Poppy Seed Hen is certainly one of these recipes; it’s not the prettiest factor on the dinner desk, however wow, is it cozy, creamy, and positive as heck tasty. This old style Southern casserole is loaded with tender hen in a wealthy bitter cream sauce, then completed with a beneficiant layer of buttery crackers, with poppy seeds sprinkled all through for its signature speckled look and refined nutty taste. I selected to make the sauce from scratch as an alternative of utilizing canned soup, and truthfully, it makes all of the distinction. You continue to get all of the nostalgic consolation with easy, budget-friendly elements, nevertheless it tastes a bit of more energizing and extra selfmade!
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From-Scratch Poppy Seed Hen
Outdated-school poppy seed hen casseroles normally get their creamy texture from condensed soup, however I needed to construct the identical cozy filling with a number of primary pantry elements as an alternative. A fast butter-and-flour roux thickens the hen broth and milk right into a clean sauce, whereas bitter cream provides it the tangy richness this casserole is understood for. I additionally sear the hen earlier than baking, so it has higher taste and doesn’t launch an excessive amount of moisture into the dish.
For those who grew up seeing poppy seed hen casserole at household reunions, potlucks, or church suppers, this model will really feel very acquainted. However for those who didn’t, I’m excited to be the one who introduces you to it! This recipe is strictly the type of no-fuss consolation meals I like. Suppose creamy hen, a savory sauce, and a crunchy cracker topping baked till golden and effervescent across the edges. It’s easy, nostalgic, and this one feels a bit of extra selfmade with out making dinner really feel difficult. For those who love creamy hen casseroles with a crunchy cracker topping, our million greenback hen casserole is the cheesier, mushroom-studded model to strive subsequent!
- Sear the hen first. Patting the hen dry and searing it over medium-high warmth helps it brown as an alternative of steaming. This provides taste and retains further moisture from watering down the casserole because it bakes. After searing, I like to empty the hen briefly on paper towels earlier than folding it into the sauce.
- Flip the warmth down earlier than making the sauce. The hen sears finest over medium-high warmth, however the sauce wants gentler warmth. Decreasing the skillet to medium helps the butter and flour cook dinner evenly with out scorching.
- Don’t skip the roux. The butter and flour create a easy roux, which thickens the sauce and provides it a creamy consistency with out heavy cream or canned soup. Let it cook dinner for a few minute earlier than including the liquids so the flour loses its uncooked style.
- Whisk within the liquids slowly. Including the broth first and whisking till clean helps stop lumps earlier than the milk goes in. As soon as the sauce seems thick and clean, flip off the warmth earlier than stirring it along with the bitter cream so all the pieces stays creamy.
- Flip off the warmth earlier than including the bitter cream. Bitter cream can separate if it will get too sizzling too quick. I wish to stir it in after the sauce is thickened and the skillet is off the warmth. This retains the filling clean, creamy, and tangy as an alternative of grainy.
- Wish to use cooked hen? You should utilize about 4-5 cups of cooked, shredded, or diced hen instead of the uncooked hen breasts. Skip the searing step and fold the cooked hen into the completed sauce with the bitter cream and poppy seeds.
- Add veggies if you wish to bulk it up. Mushrooms, spinach, onions, carrots, or peas all work properly on this poppy seed hen casserole. Simply cook dinner off as a lot moisture as attainable earlier than including them so the ultimate casserole stays thick and creamy as an alternative of watery.
Poppy Seed Hen
Price $8.68 recipe / $1.45 serving
This creamy Poppy Seed Hen casserole has tender hen in a selfmade sauce with bitter cream, buttery crackers, and poppy seeds. Simple consolation meals with NO canned soup!
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Collect and put together all elements. Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 9×9-inch casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray and set it apart.
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Pat the hen dry with paper towels and season evenly with ½ teaspoon of salt and ½ teaspoon of pepper.
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Warmth oil in a big skillet over medium-high warmth. As soon as sizzling, add the cubed hen in a good layer. Sear in batches if wanted.
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Cook dinner undisturbed for 3 minutes, then flip, and cook dinner for one more 3 minutes. Take away the hen from the skillet and place it on paper towels to empty. Put aside.
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Flip the warmth to medium and soften 2 Tbsp of butter within the skillet, then sprinkle within the flour and cook dinner for about 1 minute, stirring always.
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Slowly whisk within the hen broth, whisking till it thickens, for about 1 minute.
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Subsequent, whisk within the milk, remaining salt and pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder. Maintain whisking till thick and clean, for about 2 minutes. Flip off the warmth and put aside.
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Place the hen in a bowl. Pour the sauce, bitter cream, and half (1½ teaspoons) of the poppy seeds into the bowl. Fold all the pieces collectively and place it within the greased casserole dish.
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Soften the remaining butter in a medium bowl and add the crushed crackers and remaining poppy seeds to it. Fold collectively till mixed.
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Then high the casserole evenly with the poppy-seed buttery crackers.
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Bake the casserole, uncovered, within the oven for about half-hour till golden brown.
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**I exploit Higher Than Bouillon to make my broth as a result of it’s budget-friendly, simple to maintain available, and lets me combine up solely what I would like!
***I exploit buttery crackers for my topping (e.g. Ritz crackers or buttery rounds) and maintain them pretty massive once I crush them for added texture. For those who solely have saltines or different crackers available, you should utilize them as an alternative.
You can also make the recipe forward of time! Assemble the casserole as much as the baking step, cowl it tightly, and refrigerate for as much as 24 hours. Wait so as to add the buttery cracker topping till simply earlier than baking, so it stays crisp, then add a number of further minutes to the bake time if the casserole is chilly from the fridge.
Serving: 1serving (1 cup)Energy: 493kcal (25%)Carbohydrates: 18g (6%)Protein: 36g (72%)Fats: 30g (46%)Sodium: 989mg (43%)Fiber: 1g (4%)
the best way to make Poppy Seed Hen step-by-step images
Collect and put together all of your elements. Preheat the oven to 350°F, then coat a 9×9-inch casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray and set it apart.
Slice the hen: Lower 2 lb. hen breasts into 1-inch cubes, trimming away any extra fats or powerful items as you go. Retaining the items about the identical measurement helps them cook dinner evenly within the skillet.
Season the hen: Pat the hen dry with paper towels so it browns properly within the skillet. Now season it evenly with ½ tsp salt and ½ tsp pepper.
Sear the hen: Warmth 1 Tbsp vegetable oil in a big skillet over medium-high warmth. As soon as the oil is sizzling and shimmering, add the hen in a good layer. Work in batches if wanted so the items have house to brown.
Let the hen cook dinner undisturbed for about 3 minutes, or till the bottoms are golden. Flip and cook dinner for one more 3 minutes. The hen will end cooking within the oven, so don’t fear if it isn’t absolutely cooked by but. Switch the hen to a paper towel-lined plate to empty. Put aside.
Make the roux: Scale back the warmth to medium and soften 2 Tbsp butter in the identical skillet. Sprinkle in ¼ cup flour and whisk always for about 1 minute, till the combination seems clean and paste-like. This helps cook dinner off the uncooked flour taste!
Whisk within the broth: Slowly pour in ½ cup hen broth whereas whisking. Maintain whisking for about 1 minute, till the combination thickens and begins to look creamy as an alternative of skinny and watery.
End the sauce: Whisk in ½ cup room temperature milk, the remaining ¾ tsp salt, the remaining ½ tsp pepper, ½ tsp onion powder, and ½ tsp garlic powder. Proceed whisking for about 2 minutes, or till the sauce is clean, thick, and coats the again of a spoon. Flip off the warmth.
Mix the casserole filling: Add the seared hen to a big bowl. Pour the sauce over the hen, then add 1 cup bitter cream and 1½ tsp poppy seeds. Fold gently till the hen is coated in a creamy sauce.
Crush the crackers: Place 1 sleeve buttery crackers in a zip-top bag and gently crush them with a rolling pin or the underside of a measuring cup. Purpose to have a number of bigger items for further crunch. Don’t crush them right into a effective powder!
Make the buttery cracker topping: Soften the remaining 4 Tbsp butter in a medium bowl. Add the crushed buttery crackers and the remaining 1½ tsp poppy seeds. Stir till the cracker crumbs are evenly coated and look buttery all through.
Assemble: Unfold the poppy seed hen casserole filling evenly into the ready casserole dish.
High the casserole: Sprinkle the cracker combination evenly over the hen filling, ensuring the entire floor is roofed for a golden, crunchy topping.
Bake till golden and effervescent: Bake uncovered for about half-hour, or till the cracker topping is deep golden brown and the creamy filling is effervescent across the edges. The hen needs to be absolutely cooked by and attain 165°F earlier than serving. Take pleasure in!
Serving Recommendations
Poppy seed hen is wealthy, creamy, and saucy, so I like serving it over one thing easy like white rice, brown rice, egg noodles, or mashed potatoes. My recipe makes 6 servings (1 cup every), which makes it nice for household dinners, Sunday supper, meal trains, potlucks, or vacation gatherings. If you need a straightforward aspect you may prep whereas the casserole bakes, my inexperienced bean salad provides one thing cool, crisp, and tangy subsequent to the creamy casserole. Our lemon pepper zucchini is one other scrumptious choice. It comes collectively rapidly and retains the meal vibrant and easy! Steamed broccoli, peas, carrots, or a primary aspect salad are all simple sides, too.
Storage & Reheating
Retailer leftovers in an hermetic container within the fridge for 3-4 days. The cracker topping will soften because it sits, however the filling reheats properly! It’s also possible to freeze leftover poppy seed hen in an hermetic freezer-safe container for as much as 3 months. Thaw in a single day within the fridge earlier than reheating.
Reheat particular person parts within the microwave briefly intervals till warmed by. For one of the best texture, I wish to reheat bigger parts in a 350°F oven, coated with foil, till sizzling within the middle. Take away the foil for the previous few minutes if you wish to assist the topping crisp again up a bit of.
Attempt These Scrumptious Hen Recipes:
- Hen Cobbler is pure cozy dinner power, with creamy hen and veggies baked below a selfmade cheddar biscuit topping till golden and bubbly.
- I make this Lemon Pepper Hen on a busy evening once I need one thing quick however nonetheless vibrant and flavorful, because of the tender hen breasts and easy lemony pan sauce.
- Our Southwest Hen Skillet retains dinner further simple as a result of the rice cooks proper within the skillet with salsa, black beans, shredded hen, and cheese.
