Easy & Delicious Chicken Stuffing Casserole: The Ultimate Comfort Food Bake for Any Night
Few dishes encapsulate the essence of comfort food quite like a warm, bubbling casserole, and this Chicken Stuffing Casserole is a prime example. Imagine tender chicken, vibrant mixed vegetables, and savory stuffing all baked together in a creamy sauce until golden brown and utterly delicious. What makes this recipe truly special is its incredible simplicity: it comes together with just four main ingredients, making it an absolute lifesaver for busy weeknights or a fantastic way to transform holiday leftovers into a brand new, satisfying meal. This isn’t just a meal; it’s a warm hug in a dish, designed to fill your home with inviting aromas and your family’s bellies with wholesome goodness.
Why This Chicken Stuffing Casserole Recipe Works So Well
This chicken stuffing casserole isn’t just another dinner idea; it’s a testament to how simple ingredients can create something truly spectacular. The magic happens when tender chicken, a colorful blend of frozen mixed vegetables, hearty dry stuffing, and rich cream of chicken soup are combined and baked to perfection. Each ingredient plays a crucial role in delivering a satisfying, flavor-packed dish that feels both homemade and effortlessly easy.
One of the biggest strengths of this easy chicken casserole is its incredible versatility. Don’t have mixed veggies on hand? Feel free to swap in your favorites like broccoli, peas, or green beans. While we appreciate the convenience of canned goods for a quick meal, for those who prefer to cook from scratch, we even have a fantastic recipe for homemade cream of chicken soup. This means you can customize it to your heart’s content, adjusting flavors and textures to suit any palate or dietary preference. Furthermore, this recipe makes an outstanding base for repurposing holiday leftovers. Have extra roasted chicken, turkey, or even ham from Thanksgiving or Christmas? This casserole is the perfect solution to give those delicious remnants a delicious second life, transforming them into a whole new family favorite.
Beyond its adaptability, this comfort food casserole shines in its time-saving aspect. With minimal prep and a straightforward baking process, you can have a hot, hearty meal on the table with less stress, making it an ideal choice for those hectic weeknights when you still want to serve something nourishing and delicious. It’s truly a dish that simplifies meal planning while maximizing flavor and satisfaction.
Key Ingredients for Your Chicken Stuffing Casserole
Crafting this delightful chicken stuffing bake requires just a handful of readily available ingredients. You’ll find a complete list of all measurements, specific ingredients, and detailed instructions in the printable recipe version at the end of this post. For a visual guide and deeper insights into each component, keep reading!
Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions for Your Stuffing Casserole
Understanding your ingredients and their potential substitutions is key to mastering this simple chicken casserole. Here’s a closer look at each component:
CHICKEN – This recipe calls for 4 1/2 lbs of boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into convenient 1-inch pieces. Using raw chicken breasts works wonderfully as they cook through right in the casserole, absorbing all the delicious flavors. However, for an even quicker preparation, you can absolutely swap out the raw chicken for already cooked, shredded rotisserie chicken. This is a fantastic time-saver, especially on busy nights. Beyond chicken, this casserole is incredibly adaptable: consider using leftover cooked turkey or ham, particularly after holidays. Simply ensure any substitute meat is already cooked and cut into bite-sized pieces.
STUFFING – The dry stuffing mix is what gives this dish its iconic texture and flavor. You can typically find these mixes in bags or boxes at your local grocery store. We often reach for preseasoned varieties, like those from Pepperidge Farm, for an instant boost of flavor without extra effort. Boxed stovetop stuffing is another excellent and widely available option. For those who enjoy a more customized flavor profile, making your own homemade stuffing from scratch allows you to season it exactly to your preference, adding herbs and spices that truly make it your own. Just be sure it’s dried and ready to absorb the liquid in the casserole.
FILLING (Cream of Soup) – Our primary choice for the creamy binder in this casserole is cream of chicken soup. It provides a rich, savory base that ties all the ingredients together and keeps the chicken moist. If you’re looking for alternatives, cream of celery or cream of mushroom soup can work beautifully, offering slightly different but equally delicious flavor profiles. Don’t hesitate to experiment! For those who prefer a less processed option, our homemade cream of chicken soup recipe is a fantastic way to ensure you know exactly what goes into your dish. This creamy layer is also where your vegetables reside, adding to the dish’s moistness and overall texture.
FROZEN MIXED VEGETABLES – The convenience of frozen mixed vegetables is unmatched, providing a colorful and nutritious addition without any chopping. Typically, these mixes include carrots, peas, corn, and green beans. However, this is a perfect opportunity for customization! Feel free to add any type of veggie you’d like to this dish. Freshly chopped broccoli florets, sliced mushrooms, asparagus pieces, or even a different blend of frozen vegetables would all be delicious. Just ensure they are cut to a similar size for even cooking.
WATER – The water’s role in this recipe is crucial for moistening the dry stuffing mix, ensuring it bakes into a soft, flavorful topping rather than staying dry and crunchy. The amount can be adjusted slightly based on the type of stuffing mix you use, as some absorb more liquid than others. Start with the recommended amount and add a little more if the stuffing still looks too dry after pouring.
How to Make This Easy Chicken Stuffing Casserole
These step-by-step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.
- Prepare the Casserole Base: Begin by spreading 1/2 cup of cream of chicken soup evenly across the bottom of a 13×9 casserole dish. This layer acts as a flavorful foundation. Next, add your diced boneless, skinless chicken breasts on top of the soup layer. Ensure the chicken is spread out in a single, even layer for optimal cooking.
- Add the Creamy Vegetable Layer: In a separate bowl, thoroughly mix the remaining cream of chicken soup with the frozen mixed vegetables. This ensures the vegetables are well coated and the flavors are evenly distributed. Once combined, spread this creamy vegetable mixture evenly over the raw chicken layer in your casserole dish.
- Top with Stuffing: Generously sprinkle the dry stuffing mix over the creamy vegetable layer, ensuring it covers the entire surface. This will form a delicious, golden crust. Then, carefully pour the specified amount of water evenly over the top of the stuffing mix. The water is crucial for rehydrating the stuffing and allowing it to bake up light and fluffy.
- Bake to Perfection: Cover the casserole dish tightly with aluminum foil. This helps to steam the chicken and vegetables, ensuring they cook thoroughly and remain moist, while also allowing the stuffing to soften. Bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 45 minutes. The casserole is done when the chicken is fully cooked (reaching an internal temperature of 165°F or 74°C) and the stuffing is tender and lightly golden. For an extra crispy topping, you can remove the foil for the last 10-15 minutes of baking.
Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips for Chicken Stuffing Casserole
Absolutely! This is a fantastic make-ahead meal, perfect for meal prepping or entertaining. To prepare in advance, assemble the casserole up to the point of adding the dry stuffing mix and water. Cover the prepped casserole tightly with plastic wrap or transfer it to an airtight container. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 day. When you’re ready to bake, remove it from the fridge, top with the dry stuffing mix and pour the water over it, then bake as directed. You may need to add an extra 5-10 minutes to the baking time if starting from cold. You can also freeze the assembled casserole (without the stuffing and water) for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before adding stuffing and baking.
Leftover chicken stuffing casserole stores beautifully. Simply transfer any remaining portions to an airtight container and refrigerate for 3-4 days. To reheat, you can microwave individual servings or warm larger portions in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through, covering with foil to prevent drying out.
Yes, absolutely! Adding cheese is a fantastic way to elevate the flavor and creaminess of this casserole. You can sprinkle about 1/2 to 1 cup of shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a blend of your favorite cheeses over the vegetable layer before adding the stuffing. Alternatively, for a golden, bubbly cheese topping, add the cheese during the last 10-15 minutes of baking, after removing the foil.
To ensure a moist and flavorful stuffing topping, it’s essential to use enough liquid. The 1/2 cup of water (or up to 1 cup if your stuffing mix is very dry) poured over the dry mix helps it rehydrate and soften during baking. Also, covering the casserole with foil for the majority of the baking time traps steam, which keeps both the stuffing and the chicken moist. If you want a crispy top, remove the foil for only the last 10-15 minutes of baking, or until golden brown.
Yes, absolutely! Using cooked chicken, such as shredded rotisserie chicken or leftover cooked chicken, is a fantastic shortcut. If using pre-cooked chicken, you can still follow the recipe as written, simply ensuring the chicken is heated through during the baking process. Since the chicken is already cooked, the primary goal of baking will be to cook the vegetables, heat everything through, and crisp the stuffing. The cooking time might even be slightly reduced, but always check the internal temperature to ensure it’s piping hot throughout.
Delicious Serving Suggestions for Your Chicken Stuffing Casserole
While this hearty chicken stuffing casserole is incredibly filling and satisfying all on its own, a few simple additions can perfectly complement its rich flavors and textures. For a lighter touch, a crisp green side salad with a tangy vinaigrette offers a refreshing contrast. Warm dinner rolls or crusty bread are also excellent for soaking up any extra creamy sauce.
You can also expand the vegetable medley within the casserole itself. Consider adding fresh broccoli florets, sliced asparagus, or sautéed mushrooms directly into the creamy vegetable layer for extra nutrients and flavor. A sprinkle of shredded cheese (like cheddar, mozzarella, or a blend) in-between layers or on top during the last 15 minutes of baking will add an irresistible gooey, golden crust. This casserole truly shines as a post-holiday meal, expertly utilizing leftovers from Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner, turning familiar flavors into a new, exciting dish.
More Delicious and Easy Casserole Recipes to Try
If you love the ease and comfort of a good casserole, you’re in luck! Here are some more fantastic casserole recipes to add to your rotation:
- Taco Casserole
- John Wayne Casserole
- Ground Beef Casserole
- Mexican Chicken Casserole
- Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole
- Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
- Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole
- Crockpot John Wayne Casserole
- Corn Casserole
- Million Dollar Chicken Casserole
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Chicken Stuffing Casserole
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
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Ingredients
- 4 ½ lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts raw, cut into 1 inch pieces
- 21 oz cream of chicken
- 16 oz frozen mixed vegetables
- 6 oz dry stuffing mix like Pepperidge Farm
- ½ cup water can use up to 1 cup if needed
Things You’ll Need
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13×9 baking dish
Before You Begin
- Alternatively, you can make the stuffing with water in a bowl before topping on the vegetables.
Instructions
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Spread 1/2 cup of cream of chicken on the bottom of the casserole dish. Add the diced chicken breasts.
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Mix the remainder of cream of chicken soup with the frozen vegetables. Spread evenly on top of the raw chicken.
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Top with stuffing mix. Pour water over the top of stuffing mix to wet.
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Bake at 400F covered with tinfoil for 45 minutes.
Nutrition
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.