Poppy Seed Chicken is everything a casserole should be.

One of her favorite pastimes was visiting the Test Kitchen to sample whatever was brewing that day.

Decades later, I do the same when an enticing smell drifts down to the editorial department.

Southern Living Poppy Seed Chicken in the casserole dish with a serving removed

Credit:Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

But my grandmother did haveseveral dishesthat she perfected and made her signatures.

But its what I remember, and it makes me smile.

This is where thatCostco rotisserie chickenyou buy every week comes in handy.

Southern Living Poppy Seed Chicken in a bowl to serve

Credit:Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

The most intensive part of this recipe is preparing the rice that youll serve under it.

If youre really in a time crunch, just get microwaveable rice, and voila!

Though she passed almost two years ago, my grandmother remains.

Southern Living Poppy Seed Chicken ingredients

Credit:Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

Shes here in her beautiful penmanship scribbled in books she gave me.

Shes here on her favorite beach watching the Gulf wash over my babys toes for the first time.

Southern Living Poppy Seed Chicken adding the cracker topping to the casserole

Credit:Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle