Pepperidge Farm Chicken Casserole with Stuffing

Chicken casserole with stuffing is a quick and easy weeknight dinner. Nothing fancy but lots of flavor. Rotisserie chicken and store-bought stuffing mix are used so that all you have to add is an amazing homemade sauce that comes together in 10 minutes. 

Add Chicken Casserole with Stuffing to your Easy Meal Rotation

This dish for chicken casserole with stuffing is straightforward to make and only requires you to make two dishes dirty – and if you use an oven-safe skillet like a large cast iron, it truly is a one-pan meal that will be a family favorite.

The homemade mushroom soup just takes a few minutes to make before everything gets covered in a layer of crunchy, buttery stuffing mix. The sauce has so much more flavor than a can of mushroom soup and will transform this easy dinner recipe from so-so to one you’ll want to make on repeat.

Instead of a buttery cracker topping like you would use for poppy seed chicken casserole or chicken, rice and broccoli casserole, this is topped with an uncooked stuffing mix.

I’m all for using shortcuts when it doesn’t affect the flavor of a dish. This recipe uses the stuffing as a topping and not as an actual stuffing. You will not prepare the stuffing per the package instructions. Instead, you’ll add some butter to it and use it as a topping. Since it’s dried, it gives the casserole a nice crunch, like what you would get with Panko bread crumbs but with added flavor from the herbed seasoning.

This recipe is also even quicker to put together if you’ve got leftover chicken or use a rotisserie chicken. You can use a mixer to shred the chicken to save even more time.

If you have a little more time you can roast the chicken in the oven. It’s not hard at all but will take about 30 minutes. Make extra so you can be ready for more chicken casseroles like chicken cordon bleu casserole or creamy chicken divan.

You have to make Pepperidge Farm Chicken Casserole!

This chicken casserole is just one of those dishes you can’t wait to dig into. It’s a classic family meal that everyone enjoys. All the coziness of a warm chicken casserole dinner with a creamy filling and, of course, all that flavorful stuffing on top. Served with some mashed potatoes or macaroni and cheese and it’s just about as comforting as comfort food can get.

Chicken casserole with stuffing is excellent for a fast meal, and you’ll need some equally quick side dishes to go along with it. Try adding some buttery 7up biscuits or a macaroni salad. And just like any chicken and stuffing dinner, it wouldn’t be complete without some of Nana’s fried apples.

How should I prepare the chicken?

The chicken for this dish needs to be cooked and shredded before it can go into the casserole. There are several ways to cook chicken, but I think the easiest is to roast the chicken in the oven, it takes 30 minutes but you just put it in and forget about it.

To make this recipe extra convenient and simple, you use a rotisserie chicken. Need help to shred the chicken? This Kitchen Hack for how to shred chicken is one of my favorite ways to get it done quickly and without a big mess. 

Why make homemade cream of mushroom soup? 

A can of cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup is a staple ingredient for many casserole recipes because it adds flavor as well as a creamy texture that binds casserole ingredients together. But it tastes nowhere near as good as homemade.

If you’re in a hurry, canned soup can be a convenient option for getting dinner on the table super quickly. However, if you have a couple of ingredients and a few extra minutes, making your own cream of mushroom soup is a simple way to make your casseroles taste even better. Using fresh onions and mushrooms, for example, gives the casserole a better flavor than canned soup and it only takes 10 minutes.

You’ll Love Chicken and Dressing Casserole

• Easy to make. Chicken stuffing casserole is a simple and quick dish for both experts and beginners alike. All of the ingredients are easy to find at the grocery store, and many of them are pantry staples you might already have– so it’s a great way to transform leftover chicken or vegetables into something new with a few easy additions.

• It feeds a crowd. This casserole tastes like holiday leftovers and makes enough food to feed a hungry bunch.

• Use up leftovers. If you have leftover cooked chicken or turkey, this casserole is a way to use it up and give it new life.

What is stuffing made out of? 

Stuffing (or dressing) is usually thought of as a side dish for Thanksgiving, but I think homemade stuffing has a place on the table outside of holiday meals. Stuffing is made from torn or chopped bread that gets seasoned with sage, poultry seasoning, and rosemary. Usually, the bread is partly or fully dried before it’s turned into stuffing. It comes in all kinds of varieties and flavors and are often labeled to pair with different meats. 

As a side dish, it often gets baked with chicken broth to soften it. In this recipe, the stuffing is used as a topping. It gets soft on the bottom from the casserole filling and stays crispy on the top.

Ingredients for Chicken and Dressing Recipe

• Pepperidge Farm stuffing mix – I like the herb stuffing mix for this recipe. I think it has an excellent flavor that works really well with the rest of the ingredients, but you can use another flavor or brand if you prefer.

• Cooked shredded chicken: Cooked shredded chicken makes up the bulk of the casserole. If you happen to have leftover Thanksgiving turkey from a holiday meal, you can use that up instead. 

• Onions and mushrooms: Diced onions and mushrooms flavor the creamy sauce and add texture to the casserole. You can use any variety of onions and mushrooms, but I usually prefer a yellow or white onion and white button or Baby Bella mushrooms.

• Butter and flour: Cooking butter and flour together creates a roux, which thickens the sauce and makes it luscious and creamy. We’ll also toss the dry stuffing mix with melted butter for the perfect crunchy topping. 

• Chicken broth and milk: Chicken broth and milk make up the sauce for the casserole. Using both chicken broth and milk makes the sauce creamy but not too rich. Chicken broth from a box or can will work, but if you have homemade chicken stock on hand, it makes this casserole even better. 

How To Make Simple & Quick Chicken Stuffing Casserole

Here are the easy steps to follow when making this casserole.

Step 1: Make the mushroom soup. 

Start by dicing the mushrooms and onion into small pieces. Melt some butter in a skillet and then add in the mushrooms and onion, and saute them until the onions are translucent and the mushrooms have softened. This should take 5-6 minutes.

Don’t rush this process. This is where your mushroom soup will get its flavor, so take your time and let your veggies cook slowly.

Now, add the flour to the skillet and quickly stir it into the veggies. Let it cook for about 1 minute.

Slowly add both the milk and chicken broth. Whisk them in constantly to avoid lumps. Cook the soup until it’s just thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. 

Step 2: Add the chicken. 

Add the shredded chicken to the soup mixture, and carefully pour the whole chicken mixture into a baking dish. 

Step 3: Top the casserole.

In a large bowl, combine the dry stuffing mix and some melted butter. Mix it together to make sure it’s totally combined. Top the casserole with the buttered stuffing, and cover it with foil to keep the stuffing from burning in the oven.

Step 4: Bake the casserole. 

Bake the casserole for about 20 minutes covered, and then uncover it for the last 15 minutes or so of the baking time to allow the stuffing to crisp up. Serve the casserole as is, or add some simple side dishes, and enjoy.

Tips for Making a Chicken Stuffing Bake Recipe 

• You can prepare the casserole filling beforehand, but wait to add the stuffing until just before baking so it stays crispy.
  
• Don’t worry if the soup seems thinner than canned mushroom soup – it will thicken up plenty as it bakes in the oven.

• Cook the flour for at least one minute before adding the broth and milk. Cooking the flour thoroughly ensures the final dish doesn’t have any raw flour taste. Cooking the flour also allows it to get a little toasty and brown, which gives a depth of rich flavor to the final dish. 

How can I make this casserole ahead of time? 

Casseroles are perfect for keeping in your freezer for nights you don’t want to cook dinner but still want a hot homemade meal, and they’re also helpful for meal trains or bringing to friends in need of a meal. This casserole is convenient for making in advance – prepare the casserole filling as directed, then transfer it into a disposable aluminum casserole pan.

Let the casserole cool to room temperature before add the topping and then wrap it in foil or plastic and freeze.

What leftovers can I add to this casserole?

The better question is, what can’t you add?! Of course, you can stir in leftover chicken or turkey from your dinner. You can easily toss in leftover peas, corn, carrots, or beans. 

And if you’ve got leftover cranberry sauce or other side dishes, heat them up because this dish complements just about anything!

Chicken and Stuffing FAQs

Can I use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth?

Vegetable, chicken, or turkey broth would all work for this recipe. Broth from a box or can works fine, but using a bouillon cube or a bouillon paste works as well. 

Can I add vegetables to the casserole?

Vegetables are a healthy way to make this casserole a complete meal in one pan! Cooked carrots, green beans, peas, corn or cooked broccoli would all be great additions to the casserole. 

What other spices can I add to the casserole filling?

The stuffing mix has herbs and spices that make the casserole taste wonderful, but you can add garlic powder, dried sage or thyme, or dried rosemary to the casserole filling for an extra flavorful dish. 

What to Serve with Pepperidge Farm Chicken Casserole 

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