I’m thrilled to share one of my all-time favorite recipes with you – Chicken And Stuffing Bake. This dish is a staple in my home, and I’m certain it’ll become a favorite in yours too! The combination of juicy chicken, creamy soup, and flavorful stuffing is just unbeatable. It’s hearty, comforting, and oh-so-satisfying. Perfect for those chilly nights when you just want a warm, filling meal. This dish hails from the heart of American home cooking, where casseroles reign supreme. It’s a versatile recipe that you can adapt based on what you have on hand. Got leftover turkey from Thanksgiving? You can use that instead of chicken! And the stuffing – well, it’s the star of the show. It adds a delicious layer of flavor and texture that just ties the whole dish together. What I love about this recipe is how easy it is to prepare. You just layer the ingredients, bake, and voila! A delicious dinner is served. Plus, it’s a great way to use up leftover chicken or turkey. So not only is it tasty, but it’s also practical. Whether you’re a seasoned home cook or just starting out in the kitchen, this recipe is a winner. It’s simple, straightforward, and absolutely scrumptious. So, let’s dive in and get cooking!
Ingredients
- 3 c. cut cooked chicken or turkey
- 1 medium stalk celery, chopped
- 1/2 c. water
- 1 c. condensed cream of chicken soup
- 3 1/2 c. herb seasoned croutons
- 1 medium onion
- 1/3 c. margarine or butter
- 1 1/2 c. water
Baking Instructions
- Place chicken in ungreased 2-quart casserole or 9 x 9 x 2-inch baking pan.
- Toss croutons, celery and onion with the 1/2 cup water and the margarine until croutons are moistened.
- Reserve about 1 1/2 cups of this stuffing.
- Spread remaining stuffing over chicken.
- Mix soup with 1 1/2 cups water; pour over stuffing.
- Top with reserved stuffing.
- Cook, uncovered, in a 350° oven for about 30 minutes.
Calorie: 300
Total cooking time: 30 minutes
Difficulty level: Easy
The Chicken Dance in my Kitchen
Now, who doesn’t love a good chicken dance? No, I’m not talking about the wedding reception kind, I’m talking about the one that happens in my kitchen when I’m about to cook up some delicious chicken and stuffing bake.
Don’t Be Chicken of the Chicken
The key to this dish is, unsurprisingly, chicken. If you’re feeling particularly ambitious, or just have a lot of leftover Thanksgiving turkey you’re trying to get rid of, you could substitute turkey. But let me tell you, there’s something about the humble chicken that just hits different, especially when it’s cut cooked into 3 cups of pure poultry goodness.
Stalking the Perfect Stalk of Celery
Next up is celery. Not the most glamorous of vegetables, but let me tell you, it adds a crunch that will make your taste buds do a little happy dance. One medium stalk should do the trick. And make sure it’s chopped! Nothing ruins a dish faster than biting into a huge chunk of celery.
Water You Waiting For?
Now, when I say water, you might be thinking, “Eh, water, boring.” Right? Well, hold on to your oven mitts because this isn’t just any water, it’s half a cup of the finest H2O your tap can provide. And believe it or not, it’s going into the stuffing. Mind blown, right?
Cream of the Crop
Then comes the condensed cream of chicken soup. It’s the secret ingredient that makes this dish so special. It’s like a little can of magic, adding a richness and depth of flavor that elevates this dish to a whole new level.
Croutons: More Than Salad Toppers
Herb seasoned croutons are kind of like the unsung heroes of this dish. Sure, they’re great on salads, but in this recipe, they transform into a flavorful, crunchy topping that’s just to die for.
An Onion Love Story
Onion. The tear-jerker of the kitchen. But don’t let those tears deter you, because once you’ve diced that medium onion and added it to the mix, you’re in for a flavor party.
Margarine vs. Butter: The Ultimate Showdown
Now, whether you use margarine or butter might be a personal preference, but I’ll let you in on a secret: I always use butter. There’s something about it that just feels more indulgent.
The Magic Happens
Once you’ve assembled your ingredients, the real fun begins. Placing chicken in an ungreased 2-quart casserole or a 9 x 9 x 2-inch baking pan might not sound exciting, but trust me, it’s the beginning of something beautiful. Tossing the croutons, celery, and onion with water and margarine until the croutons are moistened is where the magic happens.
The Finishing Touches
Now, you’ll want to reserve about 1 1/2 cups of this stuffing for later. Spread the remaining stuffing over the chicken, mix the soup with 1 1/2 cups water, pour that over the stuffing and top with the reserved stuffing.
Into the Oven and Onto Your Plate
Cooking, uncovered, in a 350° oven for about 30 minutes might sound simple, but it’s the culmination of all your hard work. The moment when all the flavors come together to create a dish that’s more than just a meal, it’s a memory.
So, there you have it. My humorous, relatable, and slightly chaotic guide to making chicken and stuffing bake. Now, go forth and conquer the kitchen!
