You know those nights when you just *need* something warm, comforting, and familiar? That’s exactly when Dolly’s Chicken and Stuffing Casserole comes to the rescue! This isn’t just a meal; it’s like a warm hug in a casserole dish. It’s been our family’s absolute go-to for speedy weeknight dinners and even makes a delightful appearance at family get-togethers when we want something everyone loves. Seriously, it’s so ridiculously easy to throw together, and the flavors are just pure, classic goodness. I remember my mom making this for us after soccer games; the smell alone would make us all run inside!
Why You’ll Love Dolly’s Chicken and Stuffing Casserole
Seriously, this casserole is a lifesaver on busy nights!
- Super Simple: You can whip this up in about 15 minutes flat. Perfect for those crazy busy evenings!
- Minimal Ingredients: Most of it comes right out of a can or a box, making grocery shopping a breeze.
- Pure Comfort: It’s got that classic, cozy taste that everyone in the family adores. Talk about feel-good food!
- Family Friendly: Kids and adults alike devour this. It’s a guaranteed win for picky eaters (and us too!).
- Versatile: Works great for a quick dinner or as a side dish for holidays. You can even add veggies if you’re feeling fancy!
Gather Your Ingredients for Dolly’s Chicken and Stuffing Casserole
Alright, let’s get our ingredients together for this amazing casserole! It seriously is so simple, you probably have half of this stuff already. Trust me, the magic happens with just a few pantry staples.
- 1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted (don’t drain, just open it!)
- 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup, undiluted (these two soups make the creamiest base!)
- 1 1/4 cups water (just to thin out that yummy soup base a bit)
- 1 teaspoon salt (to bring out all those great flavors)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (a little kick!)
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or cubed (rotisserie chicken is my secret weapon here, so easy!)
- 1 (6 ounce) package seasoned stuffing mix (the kind you usually use for Thanksgiving works perfectly!)
- 1/2 cup butter, melted (this helps get that golden, toasty topping)
Simple Steps to Prepare Dolly’s Chicken and Stuffing Casserole
Okay, so getting this amazing casserole ready is honestly a piece of cake! It might seem like a lot of steps, but each one is super quick. You’ll have it in the oven before you know it. This recipe is a lifesaver when you’re short on time but still want that hearty, homemade flavor. It’s all about getting that creamy, chicken-y goodness mixed with that perfect stuffing topping. You can even get the garlic butter chicken and potatoes skillet started while this bakes for a full meal!
Preheating and Mixing the Base
First things first, let’s get that oven preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (that’s 175 Celsius). While it’s warming up, grab a big bowl. Pour in both cans of that condensed soup – don’t drain them! – then add your water, salt, and pepper. Give it a good stir until everything is blended together nice and smooth. You want a creamy, dreamy base.
Adding the Chicken and Stuffing
Now for the stars of the show! Toss in your cooked chicken. Whether you shredded it or cubed it, just get it in there. Next, grab that package of seasoned stuffing mix and dump it right on in. Here’s the key: give it a really good toss so that every single bit of stuffing gets coated in that creamy chicken mixture. You don’t want any dry pockets!
Assembling and Baking the Casserole
Once everything is nicely combined, pour it all into your 9×13 inch baking dish. Spread it out evenly so it bakes up beautifully. Now, drizzle that melted butter all over the top. This is what gives you that golden, slightly crispy stuffing layer we all love so much. Pop it into your preheated oven and bake for about 25 to 30 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when it’s all hot, bubbly around the edges, and that stuffing on top is perfectly tender and toasted. It makes the whole kitchen smell amazing, kind of like a simpler version of my coconut lime chicken!
Tips for the Best Dolly’s Chicken and Stuffing Casserole
Alright, want to make sure your Dolly’s Chicken and Stuffing Casserole is just perfect? I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve that really make a difference. Remember how I mentioned rotisserie chicken? Seriously, just grab one from the store – it saves so much time and it’s already perfectly cooked and seasoned. You can even shred a shredded chicken and rice stuffed pepper recipe if you have some leftover!
Now, for that topping – if you like it extra crunchy, try toasting the dry stuffing mix in a separate bowl with maybe a tablespoon of melted butter *before* you mix it into the casserole. Just a few minutes under the broiler or in a hot pan until it’s golden. It makes a world of difference! And don’t be afraid to add in some extra veggies, like peas or corn, if you want to bulk it up. This recipe is pretty forgiving, almost as easy as making nutritious chicken broccoli nuggets!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Chicken and Stuffing Casserole
When you’re making Dolly’s Chicken and Stuffing Casserole, the ingredients are pretty straightforward, but a few little things can make a big difference, or even help you out if you’re missing something! The cream of chicken and cream of mushroom soups are totally key for that creamy, dreamy texture. If you really can’t find one of them, you could try using two cans of just cream of chicken or cream of mushroom, or even a can of cream of celery soup, but the flavor profile will change a bit. It’s like how in my ground turkey zucchini casserole, the zucchini changes the whole vibe compared to potatoes!
As for the stuffing mix, the regular seasoned bread cube kind is fantastic! But if you want to mix things up, you could try a cornbread stuffing mix for a different flavor, or even use some crushed buttery crackers if you’re in a pinch. Just make sure it’s seasoned, otherwise, you might need to add a bit more salt and pepper. You know, it’s all about building flavor, just like in my bacon cheeseburger casserole where the bacon is just non-negotiable for me!
Serving Suggestions for Dolly’s Chicken and Stuffing Casserole
This casserole is so rich and satisfying on its own, but serving it with a few lighter sides really makes the whole meal sing! It’s like giving your tastebuds a little break before diving back into that creamy stuffing goodness. Think about balancing out all that comfort food with something fresh and bright.
I absolutely adore serving this with a big scoop of my roasted veggie tahini yogurt. All those roasted veggies with that zesty yogurt sauce are just divine against the backdrop of the casserole. Another winner in my book is a simple pineapple cucumber salad – the sweetness of the pineapple and the crisp coolness of the cucumber cut through the richness of the casserole perfectly. Even a simple steamed green bean or some buttered corn on the cob would be lovely!
Storage and Reheating Dolly’s Chicken and Stuffing Casserole
Got leftovers? Lucky you! This casserole is almost as good (some might even say better!) the next day. Once it’s cooled down a bit, just pop any extra into an airtight container. It’ll keep happily in the fridge for about 3 to 4 days. When you’re ready for round two, you’ve got options! For a quick reheat, a minute or two in the microwave works great. But if you want to bring back that nice crispy topping, pop a serving in a small oven-safe dish and bake it at around 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or until it’s nice and bubbly again. Easy peasy!
Frequently Asked Questions about Dolly’s Chicken and Stuffing Casserole
Got questions about this cozy bake? I totally get it! It’s a simple recipe, but sometimes little things can pop up. Let’s clear those up so your casserole turns out perfectly!
Can I use fresh chicken instead of cooked?
Oh, absolutely! You sure can. If you don’t have leftover chicken or don’t want to grab a rotisserie one, just cook about 1 to 1.5 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs. You can boil them, bake them, or even poach them until they’re cooked through. Then, just cube or shred them up, and you’re good to go! Sometimes I even use chicken from a slow cooker chicken and rice recipe if I have extra.
Can this be made ahead of time?
Yes, you can totally prep this casserole ahead of time! You can mix everything *except* the melted butter topping and store it covered in the fridge for up to a day. When you’re ready to bake, just let it sit out on the counter for about 15-20 minutes to take the chill off, then add that melted butter and bake as directed. It might need a few extra minutes in the oven since it’ll be starting out colder.
What kind of stuffing mix is best?
For Dolly’s Chicken and Stuffing Casserole, the classic seasoned bread cube stuffing mix is what I grew up with and what works beautifully. Those little packets already have the perfect blend of herbs and seasonings. You can definitely experiment with cornbread stuffing mix for a different flavor, or even a wild rice stuffing mix if you want to get fancy, but the standard seasoned kind is a tried-and-true winner!
Can I add vegetables to this casserole?
Heck yes, you can add veggies! It’s already a super forgiving recipe. Stirring in about a cup of frozen peas or corn (no need to thaw!) during step 2 when you add the chicken is a fantastic idea. You could also sauté some onions or mushrooms beforehand and add them in. Just make sure if you’re adding fresh veggies that might release a lot of water, you might need to bake it a few minutes longer.
Nutritional Information
While Dolly’s Chicken and Stuffing Casserole is pure comfort, it’s good to have an idea of what’s in a serving. Please remember these numbers are just estimates and can vary depending on the exact ingredients you use, like the brand of soup or the type of stuffing. You can find more details about how we calculate nutrition on our disclaimer page, but generally, you’re looking at around 450 calories, 25g protein, 30g carbs, and 25g fat per serving. It’s a hearty dish, for sure!
Share Your Dolly’s Chicken and Stuffing Casserole Experience
I absolutely LOVE hearing from you all! Did you make Dolly’s Chicken and Stuffing Casserole? Did your family gobble it up? Share your thoughts, any cool twists you tried, or even a photo of your creation in the comments below! You can also check out my story to see what else I’m cooking up, or reach out if you have any questions!
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Dolly’s Chicken and Stuffing Casserole
- Total Time: 45 min
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A comforting casserole featuring chicken and stuffing.
Ingredients
- 1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup
- 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1 1/4 cups water
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups cubed cooked chicken
- 1 (6 ounce) package seasoned stuffing mix
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- In a large bowl, mix together the cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, water, salt, and pepper.
- Stir in the cooked chicken.
- Add the dry stuffing mix and toss to combine.
- Pour the mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Pour the melted butter evenly over the top.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the casserole is hot and bubbly and the stuffing is tender.
Notes
- You can use leftover cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken for this recipe.
- For a crispier topping, you can toast the stuffing mix separately before adding it to the casserole.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 30 min
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: chicken casserole, stuffing casserole, comfort food, easy dinner, family meal