Description
Comfort meets simplicity in this Pioneer Woman chicken stuffing casserole, blending tender poultry with savory herb-infused stuffing. Hearty layers create a classic meal that satisfies hunger and warms souls with familiar flavors you’ll crave.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 ½ cups (675g) shredded cooked chicken
- 1 cup (150g) chopped onion
- 1 cup (130g) chopped carrot
- 1 cup (100g) chopped celery
- 1 cup (150g) frozen peas
- 2 (170g each) packages savory herb-flavored stuffing mix
- 6 cups (1.4L) low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup (225g / 8 oz) salted butter
- ½ cup (120ml) heavy cream
- ½ cup (60g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme
- ¼ cup (15g) chopped fresh parsley (plus more for garnish)
- ¾ tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- ¼ tsp ground turmeric
- Nonstick cooking spray
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C), ensuring an optimal cooking temperature for the chicken casserole.
- Vegetable Foundation: In a Dutch oven, melt butter over medium-high heat. Sauté onions, carrots, and celery until they become soft and translucent, developing a rich aromatic base for the dish.
- Sauce Development: Sprinkle flour over the vegetables, stirring to create a smooth roux. Cook briefly to eliminate raw flour flavor, then gradually whisk in chicken broth until the mixture thickens and becomes velvety.
- Flavor Infusion: Fold in shredded chicken, green peas, heavy cream, thyme, salt, pepper, and turmeric. Gently simmer to allow ingredients to harmonize and develop a complex flavor profile.
- Assembly: Coat a 13-by-9-inch baking dish with non-stick spray. Transfer the chicken and vegetable mixture, spreading evenly to create a uniform layer.
- Stuffing Topping: Melt remaining butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Combine stuffing mix with chicken broth and parsley, letting it absorb the liquid for maximum moisture and flavor.
- Final Layering: Distribute the prepared stuffing mixture evenly over the chicken base, creating a golden, crispy topping that will provide textural contrast.
- Baking: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes until the top achieves a rich golden-brown color and the edges become deliciously bubbly.
- Resting and Serving: Remove from the oven and allow the casserole to rest for 15 minutes, which helps the dish set and intensifies the flavors. Garnish with fresh parsley before presenting this comforting meal.
Notes
- Butter Balance: Use room temperature butter for smoother mixing and more even flavor distribution throughout the casserole.
- Vegetable Precision: Dice onions, carrots, and celery uniformly to ensure consistent cooking and texture in the dish.
- Sauce Smoothing: Whisk chicken broth slowly to prevent lumps, creating a silky and creamy sauce base that enhances overall taste.
- Resting Magic: Let the casserole sit for 15 minutes after baking to allow flavors to settle and make cutting and serving easier without falling apart.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 570
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 40g
- Saturated Fat: 24g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 100mg