There are few dishes that signal pure comfort food quite like a warm, bubbly casserole fresh from the oven. It’s the kind of meal that brings everyone to the table, fills the kitchen with an irresistible aroma, and feels like a warm hug on a plate. At the very top of the comfort food list sits the classic Chicken Stuffing Casserole.
This dish is a masterclass in simplicity and flavor. It combines tender, savory chicken and a rich, creamy sauce, all nestled under a golden-brown blanket of perfectly seasoned stuffing. It’s a taste of Thanksgiving any day of the year, a potluck hero, and a weeknight savior all in one. This recipe is your guide to creating that perfect, nostalgic experience right in your own kitchen.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Chicken Stuffing Casserole Recipe
If you’re not already convinced, here are a few reasons why this recipe will quickly become a staple in your meal rotation:
- It’s Incredibly Easy: This is a true “throw it together” meal. With just a few simple steps, you can have this casserole assembled and ready for the oven. As the original video creator notes, “you can throw it together in about 10-15 minutes if you have all the ingredients.”
- It’s Packed with Comforting Flavor: The combination of savory chicken, creamy sauce, and herb-filled stuffing is a timeless classic for a reason. It’s a satisfying and beloved flavor profile that pleases even the pickiest eaters.
- It’s Wonderfully Versatile: Don’t have cream of celery soup? Use cream of chicken or mushroom instead. Want to use up leftover holiday turkey? It works perfectly. You can add your favorite vegetables or leave them out entirely. This recipe is a fantastic template for you to make your own.
Ingredients Summary
The magic of this dish comes from combining a few simple, powerful ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in building the layers of flavor and texture that make this casserole so beloved. Here’s a look at the key players and what they bring to the table.
| Ingredient Component | Role in the Casserole | Why It Works Wonders |
|---|---|---|
| The Protein Base | ||
| Cooked Chicken | The hearty, savory foundation of the dish. | Provides a tender texture and satisfying protein that makes this a complete meal. Using pre-cooked chicken is a huge time-saver! |
| The Creamy Binder | ||
| Cream of Celery Soup | Creates the rich, creamy sauce that holds everything together. | Adds moisture and a classic, savory flavor that infuses every bite. It’s the secret to a non-dry casserole. |
| The Iconic Topping | ||
| Boxed Stuffing Mix | Forms the golden-brown, herb-infused crust. | Delivers that beloved Thanksgiving flavor and a perfect texture contrast—crispy on top, soft underneath. |
| Butter & Chicken Broth | The activators that bring the stuffing to life. | Butter adds richness and helps with browning, while the broth ensures the stuffing is moist and flavorful, not dry. |
| The Flavor & Veggies | ||
| Peas & Carrots | Adds pops of color, sweetness, and nutrition. | These classic vegetables break up the richness and add a familiar, garden-fresh element. |
| Onion & Seasonings | The background notes that elevate the entire dish. | Onion provides a savory depth, while thyme and celery seed add an aromatic, traditional flavor that makes it taste truly homemade. |
How to Make Chicken and Stuffing Casserole
Here you’ll find the detailed, printable recipe card with exact measurements and timings. It has everything you need to get this delicious meal on the table.
Chicken & Stuffing Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 lb cooked chicken shredded
- 1 10.5 oz can cream of celery soup
- 1 package Stove Top chicken stuffing mix
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 stick butter melted
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 cup frozen peas and carrots thawed
- 2 tbsp diced onion
- 1/2 tsp celery seed
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- Thyme to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- Place the shredded chicken into a greased 8×8 inch pan.
- Season the chicken with salt, pepper, celery seed, and a sprinkle of thyme.
- In a separate bowl, combine the cream of celery soup, milk, and diced onion.
- Add the thawed peas and carrots and mix well.
- Pour the soup mixture over the chicken and give it a good mix in the baking dish. Flatten the mixture evenly.
- In another bowl, combine the stuffing mix, melted butter, and chicken broth. Let it sit for a couple of minutes for the liquid to absorb.
- Spread the stuffing mixture evenly over the top of the casserole.
- Bake for 40 minutes, or until the top is brown and the casserole is bubbly.
- Let rest for a few minutes before serving.
Video
Notes
- Soup: You can substitute cream of chicken or cream of mushroom soup if you prefer.
- Protein: Cooked, shredded turkey works as a great substitute for chicken.
- Vegetables: Feel free to use any vegetable you like, or you can leave them out completely. The video creator microwaved the frozen peas and carrots for about 2.5 minutes to thaw them before adding.
- Celery: If you don’t have celery seed, you can use finely chopped fresh celery instead.
- Serving Suggestions: This casserole is delicious served with butternut squash and cranberry sauce. You can also serve it over rice or noodles.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Chicken Stuffing Casserole
Follow these simple steps to assemble your casserole. It’s best to read through them all before you begin.
Preparing the Chicken
- First, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease an 8×8 inch baking dish.
- Spread your shredded, cooked chicken evenly across the bottom of the greased pan.
- Season the chicken directly in the pan. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, about a half teaspoon of celery seed, and a little bit of thyme to your taste.
- In a separate medium bowl, create the creamy sauce. Whisk together the can of cream of celery soup and the quarter cup of milk until smooth.
- Stir the diced onion and the thawed peas and carrots into the soup mixture. If your vegetables are still frozen, you can microwave them “for about two and a half minutes just so they weren’t frozen solid.”
- Pour this creamy vegetable mixture over the seasoned chicken in the baking dish. Use a spatula to gently mix everything together and flatten it into an even layer. Set this aside.
Making the Stuffing Mixture
- In another bowl, combine the entire package of dry stuffing mix with one cup of chicken broth and the melted stick of butter.
- Stir gently with a fork until the crumbs are just moistened. It’s important to let it “sit for a couple minutes for it to dissolve the chicken broth” and absorb all that liquid.
Baking the Chicken Stuffing Casserole
- Take your prepared stuffing mixture and spoon it evenly over the top of the chicken base. Use a fork to gently spread it out, creating a complete top layer.
- Place the casserole into your preheated oven and bake for 40 minutes.
- You’ll know it’s done when it “starts to Brown on the top and get a little bubbly.”
- Once baked, carefully remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This helps it set, making it easier to serve.
Serving Suggestions and Variations
This hearty casserole stands perfectly on its own as a complete meal, but it also complements many delicious side dishes.
For an authentic holiday atmosphere, try pairing it with roasted butternut squash and cranberry sauce. You can also serve generous portions over fluffy rice or tender egg noodles for an even more filling dinner.
When you’re looking for something lighter to balance the richness, a fresh garden salad or simply steamed green beans make wonderful accompaniments.
Want to mix it up? Try these variations:
- Cheesy Casserole: Add a cup of shredded cheddar or Colby cheese into the chicken mixture and sprinkle more on top of the stuffing before baking.
- Mushroom & Swiss: Use cream of mushroom soup and add 8 oz of sautéed mushrooms and a cup of shredded Swiss cheese to the base.
- Holiday Leftover Edition: This is the perfect recipe for using leftover Thanksgiving turkey instead of chicken. If you enjoy hearty, family-friendly bakes, you should also check out our Cowboy Casserole Recipe!
Tips for Perfecting Your Chicken Stuffing Casserole
- Use Rotisserie Chicken: For a super-fast assembly, a store-bought rotisserie chicken is your best friend.
- Don’t Forget to Thaw: If using frozen vegetables, make sure they are thawed. This prevents them from releasing excess water and cooling down the casserole during baking.
- Let the Stuffing Absorb: The key to a perfect topping is allowing the stuffing mix to fully absorb the butter and broth before it goes on the casserole. This ensures a moist interior and a crisp top.
- Season Every Layer: While canned soup and stuffing mix contain salt, the chicken and vegetables need their own seasoning to build a deeply flavorful dish.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What ingredients are in chicken casserole?
A typical chicken casserole contains three main parts: a protein (cooked chicken), a creamy binder (like a condensed soup or a homemade cream sauce), and vegetables (such as peas, carrots, onions, or celery).
It’s often finished with a delicious topping, which could be anything from stuffing mix and breadcrumbs to cheese or crushed crackers.
How to make a good chicken stuffing?
For a casserole topping, the key to a good stuffing is the texture. You want it to be moist and flavorful without being soggy.
The best way to achieve this is by combining the dry stuffing mix with a flavorful liquid like chicken broth and a fat like melted butter.
Letting the mixture sit for a few minutes allows the bread to absorb the liquid, ensuring it bakes up perfectly.
Can you put stuffing mix in a casserole?
Absolutely! Using a boxed stuffing mix is one of the most popular and easiest ways to top a chicken casserole.
It provides a savory, herb-filled flavor and a wonderful texture contrast to the creamy filling beneath it.
Is it okay to put raw chicken in a casserole?
For this specific recipe, you must use pre-cooked chicken. Putting raw chicken in this casserole would not allow it enough time to cook through safely, as the 40 minute bake time is designed to simply heat the ingredients and brown the top.
If a recipe calls for raw chicken, it will have a much longer baking time to ensure the chicken reaches a food-safe internal temperature of 165°F.
Conclusion
This Chicken Stuffing Casserole is more than just a recipe; it’s a reliable, comforting, and delicious solution for busy weeknights, family dinners, and any time you need a meal that feels like home. It’s a dish that proves that simple ingredients can come together to create something truly memorable.
We want to hear from you! Did you make this recipe? Do you have your own family variation? Let us know in the comments below! And if you’re looking for more amazing casserole ideas, you won’t want to miss our zesty Chicken Taco Casserole. For even more inspiration, check out our full collection of chicken recipes!
