Poppyseed Chicken Casserole

Ingredients

• 3 cups cooked rotisserie chicken, diced or lightly torn (420 g)
• 1 (10.5-ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup (298 g)
• 1 cup full-fat sour cream (240 g)
• 1/3 cup chicken broth (80 g)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder (3 g)
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (1 g)
• 2 cups buttery round crackers, crushed, divided (170 g)
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (85 g)
• 1 tablespoon poppy seeds (9 g)
• 2 tablespoons chopped parsley, optional (8 g)

Instructions

1. Prepare oven. Heat the oven to 350°F. Butter a 9-by-13-inch baking dish, coating the base and corners. Set it on a sheet pan if carrying a full hot dish feels easier.
2. Stir sauce. Whisk the condensed soup, sour cream, broth, garlic powder, and pepper in a large bowl until smooth. The sauce should be thick, glossy, and easy to spread, with no pale sour-cream streaks.
3. Combine filling. Add the chicken, poppy seeds, and 1 cup crushed crackers. Fold gently with a spatula until every piece is coated, then scrape the mixture into the dish and level it without packing.
4. Add topping. Toss remaining crackers with melted butter until coated. Scatter them over filling in a loose, even layer; do not press them down, since spaces between crumbs help the top crisp.
5. Bake casserole. Bake uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes, until the topping is golden and sauce bubbles around the edges. Loosely cover with foil only if crackers brown before the center is hot.
6. Rest and serve. Let casserole stand 10 minutes after baking, so the creamy filling sets slightly. Sprinkle parsley over the top, if using, then scoop six warm portions with a broad spoon to keep topping intact.

Notes

• A mix of white and dark rotisserie chicken gives varied texture. With only breast meat, avoid overbaking, which can make the pieces dry.
• For a make-ahead pan, prepare the filling 1 day ahead. Refrigerate it covered, but keep the cracker-butter mixture separate and add it immediately before baking.
• A 9-by-13-inch dish matches timing. In a deeper dish, bake until the center is hot and the edges bubble.

Nutrition Facts