Chicken & Stuffing Casserole

This comforting chicken and stuffing casserole brings all the cozy flavors families crave in one delicious dish! Perfect for busy weeknights or Sunday dinners, this hearty meal delivers amazing taste with wholesome ingredients that everyone will love.

Recipe Details

Timing & Servings: Prep Time: 25 minutes, Additional Time: 1 hour 5 minutes, Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes, Serves: 8 people, Yield: 10 cups.

Nutrition Profile: Nut-Free, Healthy Aging, Healthy Immunity, Low-Sodium, Soy-Free, High-Protein, Egg-Free, Low-Calorie.

Nutrition Facts (per serving): 329 Calories, 14g Fat, 25g Carbs, 25g Protein.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Multigrain bread: You’ll need 6 cups of cubed bread (about 12 ounces), cut into 1/2 inch pieces. This gives you that perfect stuffing texture with extra nutrition from the multigrain goodness!

Chicken broth: 1½ cups of no-salt-added chicken broth creates the flavorful base. The low-sodium version lets you control the salt level perfectly.

Cornstarch: Just 2 tablespoons helps thicken everything into that creamy, comforting consistency we all love.

Unsalted butter: 4 tablespoons divided – some for cooking the veggies and the rest for that golden, crispy top. Nothing beats real butter for flavor!

Yellow onion: 1 cup chopped gives you that sweet, savory base flavor. Yellow onions work perfectly here, but white onions are great too.

Carrot: ½ cup chopped adds natural sweetness and beautiful color. Plus, it’s a sneaky way to get more veggies into this comfort food!

Celery: ½ cup chopped brings that classic stuffing flavor and nice crunch. It’s what makes this taste like traditional holiday stuffing.

Cooked chicken breast: 3 cups shredded – you can use rotisserie chicken to save time, or cook your own. Either way works beautifully!

Sour cream: 1 cup adds incredible creaminess and tang. This is what makes the casserole extra rich and satisfying.

Fresh thyme: 1 teaspoon chopped brings that earthy, aromatic flavor. Fresh thyme really makes a difference, but dried works in a pinch.

Poultry seasoning: 1 teaspoon gives you all those classic herb flavors in one convenient blend. It’s like stuffing magic in a bottle!

Kosher salt: ¾ teaspoon enhances all the flavors perfectly. Kosher salt dissolves evenly and tastes clean.

Ground pepper: ½ teaspoon adds just the right amount of warmth and spice to balance everything out.

How to Make Chicken & Stuffing Casserole

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Spread bread cubes in a single layer on a large rimmed baking sheet. Bake for about 15 minutes until evenly toasted and crispy. Let them cool for about 10 minutes – they’ll smell amazing!

Step 2: While bread toasts, whisk broth and cornstarch in a small saucepan until completely smooth. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring often. Cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly, until thick and glossy. Pour into a large heatproof bowl and let cool for 10 minutes.

Step 3: Heat 1 tablespoon butter in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, carrot, and celery. Cook for 5 to 8 minutes, stirring often, until softened and fragrant. The veggies should look tender and smell incredible!

Step 4: Add the cooked veggies to your broth mixture. Stir in chicken, sour cream, thyme, poultry seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix until everything is thoroughly combined and creamy.

Step 5: Measure 1½ cups of toasted bread cubes into a small bowl and set aside. Stir the remaining bread cubes into your chicken mixture. Coat a 2-quart baking dish with cooking spray and spoon in the chicken mixture.

Step 6: Melt the remaining 3 tablespoons butter in a small microwaveable bowl for about 30 seconds. Toss with the reserved bread cubes until well coated. Sprinkle evenly over the chicken mixture for that perfect golden top!

Step 7: Bake for about 30 minutes until golden and bubbly around the edges. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving – this helps it set up beautifully and prevents burns!

Easy and Quick Chicken & Stuffing Casserole Version

Want to save time? You can skip toasting the bread cubes and use them straight from the bag! Just reduce the baking time to about 25 minutes since the bread won’t need as much time to get crispy. Also, grab a rotisserie chicken from the store instead of cooking your own – it tastes just as amazing and saves you tons of time!

Serving Ideas

This casserole is practically a complete meal all by itself! Serve it with a simple green salad with tangy vinaigrette or some steamed green beans. A side of cranberry sauce adds a lovely sweet-tart contrast that reminds everyone of holiday flavors.

Storage

Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days in a covered container. To reheat, cover with foil and warm in a 350°F oven for about 20 minutes, or microwave individual portions for 1-2 minutes until heated through.

Substitutions

No multigrain bread? Regular white or whole wheat bread works perfectly! You can swap Greek yogurt for sour cream if you want extra protein. Fresh herbs can be replaced with 1/3 the amount of dried herbs – so use about 1/3 teaspoon dried thyme instead.

Pro Tips

• Perfect texture: Don’t skip toasting the bread – it prevents soggy casserole and adds amazing flavor!
• Make-ahead magic: Assemble everything except the buttered bread topping up to 24 hours ahead. Add the topping right before baking.
• Crispy top secret: For extra golden tops, broil for the last 2-3 minutes of baking time.
• Flavor boost: Add a splash of white wine to the broth mixture for restaurant-quality taste!

FAQs

Can I freeze this casserole?

You bet! This casserole freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil, or store in a freezer-safe container. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating in a 350°F oven for about 30 minutes.

What if I don’t have poultry seasoning?

No worries! You can make your own by mixing together sage, thyme, rosemary, and marjoram. Or just use extra thyme and a pinch of sage – it’ll still taste amazing!

Can I use leftover turkey instead of chicken?

Sure! Turkey works perfectly in this recipe. It’s actually a fantastic way to use up holiday turkey leftovers. Just use the same amount and follow the recipe exactly as written.

How do I know when it’s done baking?

Look for golden brown tops and bubbling around the edges. The center should be hot when you insert a knife – if it comes out steaming, you’re all set! The top should look crispy and beautiful.

I’d love to hear how this casserole turns out for you! Drop a comment and let me know if your family loved it as much as mine does. Happy cooking, friends!