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This gooey chicken and stuffing dish blends the homey tastes of store-bought rotisserie chicken, silky sauce, and crunchy stuffing for a dinner that'll make everyone happy. I've been whipping up different versions of this bake for ages, and it's still one of the first things my pals ask for when they come by for supper.
I first threw this meal together during an insanely busy week when I needed something filling but easy. What started as a quick fix for leftover chicken has turned into a regular feature in my cooking lineup, especially when it's cold outside and we want something hot and satisfying.
What You'll Need
- Rotisserie chicken: Gives you juicy, tasty meat without any cooking hassle. Try to grab one that's just been made at your local store for the juiciest meat.
- Cream of chicken soup: Makes the smooth, velvety foundation that holds everything together. Go for the low sodium type if you're cutting back on salt.
- Dried thyme: Brings a woody, fragrant quality that makes simple stuff taste fancy. You can swap in fresh thyme if you happen to have some.
- Milk: Helps thin the sauce just right. Full-fat milk makes it richer but any kind will do the job.
- Butter: Helps create that mouth-watering brown topping. Stick with unsalted to keep the saltiness in check.
- Stuffing mix: Creates the crispy, flavorful top layer. The herb-flavored kinds add an extra taste boost.
- Fried onions: Add snap and bold flavor. They make a nice contrast with the creamy stuff underneath.
How To Make It
- Get Ready:
- Heat your oven to 350°F and coat your baking dish with grease. This stops stuff from sticking and makes washing up way easier. A quick hit of cooking spray works great.
- Mix The Chicken Stuff:
- Stir together your pulled rotisserie chicken, cream of chicken soup, thyme, and milk in a big bowl. Keep mixing until all chicken bits get covered in the creamy mix. It should end up thick but still pourable, like a chunky soup.
- Fix The Topping:
- In another bowl, drizzle melted butter over the dry stuffing mix. Stir it around until all the stuffing soaks up some butter. This gives you an awesome contrast between the crunchy outside and soft inside.
- Put It Together:
- Dump the chicken mixture into your greased dish and smooth it flat with a spatula. Cover it all with your buttery stuffing mix, pressing down slightly to make a solid layer on top.
- Add The Last Bit:
- Scatter fried onions all over the stuffing layer. These will turn super golden and give amazing crunch when baked.
- First Bake:
- Cover the dish with foil and stick it in the oven for 20 minutes. This warms everything through without making the top too brown too fast.
- Final Touch:
- Take off the foil and bake another 10 minutes until the top turns beautifully golden and the edges start bubbling a bit. Keep an eye on it during this last part so it doesn't burn.
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Those fried onions are actually my little trick in this dish. I found out how amazing they were when I ran out of breadcrumbs one night and needed something crunchy on top. Now my family gets upset if I leave them out – they bring such incredible zip and crunch.
Tasty Tweaks
This dish is super easy to change up based on what you like or what's in your kitchen. Try adding a handful of frozen mixed veggies between the chicken and stuffing for a complete one-dish meal. The veggies cook up perfectly in the creamy sauce and make each serving look prettier too.
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Keeping Leftovers
Put any extra portions in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When you want to warm it up again, cover with foil and heat in a 325°F oven until hot all the way through, around 20 minutes. Microwaving works too, but the stuffing won't stay as crunchy, though it'll still taste great. Toss some fresh fried onions on top of leftover servings to bring back that nice crunch.
Dishes That Go Well With It
Enjoy this filling casserole with a basic green salad with tangy dressing to cut through the richness. A spoonful of cranberry sauce on the side adds a lovely sweet-sour contrast that works really well with the savory flavors. For a fancy dinner, serve it with roasted brussels sprouts or green beans for a complete meal that seems special but doesn't take much effort.
FAQs About the Recipe
- → Can I swap in leftover turkey for the chicken?
Absolutely! Leftover turkey works wonderfully in this dish. It's a smart way to use up what's left after holiday meals.
- → What's a good swap for cream of chicken soup?
Try cream of mushroom or cream of celery soup instead. They'll give your dish a new but still yummy flavor profile.
- → Is it okay to mix in veggies?
For sure! Tossing in some cooked onions, celery, or even a mix of peas and carrots will add nice color and extra nutrients.
- → How do I make sure the stuffing gets really crunchy?
Leave the dish uncovered for the final 10 minutes of cooking time and you'll get that perfect golden crunch on top.
- → Can I make this ahead and cook later?
You bet! Put everything together, wrap it up tight, and keep it in your fridge for up to a day before you pop it in the oven.