How to Make Delicious Homemade Chicken and Dressing from Scratch

People love chicken and dressing as a comfort food. It’s great for holidays, family get-togethers, or a cozy weeknight dinner. If you follow these simple steps, it’s not as hard as you might think to make chicken and dressing from scratch at home. This guide will show you how to make delicious chicken and dressing at home that will wow your family and friends.

Ingredients for Chicken and Dressing

The star ingredients that go into homemade chicken and dressing are

• Chicken – Shredded cooked chicken is key. Rotisserie chicken works great but you can also use poached, roasted, or grilled chicken breasts or thighs.

• Dressing – A basic homemade dressing is made from bread cubes, chicken broth, onions, celery, fresh herbs like thyme or sage, eggs, and seasonings.

• Condensed Soup – Chicken or mushroom condensed soup provides moisture, flavor and a creamy texture.

• Seasonings – Herbs and spices like dried thyme, sage, poultry seasoning, salt, pepper and nutmeg provide big flavor

• Onion and Celery – Diced onions and celery lend crunch and aromatic flavor.

• Butter – Butter provides richness and keeps the dressing tender.

• Chicken Broth – Use homemade or canned broth to moisten the bread cubes.

You can customize your homemade dressing by adding chopped nuts, cranberries, cheese, mushrooms or other vegetables.

Steps for Making Chicken and Dressing

Follow these simple steps for outstanding homemade chicken and dressing.

1. Prepare the Bread Cubes

• Cut or tear bread loaves into 1-inch cubes. Homemade bread works great but store bought is fine too.

• Let the cubes sit out overnight to dry out slightly which helps them absorb flavors.

2. Cook the Aromatics

• In butter, sauté diced onion and celery until softened and translucent. This builds a flavor base.

3. Make the Dressing

• In a large bowl, mix together the chicken broth, herbs, spices, eggs, sautéed veggies and bread cubes. Toss gently to evenly coat.

• You can also melt some butter and drizzle it over the bread mixture to make it taste even better.

4. Add the Chicken

• Shred or chop your cooked chicken into bite-size pieces.

• Layer the dressing and chicken in a baking dish, starting with a bit of dressing on the bottom.

5. Finish with Condensed Soup

• Soup that has been canned should be mixed with milk or water in a small bowl until it is pourable.

• Pour the thinned soup over the top of the chicken and dressing layers. This adds moisture and flavor.

6. Bake the Casserole

• Cover the baking dish tightly with foil and bake at 350°F for about 50 minutes until hot and bubbling.

• Remove foil and bake 10 more minutes to brown the top.

• Let rest 10 minutes before serving.

And that’s it – your homemade chicken and dressing is ready to enjoy! The aroma while it bakes is amazing.

Helpful Tips for Delicious Chicken and Dressing

• Allow the bread cubes to stale slightly for better flavor absorption.

• Use a combo of white and wheat bread for depth of flavor.

• Toast the bread cubes for more texture.

• Sauté the onion and celery until softened but not browned.

• Season generously with poultry seasoning, sage and thyme.

• For moistness, add extra broth, butter or condensed soup if needed.

• If dried out, stir in chicken broth and re-cover to continue baking.

• Bake covered so the interior cooks through before the top crisps.

• Check for doneness by inserting a knife into the center.

• Let the casserole rest before serving so the flavors meld.

Creative Ways to Customize Chicken and Dressing

One of the best parts of homemade chicken and dressing is you can tweak it with your favorite flavors. Get creative with mix-ins like:

• Diced apples or cranberries for a hint of sweetness

• Toasted nuts like pecans or walnuts for crunch

• Sauteed mushrooms or diced carrots for extra veggies

• Mixed shredded cheese for gooey pockets

• Chopped fresh sage or rosemary for herby flavor

• Dijon mustard, hot sauce or roasted garlic for a kick

• A splash of white wine or chicken stock for added moisture

With so many options for customization, you can create a chicken and dressing recipe perfectly suited for your family’s tastes. The possibilities are endless!

Serving Suggestions for Chicken and Dressing

Chicken and dressing is delicious on its own but also pairs well with various side dishes:

• Green Beans – Fresh steamed green beans

• Cranberry Sauce – Sweet, tart cranberry sauce

• Mashed Potatoes – Creamy mashed potatoes

• Vegetables – Roasted veggies like Brussels sprouts

• Salad – A light green salad with vinaigrette

• Dinner Rolls – Warm, soft dinner rolls or biscuits

• Gravy – Rich turkey, chicken or sausage gravy

Storing and Freezing Leftovers

Chicken and dressing casserole lasts up to 5 days refrigerated. To freeze, allow it to cool completely then wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil. It will keep in the freezer for 2-3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating. Add a little chicken broth if it seems dry after reheating.