Growing up in Louisiana, Thanksgiving dinner always meant having dressing. Not stuffing—dressing. Cornbread-based, rich with the Holy Trinity of Cajun cooking (onions, bell peppers and celery) and packed with deep, savory flavors. Stuffing, the bread cube-filled dish so beloved in other parts of the country, was just a curiosity to me. But now that I live in Central Pennsylvania, I’ve grown to appreciate certain types of stuffing, especially when it’s baked into a comforting casserole.
I recently saw cookbook author Matthew Bounds’ (@yourbarefootneighbor) chicken and stuffing casserole and I immediately knew I had to try it. It looked almost too easy, and quick, flavorful meals are my go-to! Plus, anything described as “smelling like Thanksgiving” and “stupid easy” is always a win in my book.
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@yourbarefootneighbor Day 7 of our #sharedcasserole series is one of the easiest #recipes yet! #rotisseriechicken #chickendinner #fiveingredients #simplemeals #fastrecipe #quickdinner #easydinner #casserole #whatsfordinner #easycooking
♬ original sound – Your Barefoot Neighbor
Get Thanksgiving Flavors Anytime
For this recipe, you’ll need a shredded rotisserie chicken (I’m grabbing mine from Costco because, well, convenience!), a bag of frozen mixed vegetables, salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder, two cans of cream of chicken soup, a can of sweetened condensed milk and two boxes of Stove Top stuffing mix (or your favorite brand).
Spread the shredded chicken in an even layer in a baking dish. Pour the frozen mixed vegetables over the chicken, then season liberally with salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder. This step is crucial because frozen veggies can be bland if you don’t give them a little love.
In a measuring cup, whisk the cream of chicken soup and sweetened condensed milk until smooth. Pour this mixture evenly over the veggies. This might seem like an unusual combo, but trust the process—the condensed milk adds a hint of sweetness that balances out the savory elements.
Cook the stuffing according to the instructions on the box. Once it’s done, spoon it over the cream of chicken mixture, spreading it out evenly (as the casserole bakes the stuffing will turn into a deliciously golden, crispy topping). Pop the casserole into a 400° oven and bake for 30 minutes, until it’s bubbling and your kitchen smells like Thanksgiving.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This dish is basically layering and baking, which makes it a perfect weeknight meal when I need something satisfying but don’t have time for anything elaborate. If you have a Costco membership, you already know how magical their rotisserie chickens are, but this meal allows you to use up any leftover chicken you may have.
According to Bounds, this casserole is also great for meal prepping. That means I can make a big batch, freeze it and have a comforting meal ready to go on a busy night. If you, like me, love the cozy, nostalgic flavors of Thanksgiving but don’t always want to wait until November, this casserole is a perfect way to enjoy it at any time.
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