If you're looking for easy weeknight dinners that are grain-free, you need to try this gluten-free poppy seed chicken recipe. It has all the creamy goodness of the original recipe but uses gluten-free alternatives for a quick and easy meal that everyone will love.
I've been making this chicken poppy seed casserole for my family for many years now. It's a great way to use up leftover chicken, and it can be put together SO quickly. The best part is that it's something everyone can enjoy.
I love to serve it with a big green salad or some steamed veggies, that way everyone has the option of veggies - or no veggies. If you don't have picky eaters to feed, you can add some broccoli, green beans, or mixed vegetables right into the chicken mixture!
Why You'll Love It:
- Uses up leftovers. Make the most of your leftover chicken and transform it into something cozy and delicious.
- For the whole family. If you have a mix of gluten-free folks, picky eaters, kids, and adults, you can be sure this is one meal to unite them all.
- True comfort food. A creamy sauce, buttery crackers, and plenty of cheese - what's not to love?
- Perfect for busy weeknights. Since this recipe uses pre-cooked chicken and pantry staples, it's easy to put together even when you're in a rush. Skip the drive-thru and make this instead!
Ingredients
- Chicken: You will need 3 cups of cooked chicken. It can be freshly cooked and chopped, but I like to save leftovers from an oven-roasted chicken (or store-bought rotisserie).
- Gluten-free cream of chicken soup: Gluten-free versions can often be found in the health or natural foods section of the grocery store. We use the brand "Pacific Foods." If you can't find any in-store, you can make homemade cream of chicken soup with gluten-free flour instead of regular flour.
- Sour cream: Use a good quality brand with a thick consistency (we like Daisy or Good Culture).
- Cheese: Some freshly shredded cheddar cheese adds the perfect flavor.
- Poppy seeds: You will need 2 teaspoons - one for the base, and one for the topping.
- Gluten-free crackers: The classic poppy seed chicken casserole recipe is topped with a buttery Ritz cracker topping. Instead of Ritz, use about 24 round gluten-free crackers (we use Schar's entertainment crackers).
- Butter: This is for adding to the crackers. Salted works best here, or you could use unsalted butter and an additional ¼-1/2 teaspoon of salt.
- Seasonings: Garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper.
How to Make Gluten-Free Poppy Seed Chicken
One bite and you're going to love this creamy chicken casserole!
- Add the condensed soup, sour cream, 1 teaspoon of poppy seeds, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper to a large bowl.
- Stir well until smooth and combined.
- Sprinkle in the shredded cheddar cheese, and stir again.
- Finally, add the chopped cooked chicken.
- Fold the chicken into the casserole mixture until evenly distributed.
- Spread the mixture into a greased baking dish (9 X 13" for a thin casserole, a medium casserole dish for a deep one (7.5 X 10" or 9 X 9").
The Buttery Cracker Topping
- Crush the crackers (80 grams or about 24 crackers) using a food processor, or a plastic storage bag and a rolling pin.
- Melt ½ cup of butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Stir in 1 teaspoon of poppy seeds and the crushed crackers.
- Top the casserole with the buttery crushed crackers.
- Bake in a 350ºF (177ºC) oven for 20-25 minutes (30-35 minutes for a deep dish casserole), or until hot and bubbly.
- To brown the topping: Switch the oven to "broil" and cook for another 1-3 minutes, or until the topping is well browned and appears crisp.
- Watch closely! Food can burn quickly when using the broil function, so it's important to open the oven door and check frequently until it's perfect.
- Only use the broil function if your baking dish is broiler-safe.
Top Tip
This easy recipe is a great foundation, but you can play with different flavors depending on your preferences. Think veggies, dijon mustard, favorite seasonings, rice, etc.
Storing Leftovers
- Store leftovers in an airtight container, or tightly wrap with plastic wrap.
- Keeps in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat portions as needed in the microwave until well heated throughout.
- The topping does not stay crispy, but you can help to re-crisp the topping by reheating portions in the air fryer or oven (add a few tablespoons of water).
Can Poppy Seed Chicken Be Frozen?
Yes! Leftover casserole may be frozen in freezer-safe containers and stored for up to 3 months.
Thaw and reheat before serving; use the oven or air fryer method to help re-crisp the topping if desired.
To prepare as a freezer meal:
- Omit the cracker topping.
- Assemble the casserole base.
- Freeze unbaked for up to 3 months.
- Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before baking.
- Prepare the topping by combining crushed crackers, melted butter, and poppy seeds.
- Sprinkle the buttery Ritz crackers on top and bake at 350ºF (177ºC) for 25-30 minutes; broil for 1-3 minutes to crisp the crackers.
Expert Tips
- Use a different topping. If you can't find gluten-free crackers, or they are hard to find, use a buttered panko breadcrumb topping instead. Gluten-free panko breadcrumbs are easy to find at even small grocery stores.
- Use up leftover chicken. While you can cook and chop chicken breasts, this recipe is a great way to use up leftovers. I like to freeze leftover roast chicken in pre-portioned amounts; then I can easily thaw it and add it to our favorite casserole recipes.
- Stretch a dollar. While this is already a budget-friendly dinner idea, you can make it stretch even further by adding rice, pasta, and/or your favorite veggies. To do so, reduce the recipe to include just 2 cups of chicken, and add the mix-ins of your choice.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! Cooked turkey can easily be swapped for cooked chicken in your favorite casserole recipes. Turkey breast works especially well, since it has a very similar texture and flavor to chicken breast.
Most brands of cream of chicken soup are not gluten-free, as they contain wheat flour as a thickener. Several brands offer gluten-free alternatives; Pacific Foods offers certified gluten-free options, and it's the brand I use most often.
Yes! Mix and assemble the casserole base, and pre-crush the crackers for the topping. Before baking, melt the butter, add 1 teaspoon of poppy seeds, and stir in the cracker crumbs. Top the casserole and bake as directed.
Many different side dishes pair well with poppy seed chicken. Steamed veggies, green salads, mashed potatoes, rice, and dinner rolls are a few of the most popular options.
More Gluten-Free Dinner Ideas
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Gluten Free Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole
Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked chicken* shredded or cubed
- 1 can (10.75o) gluten-free cream of chicken soup** undiluted (we use Pacific Foods)
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 teaspoons poppy seeds
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
Cracker topping***
- ½ cup butter melted
- 1 teaspoon poppy seeds
- 80 grams gluten-free round crackers about 24 crackers, crushed
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF (177ºC) and lightly grease a 9X13" baking dish (23 X 33 cm), or a medium baking dish (for a deep dish casserole). Set aside.
- Add the gluten-free cream of chicken soup, sour cream, shredded cheese, 1 teaspoon of poppy seeds, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper to a large bowl. Stir until well combined.
- Add the chicken to the soup and cheese mixture, and fold it together until the chicken is well distributed.
- Transfer into the prepared baking dish, and spread into an even layer.
- Add the butter to a microwave-safe bowl and melt the butter in the microwave. Stir in the poppy seeds.
- Crush the gluten-free crackers either in a food processor, or by adding them to a ziploc bag and smashing them with a rolling pin.
- Pour the crushed crackers into the melted butter and poppy seed mixture and stir until well coated.
- Sprinkle the buttered cracker mixture on top of the base layer, and spread it into a thin, even layer.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until bubbly with a golden brown topping (for deep dish you may need to bake for an additional 5-10 minutes).
- Switch the oven to "broil". Broil for 1-3 minutes, or until the top is golden and crisp - watch it closely, as food can burn quickly under this setting. Note: Only broil the cracker topping if your baking dish is broiler-safe. If not, bake at an increased temperature of 450ºF (232ºC) for 5 minutes, or until the topping is crisp.
- Allow to cool for 5-10 minutes, then serve and enjoy.
Notes
Nutrition
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Amy says
Made this dairy free as well! Was so creamy and yummy!!!!