Name: Grandma's Amazing Chicken Dressing Casserole
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded; 1 package (8 ounces) cornbread stuffing mix; 1 cup chopped celery; 1 cup chopped onion; 1/2 cup butter, melted; 1 1/2 cups chicken broth; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

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Okay, let me tell you about THIS chicken dressing casserole. It’s not just a dish; it’s like a warm hug in a baking dish, you know? My grandma used to make this when I was a kid, especially around Thanksgiving, and the smell alone would make my stomach rumble. It’s the kind of comfort food that just makes everything feel right with the world. It’s so incredibly easy, too, which is a lifesaver when you’re busy. This recipe has become my go-to, and everyone always asks for it!

Why You’ll Love This Chicken Dressing Casserole

Seriously, this casserole is a winner for so many reasons:

It’s ridiculously easy to throw together – seriously, like 15 minutes tops!
The flavor is just *chef’s kiss* – savory, comforting, and totally delicious.
It’s perfect for holidays, potlucks, or just a cozy weeknight dinner.
It uses simple ingredients you probably already have!

Essential Ingredients for Chicken Dressing Casserole

Alright, let’s talk about what goes into this magic. It’s all about simple, good stuff that comes together perfectly. You’ll need:

2 cups of cooked chicken, just shredded up – leftover rotisserie chicken is a total lifesaver here!
One package of that good old cornbread stuffing mix (the 8-ounce kind works best).
1 cup of celery, chopped up nice and fine.
1 cup of onion, also chopped finely. I usually go for yellow onion, it’s got that sweet little bite.
Half a cup of butter, melted. Don’t skimp on the butter, it’s key!
1 and a half cups of chicken broth. Low-sodium is great, so you can control the saltiness yourself.
A teaspoon of kosher salt.
Half a teaspoon of black pepper, freshly ground if you can.
And a quarter cup of fresh parsley, chopped. It just brightens everything up!

Okay, let’s get this amazing Chicken Dressing Casserole into the oven! It’s really pretty simple, I promise. First things first, you’ll want to preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, or 175 Celsius. That’s the sweet spot for getting it all bubbly and golden.

In a big bowl, you’re going to combine all your yummy dry stuff and the chicken. So, toss in that shredded chicken, the cornbread stuffing mix, the chopped celery, and the chopped onion. Give it a little stir to get things started.
Next, grab that melted butter and drizzle it all over the chicken and stuffing mixture. Toss it all together really well. You want every bit of that stuffing mix to get a little bit coated in butter.
In a separate little bowl, whisk together your chicken broth, salt, and pepper. This is where you get all the savory goodness going on!
Now, pour that liquid mixture over everything in the big bowl. Add in your fresh parsley – it just makes everything look and taste so much brighter. Stir it all up until it’s just combined. Don’t overmix, you don’t want to mush it all up!
Finally, get a 9×13 inch baking dish ready – a little grease or spray works wonders so nothing sticks. Pour your glorious chicken dressing mixture into the dish and spread it out evenly.
Pop it into that preheated oven and bake it for about 25 to 30 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the top is beautifully golden brown and it’s all heated through and smelling incredible.

Pro Tips for the Perfect Chicken Dressing Casserole

Want to take this casserole from good to absolutely *amazing*? Try adding a little pinch of poultry seasoning to the broth mixture. It really pumps up that classic dressing flavor! If you’re craving something a bit creamier, swap out about half a cup of the chicken broth for some cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup. Trust me, it adds a whole other level of deliciousness!

Variations to Your Chicken Dressing Casserole

Don’t be afraid to play around with this! You can toss in some different herbs like thyme or sage if you have them. Some chopped mushrooms or a handful of frozen peas stirred in with the veggies is also super tasty. And honestly? Using shredded rotisserie chicken is my secret weapon for making this even faster and adding extra flavor. So easy!

This Chicken Dressing Casserole is just begging to be served! It’s fantastic as a side dish, especially alongside roasted chicken or turkey, but honestly, it’s so hearty and flavorful, I’ve totally eaten it straight from the dish as a main course. It just hits the spot!

Now, if you happen to have any leftovers (which is rare in my house!), you’ll want to store them right. Just pop any extra casserole into an airtight container and pop it in the fridge. It should keep well in there for about 3-4 days. To reheat, I usually just pop a portion back into a 350°F oven for about 10-15 minutes until it’s nice and warm all the way through. You can also microwave it, but the oven gives it that lovely crisp top back!

Frequently Asked Questions About Chicken Dressing Casserole

Got questions about this delicious Chicken Dressing Casserole? I’ve got answers!

Can I make this ahead of time? Absolutely! You can totally assemble the casserole, cover it tightly, and keep it in the fridge for up to 24 hours before baking. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time. It’s a lifesaver for busy holidays!

What kind of chicken is best for this Chicken Dressing Casserole? Honestly, shredded cooked chicken is the way to go. Leftover rotisserie chicken is my absolute favorite because it’s already seasoned and super tender. But plain boiled or baked chicken works perfectly too!

Can I use a different type of stuffing mix? You sure can! While cornbread is classic, a regular bread stuffing mix works great too. Just follow the package instructions for how much liquid it usually calls for, though you might need to adjust slightly based on the other ingredients in this recipe.

How do I make it vegetarian? Easy peasy! Just swap out the chicken for sautéed mushrooms and maybe some extra veggies like peas or carrots. And be sure to use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. It’s still super savory and comforting!

Can I freeze this Chicken Dressing Casserole? Yes, you can! Bake it first, let it cool completely, then cover it tightly and freeze. To reheat, thaw it in the fridge overnight and then bake as directed, or reheat from frozen at a lower temperature (around 300°F) for longer, until heated through.

Estimated Nutritional Information for Chicken Dressing Casserole

Just a heads-up, these numbers are estimates! They can totally change depending on the brands you use and how you make it. But generally, one serving of this yummy Chicken Dressing Casserole has about:

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 350
Fat: 18g
Protein: 20g
Carbohydrates: 30g