Hamdi Saidani This Pioneer Woman Chicken Stuffing Casserole is a creamy and savory recipe, which is made with a rich chicken gravy and a savory herb stuffing topping. It’s the ultimate one-pan comfort food dinner, ready in about an hour.
Pioneer Woman Chicken Stuffing Casserole Ingredients
- 1 cup salted butter, divided
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 1 cup chopped carrot
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth, divided
- 4 1/2 cups shredded cooked chicken
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh thyme
- 3/4 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. black pepper
- 1/4 tsp. ground turmeric
- Nonstick cooking spray
- 2 (6-oz.) packages Savory Herb flavored stuffing mix
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, plus more for garnish
How To Make Pioneer Woman Chicken Stuffing Casserole
- Prep Oven and Sauté Vegetables: Preheat the oven to 375°F. In a large Dutch oven, melt 1/2 cup of the butter over medium-high heat. Add the onion, carrot, and celery, and cook for about 3 minutes, until the vegetables begin to soften.
- Make the Creamy Filling: Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and cook, stirring frequently, for 1 minute. Gradually stir in 4 cups of the chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer, stirring often, for about 5 minutes until the sauce begins to thicken.
- Combine the Filling: Stir in the shredded chicken, peas, heavy cream, thyme, salt, pepper, and turmeric. Return the mixture to a simmer and cook for 3 more minutes.
- Prepare the Stuffing Topping: While the filling simmers, melt the remaining 1/2 cup of butter. In a large bowl, stir together the dry stuffing mix, the melted butter, the remaining 2 cups of chicken broth, and the parsley. Let the mixture stand for 2 minutes until the liquid is absorbed.
- Assemble and Bake: Spray a 13×9-inch baking dish with nonstick spray and pour in the chicken mixture. Top the chicken mixture evenly with the prepared stuffing.
- Bake Until Golden: Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the stuffing is golden brown on top and the filling is bubbly around the edges. Let the casserole stand for 15 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with additional chopped parsley, if desired.
Recipe Tips
- What’s the best chicken to use? A store-bought rotisserie chicken is a fantastic time-saver for this recipe. It’s already cooked and seasoned, adding a ton of flavor.
- How to make it ahead of time? This is a great make-ahead meal. You can fully assemble the casserole, cover it tightly, and store it in the refrigerator for up to a day before baking. You may need to add 10-15 minutes to the baking time since it will be starting from cold.
- Can I use homemade bread cubes? Yes. Use about 12 cups of dried bread cubes. You will need to add more seasonings to the melted butter, such as 1 teaspoon each of dried sage, rosemary, and thyme, to mimic the flavor of the packaged mix.
- How to get a richer filling? The recipe is already quite rich with heavy cream, but for an even more decadent version, you could use all heavy cream instead of a mix of broth and cream in the filling.
What To Serve With Chicken Stuffing Casserole
This hearty casserole is a meal in itself, reminiscent of a Thanksgiving dinner. It pairs wonderfully with:
- A side of jellied or whole berry cranberry sauce
- Steamed green beans or a classic green bean casserole
- A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette
How To Store Chicken Stuffing Casserole
- Refrigerate: Cover the cooled casserole tightly with foil or transfer leftovers to an airtight container. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freeze: This casserole freezes very well. You can freeze the whole unbaked casserole. Wrap the dish tightly in plastic wrap and then foil. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking as directed.
Pioneer Woman Chicken Stuffing Casserole Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 600-700 kcal
- Fat: 35g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Protein: 35g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
What’s the difference between stuffing and dressing?
Technically, u0022stuffingu0022 is cooked inside the cavity of a bird, while u0022dressingu0022 is cooked separately in a pan. So, this recipe is for a delicious dressing that serves as a casserole topping.
Can I use a different kind of soup base?
This recipe makes its own creamy base from scratch using butter, flour, and broth, which is much more flavorful than canned soup. It’s not recommended to substitute with canned soup.
Why let the casserole rest before serving?
Letting the casserole stand for at least 15 minutes after it comes out of the oven is a key step. It allows the creamy filling to set and thicken up, so you can cut and serve neat squares.
Try More Pioneer Woman Recipes:
- Pioneer Woman Orange Chicken Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Chicken Wings Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Creamed Chicken Over Biscuits Recipe
Pioneer Woman Chicken Stuffing Casserole Recipe
Description
A comforting one-pan dinner featuring a creamy chicken and vegetable filling baked under a savory, buttery herb stuffing topping.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- In a Dutch oven, sauté onion, carrot, and celery in ½ cup of butter. Stir in flour, then gradually add 4 cups of broth and simmer until thickened.
- Stir in the chicken, peas, cream, and seasonings.
- Pour the chicken mixture into a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In a separate bowl, combine the dry stuffing mix with the remaining ½ cup of melted butter, 2 cups of broth, and parsley. Let it absorb the liquid.
- Spoon the stuffing mixture evenly over the chicken filling.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes until golden and bubbly. Let rest for 15 minutes before serving.
Notes
- u003cliu003eUsing a rotisserie chicken is a great shortcut that saves time and adds a ton of flavor.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eLetting the casserole rest before serving is crucial to help it set for easier serving.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eThis is a fantastic make-ahead meal that also freezes very well.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eDon’t be shy with the fresh herbs; they add a wonderful brightness to this rich dish.u003c/liu003e
Pioneer Woman Chicken Stuffing Casserole Recipe
