Description
Dolly’s Chicken and Stuffing Casserole is a comforting and hearty American classic that combines tender shredded chicken with rich cream soups, sautéed vegetables, and savory seasoned stuffing, all baked to golden perfection. This easy-to-make dish is perfect for family dinners and promises a cozy, flavorful meal with every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Mixture
- 4 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 ribs celery, finely diced
- 1 can (10.5 ounces) cream of chicken soup
- 1 can (10.5 ounces) cream of celery soup
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Stuffing Topping
- 1 package (6 ounces) seasoned stuffing mix
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted (divided – 2 tablespoons for sautéing, remaining for stuffing)
Optional Topping
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Sauté Vegetables: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of the unsalted butter. Add the finely diced onion and celery, sautéing until they become softened and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
- Prepare Chicken Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cream of chicken soup, cream of celery soup, sour cream, chicken broth, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to blend all ingredients evenly.
- Combine Chicken and Vegetables: Add the shredded cooked chicken along with the sautéed onion and celery to the soup mixture. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly coated.
- Assemble Casserole: Spread the chicken and soup mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish, creating a smooth, level layer.
- Prepare Stuffing Topping: In a separate bowl, mix the seasoned stuffing mix with the remaining melted butter until well combined. Sprinkle this evenly over the top of the chicken mixture in the baking dish.
- Add Cheese (Optional): If desired, sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the stuffing layer to add a rich, cheesy finish.
- Bake: Bake the casserole uncovered in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the stuffing topping turns a golden brown color.
- Rest and Garnish: Remove the casserole from the oven and allow it to rest for 5 minutes to set. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving for a bright, fresh touch.
Notes
- You can substitute cream of mushroom soup for the cream of celery soup if preferred to vary the flavor.
- Leftovers reheat well in the microwave or oven and can be frozen for up to 2 months for convenient future meals.
- For a lighter version, use reduced-fat sour cream and light cream soups to decrease fat content without sacrificing creaminess.
