Description
Chicken and Dressing is the ultimate comfort food – moist and flavorful cornbread dressing baked with shredded chicken and infused with herbs and spices. It’s an easy, crowd-pleasing dish that pairs beautifully with gravy, cranberry sauce, or roasted vegetables.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cornbread (if making from scratch):
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon sugar (optional)
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 large eggs
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
For the Dressing:
- 3 cups cooked and shredded chicken (from a rotisserie chicken or boiled chicken breast)
- 4 cups crumbled cornbread (homemade or store-bought)
- 2 cups white or wheat bread, cubed (day-old works best)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 medium onion, finely diced
- 2 celery stalks, finely diced
- 2 teaspoons dried sage
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning (optional)
- 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 cups chicken broth (more if needed for moistness)
- 2 large eggs, beaten
Instructions
. Make the Cornbread (if homemade):
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and grease a 9-inch baking pan or cast-iron skillet.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, flour, sugar (if using), baking powder, and salt.
- In another bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, eggs, and melted butter. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 20–25 minutes, or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool, then crumble for the dressing.
2. Cook the Chicken (if not pre-cooked):
- If using raw chicken, boil 2–3 chicken breasts in a pot of salted water for 15–20 minutes, or until cooked through. Shred the chicken and set aside.
3. Prepare the Dressing:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion and celery and sauté for 5–7 minutes until softened.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the crumbled cornbread, cubed bread, shredded chicken, sautéed onion and celery, sage, thyme, poultry seasoning (if using), salt, and pepper.
- Gradually add the chicken broth, stirring to moisten the mixture. The dressing should be moist but not soupy.
- Stir in the beaten eggs to help bind the mixture together.
4. Bake the Dressing:
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15–20 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and slightly crisp.
- Let the dressing cool for 5–10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Make-Ahead Tip: Prepare the dressing up to the baking step, cover, and refrigerate for up to 1 day. Bake just before serving.
- Additions: Mix in cooked sausage, mushrooms, or diced apples for added flavor.
- Gravy Pairing: Serve with homemade gravy or pan drippings for an extra dose of comfort.
- Prep Time: 25 mins
- Cook Time: 50 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg
Keywords: Chicken and dressing, cornbread dressing, Southern recipes, comfort food, Thanksgiving dressing