Easy Homemade Chicken and Dressing Recipe

As the air gets crisp and leaves change color, a warm, comforting meal from the oven calls out. For me, nothing beats the taste of a classic chicken and dressing casserole. It’s a dish loved by generations in my family.

The tender chicken, savory cornbread stuffing, and creamy sauce blend perfectly. This creates a dish that’s both nostalgic and indulgent.

This recipe is a true Southern comfort food. It uses simple ingredients and is easy to make. It’s perfect for family gatherings or holiday feasts. Whether you’re an experienced cook or new to the kitchen, this chicken and dressing recipe will bring Southern charm to your table.

Let’s explore the world of homemade stuffing and traditional chicken dressing. Get ready to relive childhood flavors or find a new family favorite with this irresistible recipe.

Key Takeaways

• This recipe combines tender chicken with a savory cornbread stuffing, perfect for holiday meals or Sunday dinners.
• The dish features a harmonious blend of flavors, including cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and French onion soup mix.
• Total preparation and cooking time is approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes, serving 3-12 people depending on the recipe variation.
• The recipe is easy to follow, making it accessible for both seasoned home cooks and novices in the kitchen.
• This dish captures the essence of traditional Southern comfort food, with a focus on simple, high-quality ingredients.

Traditional Southern Comfort: A Family Heritage Recipe

The classic southern chicken and dressing recipe has been a cherished family tradition for generations. This dish, passed down through the years, brings warm and comforting flavors. At its heart is a rich, buttery cornbread base, the foundation of the savory dressing.

Origins of Southern Chicken and Dressing

The beloved chicken and dressing recipe comes from the American South’s culinary traditions. Cornmeal, a staple in southern cooking, and aromatic herbs and spices show the region’s unique flavors. This recipe has united families, bringing joy through traditional southern comfort food.

Why This Recipe Stands Out

This southern chicken and dressing recipe is special because of its perfect flavor and texture balance. Homemade cornbread makes a dense, moist base that mixes well with the herb-seasoned stuffing. Together, they create a unique and delicious dressing that’s both comforting and satisfying.

Essential Ingredients for Perfect Chicken and Dressing

To make a tasty cornbread dressing or holiday stuffing, you need the right ingredients. The secret to a great chicken and dressing is mixing savory, aromatic, and textured elements. Let’s look at the key parts that make this dish so loved.

For the chicken, use boneless, skinless breasts for a lean and tender base. Add cream of chicken soup and sour cream for creaminess. French onion soup mix brings depth and richness to the flavor.

The cornbread is the dressing’s heart, made with yellow cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, eggs, and buttermilk. This classic cornbread is the perfect base for the other ingredients to shine.

Sweet onion and celery add flavor, while herbs like sage and thyme give it a special taste. Lots of chicken or turkey stock keep the dressing moist and tasty.

With these ingredients, you can make a cornbread dressing recipe or a delicious holiday stuffing. Your guests will love every bite.

Step-by-Step Chicken and Dressing Recipe

Making a tasty easy chicken dressing is simpler than you think. Just follow these easy steps to make a comforting homemade stuffing. It will impress your family and friends.

Preparing the Chicken

First, heat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Boil a whole chicken in salted water for 30 minutes until it’s cooked. Then, take the chicken out and let it cool.

Making the Cornbread Base

While the chicken cooks, make the cornbread base. Mix dry ingredients like cornmeal, flour, baking powder, and salt in a big bowl. In another bowl, mix wet ingredients like milk, eggs, and melted butter. Add the wet mix to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined.

Put the batter in a hot cast-iron skillet. Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 16-19 minutes until it’s golden.

Combining the Elements

After the chicken cools, shred or dice it into small pieces. In a skillet, cook onions and celery in butter until they’re soft and smell good. Break the baked cornbread into a big bowl and mix it with your favorite stuffing mix.

Add sautéed veggies, chicken, and a mix of melted butter, chicken broth, eggs, and spices (like sage, thyme, and poultry seasoning). Stir until everything is well mixed.

Put the chicken and dressing mix in a baking dish and cover it with foil. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 45-50 minutes. Remove the foil for the last 15-20 minutes to get a crispy top.

Enjoy your tasty easy chicken dressing hot, topped with fresh herbs or parsley. Serve it with creamy mashed potatoes, green beans, or coleslaw for a full meal.

Tips for Making the Most Flavorful Dressing

To make the best thanksgiving dressing or flavorful chicken dressing, mix cornbread with herb-seasoned stuffing mix. Sautéing onions and celery in butter adds a rich flavor. Don’t be shy with the butter for that traditional taste.

Season the dressing well with salt, pepper, and sage. Homemade chicken or turkey stock boosts the flavor. Letting it stand for 10 minutes before serving helps the flavors blend together beautifully.

1. Use a blend of cornbread and herb-seasoned stuffing mix for optimal texture and flavor.
2. Sauté onions and celery in butter to add depth and richness to the dressing.
3. Season liberally with salt, pepper, and sage to create a well-balanced taste.
4. Incorporate homemade chicken or turkey stock for a more flavorful dressing.
5. Allow the dressing to stand for 10 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld.

By following these tips and using the right ingredients, you can make your thanksgiving dressing or flavorful chicken dressing amazing. It will be the star of your family’s holiday feast.

Storing and Make-Ahead Instructions

Preparing a delicious chicken and dressing casserole can be done ahead of time. You can freeze it for later or prep the parts early. These tips will make it easy to enjoy this make-ahead stuffing and storing chicken dressing.

Reheating Methods

• To reheat the frozen dressing, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight.
• Once thawed, bake the dressing at 350°F until it’s heated through, about 20-30 minutes.
• If reheating refrigerated dressing, simply pop it back in the oven at 350°F until warmed through, approximately 15-20 minutes.

Follow these make-ahead stuffing and storing chicken dressing tips. This way, you can enjoy this comforting dish anytime, whether for a family gathering or a cozy meal at home.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This chicken and dressing recipe is both tasty and nutritious. The exact nutritional values depend on the ingredients used. On average, a serving has about 405 calories, 15 grams of fat, 24 grams of carbs, and 31 grams of protein.

The recipe makes about 16 servings, each being 1 cup. It’s perfect for big gatherings or leftovers all week.

This dish also has important vitamins and minerals. Each serving has 405IU of Vitamin A, 33mg of Calcium, and 1mg of Iron.

It’s great for big families or anyone wanting a filling meal. Knowing the serving size and nutritional facts helps you enjoy this Southern classic with confidence.

Variations and Substitutions

Want to try something new with chicken and dressing? This classic dish is super versatile. You can make it gluten-free or mix up the herbs for a unique taste.

Gluten-Free Options

For a gluten-free version, just use gluten-free dressing instead of regular cornbread. You can buy gluten-free bread cubes or make your own. This way, everyone can enjoy the dish, even those with dietary limits.

Herb Variations

While sage is common in chicken and dressing, you can try other herb variations. Mix thyme, rosemary, and parsley with sage for a richer flavor. Or, use homemade buttermilk biscuits instead of Pepperidge Farm stuffing for a twist.

For creamier dressing, use cream of celery soup or mix it with cream of chicken soup. This adds a savory richness.

This chicken and dressing recipe is all about personal taste. By trying different gluten-free dressing and herb variations, you can make it your own.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Getting the right dressing consistency is key for a tasty chicken and dressing dish. If your dressing is too dry, just add more broth or melted butter before baking. If it’s too wet, bake it uncovered longer to dry out the excess moisture.

To avoid a soggy bottom, put the dish on a lower oven rack. If the top browns too fast, cover it with foil to slow down the browning. Make sure the dish’s internal temperature hits 165°F (74°C) for safety.

With these easy tips, you can fix any issue with your chicken and dressing consistency. Whether it’s fixing dry stuffing or stopping a soggy bottom, these solutions will make your dish delicious and homemade.

Conclusion

This easy homemade chicken and dressing recipe is a mix of old and new. It’s perfect for holiday feasts or cozy family dinners. The dish has rich flavors and a satisfying texture that will make your taste buds happy.

The secret to this recipe’s success is using fresh, quality ingredients. The tender chicken and flavorful cornbread base work together beautifully. By following the steps and tips, you’ll make a delicious traditional chicken dressing every time.

FAQ

It takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes to prepare and cook this recipe.

How many people does this recipe serve?

This recipe can feed 3-12 people, depending on how you serve it.

What are the key ingredients in this Southern-style cornbread dressing?

The main ingredients are boneless skinless chicken breasts, cream of chicken soup, and sour cream. You’ll also need French onion soup mix, dry stuffing mix, and chicken broth. Don’t forget butter, yellow cornmeal, all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, eggs, and buttermilk.

How do you prepare the cornbread for the dressing?

First, mix the dry and wet ingredients separately. Then, combine them and bake in a preheated cast-iron skillet at 425°F for 16-19 minutes.

How do you assemble the chicken and dressing?

Start by sautéing onions and celery in butter. Then, mix the crumbled cornbread with stuffing mix, sautéed vegetables, and melted butter, stock, eggs, and seasonings. Bake the dressing for 45-50 minutes until it’s golden brown.

What are some tips for making the most flavorful dressing?

Use a mix of cornbread and herb-seasoned stuffing mix. Sauté the onions and celery in butter. Don’t be shy with the butter. Season with salt, pepper, and sage. Use homemade chicken or turkey stock for extra flavor.

How can I store and reheat leftover chicken and dressing?

You can make the cornbread up to 2 days in advance and store it at room temperature. Leftover dressing can be refrigerated for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge and bake at 350°F for 20-30 minutes.

What is the nutritional content of this chicken and dressing recipe?

A serving has about 236-640 calories, 5-49g fat, 16-65g carbohydrates, and 15-30g protein. The sodium content is 745-1436mg per serving.

Yes, you can make it gluten-free by using gluten-free cornbread and substituting the herb-seasoned stuffing with gluten-free bread cubes.