Golden Chicken and Stuffing Bake

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• Effortless Last-Minute Dinner Solution: Life gets hectic, and having a reliable, quick dinner recipe in your repertoire is a game-changer. This chicken and stuffing casserole perfectly fits the bill. Forget complicated meal prep – simply combine all the ingredients directly in your baking dish, eliminating the need for extra mixing bowls. From prep to plate, this delightful meal is ready to serve in under 30 minutes, making it ideal for those busy evenings when time is a luxury.

• Minimal Prep and Cleanup: One of the greatest advantages of this Stove Top stuffing chicken casserole is its minimal demand for preparation and cleanup. As a true one-pan wonder, the entire meal is assembled and baked in a single dish. This means less scrubbing and more time enjoying your evening. It’s the ultimate comfort food experience, delivered without the usual kitchen mess, making it a dream come true for any home cook.

• Incredibly Easy and Deeply Satisfying: This recipe is so straightforward and satisfying that it encourages you to keep a box of Stove Top stuffing and some shredded poultry in your freezer. This ensures you’re always just moments away from whipping up a warm, flavorful, and hearty dinner. Its unmatched ease and delicious taste will quickly elevate it to a prominent spot among your family’s favorite go-to meals, providing consistent comfort and joy.

Seeking more inspiring shredded poultry recipes? Explore our other fantastic options like Crockpot Honey Mustard Chicken, BBQ Shredded Chicken Sliders, or Shredded Chicken Tacos for more convenient and flavorful meal ideas!

• Cream of Chicken Soup: This forms the foundational creamy base of your casserole. Any brand of condensed creamy chicken soup will work beautifully. For an extra layer of flavor or if you don’t have chicken soup, cream of celery or cream of mushroom soup can be excellent substitutes, providing a similar rich consistency.
• Cream of Mushroom Soup: Adding cream of mushroom soup contributes depth and a savory umami note to the sauce. Feel free to use any preferred brand. If mushrooms aren’t your preference, a second can of cream of chicken soup or cream of celery soup can be used as a seamless alternative.
• Milk: For the most luscious and creamy sauce, we highly recommend using whole milk or 2% milk. These options provide the best richness and consistency, ensuring your casserole is perfectly velvety. Skim milk can be used, but may result in a slightly thinner sauce.
• Seasonings: The right blend of seasonings is crucial for elevating the flavor profile of this chicken stuffing bake. Our recipe calls for a mix that enhances the natural taste of the chicken and stuffing. For a vibrant, fresh flavor, consider replacing dried garlic or onion powder with a minced fresh garlic clove or a cup of finely chopped fresh onions. These fresh additions will deepen the aromatic qualities of your dish.
• Shredded, Cooked Chicken: This ingredient makes the casserole incredibly convenient. You can opt for store-bought rotisserie chicken for ultimate ease, or prepare your own. For quick homemade shredded chicken, try using your Instant Pot for chicken tenderloins or follow our guide for shredded chicken in the Instant Pot. If using frozen cooked chicken, ensure it is thoroughly thawed before incorporating it into the recipe. If you prefer to use raw, thawed poultry, remember to extend the baking time to 40 minutes to ensure it cooks completely.
• Frozen Mixed Vegetables: A colorful blend of frozen mixed vegetables (such as carrots, peas, and green beans) adds essential nutrients, texture, and visual appeal. You can also use canned and drained mixed vegetables, or fresh alternatives like diced carrots, celery, or green beans. If using raw carrots, we suggest shredding them to ensure they cook evenly and become tender within the casserole’s baking time. Chop fresh green beans into bite-sized pieces for optimal enjoyment.
• Chicken Broth or Stock: This liquid is vital for moistening the stuffing and adding savory flavor. If you, like many home cooks, prefer the convenience and intense flavor of Better Than Bouillon, simply mix 1 ½ teaspoons of the bouillon paste with 1 ½ cups of hot water as a fantastic substitute for the broth or stock.
• Stove Top Stuffing Mix: This ingredient is the star of the topping, providing that classic, buttery, and seasoned flavor. While Stove Top is a popular choice, any brand of seasoned stuffing mix will work wonderfully in this stuffing bake recipe. You can even elevate the dish further by using your own homemade stuffing. Remember to disregard the cooking instructions on the stuffing box, as it will cook directly within the casserole.
• Fresh Parsley: A sprinkle of minced fresh parsley at the end adds a bright, herbaceous finish and a pop of color to your casserole. If fresh parsley isn’t available, 1 tablespoon of dried parsley can be used as an alternative, though fresh offers a more vibrant aroma.

One of the beauties of this easy chicken casserole is that it requires only a few basic kitchen tools. You likely already have everything you need to create this delicious meal!

• 9×13-inch Baking Dish: This standard casserole dish size is perfect for accommodating all the ingredients and ensuring even baking. Its ample surface area allows the stuffing to get beautifully golden and crisp.
• Mixing Spoon: A sturdy mixing spoon is all you’ll need to combine the creamy base ingredients and fold in the chicken and vegetables.
• Aluminum Foil: Essential for covering the casserole during the initial baking phase to trap moisture and ensure everything cooks through perfectly before revealing the crispy top.

🎯 TFN Pro Tip

Did you know you can use a stand mixer to shred poultry in seconds? For perfectly shredded chicken or turkey, attach the wire whip or flat beater to your stand mixer. With cooked poultry in the bowl, start on low speed for about 15 seconds, and watch as your chicken is effortlessly shredded! This trick is a huge time-saver for any recipe requiring shredded meat.

Creating this delightful chicken and Stove Top stuffing casserole is incredibly straightforward, perfect for cooks of all experience levels. Follow these simple steps for a truly satisfying meal:

1. Prepare the Oven and Baking Dish: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven heats up, lightly spray the interior of your 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. This crucial step prevents sticking and ensures easy cleanup.
2. Create the Creamy Base: In the prepared casserole dish, combine the cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, milk, and all your chosen seasonings (dried parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, poultry seasoning, dried thyme, black pepper, and coarse salt). Stir these ingredients thoroughly until they form a smooth, uniform creamy sauce. Next, add the shredded cooked chicken and frozen mixed vegetables to the dish. Gently stir everything together with the liquid ingredients until all components are well combined and coated in the rich sauce. This forms the flavorful foundation of your casserole.

4. Initial Bake (Covered): Cover the casserole dish tightly with aluminum foil. This helps to steam the stuffing and keep the chicken and vegetables moist during the initial cooking phase. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
5. Final Bake (Uncovered) and Serve: After 20 minutes, carefully remove the aluminum foil. Return the casserole to the oven and continue baking for an additional 5 minutes, or until the stuffing topping achieves a beautiful golden-brown color and a slightly crispy texture. Once baked to perfection, remove the casserole from the oven. Sprinkle liberally with fresh chopped parsley for a burst of color and fresh flavor. Your delicious casserole with chicken and Stove Top stuffing is now ready to be served and enjoyed!

Absolutely! You can easily substitute a 12-inch or 3-quart round baking dish for the standard 9×13-inch rectangular one. The cooking time should remain largely the same, but always keep an eye on the casserole to ensure the top browns nicely and the center is heated through.

To maintain freshness and flavor, store any leftover chicken stuffing casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For reheating, cover the casserole with aluminum foil to prevent drying out and bake in a preheated oven at 350ºF (175°C) for approximately 10-15 minutes, or until it is thoroughly heated through to an internal temperature of at least 165ºF (74°C). You can also microwave individual portions, though the stuffing topping might not retain its crispiness.

Yes, this recipe is incredibly flexible when it comes to poultry! You can use any type of shredded cooked poultry, including chicken thighs, boneless skinless breasts, or even leftover turkey. If you’re starting with raw, uncooked poultry, please refer to the recipe notes for adjusted baking times (typically an increase to 40 minutes) to ensure proper cooking. To prepare your own shredded chicken, check out our recipes for Cast Iron Chicken Breast or Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs, which can then be shredded for this casserole.

Covering your casserole with aluminum foil during the initial baking period serves several important purposes. Firstly, it helps to trap moisture, preventing excessive evaporation and ensuring that the chicken and stuffing remain tender and juicy, rather than drying out. Secondly, it allows the dish to cook evenly without the top browning too quickly. We typically remove the foil during the last 5-10 minutes of baking. This allows the stuffing topping to become beautifully golden brown and develop that irresistible crispy crust, adding a delightful textural contrast to the creamy interior.

Yes, this casserole is an excellent make-ahead meal! You can assemble the entire casserole, including the stuffing layer and broth, up to 24 hours in advance. Cover it tightly with foil and store it in the refrigerator. When ready to bake, remove it from the fridge 30 minutes before baking to allow it to come closer to room temperature, then follow the baking instructions as usual. You might need to add an extra 5-10 minutes to the covered baking time if baking directly from the fridge.

No problem! While Stove Top is convenient, any brand of seasoned bread stuffing mix will work well. You can also use homemade stuffing. The key is to ensure it’s a seasoned bread-based stuffing. Simply substitute an equal amount (by weight, usually a 6-ounce box) and moisten it with the chicken broth as directed in the recipe. The cooking process will remain the same, ensuring a delicious and satisfying casserole.

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Casserole with Chicken and Stove Top Stuffing

Renae Gerhardstein