Chicken And Dressing is a comforting dish that has graced dinner tables for generations. This flavorful meal consists of tender, juicy chicken served with a savory, herb-infused dressing, often made from cornbread, herbs, vegetables, and broth.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
Chicken and Dressing is the ultimate comfort food, offering a perfect mix of flavors that are both hearty and satisfying. The tender, roasted chicken pairs beautifully with the savory dressing, which is made from a rich combination of cornbread, herbs, and broth. What makes this dish even more amazing is its versatility. Whether you serve it for a family dinner, during the holiday season, or even as a meal prep option, Chicken and Dressing never disappoints.
The dressing itself has a wonderful texture – moist, yet slightly crisp around the edges, thanks to being baked to perfection. The chicken is often roasted or slow-cooked, giving it a deep, rich flavor that pairs perfectly with the aromatic herbs in the dressing. It’s truly a dish that combines simplicity with rich, comforting flavors.
Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Chicken and Dressing
Use a Mix of Meats for More Flavor: While chicken is the star of this dish, adding some turkey to the mix can bring even more depth and flavor to the dressing. If you have leftover turkey after the holidays, it’s a great addition to this recipe.
Stale Cornbread is Best: For the dressing, use cornbread that’s a day or two old. The slightly stale cornbread absorbs the broth better, giving the dressing the perfect texture. If you don’t have any leftover cornbread, simply make some a day ahead and let it cool before using it in the dressing.
Don’t Skip the Broth: The broth is essential for giving the dressing its moist, flavorful texture. Chicken or turkey broth is ideal, but vegetable broth can be used for a lighter flavor. Make sure you pour enough broth to make the dressing moist, but not soggy.
Season Generously: The herbs you use in the dressing are what bring the flavor to life. Sage, thyme, and rosemary are classic choices, but don’t be afraid to experiment with other fresh herbs like parsley or even a little garlic powder for extra depth.
Make it Ahead of Time: Chicken and Dressing is an excellent make-ahead dish. You can assemble the dressing the night before, store it in the refrigerator, and then bake it when you’re ready to serve. This allows the flavors to meld together even more, making the dish even more delicious.
Variations of Chicken and Dressing
- Cajun Chicken and Dressing: For a bit of a spicy twist, add some Cajun seasoning to the chicken and dressing mix. You can even toss in some diced bell peppers and onions for a flavorful, Southern-style version.
- Vegetarian Dressing: If you’re looking to make a meatless version, simply omit the chicken and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. The dressing will still be rich and flavorful with the right seasonings and herbs.
- Sausage and Dressing: Some people love adding sausage to their Chicken and Dressing for a heartier version. Brown the sausage in a skillet, crumble it up, and stir it into the dressing mixture before baking. It’s a delicious addition that adds richness and flavor.
- Slow Cooker Chicken and Dressing: For a more hands-off approach, you can make Chicken and Dressing in a slow cooker. After cooking the chicken and preparing the dressing, combine them in the slow cooker and cook on low for 4–6 hours. This method gives you juicy chicken and perfectly moist dressing.
- Cornbread Dressing with Chicken Gravy: If you want an extra indulgent touch, top the dish with homemade chicken gravy. The richness of the gravy complements the dressing and chicken perfectly.
How to Serve Chicken and Dressing
Chicken and Dressing is often served as the main course of a comforting meal. It pairs wonderfully with simple side dishes like mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a crisp green salad. If you’re preparing it for the holiday season, it pairs perfectly with cranberry sauce, steamed green beans, or collard greens.
For a more complete meal, you can serve Chicken and Dressing alongside cornbread or a fluffy dinner roll to soak up any extra gravy or dressing. If you’re feeling a little adventurous, a side of creamy mac and cheese also complements the dish beautifully.
How to Store Chicken and Dressing
Chicken and Dressing is an excellent dish for leftovers and can be stored in the refrigerator or frozen for later enjoyment.
- Refrigeration: Once you’ve enjoyed your Chicken and Dressing, store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to eat, simply reheat in the oven at 350°F for about 20 minutes, or until heated through.
- Freezing: Chicken and Dressing also freezes well. After it’s completely cooled, place it in a freezer-safe container or wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and bake at 350°F for 30-40 minutes, or until it’s fully heated.
Recipe FAQs
1. Can I make Chicken and Dressing with chicken breasts instead of thighs?
While chicken breasts can be used in this dish, chicken thighs are recommended for their moisture and richness. If you prefer chicken breasts, be sure to cook them in a way that keeps them juicy, like baking or slow-cooking.
2. Can I prepare the dressing ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the dressing a day ahead and store it in the refrigerator. Simply bake it the next day when you’re ready to serve. This also helps the flavors to meld together.
3. How can I make the dressing more flavorful?
To add depth to the dressing, consider using homemade chicken or turkey broth. You can also sauté the vegetables (onions, celery, etc.) before adding them to the dressing to bring out their natural sweetness.
4. Can I make Chicken and Dressing without cornbread?
While cornbread is the traditional base for this dish, you can substitute with white or whole wheat bread, if necessary. Just ensure the bread is a bit stale so it absorbs the broth and flavors properly.
5. How do I prevent the dressing from becoming too dry?
To ensure your dressing is perfectly moist, be sure to add enough broth while mixing the dressing ingredients. The dressing should be moist, but not soggy. You can always add more broth as it bakes if needed.
Chicken And Dressing
Chicken And Dressing is a comforting dish that has graced dinner tables for generations. This flavorful meal consists of tender, juicy chicken served with a savory, herb-infused dressing, often made from cornbread, herbs, vegetables, and broth.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 4 chicken thighs
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cups water
- 2 stalks celery
- 2 garlic cloves
For the Dressing:
- 1 pan skillet cornbread (baked)
- 12 oz package herb-seasoned classic stuffing
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 cup diced celery
- 1 large onion, diced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3-4 cups chicken broth
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 tbsp + 2 tsp ground sage
- 1 tbsp + 2 tsp granulated garlic
- 1 tbsp chopped rosemary
- 1 tbsp ground pepper
- 2 tsp kosher salt
- Non-stick cooking spray
Instructions
- Cook the Chicken: Season chicken thighs with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a deep skillet or heavy pan over medium-high heat. Brown chicken on both sides for about 8–10 minutes. Add water, celery, and garlic cloves. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside to cool. Shred or roughly chop the chicken, discarding skin and bones. Set the broth aside.
- Prepare the Dressing: Preheat oven to 350°F. Crumble the baked cornbread into a large bowl and add the seasoned stuffing crumbs.
- Cook the Vegetables: In a skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add diced onions and celery, cooking until softened. Stir in heavy cream and mix well. Pour this mixture over the crumbled cornbread and add the shredded chicken.
- Combine the Broth and Eggs: Mix 2 cups of reserved chicken broth with the beaten eggs, then pour it over the cornbread mixture. Stir until well combined. Gradually add more broth (½ cup at a time) until the mixture is moistened but not runny.
- Season the Mixture: Add granulated garlic, sage, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Stir until thoroughly mixed.
- Bake: Spray a 9x13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Pour the dressing mixture into the dish, spreading evenly. Cover with foil and bake for 1 hour. Remove foil and bake for another 30 minutes, or until the top is golden and the edges are crispy.
- Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container or wrapped in plastic wrap for up to 3 days in the fridge.
- Reheating: To reheat, place leftovers in a 325°F oven for 15-20 minutes, or heat in a skillet over medium heat, turning to warm from both sides.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 16 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 267Total Fat: 20gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 102mgSodium: 1079mgCarbohydrates: 12gFiber: 4gSugar: 2gProtein: 14g
Chickenrecipes.blog, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although allchickenrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
Final Thoughts
Chicken and Dressing is a dish that embodies comfort, warmth, and tradition. With its savory flavors and satisfying textures, it’s perfect for any occasion—from weeknight dinners to holiday feasts. Whether you stick to the classic recipe or add your own personal twist, Chicken and Dressing is sure to be a hit with everyone at the table. Take the time to make this dish, and you’ll enjoy a meal that’s full of love, flavor, and memories.
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