food perfection!

4.38 from 16 votes

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Course Chicken

Cuisine American

Servings 6 servings

Calories 305 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts cooked and cut into bite-size pieces
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 3 tablespoons flour
• ½ cup chicken broth
• ½ cup milk
• ½ cup sour cream
• ½ cup water chestnuts chopped (or 1/2 cup sliced almonds)
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon pepper
• 1 ½ cups crushed Ritz crackers
• 2 teaspoons poppy seeds
• ¼ cup chopped almonds
• 2 tablespoons butter

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Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Melt 2 tablespoons butter in bottom of 2-quart casserole dish; layer cooked chicken pieces on top of butter in casserole dish.
• In a small saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons butter and stir in 3 tablespoons flour. Cook 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add milk and chicken broth and whisk continually until mixture thickens. Remove from heat and stir in salt, pepper, sour cream, and water chestnuts. Pour over chicken.
• In a medium size bowl, combine crushed Ritz crackers with poppy seeds and almonds. Pour 2 tablespoons melted butter into cracker mixture and toss to coat. Sprinkle all over top of the casserole.
• Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly.

Notes

• If you have a family member who is not fond of water chestnuts, you can omit them or chop them up small. I like them because they are high in fiber and have no fat, are low in calories, and contain antioxidants and vitamins.
• Cook the sauce slowly! After adding the milk and sour cream, whisk constantly over medium heat until thickened. This will ensure that the flour is cooked, and it prevents lumps and keeps it silky smooth!
• Want a mess-free way to crush the Ritz crackers? Place the correct amount in a large zippered plastic bag and take out some frustration! Using a rolling pin or a serving spoon, crush away. Then you can toss the bag after you put the crackers in the recipe.
• Let it rest before serving. A 5–10 minute rest after baking helps the sauce set so each serving holds together.
• Double the recipe for gifting! Make one for yourself and one in a disposable foil pan to drop off with a friend! It makes a great gift for a neighbor, or maybe someone who recently had a baby. They will definitely thank you for it!!
• To store: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through to keep the topping crispy.
• To freeze: For longer storage, freeze before baking (without the cracker topping) for up to 2 months. When ready, thaw in the fridge, add the topping, and bake as directed.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 305kcalCarbohydrates: 19gProtein: 6gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 49mgSodium: 468mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3g

Life Love and Good Food does not claim to be a registered dietician or nutritionist. Nutritional information shared on this site is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.

Keyword casserole, chicken, poppy seed

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