Ultimate Easy Chicken Stuffing Casserole: Your New Family Favorite Comfort Food
There’s nothing quite like a warm, hearty casserole to bring comfort to the dinner table, and this Easy Chicken Stuffing Casserole is the epitome of classic comfort food. Crafted with a rich, creamy base of chicken, sour cream, and cream of chicken soup, and crowned with a golden, savory stuffing, it’s a meal that promises to satisfy every palate. This beloved recipe is not only incredibly delicious but also remarkably simple to prepare, making it a perfect solution for busy weeknights, holiday leftovers, or any time you crave a taste of home.
Imagine the savory flavors of Thanksgiving dinner, but in an effortlessly assembled dish that comes together with minimal fuss. This casserole achieves just that! The harmonious blend of creamy sauce and seasoned stuffing mix creates a flavor profile reminiscent of a comforting chicken pot pie, while being distinctly its own. It’s a complete meal that brings together protein, vegetables, and carbohydrates in one delightful pan, ensuring a well-rounded and satisfying experience for the whole family.
One of the best aspects of this chicken casserole recipe is its flexibility and reliance on pantry staples. Whether you have leftover rotisserie chicken, baked chicken breasts, or even turkey from a holiday feast, this dish provides an excellent way to transform them into something new and exciting. You can easily customize the creamy base by swapping out condensed cream of chicken soup for cream of mushroom or cream of celery soup, adding your own personal touch to this adaptable classic. Simply prep your stuffing, combine the creamy chicken mixture, layer it into a baking dish, and let your oven do the rest until it’s beautifully golden and bubbling with deliciousness.
This recipe is destined to become a regular in your meal rotation, celebrated for its irresistible taste and straightforward preparation. If you’re a fan of comforting chicken dishes, you might also enjoy my Instant Pot chicken stuffing casserole for another easy option. Serve either of these delightful stuffing casseroles with a side of creamy gravy and some warm, fluffy homemade dinner rolls or store-bought equivalents for a truly memorable meal.
This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Chicken Stuffing Casserole
This isn’t just another dinner recipe; it’s a culinary hug in a dish! Here’s why this chicken stuffing casserole is about to become your family’s new favorite:
- Effortless Dinner Solution: With a remarkably short prep time, this casserole is perfect for those bustling weeknights when you need a delicious, hearty meal on the table without spending hours in the kitchen. It’s truly a dump-and-bake wonder!
- Utilizes Simple Ingredients: You’ll love how this recipe relies on readily available ingredients, many of which you likely already have in your pantry and freezer. Using pre-cooked chicken is a game-changer for speed and convenience, making it a brilliant way to use up leftovers.
- A Complete & Hearty Meal: This dish truly has it all! It’s packed with savory protein from the chicken, essential vitamins and fiber from the mixed vegetables, and satisfying carbohydrates from the creamy sauce and the crunchy stuffing topping. It’s a wholesome meal that leaves everyone feeling nourished and content.
- Incredible Comfort Food Flavor: The combination of creamy soup, tangy sour cream, and savory seasoned stuffing creates an unbelievably rich and comforting flavor profile. It’s a taste that transports you to cozy family gatherings and warm holiday meals, but achievable any day of the week.
- Highly Customizable: Don’t be afraid to make this recipe your own! The core structure is incredibly versatile, allowing for easy substitutions and additions to suit your family’s preferences or whatever ingredients you have on hand.
[feast_advanced_jump_to]
Ingredients for Your Chicken Stuffing Casserole
Gathering your ingredients for this easy chicken stuffing casserole is a breeze, relying mostly on common pantry and freezer staples. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and why each component is crucial for that ultimate comfort food experience:
- Cooked Chicken: Three cups of chopped or shredded cooked chicken form the hearty base of this casserole. This is where the magic of convenience truly shines! It’s an ideal use for a store-bought rotisserie chicken, leftover Thanksgiving turkey, or pre-cooked chicken breasts. Just ensure it’s diced into bite-sized pieces for even distribution.
- Stuffing Mix: One 6-ounce box of dry stuffing mix, such as the classic Stove Top stuffing mix, provides that iconic crunchy, savory topping. This seasoned breadcrumb blend is key to achieving that signature texture and flavor that complements the creamy chicken layer so well.
- Butter: A quarter cup of butter is stirred into the stuffing mix. This isn’t just for flavor; it helps moisten the stuffing and ensures it bakes up with a beautiful golden-brown, crispy exterior that adds a delightful textural contrast to the soft filling.
- Water: Used in conjunction with the butter to rehydrate and prepare the stuffing mix according to package directions, creating the perfect consistency for the topping.
- Cream of Chicken Soup: One 10.5-ounce can of condensed cream of chicken soup is the backbone of our incredibly creamy and savory sauce. It provides a rich, umami depth that ties all the flavors together.
- Sour Cream: One cup of sour cream adds a wonderful tangy note and an extra layer of richness and creaminess to the chicken mixture, elevating the overall taste and texture.
- Milk: Half a cup of milk helps to thin out the condensed soup and sour cream, creating a perfectly smooth and luxurious sauce that coats every piece of chicken and vegetable.
- Frozen Mixed Vegetables: Two cups of frozen mixed vegetables (like a blend of green beans, corn, and carrots) add color, nutrition, and a touch of sweetness. They’re convenient and cook directly in the casserole.
- Garlic Salt: One teaspoon of garlic salt is used to season the creamy chicken mixture. This convenient blend of garlic powder and salt infuses a pungent, savory flavor without needing multiple spices.
- Black Pepper: Half a teaspoon of black pepper provides a hint of subtle warmth and rounds out the savory profile of the dish. Feel free to adjust to your preference.
See the recipe card below for exact quantities.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Your Easy Chicken Stuffing Casserole
Creating this delicious chicken stuffing casserole is incredibly straightforward. Just follow these simple steps, and you’ll have a heartwarming meal ready in no time!
First, preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). While the oven heats up, lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. This will prevent your casserole from sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
In a large mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients for the creamy chicken base: the diced chicken, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, milk, frozen mixed vegetables, garlic salt, and black pepper. This step is as simple as it sounds – just toss everything in!
Stir everything thoroughly until all the ingredients are well combined and the chicken and vegetables are evenly coated in the creamy sauce. Ensure there are no dry spots.
Pour the chicken mixture into the prepared baking dish. Using a spatula or the back of a spoon, spread it out evenly across the bottom of the dish to create a uniform layer for the stuffing topping.
Now, prepare the delicious stuffing topping. In a medium saucepan, bring 1-½ cups of water to a rolling boil. This hot water will help activate the stuffing mix and melt the butter effectively.
Add the butter to the boiling water and stir until it has completely melted. The butter will infuse the stuffing with a rich, delicious flavor and help achieve that crispy texture.
Remove the saucepan from the heat. Add the dry stuffing mix and stir gently until it’s just moistened and well combined. Be careful not to overmix, or the stuffing can become too dense. You want it light and fluffy.
Carefully spoon and spread the prepared stuffing evenly over the creamy chicken mixture in the casserole dish. Gently pat it down to form an even top layer. This will be your crispy, golden crust!
Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the stuffing topping is beautifully golden brown and the creamy chicken mixture underneath is bubbling around the edges, indicating it’s thoroughly heated through.
Once baked, remove the Stove Top stuffing chicken casserole from the oven. It’s important to allow it to cool and set for about 10 minutes before serving. This brief resting period helps the casserole firm up slightly, making it easier to scoop and ensuring the creamy sauce doesn’t run excessively.
Tips for the Best Chicken Stuffing Casserole
To ensure your chicken stuffing casserole turns out perfectly every time, keep these helpful tips in mind:
- Don’t Overmix the Stuffing: When preparing the stuffing, stir it just enough to combine the water, butter, and mix. Overmixing can lead to a dense or gummy topping, and you want that light, fluffy, and crispy texture.
- Evenly Spread the Chicken Mixture: Before adding the stuffing, make sure your creamy chicken and vegetable mixture is spread evenly across the baking dish. This ensures every serving gets a good balance of ingredients and helps the casserole cook consistently.
- Adjust Seasoning to Taste: The garlic salt and black pepper are a great starting point, but feel free to adjust them to your family’s preference. A pinch of dried thyme or poultry seasoning could also enhance the “Thanksgiving” flavor.
- Don’t Skip the Resting Time: The 10-minute resting period after baking is crucial. It allows the creamy sauce to settle and thicken slightly, making for cleaner scoops and preventing a runny casserole.
- Consider Your Chicken: While any pre-cooked chicken works, rotisserie chicken adds a fantastic depth of flavor with minimal effort. If using plain cooked chicken, make sure it’s seasoned well.
- Deep Dish vs. Shallow Pan: A 9×13 inch baking dish is ideal for this recipe, ensuring enough depth for both the creamy chicken layer and a good layer of stuffing without overflowing.
Substitutions and Variations
One of the beauties of this easy chicken stuffing casserole recipe is its incredible versatility. Feel free to experiment with these substitutions and variations to tailor it to your taste or what you have on hand:
- Chicken: The core of this dish relies on pre-cooked poultry. You can use virtually any kind! Beyond rotisserie chicken, which is always an excellent choice for flavor and convenience, consider using leftover Thanksgiving turkey for a true holiday feel. Baked chicken breasts, boneless skinless chicken thighs, or even canned chicken can work in a pinch. If you’re using frozen chicken, simply microwave it until heated through and dice it before mixing. For a fun twist, try chopped chicken nuggets or chicken tenders!
- Stuffing Mix: This recipe was developed and tested using a boxed stuffing mix like Stove Top. There are many delicious varieties available, all of which work wonderfully: chicken flavored, savory herbs, turkey flavored, pork flavored, and cornbread stuffing mix are all fantastic options that will yield slightly different but equally delicious results. If you’re feeling ambitious, you can certainly use your favorite homemade stuffing recipe for the topping!
- Butter: While butter truly gives the stuffing the best richness and flavor, margarine is a suitable substitute. If you’re looking to lighten up the dish a bit, you can even omit the butter entirely, though the stuffing might not get as golden or crispy.
- Cream of Chicken Soup: Any condensed “cream of” soup will work beautifully to create the creamy base. For a different flavor profile, try cream of mushroom soup for an earthier taste, cream of celery soup for a fresh, herbaceous note, or cream of potato soup for an even heartier, thicker sauce.
- Sour Cream: Greek yogurt is an excellent substitute for sour cream. It provides a similar tang and creaminess while often being a bit lighter and higher in protein. Plain regular yogurt could also work.
- Milk: The type of milk you use is flexible. Whole milk will provide the richest sauce, but reduced-fat milk, skim milk, or even half-and-half are all great options and will still yield a wonderfully creamy consistency.
- Frozen Mixed Vegetables: Don’t limit yourself to just one type of mixed vegetables! If you have individual bags of frozen veggies, feel free to create your own custom blend. Carrots, corn, green beans, and peas are classic choices that always work well. Canned vegetables can also be used; just be sure to drain them thoroughly before adding to the mixture.
- Garlic Salt: If you don’t have garlic salt, you can easily make your own by mixing garlic powder and regular salt (a ratio of 1 part garlic powder to 3 parts salt is a good starting point), or simply use plain salt and add some extra garlic powder to taste.
Equipment You’ll Need
You won’t need any special gadgets to whip up this delicious casserole. Here’s the basic equipment that will make your cooking experience smooth and easy:
- 9×13 baking dish – The essential dish for assembling and baking your casserole to golden perfection.
- Large mixing bowl – For effortlessly combining all the ingredients for your creamy chicken and vegetable filling.
- Medium saucepan – Perfect for bringing water to a boil and preparing the savory Stove Top stuffing layer.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
This chicken stuffing casserole makes fantastic leftovers! Proper storage and reheating will ensure you can enjoy its comforting flavors for days to come. Here’s how:
To Store:
Once your casserole has cooled completely to room temperature (this is crucial to prevent condensation and bacterial growth), transfer any leftovers to an airtight container. Store it promptly in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, this casserole freezes beautifully! You can freeze individual portions, which are super convenient for quick meals, or freeze the entire casserole. If freezing the whole dish, cover it tightly with a layer of plastic wrap directly touching the surface of the casserole, followed by a layer of aluminum foil. This helps prevent freezer burn. It will keep well in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.
To Reheat:
If reheating from frozen, it’s best to thaw the casserole overnight in the refrigerator first. For individual servings, the microwave is your quickest option. Heat on medium power, stirring occasionally, until it’s thoroughly heated through and steaming. If reheating a larger portion or the entire casserole, the oven is ideal for maintaining that crispy stuffing topping. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Place the casserole in an oven-safe dish, covering it loosely with aluminum foil to prevent the stuffing from over-browning or drying out. Reheat for 10-20 minutes, or until the center is hot and bubbling. Remove the foil for the last few minutes if you want to re-crisp the topping.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Generally, casseroles made with already cooked ingredients, like this chicken stuffing casserole, are baked uncovered. This allows the top layer (in this case, the delicious stuffing) to get wonderfully golden brown and crispy. If you were to cover it, the steam would soften the stuffing, preventing that desirable crunch. However, always refer to the specific recipe instructions. If you notice the topping browning too quickly, you can loosely tent it with aluminum foil during the last part of the baking time.
This chicken casserole with its mixed vegetables is quite a complete meal on its own, offering protein, veggies, and carbs. However, it pairs beautifully with a few simple additions to make it even more special. Consider serving it with a warm, creamy gravy (either white or brown gravy works wonderfully) to complement the savory flavors. Freshly baked crusty bread or soft dinner rolls are perfect for soaking up every last bit of the creamy sauce. For a touch of freshness and contrast, a simple green salad with a light vinaigrette is always a great choice.
Related Casserole Recipes You’ll Love
If you’ve fallen in love with the ease and comfort of this chicken stuffing casserole, you’re in for a treat! Explore these other delicious and easy casserole recipes that are sure to become new family favorites:
- Easy Chicken Pot Pie Casserole
- Philly Cheesesteak Casserole
- Crockpot Hamburger Hashbrown Casserole
- Crockpot Hamburger Potato Casserole
📖 Recipe
Pin Recipe
Save RecipeSaved!
Email
Print
Easy Chicken Stuffing Casserole
Equipment
-
9×13 baking dish
-
Large mixing bowl
-
Medium saucepan
Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked chicken diced or shredded
- 1 (10.5 ounce) can cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup sour cream
- ½ cup milk
- 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1-½ cups water
- ¼ cup butter
- 1 (6 ounce) box Stove Top stuffing mix
Instructions
-
Preheat the oven to 350°F (180ºC) and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
-
In a large bowl, combine the diced chicken, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, milk, frozen mixed vegetables, garlic salt, and black pepper. Spread the chicken mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish.
-
In a medium saucepan, bring 1-½ cups of water to a boil. Stir in the butter until melted, then remove from heat and stir in the stuffing mix until well combined. Top the chicken mixture in the casserole dish with the prepared stuffing.
-
Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, until the stuffing is golden brown and the casserole is bubbling.
Notes
To reheat: If frozen, thaw overnight in the refrigerator. To reheat individual servings, use the microwave, heating on medium power until thoroughly heated. For the whole casserole, reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C). Cover it with aluminum foil to prevent over-browning and reheat for 10-20 minutes.