Delicious Southern Chicken Stuffing Recipe for Family Dinner
Southern cuisine is famous for its comforting and flavorful dishes that remind us of the good old days, where family and friends gathered around the table to share a meal. And nothing says “southern soul food” like a delicious and succulent chicken stuffing recipe.
As a chef specializing in southern-style cuisine, I have developed an easy-to-follow recipe for the best yet Southern Chicken Stuffing, perfect for any occasion, whether it’s Thanksgiving dinner or a simple family gathering. This recipe combines the classic cornbread dressing with the tender and juicy flavor of chicken meat, making it a perfect side dish for any large gathering or a stand-alone meal.
In this article, I’ll guide you through every step of the cooking process and provide useful tips and recommendations for perfect results every time. Plus, with a variety of substitution options available to make this recipe your own, you can add your signature touch while still keeping the traditional southern flavor.
So, roll up your sleeves and let’s get started on cooking up some soulful goodness that will leave everyone asking for seconds!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Are you in the mood for some authentic southern-style comfort food that will leave you feeling satisfied and wanting more? Look no further than this mouth-watering Southern Chicken Stuffing recipe!
This dish is a unique twist on traditional stuffing recipes that will give your taste buds a burst of flavor. The combination of savory chicken, hearty cornbread dressing, and soft chestnuts will create a symphony of flavors in your mouth.
This dish is perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a cozy meal with family or a big Thanksgiving feast. It’s also popular in the South for its soulful warmth and hospitality – you’ll feel like you’re in the heart of Dixie with every bite. With our easy-to-follow recipe, you won’t have to worry about slaving away in the kitchen for hours to achieve these delicious results either!
So why not try something new and exciting with this southern-style chicken stuffing recipe? Your taste buds will thank you.
Ingredient List
Let’s take a look at the ingredients that you’ll need for this mouthwatering Southern chicken stuffing recipe. Keep in mind that this recipe makes enough to feed a crowd, but feel free to scale the ingredient amounts up or down based on your needs.
Cornbread Dressing Ingredients:
- 1 pound of day-old Southern-style cornbread crumbled
- 8 ounces of white bread, finely chopped
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 1 cup of celery, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon of poultry seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 8 cups of chicken stock
- 1 cup of butter
- 6 cups of cooked, shredded Southern-style chicken
- 2 cups of finely chopped mushrooms
- 1 can of diced chestnuts, drained and chopped
Make sure you have all the ingredients on hand before starting the recipe for a smooth cooking process.
The Recipe How-To
Now let’s get to the fun part! Here’s my step-by-step guide on how to make the Best Yet Southern Chicken Stuffing Recipe:
Preheat oven and prepare baking dish
First things first, preheat your oven to 375°F. While the oven is heating up, generously grease a baking dish with butter or cooking spray so that it doesn’t stick.
Prepare the ingredients
For this recipe, you’ll need 1 large onion, finely chopped, 1 cup of celery, also finely chopped, and 6 cups of crumbled (preferably day-old) cornbread.
Sauté vegetables
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt 1 cup of butter. Once melted, add the chopped onion and celery and sauté until softened for approximately 5-7 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
Combine ingredients in a separate bowl
In a large mixing bowl, combine the sautéed vegetables with the crumbled cornbread. Then add in 2 cups of chicken stock and 1 teaspoon of poultry seasoning. Mix everything together until well-combined.
Stuff chicken or bake separately
Now comes the fun part – stuffing the chicken! Use this mixture to stuff your chicken breasts or thighs before baking. Alternatively, you can pour this mixture into an appropriately sized casserole dish and bake it separately until golden brown on top.
Check doneness
To ensure that it’s fully cooked through, use a meat thermometer to check if the internal temperature of the stuffing has reached at least 165°F.
Enjoy your delicious homemade soul food-inspired stuffing!
Note: This recipe can easily be doubled for larger gatherings or if you simply want leftovers.
Substitutions and Variations
When it comes to this southern-style chicken stuffing recipe, there are many opportunities for creativity and personalization. Here are a few suggestions for substitutions and variations you might consider:
– Vegetarian: Skip the chicken and swap out the chicken stock for vegetable broth to make a delicious vegetarian version of this dish.
– Sausage: If you want to add a bit of extra flavor to your stuffing, try adding in some crumbled sausage. Brown the sausage in a skillet before adding it to the rest of the ingredients.
– Mushrooms: While this recipe calls for mushrooms, you can easily switch them out for another type of mushroom or even a different vegetable altogether. Think bell peppers, zucchini, or carrots.
– Chestnuts: You can substitute chestnuts for another nut if needed or omit them altogether if preferred.
– Cornbread: While cornbread is traditional for southern-style stuffing, you can use another type of bread in its place. Try using white bread, sourdough, or even rye bread.
– Spice Level: If you want more heat in your stuffing, add jalapenos or crushed red pepper flakes to taste.
Remember that these are just suggestions – don’t be afraid to get creative with your substitutions and variations! With this recipe as your base, there’s endless room for experimentation and customization.
Serving and Pairing
Now that you’ve cooked up a batch of mouth-watering southern chicken stuffing, it’s time to think about how to serve and pair it. This side dish is perfect for Thanksgiving and other special occasions, but it’s also a great choice for a comforting family dinner.
When it comes to serving, you have options. You can place the chicken stuffing in a large casserole dish to serve family-style or divide it into individual bowls or plates. Regardless of how you serve it, I recommend pairing it with some fresh greens, like a simple salad or steamed broccoli, to balance out the richness of the dish.
As for beverages, southern chicken stuffing pairs well with a crisp white wine, such as a Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc. If you prefer non-alcoholic options, try serving this southern-style recipe with a refreshing iced tea or lemonade.
If you’re looking to make this dish a full meal, consider pairing it with some baked chicken breasts or crockpot chicken thighs. And don’t forget about the gravy! My favorite recipe involves using pan drippings from your cooked chicken combined with flour and chicken stock.
Southern chicken stuffing is also versatile when it comes to leftovers. It can be used as a filling for stuffed peppers or served on top of biscuits with additional gravy for breakfast. Any way you choose to serve and pair this dish, I promise that your taste buds will be delighted by its traditional southern flavors.
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
Now that you’ve cooked up this delicious southern chicken stuffing recipe, you might be wondering about the best way to store any leftovers or make ahead of time. Luckily, this recipe is incredibly versatile and can be prepared in advance without losing any of its flavor or texture.
If you want to make this dish ahead of time, you can prepare it up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate it until you’re ready to bake it. You may need to add a bit of extra broth or water when reheating if you find that the stuffing has dried out overnight.
If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. To reheat the stuffing, simply place it in a baking dish with a bit of extra chicken broth or water and cover with foil. Bake for 25-30 minutes at 350°F until heated through and then uncover for the last 10 minutes to let the top brown and crisp up again.
You may also want to try freezing any leftover stuffing. To do so, place the stuffing in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag and store in the freezer for up to three months. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating using the same method as above.
These simple storage and reheating tips will help you enjoy your delicious southern chicken stuffing recipe for days after Thanksgiving dinner is over. Don’t let any leftovers go to waste!
Tips for Perfect Results
When it comes to making southern-style cuisine, the secret lies in mastering the art of seasoning. I’ve put together a few tips that will ensure your Southern Chicken Stuffing Recipe is bursting with flavor and cooked to perfection.
1. Don’t Overcook the Chicken
Cooking chicken until it’s dry and overdone is a common mistake. Be sure to cook it thoroughly but not any longer than that, as it will result in tough, chewy meat. Use a meat thermometer to check that the thickest part of the chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165°F.
2. Season Generously with Salt and Pepper
Southern-style cooking is all about bold flavors, and seasoning the chicken generously with salt and pepper will make your stuffing recipe taste amazing. Don’t be afraid to add more if you feel it needs it.
3. Use Fresh Herbs If Possible
Using fresh herbs in your stuffing mixture will give your dish a bright, clean flavor that really pops. If you don’t have fresh herbs available, dried herbs can be used in a pinch.
4. Use High-Quality Ingredients
To achieve the best taste possible for your Southern Chicken Stuffing Recipe, use high-quality ingredients such as real butter, fresh mushrooms, and chestnuts.
5. Take Time to Sauté the Vegetables
Sautéing onion, celery, and mushroom in butter until fragrant helps release their natural sweetness and richness. This step is essential because it adds depth of flavor to your stuffing recipe.
6. Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients Separately
Mixing all of your ingredients together at once may seem time-saving, but it won’t result in an evenly-distributed stuffing mixture. Mixing wet and dry ingredients separately before combining them ensures they are well combined and the flavors are evenly distributed throughout.
7. Use Day-Old Cornbread
Day-old cornbread tends to hold its shape better than fresh cornbread when making stuffing. But be sure to crumble the cornbread and let it sit out overnight to dry before using.
By following these simple tips, your Southern Chicken Stuffing Recipe will turn out perfect every time. Happy Cooking!
FAQ
Before we wrap things up, let’s answer some frequently asked questions about this southern-style chicken stuffing recipe. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a beginner in the kitchen, these answers will help you get the most out of this dish and make sure it turns out perfectly every time. So, let’s jump in!
How does Paula Deen make chicken and dressing?
To start off this southern-style cornbread stuffing, heat some butter in a large skillet over medium heat until it’s completely melted. Next, toss in some chopped onion, celery, and garlic and cook them up for about 8 to 10 minutes until they get really tender. In a separate bowl, mix together some crumbled cornbread with poultry seasoning, sage, thyme, the cooked veggies, and some reserved chicken. After stirring everything together, toss in a few eggs to bind it all together.
How to make Patti Labelle stuffing?
For this spicy southern-style dish, you will need 2 pounds of turkey sausage with a kick, sliced shiitake mushrooms, 12 tablespoons of butter, a large chopped onion, medium chopped celery, a seeded and chopped green pepper, finely chopped seeded jalapeños (optional), and a tablespoon of poultry seasoning. These ingredients, when combined, create a savory blend of flavors that will transport your taste buds straight to the heart of the south.
What’s difference between dressing and stuffing?
The filling prepared to stuff inside a bird before cooking is generally referred to as stuffing, while a similar mixture prepared separately in a pan is known as dressing.
What is stuffing called in the South?
In the South, Thanksgiving meals feature a side dish that is known as dressing instead of stuffing. This change in terminology occurred during the Victorian era when the term stuffing was considered uncouth. Despite the interchangeable use of the terms, cornbread is a staple ingredient in Southern-style dressing.
Bottom Line
In conclusion, this southern chicken stuffing recipe is a must-try for anyone who loves Southern-style cuisine. With its savory blend of flavors and perfect balance of textures, it’s the perfect side dish to accompany any meal, from Thanksgiving dinner to a simple weeknight family dinner.
The combination of cornbread, chicken, mushrooms, chestnuts, celery, onions, and butter creates a deliciously indulgent taste that’s sure to delight your taste buds. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or just starting out in the kitchen, this recipe is easy to follow and will yield fantastic results every time.
So why not step outside your comfort zone and try something new? This recipe is sure to become a favorite among your friends and family, and it’s a great way to introduce them to traditional Southern cooking.
Whether you’re looking for an impressive Thanksgiving side dish or simply want to indulge in some soul food comfort, this southern chicken stuffing recipe will not disappoint. So grab your ingredients and get cooking – you’ll be glad you did!
Best yet Southern Chicken Stuffing Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 dozen chestnuts, blanched (see How to Blanch and Shell Chestnuts)
- 1/2 lb mushroom
- 1/2 lb veal, cooked
- 1/4 cup butter or 1/4 cup other fat, melted
- 2 cups cornbread (or $notetemplate1$)
- veal stock, to moisten
- salt
- pepper
Instructions
- Shell and blanch chestnuts.
- Force chestnuts, mushrooms and veal through a meat grinder or whirl in the food processor.
- Add remaining ingredients and mix well.