Dolly’s Chicken and Stuffing Casserole: 1 Amazing Dish

There’s just something magical about a warm, hearty casserole, isn’t there? Especially when life gets busy and you need a meal that feels like a big hug in a dish. That’s exactly why Dolly’s Chicken and Stuffing Casserole is my absolute lifesaver. Seriously, this dish is pure comfort food genius! It’s the kind of meal that smells amazing while it’s baking and tastes even better. Whether it’s a chilly weeknight or a lazy Sunday, this casserole always hits the spot. I remember my mom making something similar when I was a kid, and the aroma alone would make my stomach rumble. It’s simple, uses ingredients you likely already have, and always, always gets rave reviews. Talk about a win-win!

Why You’ll Love This Dolly’s Chicken and Stuffing Casserole

Honestly, this casserole is a weeknight warrior! Here’s why you’ll want to make it again and again:

• Super Easy to Make: Seriously, most of the work is just mixing stuff together. Anyone can do this!
• Pure Comfort Food: It’s rich, creamy, and topped with that perfectly seasoned stuffing. Talk about cozy!
• Family Friendly: Kids and adults alike gobble this one up. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for dinner.
• Versatile: You can whip this up any night of the week and it feels special, but it’s easy enough for a Tuesday.

Ingredients for Dolly’s Chicken and Stuffing Casserole

Okay, so getting Dolly’s Chicken and Stuffing Casserole just right is all about these good old basics. You probably have most of them hanging out in your pantry right now!

• 1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup
• 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
• 1 1/4 cups water
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon dried sage
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 cups cooked, shredded chicken
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained
• 1 (6 ounce) package herb-seasoned stuffing mix
• 1/2 cup butter, melted

See? Nothing too crazy, right? These are the building blocks for pure comfort. We’ve got our creamy soups, a little bit of liquid to bring it all together, and then all those cozy spices that just make everything taste like home. And of course, plenty of chicken and those little bursts of tomato flavor!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Dolly’s Chicken and Stuffing Casserole

Alright, let’s chat about these ingredients for Dolly’s Chicken and Stuffing Casserole for a sec, because sometimes you need to make little swaps, right? First off, the chicken! You can absolutely cook and shred your own chicken breasts or thighs, but honestly, using a rotisserie chicken? That’s my secret weapon for a super speedy weeknight meal. It’s already cooked and seasoned, saving you tons of time. If you’re not a fan of cream of mushroom, or just don’t have it, cream of chicken soup works just fine on its own, or even cream of celery soup if that’s what you’ve got. It just gives it a slightly different flavor profile, but still totally delicious. And for the stuffing mix, any herb-seasoned stuffing will do the trick. Just make sure it’s the plain herb, not like, savory herb or anything too wild unless that sounds good to you!

How to Make Dolly’s Chicken and Stuffing Casserole: Step-by-Step

Alright, let’s get this amazing Dolly’s Chicken and Stuffing Casserole into the oven! It’s honestly one of those recipes where you can just dump and stir, and boom – magic happens. You’re going to love how simple it is to get such a wonderfully comforting meal on the table. It’s a stress-free way to get a delicious dinner ready, perfect for busy nights!

Preparing the Casserole Base

First things first, let’s get that oven preheated to a nice 350°F (175°C). Grab a nice big bowl, because we need room to mix! Dump in both cans of condensed soup – the cream of chicken and the cream of mushroom. Then, add in your water, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, sage, and that little bit of salt. Give it all a good stir until it’s nicely combined. Now, toss in your shredded chicken and those drained diced tomatoes. Mix it all up gently until everything is coated in that creamy soup mixture. It should look really yummy, sort of thick and inviting already!

Creating the Stuffing Topping

In a separate, smaller bowl, it’s time for the star topping! Pour your melted butter over the herb-seasoned stuffing mix. Give it a toss with a fork or spoon to make sure every single piece of stuffing gets a little bit of that buttery goodness. This is going to make it golden and delicious in the oven. Trust me, don’t skip this buttery step!

Baking Your Dolly’s Chicken and Stuffing Casserole

Now, take your chicken mixture and pour it into a 9×13 inch baking dish. Spread it out evenly so you don’t have any weird dry spots. Sprinkle that buttery stuffing mix all over the top. Make sure it’s a nice, even layer so you get that yummy crunch in every bite. This recipe is a total game-changer for meal prep, by the way! Pop it into your preheated oven and let it bake for about 30 to 35 minutes. You’re looking for that stuffing to be golden brown and delicious, and for the casserole underneath to be all bubbly and hot. If you like your stuffing extra crispy, you can always pop it under the broiler for a minute or two right at the end, but keep a close eye on it!

Tips for the Perfect Dolly’s Chicken and Stuffing Casserole

Okay, so you’ve got the recipe and you’re ready to rock this Dolly’s Chicken and Stuffing Casserole, right? Let me give you a few little pointers from my kitchen to yours to make sure it turns out absolutely perfect every single time. Nobody wants a dry casserole, and we definitely want that stuffing topping to be golden and amazing!

First off, the chicken! While rotisserie chicken is a fantastic shortcut, if you’re cooking chicken specifically for this, make sure it’s fully cooked and tender. You don’t want any tough bits in your creamy, dreamy casserole. Shredding it nicely means you get chicken in every single bite, which is crucial. And for that stuffing topping? Make SURE every piece is coated in butter. This is what guarantees that beautiful crunch and golden brown color. If you skip the butter, you risk dry, untoasted stuffing, and nobody wants that! This casserole is also great year-round, not just in colder months!

Serving Suggestions for Dolly’s Chicken and Stuffing Casserole

This Dolly’s Chicken and Stuffing Casserole is pretty much a meal in itself, right? It’s got chicken, it’s got creamy goodness, and that stuffing topping is just heaven. BUT, if you want to make it a full-blown feast, I’ve got a couple of ideas! A simple green salad is always nice, maybe something with a bright vinaigrette to cut through the richness. Or, for something a little heartier, you could always pair it with a nice steamed vegetable like green beans or broccoli. If you’re feeling fancy, a big ol’ bowl of my zucchini chickpea salad or some of my roasted potatoes with baked feta would be absolutely divine alongside it!

Storage and Reheating Instructions

So, you have some leftover Dolly’s Chicken and Stuffing Casserole? Lucky you! Honestly, this casserole is just as good, if not better, the next day. Once it’s cooled down a bit from the oven, just pop it into an airtight container and pop it in the fridge. It should stay good in there for about 3-4 days. If by some miracle you have even more leftovers and want to freeze it, just put it in a freezer-safe container. It’ll keep for a couple of months. Just remember to thaw it in the fridge overnight before you plan to reheat it!

Reheating is super simple. You can pop a portion back in the oven at around 350°F (175°C) until it’s warmed through – maybe 15-20 minutes depending on the size. If you’re really short on time, the microwave works too, just watch it so it doesn’t get tough. Honestly, either way, it’ll still be wonderfully comforting!

Frequently Asked Questions about Dolly’s Chicken and Stuffing Casserole

Got questions about my go-to Dolly’s Chicken and Stuffing Casserole? I totally get it! It’s such a favorite for a reason, and sometimes you just need those little answers to make sure it’s perfect. Let’s dive into some common ones!

Can I make Dolly’s Chicken and Stuffing Casserole ahead of time?

You sure can! You can totally prep the chicken mixture and pour it into your baking dish. Then, cover it tightly and keep it in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Just add the buttered stuffing topping right before you bake it, and maybe add a few extra minutes to the baking time.

What kind of chicken is best for this casserole?

Honestly, my favorite shortcut is using a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken! It’s already seasoned and perfectly tender, saving you so much time. If you’re cooking chicken specifically for this, just bake or boil a couple of chicken breasts until they’re cooked through, then shred them. Either way works beautifully!

Can I freeze Dolly’s Chicken and Stuffing Casserole?

Yep, you can definitely freeze this casserole. Prepare it as usual, but don’t bake it yet if you can help it. Cover it really well with plastic wrap and then foil. When you’re ready to bake, thaw it in the fridge overnight, then add the stuffing topping and bake as directed, possibly for a little longer than usual. It’s pretty forgiving!

Nutritional Information

Now, I always like to preface this by saying that the nutrition facts for Dolly’s Chicken and Stuffing Casserole are just estimates, you know? Because we all use different brands of soup, or maybe you use chicken thighs instead of breasts, it can all change things up a bit. But generally, a serving of this hearty dish is around 550 calories, with about 35 grams of protein, 30 grams of fat, and 40 grams of carbs. It’s a really satisfying meal, great for those days you need something filling and comforting, perfect for reaching those high-protein meal goals without feeling like you’re missing out!

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