Cozy Chicken & Stuffing Casserole Recipe for Family Dinners

Comfort meets creativity in this hearty chicken & stuffing casserole that promises to warm your soul.

Layers of tender chicken nestle between savory bread cubes, creating a dish that speaks directly to home-cooked memories.

Childhood favorite meets modern kitchen magic with each carefully crafted bite.

Crispy edges promise delightful texture while rich, creamy components blend seamlessly throughout the casserole.

Simple ingredients collaborate to produce something truly extraordinary on your dinner plate.

Minimal effort yields maximum satisfaction, making this recipe a weeknight champion that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Your dinner table awaits a delicious adventure that transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal.

Comforting Chicken & Stuffing Casserole to Try

• Rescue Weeknight Dinners: A one-dish marvel that transforms simple ingredients into a satisfying meal with minimal kitchen chaos.
• Comfort Food Champion: Delivers nostalgic, hearty flavors that remind you of home-cooked goodness with its creamy chicken base and crispy stuffing topping.
• Family-Friendly Feast: Packed with kid-approved ingredients that even picky eaters will love, making mealtime stress-free and delicious.
• Quick Crowd-Pleaser: Requires minimal prep work and bakes in under an hour, perfect for busy households craving a substantial and flavorful dinner.

Ingredients to Make This Classic

• Shredded Chicken: Tender protein that forms the base of the casserole and provides hearty flavor.
• Stuffing Mix: Classic bread-based mixture that adds texture and traditional comfort food taste.
• Cream of Chicken Soup: Creamy binder that helps combine ingredients and adds rich, savory moisture.

• Thyme: Aromatic herb that brings a subtle earthy and slightly minty note to the dish.
• Milk: Liquid that helps create a smooth and creamy consistency in the chicken mixture.
• Melted Butter: Rich ingredient that adds moisture and helps bind the stuffing mix.

• Fried Onions, Foil: Crispy topping that provides a crunchy texture and golden brown finish to the casserole.

Step-by-Step Chicken & Stuffing Casserole Instructions

Step 1: Fire Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 350F (175C). Grab your 9×13-inch baking dish and give it a quick spray or butter rub to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Create the Chicken Base

• Shredded chicken
• Cream of chicken soup
• Dried thyme
• Whole milk

Stir everything together until well combined. Pour this creamy mixture into your prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly.

Step 3: Prepare the Stuffing Topping

In a separate bowl, melt some butter and pour it over the stuffing mix. Mix thoroughly so every crumb gets coated with buttery goodness.

Gently spread this golden mixture over the chicken layer.

Step 4: Add Crispy Crunch

Sprinkle crispy fried onions across the top of the casserole for an extra layer of deliciousness.

Step 5: First Baking Round

Cover the dish with aluminum foil and slide it into the preheated oven. Bake for 20 minutes to let all the flavors meld together.

Step 6: Crisp and Golden Finish

Remove the foil and return the casserole to the oven. Bake for another 10 minutes until the top turns a beautiful golden brown.

Step 7: Serve and Savor

Pull the casserole out and let it rest for a moment. Serve piping hot and watch everyone dig in with excitement!

Tips That Help the Casserole Shine

• Use rotisserie chicken or leftover roasted chicken for extra flavor and convenience.
• Swap cream of chicken soup with low-fat cream of chicken or homemade white sauce to reduce calories.
• Ensure fried onions are added in the last 10 minutes of baking to prevent burning and maintain crispy texture.
• Experiment with fresh thyme or add rosemary for a more complex, aromatic profile.
• Replace traditional stuffing mix with gluten-free bread cubes and seasoning for those with dietary restrictions.

Variations to Change the Flavor Profile

• Southwestern Fiesta: Add diced green chiles, corn, and replace cream of chicken soup with salsa for a zesty Mexican-inspired version.
• Mediterranean Herb: Incorporate feta cheese, oregano, and sun-dried tomatoes into the chicken mixture for a Greek-style casserole.
• Veggie Loaded: Mix in roasted vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and spinach to boost nutrition and add extra flavor.
• Cheesy Bacon Upgrade: Sprinkle crispy bacon bits and shredded cheddar cheese between chicken and stuffing layers for a rich, indulgent twist.

Side Dishes That Work Well

• Pair Crisp White Wine: Chardonnay's buttery notes perfectly balance the rich, creamy casserole, cutting through its dense texture while enhancing the dish's savory profile.
• Serve Roasted Green Vegetables: Garlic-roasted broccoli or green beans add a fresh, light counterpoint to the hearty casserole, providing needed color and nutritional balance.
• Create Fresh Citrus Salad: Bright orange and mixed green salad with a zesty vinaigrette helps cleanse the palate between bites, adding refreshing contrast to the warm, comforting casserole.
• Select Smooth Red Blend: A medium-bodied red wine like Pinot Noir complements the chicken's flavor and stands up to the robust stuffing without overwhelming the dish.

Best Practices for Storing Leftovers

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Cool completely before sealing to prevent moisture buildup.

Wrap tightly in freezer-safe container or aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Label with date and contents.

Place individual portion on microwave-safe plate. Cover with damp paper towel. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until thoroughly warm.

Preheat oven to 350F. Place casserole in baking dish, cover with foil to prevent drying. Warm for 15-20 minutes, removing foil last 5 minutes to crisp the stuffing topping.

FAQs

• Is this dish good for meal prep?

Yes, you can prepare the casserole ahead of time and refrigerate it before baking. Just add an extra 10-15 minutes to the baking time when cooking from cold.

• Can I use rotisserie chicken for this recipe?

Absolutely! Rotisserie chicken works great and can save you time in shredding chicken. Just remove the meat from the bones and shred it before mixing with other ingredients.

• What if I don't have cream of chicken soup?

You can substitute with cream of mushroom soup or make a homemade white sauce using butter, flour, and milk. These alternatives will work well in maintaining the creamy texture.

Chicken & Stuffing Casserole Recipe

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4.5 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty chicken & stuffing casserole brings comfort from grandma’s kitchen to your dinner table. Savory layers of tender chicken, herbed stuffing, and creamy sauce create a classic midwestern meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 4 cups rotisserie chicken, shredded

Soup and Dairy:

• 2 (10-12 ounces) cans cream of chicken soup
• 1 cup milk
• 1 stick (1/2 cup or 113 grams) butter, melted

Stuffing and Seasoning:

• 1 (8-ounce) package (approximately 3–3.4 cups) dry stuffing mix
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 cup canned fried onions

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to 350F (175C) and lightly coat a 9×13-inch baking vessel with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
2. Combine shredded chicken, creamy condensed poultry soup, aromatic thyme, and smooth milk in a spacious mixing bowl, creating a rich and savory foundation.
3. Transfer the chicken mixture into the prepared baking dish, ensuring an even layer across the bottom.
4. In a separate container, drench the dry stuffing mix with melted butter, massaging until every crumb is thoroughly saturated and glistening.
5. Delicately distribute the buttery stuffing mixture over the chicken layer, creating a uniform blanket of herbed bread crumbs.
6. Scatter crispy fried onions across the top, adding a delightful crunch and golden-brown accent.
7. Shield the casserole with aluminum foil and slide into the preheated oven for 20 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and chicken to heat through.
8. Remove the foil and return to the oven for an additional 10 minutes, letting the surface transform into a crisp, appetizing golden crust.
9. Allow the casserole to rest for a few minutes before serving, which helps the dish set and intensifies its comforting flavors.

Notes

• Swap chicken for turkey or plant-based protein to create diverse meal options for different dietary preferences.
• Reduce sodium by using low-sodium cream of chicken soup and homemade stuffing mix to control salt content.
• Add fresh vegetables like diced carrots or peas into the chicken mixture for extra nutrition and color variety.
• Use gluten-free stuffing mix and cream of chicken soup to make this recipe completely gluten-free and suitable for those with wheat sensitivities.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 456 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 820 mg
• Fat: 27 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 26 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg