Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole Recipe

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Questions & Reviews

1. Blair Lonergan says:

   I love this! I make a similar casserole, which freezes really well and makes a great gift for a family with a new baby (or any other reason to gift a meal!).
2. Eric Pepple says:

   This sounds soooo good! I love the addition of the poppy seeds, thanks for sharing :)
   
   Happy Blogging!
   Happy Valley Chow
   
3. Rachel O. says:

   Looks fantastically delicious!!
4. Dana says:

   Wow!! This looks insanely good and I cannot wait to make this! I think 90% of your recipes I am always willing to try because none are crazy intimidating and they are everything I adore as well! Please check out my Crispy Chicken and Feta Spinach Salad recipe that I had for dinner last night. It's similar with the poppy seed. YUM all around!!
   
   http://danastonerock.blogspot.com/2013/02/this-should-put-all-chicken-chains-out.html
5. SH says:

   Yum! Can't wait for the giveaway announcement tomorrow!! I've been crossing my fingers for the Jo Totes one :)
   
   Sheree
   The Hartungs Blog
   thehartungs.blogspot.ca
6. FourSisters says:

   This was one of our favorites growing up (we used to ask for it for our birthday meals!) only we called it Chicken Poppyseed :)
7. Jamie says:

   i'D LOVE TO KNOW HOW YOU FREEZE THE CRACKER TOPPING. THANKS!
8. Nfer says:

   I've been making this for over 15 years without all the optional stuff. I love this dish and I make yellow rice and put this over it. Everyone loves it and begs for more.
9. shelleystursma says:

   Funny that this is on the menu at our house tomorrow night!
10. cambric cotton, pins and needles says:

    I make a similiar casserole using tuna as well as chicken and top it with crushed potatoe crisps and grated cheese, my family have always loved it.
11. Sinea says:

    This is a serious casserole. Love every ingredient and it sounds so easy to make. Thanks for sharing. (Stop by and add it to our blog hop?)
    
    Many blessings, Sinea from Ducks ?n a Row
12. cat says:

    seriously dumb question but hope you will consider it worthy of an answer.
    lots of your recipes call for COOKED chicken and i am wondering...
    HOW do you cook the chicken for the recipes???
    baked--boiled--grilled--you get the idea of the question.
    thanks
13. Sarah says:

    Hmm. not sure why the comment didn't show up, but I'm wondering the same thing. What is your go to method when recipes call for cooked chicken? I see that a lot in recipes and don't really have cooked chicken laying around, but would love any easy way to prepare the day before or cook a bunch and freeze for occasions like this. Thanks!
14. Six Sisters says:

    We just boil it and after it's cooled, dice it up. We have cooked up a bunch of chicken breasts and cut it up and put it in freezer bags. Then when a recipe calls for it, just pull it out of the freezer. Usually we just cook it as needed for the recipe. But usually always boiled. That's quick and easy. Hope this helps. -The Six Sisters
15. Six Sisters says:

    Hi Sarah, we hope the reply above answers your question. :)
16. cat says:

    thank you
17. Rachel says:

    We love this casserole at our house too....after baby #2 I had a friend bring it over, but she had added noodles! She simply precooked a package of bowtie pasta, stirred the chicken, sauce and noodles all together, then topped with crackers and baked it. I actually liked it that way even better :)
18. Sarah says:

    Thanks! I never thought about just boiling. Thanks.
19. kirsty lapine says:

    Can this be frozen as is, or do you need to make any modifications first? Sounds delicious! Can't wait to try it.
20. Six Sisters says:

    This would work great as a freezer meal. Just make as above and freeze. Let it thaw before heating up when you pull it out of the freezer. Thanks for stopping by our blog! -The Six Sisters
21. BurntApple says:

    I posted this recipe a couple months ago on my site and on Recipe Magic. I've been making a healthier version of this recipe for years. From years of experience it doesn't work good as a freezer meal because it is too creamy. Just a heads up. :) http://burntapple.com/2012/12/17/makeover-poppyseed-chicken-casserole/ Traci, BurntApple.com
22. Cynthia Cleere says:

    I use at least three of your recipes a week. I love your recipes but this is the first time I've commented. I just wanted you to know you guys have given me the confidence as a new married wife to cook! Your food never has crazy food items that I've never heard of, or insane steps that make me want to cry! Thanks again you guys rock!
23. Six Sisters says:

    Thanks Cynthia! Yea!! That is exactly how we feel, and we want to help women and families! Cooking doesn't have to be overwhelming with ingredients that we have never heard of. :) Congrats on being newly married! Have a great day! -The Six Sisters
24. Cherrye says:

    I grew up with this recipe as well (without the Worcestershire and garlic) but my mom always served over cooked white rice. It is one of my families favorite! And those who asked about cooking the chicken, SSS had given me a great idea in the comment section of another recipe, about putting it in the crockpot with water so it can cook while you are gone then when you get home voila! Chicken is cooked and ready to go in any recipe. You girls are seriously the best! Love your site :-)
25. Sheri says:

    What sides would you suggest serving with this? I had a friend bring this to me after my second child but that was a few years ago and I have no idea what we had with it. Salad? Any starch suggestion?
26. Sheri says:

    What sides would you suggest serving with this? Salad? Any starch suggestions? I've had it before but I can't remember what we ate with it!
27. Sheri says:

    What side dishes do you serve with this?
28. Cyd says:

    We usually have a vegetable and click on our recipe index and look at all of the salad options. Best of luck! -The Six Sisters
29. SUSAN says:

    I freeze it without the crackers and add those with less butter ( about 1/2) when I reheat it. It is a family favorite. We serve it with steamed broccoli, rice pilaf, and a yeast roll. Yum, yum! Another favorite side it the copy cat recipe for Texas Roadhouse green beans. Love!
30. Sandi says:

    Just be careful because poppy seed is on the list of "don't eat" for breast feeding mothers.
31. Tara H says:

    I make this (minus the optional ingredients) and it is always a hit. It's my go-to meal when I have to take food to anyone. I usually make green beans with it or broccoli and rice. I mix 1 tablespoon of poppy seed with 8oz of Monterey Jack cheese and put that on the chicken before adding the cracker/butter mixture.
32. Kim says:

    I but grocery store rottiserie chicken when rhey are on sale, shred and store in zip lock bags in the freezer. Perfect for recipes like this, no cooking time and cheaper than buying raw!
33. Jordyn B says:

    So I am breast feeding and someone mentioned no poppy seeds while breast feeding... Would this taste good without the poppyseed or is that what "makes" it delicious??
34. Cyd says:

    It will taste fine without the poppy seeds.
35. Kathleen says:

    HUH? I am very surprised about the poppy seeds can not used for breastfeeding mothers? What is the main reasons? I have had breastfed all of my three babies. They appeared being fine.
36. Melissa says:

    Loved the recipe! It was soooo easy. I added 1/4 c. slivered almonds to the cracker topping and a can of green beans to the chicken mixture and thought it turned out awesome. My husband says he can't wait for the leftovers for lunch tomorrow! Thanks for posting a great recipe!
37. Gayle says:

    Why in the world would poppyseed be a problem for nursing mothers? I've never heard of that. My husband avoids poppyseed because he is subject to quite sensitive, random drug tests, but I wouldn't be afraid of nursing and eating them.
38. Stephanie says:

    Ive been making this for years! I also add In some fresh broccoli. Great easy, week night, comfort meal.
39. Jai R says:

    How long do you cook if I already cooked it without the topping and then froze it?
40. Cyd says:

    Just til heated through. Won't take very long if it is fully thawed.
41. MaryAnn says:

    I have made a v similar version of this recipe before. Checkerboard Chicken. Instead of mixing the butter, we sliced small squares and dotted it on top of the crackers, the way it melted, if placed strategically, will make the topping look like a checkerboard.
42. Paulette says:

    I found this question and answer rather helpful. I never thought of boiling chicken breast. My mom didn't like poultry so I've had to learn on my own how to cook chicken. Great tip! I tried it yesterday and now I have 5 cups of cooked chicken in my freezer ready for recipes. Thanks!
43. Heidi says:

    I buy cut up bone in chicken. It is really cheap in my area. Then I cook it in a crockpot. Then I reamove the meat and put it in recipes. It cuts down on cost a lot! I also make my own white sauce because my kids cannot eat the artificial stuff in canned soup:-) Super yummy in other recipes! I am excited to try this!
44. summer clements says:

    Poppy seeds if you eat enough of them will cause you to be positive on a drug screen for opiates. So I am sure that is why you aren't supposed to eat poppy seeds while breast feeding.
45. Gerri Pickel says:

    After thawing and now ready to reheat and cook what oven temperature would you reheat at and for how long?
46. Gerri Pickel says:

    After letting the frozen casserole thaw and to reheat it again, what is the oven temperature and for how long in for the Poppy seed chicken casserole recipe?
47. Cyd says:

    Heat oven to 350 degrees. Just keep checking on it until it is heated through really well. May take 30 minutes.
48. Rachel says:

    Mine came out runny. Is this normal? Smells DELISH!!
49. Cyd says:

    It's gooey like in the picture, but I wouldn't call it runny. Not sure what could have gone wrong. I guess you could serve it up with a slotted spoon and let all of the juice run out before putting it on your plate.
50. Melissa says:

    Serve with peas. Instead of ritz crackers use saltines
51. Meg says:

    No one is drug-testing the babies.
52. Whitney says:

    I had asked my doctor about poppy seed muffins while pregnant (as I was worried if they could affect a baby getting everything I was eating since I knew you might test positive on a drug screen so figured it could be harmful) and she told me there was no reason whatsoever to avoid them. I have made this a few times while BF and my baby is fine. I am making it tonight and will probably feed her right after too :)
53. Kenyon says:

    I actually have been making this same recipe for years, only instead of poppy seeds I use celery seeds. My whole family and friends who have tried it, love it!
54. Coskination says:

    Added some lightly steamed cauliflower to add a veg and make it a full meal. SO YUMMY!
55. Sharon says:

    You're posting all my favorites today! This is THE BEST chicken casserole. Ever.
56. Robin O says:

    How many servings does this make?
57. Cyd says:

    Hi Robin, just click on the MAGIC button under the picture. Then click on NUTRITION. It will give you all of the nutritional information and servings on our recipes. This is our sister site MyRecipeMagic.com. You can find nutritional info on all of our recipes!
58. Jennifer says:

    I made this tonight, and it was really good! I feel like it's missing rice or noodles though. Mine was a little soupy, so I added white rice and it was delicious!
59. Janet Kercher says:

    Lactation consultant here...no need to avoid poppy seeds when breastfeeding. Enjoy!
60. Janet says:

    I LOVE this casserole! One night I didn't have Ritz crackers so I substituted Chicken in a Biskit crackers. Oh my goodness...if it is possible, it makes this even better!
61. Joy says:

    I just mixed this up to take to an after funeral meal at church. I started spreading in my 9x13 pan and it only took up about two-thirds of the pan. I had to switch it to another. Is anyone else having this problem? If I need a 9x13 pan next time, I'll double the recipe. I also took half of the poppy seeds and mixed them in the chicken, soup, sour cream mixture and the other half in the topping mixture. I like to see the seeds all the way through. I'm curious as to how the lemon juice and worcestershire sauce effect the taste.
62. Tina says:

    My dad made this for my family years ago and its now my husbands favorite recipe!! It is an awesome easy dinner to make.
63. Allison says:

    Love it! I couldn't find poppy seeds in the grocery store, so I used chia seeds instead. YUM! For future reference... where do you typically find poppy seeds?
64. Cyd says:

    Poppy seeds are found by the spices and baking goods.
65. Sam says:

    I add about 2 cups cooked rice to the mixture before baking. Very yummy!
66. Amy says:

    Me too! Making it for a family who just lost their baby and I want to be sure it is delicious and crisp on top.
67. Jen says:

    How do I find the Cinnamon Bites recipe?This one says “Poppy Seed Chicken” under the photo of the Bites, and the link goes to the chicken, not the Bites.