There’s something magical about family recipes that have been passed down through generations. This traditional Southern Chicken Dressing recipe holds a special place in my heart, carrying with it memories of Sunday gatherings and holiday celebrations. As a cherished family heirloom shared by Amanda Rader, this recipe captures the essence of Southern hospitality in every savory bite.
What makes this chicken dressing truly special is its perfect balance of textures and flavors – crispy edges giving way to a moist, tender center, all infused with aromatic sage and the rich depth of homemade chicken broth. Whether you’re serving it alongside a holiday turkey or making it the star of your Sunday dinner, this comfort food classic never fails to bring smiles to the table.
Table of Contents
Recipe Details
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Servings: 8
- Difficulty: Easy
- Yield: 10 cups
The Secret to Perfect Southern Chicken Dressing
The key to this recipe’s success lies in its foundation: the perfect mixture of crumbled cornbread and biscuits. This combination creates an ideal texture that sets Southern dressing apart from traditional stuffing. The cornbread provides a subtle sweetness and crumbly texture, while the biscuits add body and help bind everything together.
Ingredients
For the Cornbread Base:
- 4 cups crumbled cornbread
- 5 biscuits, crumbled
- 6 cups chicken broth, divided
For the Aromatic Vegetables:
- ½ cup margarine
- ½ cup diced celery
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
Seasonings and Binders:
- 3 large eggs, beaten
- 1 teaspoon sage
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Optional Add-ins for Personalization:
- ½ cup cooked and crumbled sausage
- ½ cup chopped pecans
- ½ cup dried cranberries
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare Your Oven and Pan Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a large roasting pan generously to prevent sticking. This preparation ensures your dressing will release easily when served.
- Create Your Base In a spacious mixing bowl, combine your crumbled cornbread and biscuits. The key here is to ensure both are crumbled finely but not pulverized – you want some texture to remain.
- Add the First Moisture Layer Bring your chicken broth to a boil in a large saucepan. Pour half of the hot broth over your bread mixture, cover, and let it stand. This step allows the bread to absorb the flavorful liquid evenly.
- Prepare the Aromatics While your bread mixture is soaking, melt the margarine in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add your chopped onion and celery, sautéing until they become tender and translucent – about 5 minutes. This process releases their natural sweetness and creates a fragrant base for your dressing.
- Combine Everything Remove your skillet from heat and incorporate the sautéed vegetables into your bread mixture. Pour in the remaining broth, then gently fold in your beaten eggs, sage, and pepper. Mix until everything is well combined but be careful not to overmix.
- Bake to Perfection Transfer your mixture to the prepared roasting pan and bake for approximately 1 hour. You’ll know it’s done when the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Make It Your Own
This recipe welcomes personalization! Consider adding:
- Crumbled sausage for a heartier version
- Chopped pecans for extra crunch
- Dried cranberries for a sweet-tart surprise
Nutritional Information
Per serving:
- Calories: 223
- Fat: 15g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Protein: 4g
This dressing is naturally low in sugar and provides a good source of fiber, making it a relatively wholesome addition to your meal.
Perfect Pairings
This Southern Chicken Dressing pairs beautifully with:
- Roast chicken or turkey
- Baked ham
- Green bean casserole
- Sweet potato casserole
- Classic mashed potatoes
Remember, the best recipes are those that create memories around the table. This Southern Chicken Dressing has been bringing families together for generations, and now it can be part of your family’s tradition too.