Description
This Southern Chicken Dressing Recipe is a warm, savory, and comforting dish that brings together tender chicken, cornbread, and flavorful seasonings in one delicious bite. Whether you’re making it for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Sunday dinner, or just because, this recipe is a must-have for your comfort food collection.
Baked until golden brown and crispy on top, with a soft, moist interior, this dish is easy to prepare and pairs wonderfully with roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or even as a standalone meal.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 3 cups shredded cooked chicken (boiled, baked, or rotisserie)
- 2 cups chicken broth (for moisture)
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp garlic powder
For the Cornbread Dressing Base:
- 6 cups crumbled cornbread (homemade or store-bought)
- 2 slices of white bread, crumbled
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 stalks celery, finely chopped
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 ½ cups chicken broth (extra for moisture)
- ½ cup whole milk (optional, for extra richness)
Seasonings for the Dressing:
- 1 tsp poultry seasoning
- 1 tsp dried sage (or more to taste)
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for a little kick)
Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Chicken (Skip if Using Pre-Cooked)
- If using fresh chicken, boil or bake 2-3 boneless chicken breasts until fully cooked.
- Once done, shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces and set aside.
Step 2: Prepare the Dressing Base
- In a large mixing bowl, crumble the cornbread and white bread into small pieces.
- In a skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Sauté onion and celery for 5 minutes until soft and fragrant.
- Pour the sautéed vegetables (including butter) into the bowl with the crumbled bread.
- Add shredded chicken, seasonings (poultry seasoning, sage, black pepper, salt, garlic powder, cayenne), and lightly beaten eggs.
Step 3: Add Liquid for Moisture
- Slowly add chicken broth (about 1 ½ cups) and milk to the mixture, stirring gently. The mixture should be moist but not soupy.
- If needed, add a little extra broth for the perfect consistency.
Step 4: Bake the Dressing
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray.
- Transfer the dressing mixture into the baking dish, spreading it evenly.
- Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and slightly crispy.
Notes
- Moisture Control: If you like extra moist dressing, add an extra ½ cup of broth before baking.
- Make-Ahead Option: Assemble the dressing a day in advance, cover, and refrigerate. Bake when ready to serve.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free cornbread and substitute regular bread with gluten-free bread.
- Extra Richness: Stir in 1 cup of cooked sausage or bacon for a heartier dish.
- Vegetable Add-Ins: Chopped mushrooms, bell peppers, or carrots can be added for extra texture and flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 40-45 min
- Category: dinner
- Cuisine: Southern, American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: ~290
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 14g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 12g