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Chicken and Dressing

A comforting dish with savory chicken, golden-brown bread, and creamy sauce that evokes nostalgia and brings everyone together.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Comfort Food
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

Bread Ingredients
  • 6-7 cups cubed bread Cubed into 1-inch pieces for a soft interior.
  • 1 cup bread crumbs For a crispy texture.
  • 2 tablespoons butter Used for browning the bread crumbs.
  • ½ cup additional butter Blends into the flavorful mixture.
Main Ingredients
  • 4 cups cooked and cubed chicken Tender and juicy, serving as the heart of the dish.
  • 1 cup celery, diced Adds a fresh, crisp quality.
  • ½ cup onion, chopped Provides a sweet and aromatic base.
  • 4 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped Lends vibrant color and fresh herbal notes.
Seasonings and Liquids
  • ½ teaspoon salt To enhance all the ingredients.
  • ⅛ teaspoon pepper Adds a subtle kick.
  • ½ teaspoon poultry seasoning Infuses classic flavor notes.
  • ⅓ cup chicken broth To enrich the bread mixture.
  • 1 cup milk Makes the sauce creamy.
Thickening Agents
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour Used to thicken the sauce.
  • 4 large eggs Adds richness and binds the ingredients.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 350˚F and grease a 13x9 casserole dish.
  2. In a heavy-bottomed skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat and brown the bread crumbs for about 5 minutes until golden and fragrant. Set aside to cool.
  3. In a large skillet, sauté the diced celery, chopped onion, and fresh parsley in ½ cup of butter for about 5 minutes until softened. Stir in the cubed bread and season with salt, pepper, and poultry seasoning, tossing to combine.
  4. Transfer the mixture to the greased casserole dish and drizzle with chicken broth.
Creating the Sauce
  1. In another large skillet, melt 1 cup of butter over medium-high heat. Whisk in the flour until well combined.
  2. Gradually add the chicken broth and milk, whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Season with salt and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly for about 10 minutes until thickened.
Final Assembly
  1. Whisk the eggs in a small bowl and slowly add 1 cup of the hot broth mixture to the eggs, whisking to temper them.
  2. Pour this egg mixture back into the remaining hot broth, cooking on low for another 3 minutes while stirring gently.
  3. Pour the thickened broth mixture over the prepared bread cubes in the casserole dish. Layer the cooked chicken on top and sprinkle the browned bread crumbs evenly over everything.
  4. Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes until bubbly and the center reaches 160˚F.

Notes

For an extra layer of flavor, you can add sautéed mushrooms or garlic. Ensure your bread is slightly stale for the best texture. To make it more decadent, you can use cream instead of milk.