Providing home cooked meals to people that you love is such a simple, yet meaningful way to show that you that you’re there for them. Ever since I was little, my mom would set a good example by making home cooked meals for friends and family who were having children or dealing with grief. It was such a great way to teach us girls a way to care for others but also how to cook.

This past weekend was another one of those moments when another family was in need of some good home cooked love. We are at a loss at how to show the family that they are loved. I think this Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole is a good start.

When sending this casserole to friends and family, we always send in disposable bakeware along with a fresh salad and dessert. A complete meal that will warm their tummies.

And since this is Chocolate & Carrots where I always try and make things healthier, I adapted the recipe my mom always makes and made it that much better for you without loosing the flavor. The casserole is creamy and filling, with bites of the crunchy topping in every bite.

The perfect way to show someone you care.

I hope to share with Liam the ways I’ve learned to show people we care as he grows up. In the meantime, I’m thankful that during the little bit of down time we have during the day, I can put on television shows on Netflix Instant Stream that also instill good messages like helping friends. Every moment is a teaching moment…and they’re all so precious.

Side Note: As I was mid-photoshoot of this casserole, Liam climbed out of his crib and my mom was watching the food. Simultaneously, my mom got the heartbreaking news while I was attending to Liam. Meanwhile, my mom’s dog Lily spotted the casserole set up by the back door and enjoyed a few servings of the casserole…but we found out she doesn’t like salad.

Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole

adapted from Taste and See from Mt. Pleasant Presbyterian Church

Ingredients

• 16 ounces shell pasta
• 2 pounds chicken breasts
• 2 (15 ounce) cans cream of mushroom or chicken soup
• 16 ounces non fat plain greek yogurt
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• salt and pepper, to taste
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 1 sleeve reduced fat or whole wheat Ritz crackers, crushed
• 2 tablespoons poppy seeds

How-To

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Cook the pasta according to the packaged directions and drain.
3. Meanwhile, in a pot of boiling water, boil the chicken breasts until cooked through. Remove from the water and shred.
4. Mix the pasta, shredded chicken, soup, greek yogurt, chicken broth, salt and pepper together. Pour into a 9 x 13 inch casserole dish.
5. Mix the melted butter, crushed Ritz crackers and poppy seeds together. Sprinkle over the casserole.
6. Bake for 45 minutes or until bubbly.

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