If you grew up in the south you know that every family has a chicken casserole recipe. If you attend a family get-together, a potluck, or a church dinner, there will be at least one chicken casserole. It’s almost as much a tradition as celebrating any type of event with food. I discovered this tasty Southern Chicken Casserole recipe at a Church dinner. My kids would scope out the table before any dinner to see if “Miss Eulene had made her chicken casserole.” She gave me the recipe so I could make it for the kids since they enjoyed it so much. It’s one of our favorite comfort foods. I remember her every time I make it.
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Southern Chicken Casserole Recipe
This is a versatile casserole. It’s easy to add a few extra ingredients of your choice for a different flavor. Think of things like water chestnuts, chopped bell pepper, chopped onions or shredded cheese. Because cheese makes anything better. I like the original version with poppy seeds, but if you’re in a hurry and don’t have poppy seeds, you can leave them out and substitute one of the above ingredients.
Here’s what you need to make it
2 chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
1 can (10.75 ounces) Cream of Chicken soup
1/2 cup sour cream
1 tablespoon poppy seeds
salt and pepper to taste (about 1/2 to one teaspoon)
1 cup crushed crackers
1/4 cup butter
Here’s how to make it:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Mix the cream of mushroom soup, salt and pepper, sour cream, and poppy seed together in a large bowl until combined.
3. Stir in any optional ingredients.
4. Add chicken and stir until blended.
5. Place chicken mixture in a 9″ by 9″ casserole dish that has been sprayed with cooking spray.
6. Melt butter in the microwave for 30 to 40 seconds until melted.
7. In a small bowl, mix together the butter and crushed crackers until blended.
8. Sprinkle cracker mixture evenly over chicken mixture.
9. Bake for 20 minutes.
Printable Recipe for Southern Chicken Casserole:
- 2 chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
- 1 can (10.75 ounces) Cream of Chicken soup
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
- salt and pepper to taste (about 1/2 to one teaspoon)
- 1 cup crushed crackers
- 1/4 cup butter
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Mix the cream of mushroom soup, salt and pepper, sour cream, and poppy seed together in a large bowl until combined.
- Stir in any optional ingredients.
- Add chicken and stir until blended.
- Place chicken mixture in a 9″ by 9″ casserole dish that has been sprayed with cooking spray.
- Melt butter in the microwave for 30 to 40 seconds until melted.
- In a small bowl, mix together the butter and crushed crackers until blended.
- Sprinkle cracker mixture evenly over chicken mixture.
- Bake for 20 minutes.
Cooking Tips
*This is a great way to use up leftover chicken. Just shred it and add it and add it to the casserole.
*When I am in a hurry, I use a rotisserie chicken instead of cooking my own.
*I like to use skinless, boneless breasts, but you can use thighs instead if you prefer. Just use 5 instead of two.
*This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled.
*Don’t like poppy seeds? No problem. You can easily omit them and use a different herb blend, such as an equal amount of Italian Seasoning to give it a different taste.
Have you ever tried Southern Chicken Casserole? What’s your favorite new twist to the recipe?
You Might Like These Recipes:
Bacon and Blue Cheese Deviled Eggs
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Have you seen our cookbook?
It has over 100 from scratch Southern recipes with lots of gluten free, dairy free and vegan adaptions, Y’all! You can order it here-> The New Southern Cookbook.
I love a good, easy casserole dish that everyone will like! You cannot go wrong with chicken! Have you ever tried adding some cheese on top? My family is cheese obsessed!
This looks so good. It will be a definite menu item coming up. I know the kids will love it
I’m so bookmarking this. This looks so delicious. I’m gonna make it this weekend.
I have yet to try making chicken casserole. That looks so good, my kids would love this kind of dish for sure.
What a nice recipe to try for our dinner. It looks easy and tasty one.
I make this all the time but it goes by a different name! It’s so yummy and comforting!!
This recipe looks so savory. I love that it’s healthy as well. I know my family is going to love it. Perfect for fall!
This healthy and hearty southern casserole recipe ultimate comfort food for this fall. I am going to give it try.
Now this looks like the perfect recipe for this time of year. Delicious, comfort food that is really warming!
I haven’t made a casserole in ages. This sounds delicious and perfect comfort food for the fall. Thanks for sharing your recipe!
This sounds like a great recipe for dinner or a gathering.
This looks incredible! I am all about southern food, and this looks like something I’d love. I’m always looking for casseroles to try.
This is similar to a midwestern dish, but we add veggies to ours. This always is such a great dish in the fall, so earthy and comforting and just feels like such a home dish.
I love this southern recipe. There are so many ways to make it. My family has been making it for so long. Always a good choice when its chilly outside.
This recipe looks amazing. I’m sitting here drooling over it!
I love you any and all comfort food. This looks like it would be great one that would stick to your bones. It looks delicious and feeling and I love something that is this easy to make.
Just what I love in the fall: warm and delicious casseroles that stick to your sides! I know I will be making it for my family at least once this fall.
Casseroles are so nice to make ahead and freeze or just have them ready to pop in the oven when you get home. Chicken is always a hit and cheap to purchase. Feeds a bunch.
I love southern food so much. It’s REAL comfort food and that is all I think of when I look at your photos. Honest to goodness comfort food.