Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole

I have just returned from a lovely two week vacation, visiting my family in Alabama. Good-byes are always so difficult. The hugs, and kisses and tears...knowing that it'll be quit some time before I see my family again. I hate it. But...I always carry a little bit of each of them back home with me (especially the pounds I gained eating all the fabulous food we all cooked).

The older of my two sisters, Jenifer, picked me and my youngest daughter up from the airport. Our first night there we decided to keep dinner simple and easy. (it was something we had discussed and planned days in advance....1. I'm always thinking about what we're going to cook and eat. 2. Jenifer is a planner. She probably has Christmas already planned and began Christmas shopping months ago) Jenifer had the perfect meal in mind....Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole. Just a few simple ingredients thrown together with fabulous results. Comforting and tasty in no time at all. If I remember correctly, she said she found the recipe in Southern Living magazine. I poked around the internet a bit to see what was out there. I found a few variations of this recipe....some included cheese, others had onions....but this recipe is great as is. Not only because of it's simplicity but also because the ingredients are basic staples that most of us can find in our pantry on any given night. Which by the way is perfect for Jenifer. I mean....seriously...with her crazy life....working full-time, raising two wonderful children, keeping up with their activities....and maintaining a loving home, I don't know how she does it. This recipe is made for families like hers.

Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole
Printable Version

4 - 5 chicken breasts, cooked and chopped
2 cans cream of chicken soup
8 oz sour cream
1 tablespoon poppy seeds
1 to 2 sleeves of crushed crackers (she used Ritz)
1/2 cup melted butter

Preheat the oven to 350' F, spray a large casserole dish with cooking spray (for good measure)


In a large bowl, combine the chicken, soup, sour cream and poppy seeds. Put the mixture into the casserole dish. Top with crushed crackers and drizzle the melted butter over the crackers.
Bake at 350' for about 30 minutes, or until golden brown and bubble.

And that's it. With a quick salad tossed together...maybe a few slices of Texas Toast on the side and dinner is served, devoured and enjoyed.