| Prep: 15 mins | Cook: 50 mins | Difficulty: Easy | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 569 | 41g | 19g | 18g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 3g | 1g | 33g | 1.7g |
Exploring the interplay between the familiar and the new is one of my favorite aspects of cooking. Take my Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole, where your standard chicken breast is morphed into something decadent, yet refreshingly easy to whip up. This dish, warmed by the cream of chicken, sparkles with poppy seeds, and endearing in its crust of crushed Ritz crackers, takes you on a deeply comforting culinary journey.
Heritage and Health
While a departure from my Japanese roots and Pacific Northwest upbringing, the Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole also gives a subtle nod to tradition. The act of marrying simple ingredients to create a whole larger than its parts, reminiscent of sushi-making, brings thrill to my kitchen experiments. Besides, this casserole dish, with its protein-packed chicken and calcium-rich sour cream, bolsters your body in ways only wholesome food can. Being conscious of your food choices is a great way to take care of one’s health as advised in articles like Harvard’s Health Eating Plate.
Flavor and Versatility
And the texture! Ah, there’s nothing quite like the comforting crunch of the Ritz cracker topping, followed by the velvety, flavorful filling underneath. The sour cream imparts a subtle tanginess that beautifully balances with the creaminess from the soup, while the butter adds richness. Doesn’t hurt to have a heartening dish on your repertoire akin to the famous Chicken And Wild Rice Casserole.
You could also pair this casserole with a simple, vibrant salad or hearty roasted vegetables for a fully rounded meal. In fact, throwing a Japanese twist, maybe a Wafu salad, will offer a delightful contrast to the creamy casserole. You end up with something heartwarming, yet appealingly global – a reflection of my own journey through food.
What You’ll Need
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 cans (10.5 ounces each) cream of chicken soup
- 16 oz sour cream
- 2 cups crushed Ritz crackers
- 1 cup melted unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
Method
Step One
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven is heating, season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper to taste.
Step Two
Place the seasoned chicken breasts in a saucepan and fill it with enough water to cover the chicken. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let the chicken simmer until it’s cooked through, about 20 minutes. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the saucepan, let it cool, and shred it into bite-sized pieces.
Step Three
In a large bowl, combine the cream of chicken soup and sour cream. Stir until the two ingredients are well mixed. Add the shredded chicken to this mixture and stir until the chicken is well coated with the soup and sour cream mixture.
Step Four
Transfer the chicken mixture to a casserole dish, spreading it out in an even layer.
Step Five
In a separate bowl, combine the crushed Ritz crackers, melted butter, and poppy seeds. Stir until the crackers are well coated with the butter and the poppy seeds are evenly distributed.
Step Six
Spoon the cracker mixture over the chicken mixture in the casserole dish, spreading it out in an even layer.
Step Seven
Place the casserole dish in the preheated oven and bake until the top is golden brown and the casserole is bubbling, about 30 minutes. Once done, remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
