How to Make Delicious Homemade Chicken and Dressing from Scratch

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Chicken and dressing is a beloved comfort food dish that is perfect for holidays, family gatherings or a cozy weeknight dinner. Making chicken and dressing from scratch at home may sound intimidating but it’s actually quite easy with some simple tips. In this guide, you’ll learn all the steps for making flavorful homemade chicken and dressing that will impress your family and friends.

Ingredients for Chicken and Dressing

The star ingredients that go into homemade chicken and dressing are

  • Chicken – Shredded cooked chicken is key. You can use rotisserie chicken, but you can also poach, roast, or grill chicken breasts or thighs.

  • Dressing: To make a simple dressing at home, you’ll need chicken broth, carrots, celery, eggs, fresh herbs like thyme or sage, and bread cubes.

  • Condensed Soup – Chicken or mushroom condensed soup provides moisture, flavor and a creamy texture.

  • Seasonings – Herbs and spices like dried thyme, sage, poultry seasoning, salt, pepper and nutmeg provide big flavor

  • Onion and Celery – Diced onions and celery lend crunch and aromatic flavor.

  • Butter – Butter provides richness and keeps the dressing tender.

  • Chicken Broth – Use homemade or canned broth to moisten the bread cubes.

You can add chopped nuts, cranberries, cheese, mushrooms, or other vegetables to your homemade dressing to make it your own.

Steps for Making Chicken and Dressing

Follow these simple steps for outstanding homemade chicken and dressing.

1. Prepare the Bread Cubes

  • Cut or tear bread loaves into 1-inch cubes. Homemade bread works great but store bought is fine too.

  • Let the cubes sit out overnight to dry out slightly which helps them absorb flavors.

2. Cook the Aromatics

  • In butter, sauté diced onion and celery until softened and translucent. This builds a flavor base.

3. Make the Dressing

  • In a large bowl, mix together the chicken broth, herbs, spices, eggs, sautéed veggies and bread cubes. Toss gently to evenly coat.

  • For added richness, you can also melt some butter and drizzle it over the bread mixture.

4. Add the Chicken

  • Shred or chop your cooked chicken into bite-size pieces.

  • Layer the dressing and chicken in a baking dish, starting with a bit of dressing on the bottom.

5. Finish with Condensed Soup

  • In a small bowl, mix condensed soup with some water or milk to thin it to a pourable consistency.

  • Pour the thinned soup over the top of the chicken and dressing layers. This adds moisture and flavor.

6. Bake the Casserole

  • Cover the baking dish tightly with foil and bake at 350°F for about 50 minutes until hot and bubbling.

  • Remove foil and bake 10 more minutes to brown the top.

  • Let rest 10 minutes before serving.

And that’s it – your homemade chicken and dressing is ready to enjoy! The aroma while it bakes is amazing.

Helpful Tips for Delicious Chicken and Dressing

  • Allow the bread cubes to stale slightly for better flavor absorption.

  • Use a combo of white and wheat bread for depth of flavor.

  • Toast the bread cubes for more texture.

  • Sauté the onion and celery until softened but not browned.

  • Season generously with poultry seasoning, sage and thyme.

  • For moistness, add extra broth, butter or condensed soup if needed.

  • If dried out, stir in chicken broth and re-cover to continue baking.

  • Bake covered so the interior cooks through before the top crisps.

  • Check for doneness by inserting a knife into the center.

  • Let the casserole rest before serving so the flavors meld.

Creative Ways to Customize Chicken and Dressing

One of the best parts of homemade chicken and dressing is you can tweak it with your favorite flavors. Get creative with mix-ins like:

  • Diced apples or cranberries for a hint of sweetness

  • Toasted nuts like pecans or walnuts for crunch

  • Sauteed mushrooms or diced carrots for extra veggies

  • Mixed shredded cheese for gooey pockets

  • Chopped fresh sage or rosemary for herby flavor

  • Dijon mustard, hot sauce or roasted garlic for a kick

  • A splash of white wine or chicken stock for added moisture

With so many options for customization, you can create a chicken and dressing recipe perfectly suited for your family’s tastes. The possibilities are endless!

Serving Suggestions for Chicken and Dressing

Chicken and dressing is delicious on its own but also pairs well with various side dishes:

  • Green Beans – Fresh steamed green beans

  • Cranberry Sauce – Sweet, tart cranberry sauce

  • Mashed Potatoes – Creamy mashed potatoes

  • Vegetables – Roasted veggies like Brussels sprouts

  • Salad – A light green salad with vinaigrette

  • Dinner Rolls – Warm, soft dinner rolls or biscuits

  • Gravy – Rich turkey, chicken or sausage gravy

Storing and Freezing Leftovers

Chicken and dressing casserole lasts up to 5 days refrigerated. To freeze, allow it to cool completely then wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil. It will keep in the freezer for 2-3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating. Add a little chicken broth if it seems dry after reheating.

how do you make homemade chicken and dressing

Step 1: Prepare the stuffing

In a large saucepan, saute the onion and celery in butter until tender and then remove the mixture from the heat. Stir in the broth, seasonings and eggs. Add the bread cubes and parsley, and then toss to coat.

Transfer to a greased 13×9-inch baking dish and top with the chicken. Combine the soup and water to spoon over the chicken. Let it stand for 10 minutes.

Chicken and Dressing Variations

  • To make it spicier, add a can of roasted hatch chiles or some garlic powder, smoked paprika, or dried mustard powder.
  • Put some cheese on top. For a cheesy crust, mix shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese into the dressing and then sprinkle it on top before baking.
  • Add holiday flavors by mixing in chopped pecans and dried cranberries. This will give the dish a holiday feel that’s perfect for gatherings.
  • To make it vegetarian, swap out the chicken for sautéed mushrooms and extra vegetables like peas and carrots. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.

BEST SOUTHERN CORNBREAD CHICKEN AND DRESSING Recipe! How to make Chicken and Dressing| Soul Food

FAQ

What do I need for chicken and dressing?

Southern chicken and dressing is a delicious side dish with cornbread, vegetables, broth, eggs, spices, herbs, and shredded chicken combined to create a casserole and baked in the oven. Cornbread dressing is a quintessential Thanksgiving side dish in the South.

Is it better to use chicken broth or stock in dressing?

You can use either stock or broth for keeping dressing moist or as a basis for gravy, but a strong flavor will give you better results.

What is traditional dressing made of?

Stuffing (or dressing) usually starts with bread cubes, but it can also be made with a rice base. After adding the vegetables, herbs, and spices and baking it until it’s done, you have a filling, flavorful side dish that everyone loves at holiday parties!

Is chicken and dressing the same as stuffing?

Dressing is cooked in a separate dish. That is NOT accurate! Stuffing is made with bread and is stuffed in the bird. Dressing is made of cornbread and chicken and is baked.

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