Whole30 Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole
Published Sep 22, 2020 Updated Jul 11, 2023
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I grew up with a mother that made the most delicious casseroles. They were so darn good because they were usually filled with a ton of butter and sour cream. I wanted to create one of her favorites, but in a healthy way. My new Whole30 Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole is filled with the same delectable flavor, but with healthy ingredients that are Keto, Whole30, Paleo and Dairy Free.
Ingredients needed for this Whole30 Poppy Seed Casserole:
- Chicken
- Dairy Free Forager Sour Cream
- Ghee
- Chicken Broth
- Coconut milk
- Poppy Seeds
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Cauliflower rice
- Almond flour
- Egg white
- Salt/Pepper
- Xanthan gum
How to make this Whole30 Poppy Seed Casserole :
Preheat the oven to 350° F and grease a 9×13″ pan with non-stick spray.
In a large pot, combine the chicken broth, coconut milk, ghee, onion powder, garlic powder and xanthan gum. Heat over medium heat until the mixture becomes thick. Around 3-4 minutes.
Add the chopped chicken, sour cream and poppy seeds to the pot. Mix together until combined. Transfer this mixture to the prepared dish and spread into an even layer. Set aside.
In a separate bowl combine the almond flour, egg white, melted ghee and salt. Mix until crumbly. Sprinkle this mixture over the top of the chicken mixture. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
Is the Forager Sour Cream Considered Whole30 Compliant?
This is a question that is asked a lot by the Whole30 community. Below is Whole30 creator, Melissa Urban’s answer:
“Nut cheeses and dips ARE compliant on the program, with a strong caveat that these should be used with caution, especially if you know you rely on cheese as a comfort or stress-relieving food, OR if cheese is a trigger for other food cravings (like wine or crackers). As with Larabars or almond butter, Whole30 HQ and our Coaches all recommend that program participants use with caution, and think critically about whether including these foods in their Whole30 is a healthy choice, given their contexts and goals.”
All of the ingredients in the Forager Sour Cream is compliant and acceptable, including the pectin and loctus bean gum. Ingredients listed below:
Coconut & Cashewmilk (Filtered Water, Coconut Cream*, Cashews*), Tapioca Starch*, Sea Salt, Pectin, Distilled Vinegar*, Lactic Acid, Locust Bean Gum*, Tricalcium Phosphate, Agar, Live Active Cultures (S. Thermophilus, L. Bulgaricus, L. Acidophilus, Bifidus, L. Lactis, L. Plantarum).
*Organic
Allergens: Coconut, Cashews
Can you make this casserole ahead of time?
Yes, absolutely. I suggest making everything but the topping. So you can do steps 1-4 in the instructions. Wrap the dish with foil or plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator. Right before heating, make the topping and add to the top. Pop it in the oven and cook. This would be a great dish to make at a family gathering or even Thanksgiving. Simply make the night before to save time on the big day!
Can you freeze this casserole?
Yes, you certainly can. Be sure to freeze the poppy seed chicken casserole before baking. This includes the topping. Cover the pan tightly with foil and write down the directions on top of the container. Remove the casserole from the freezer and let it thaw in the refrigerator during the day before baking.
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Whole30 Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole
Ingredients
Poppy Seed Casserole
- 5- 6 cups cooked chicken breast cubed or shredded
- 1 cup Forager Dairy Free Sour Cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut milk canned
- 2 tablespoons ghee
- 1 1/2 tablespoons poppy seeds
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 3/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum
- 1 12 ounce bag of cauliflower rice
Topping
- 1 3/4 cup almond flour
- 1 egg white
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 cup ghee room temp
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350° F and grease a 9×13" pan with non-stick spray.
- Heat a large pot over medium heat and combine the chicken broth, coconut milk, ghee, onion powder, garlic powder and xanthan gum. Heat until the mixture becomes thick. Around 3-4 minutes.
- Add the chopped chicken, sour cream, cauliflower rice and poppy seeds to the pot. Mix together with a wooden spoon until combined.
- Transfer the chicken mixture to the prepared dish and spread into an even layer. Set aside.
- In a separate bowl combine the almond flour, egg white, ghee and salt. Mix until crumbly. Sprinkle this mixture over the top of the chicken mixture. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
Notes
- Place this on the bottom rack so the topping does not burn.
- Arrowroot or Tapioca Flour will work as subs for xanthan gum. 1 tsp dissolved in 1 tbsp water.
- Store any extras in an air-tight container. It will last in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Be sure to click below to pin this Whole30 Chicken Poppy Seed Casserole to your Pinterest page:
My family LOVED this dish! I grew up eating the not so healthy original recipe, and this healthier version is just as creamy and comforting as the original! One of my kiddos went on and on about how good it was. Not only is this dish delicious, it’s very easy to make. Already looking forward to leftovers for lunch tomorrow 😊
My husband literally gave me a high five while shoveling this into his mouth. 5 year old cleared her plate. Absolute win all around!
This makes me so happy to hear. Thank you
I have made this recipe twice now and it is a hit with my whole family including my 7,6&2 year old. Which is saying a ton because my family LOVES the original poppyseed chicken casserole recipe, I have been making it for years. The two times I have made this they have literally ate almost the entire thing. We’ve hardly had any leftovers! It’s incredible and soooo easy. This will be on repeat in our house along with soo many other Healthylittlepeach recipes!!
This comment just made my night. Thank you for trying and loving my recipes.
This is in the oven as I type this! Poppy Seed Chicken is one of my favorite comfort foods from childhood. I am so happy to have a Whole 30/healthier version!
YAY~! This makes me so happy. Thank you
Excited to try this!
Do you recommend a specific way to cook/season the chicken before chopping?
This was so delicious! Just moved to my “keeper” file! I was not familiar with poppyseed casserole prior to finding this version…. But it’s a winner! Made exactly per the recipe and instructions… ate for lunch all week. Thanks!
Oh my goodness! This is amazing! I made one for a postpartum freezer meal but taste tested it and will need to make another one. It didn’t make it to the freezer. So good!
This is so great to hear, Charity. Thank you!
This was amazing! My whole family enjoyed it!