Ingredients
4 cups cooked shredded chicken (about 1 1/2–2 pounds)
2 (10.5-ounce) cans cream of chicken soup
1 cup sour cream
1 1/2 cups crushed Ritz crackers (about 1 sleeve)
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted
1 tablespoon poppy seeds
1/2 teaspoon salt (optional, to taste)
1/4 teaspoon black pepper (optional, to taste)
Nonstick cooking spray or a little extra butter for greasing the dish
Directions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 2–2.5 quart oval casserole dish (or an 8×11-inch dish) with nonstick cooking spray or a little butter.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cream of chicken soup and sour cream. Stir until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper if desired.
Add the cooked shredded chicken to the bowl and gently fold it into the creamy mixture until all the chicken is well coated.
Spoon the creamy chicken mixture into the prepared casserole dish and spread it into an even layer, making sure it fills the corners.
In a separate bowl, mix the crushed Ritz crackers with the melted butter until all the crumbs are evenly coated and look sandy and glossy.
Stir the poppy seeds into the buttery cracker crumbs, making sure they’re evenly distributed throughout the topping.
Sprinkle the buttery cracker and poppy seed mixture evenly over the top of the chicken layer, covering it completely. This is the famous crunchy topping everyone remembers, so don’t leave any bare spots.
Place the casserole dish on the middle rack of the preheated oven and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the creamy chicken is bubbling around the edges.
Let the casserole rest for about 5–10 minutes before serving. This helps it set up a bit so you can scoop out nice, generous portions that show off the creamy layers under that crisp, buttery topping.
Variations & Tips
To keep this as the classic 5-ingredient church-potluck version, stick to cooked shredded chicken, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, Ritz crackers, and poppy seeds, plus the butter to bind the topping.
For picky eaters, you can skip the poppy seeds on half the casserole by only sprinkling them over one side, or leave them out entirely and just do buttery crackers. If your family likes extra creaminess, add an extra few spoonfuls of sour cream to the filling. You can also use rotisserie chicken to save time—just remove the skin and bones and shred the meat while it’s still slightly warm. If you prefer dark meat, chicken thighs work beautifully and stay very tender.