Poppy Seed Chicken and Rice Casserole is an update on a classic casserole! With added rice and a panko topping, I think you’ll love my version!
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Jump to RecipePoppy Seed Chicken Casserole is a classic comfort food. So delicious and absolutely indulgent with a buttery cracker crumb crust. Everyone loves your basic Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole! I was looking for a version that was a true casserole, in that it contained a starch for maximum meat-stretching power. I also wanted to make a version that was more accessible and “basic” but still had the crispy crunchy layer of the classic. I’ve renamed my everyday version: Poppy Seed Chicken and Rice Casserole.
In this recipe I’m using my Homemade Cream of Mushroom Soup, but I’ve always used your standard store-bought cream of mushroom soup in the past so I’m sure you’ll have success either way.
Poppy Seed Chicken and Rice Casserole is a great meal option for the day after serving a roasted or rotisserie-style chicken. During the Winter I tried out serving a roast chicken dinner on Monday, tacos on Tuesday, and then using the leftover chicken in a casserole or soup on Wednesday. More often than not I made this Poppy Seed Chicken and Rice Casserole! I hope your family enjoys it as much as my family does.
What Do I Need to Make Poppy Seed Chicken and Rice Casserole?
- Chicken: I use precooked shredded chicken in this recipe. 90% of the time it comes from the leftovers of a roasted chicken dinner. You can use meat from a rotisserie chicken for an easy prep!
- Cream of Mushroom Soup: You can use store-bought or you can try my recipe for Homemade Cream of Mushroom soup.
- Sour Cream: This adds some delicious “tang” to the casserole.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Sharp or old cheddar works best in this recipe.
- Cooked Rice: This is a great recipe for leftover rice! I have used both leftover brown rice and leftover white rice with great success. You can also use hot cooked rice.
- Poppy Seeds: I don’t know if poppy seeds really add any extra flavor, but they do look pretty! It is called Poppy Seed Chicken and Rice Casserole after all.
- Panko Bread Crumbs: These are one of my favorite casserole-toppers. Panko adds a crispy layer without a tonne of added calories. I feel like they are a happy compromise for an everyday casserole.
- Butter: This adds a rich, buttery flavor to the panko crumbs and helps maintain that traditional Poppyseed Chicken flavor.
Poppy Seed Chicken and Rice Casserole
Ingredients
- 3 cups Chicken cooked and shredded
- 2 10oz cans Cream of Mushroom Soup or 2 2/3 cup homemade
- 1 cup Sour Cream
- 3 cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- 3 cups Cooked Rice
- 1 1/2 tsp. Poppy seeds
- 1/2 cup Panko Bread Crumbs
- 2 tbsp. Salted butter melted
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F and grease a 9X13 baking dish.
- Combine the chicken, cream of mushroom soup, cheese, rice, and poppy seeds in a medium bowl. Mix well.
- Scoop the mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread out evenly.
- Combine the breadcrumbs and melted butter. Sprinkle evenly over the casserole.
- Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and bake until bubbly, about 20 minutes.
- Turn the oven to broil and return the casserole, uncovered. Broil for 1-2 minutes, until topping is crisp. Be super careful here, you can burn your casserole very easily!
- Cool 5 minutes, cut into 8 equal portions and serve.
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This looks absolutely delicious! I have everything in the pantry already and I know my whole family will enjoy this meal.
I loved how easy this was to make and it was so fun adding in the poppyseeds. Will make again, thank you!!
I loved it!! It is so good and really tasty!
I love this recipe!! So simple and a great weeknight dinner 🙂
I never would have thought of poppy seeds being used in a dinner, but I just bought a jar and can’t wait to try this recipe . Thanks so much!
Amazing combination and a super delicious meal for sure. I have to attempt this recipe.
This casserole was perfect for a weeknight meal! Loved the poppy seeds in this.
The kids have been so active in the kitchen during quarantine. They have had fun picking out recipes and making them. They picked out your recipe and we made it today! It was a hit! You just can’t beat a comforting casserole like this!
Ooooh, this is my kind of comfort food dinner! And chicken and rice is a good classic combo!
We had this for dinner last night and it was incredible! Thanks so much for sharing the recipe!