Description
Southern Chicken Dressing is a classic comfort food dish packed with rich, savory flavors. This dish is a staple at Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Sunday dinners across the South. Made with crumbled cornbread, tender shredded chicken, aromatic vegetables, and flavorful seasonings, it’s the perfect side dish for any holiday feast. Unlike stuffing, which is cooked inside a turkey, Southern dressing is baked separately in a casserole dish, resulting in a perfectly crisp top with a moist, flavorful center.
Ingredients
For the Cornbread
2 cups cornmeal
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 ½ cups buttermilk
2 eggs
¼ cup melted butter
For the Dressing
4 cups crumbled cornbread
2 cups shredded cooked chicken (rotisserie or boiled)
1 cup white bread, crumbled
2 ½ cups chicken broth
½ cup butter, melted
1 medium onion, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
2 eggs, beaten
1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
1 teaspoon dried sage
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Step 1: Make the Cornbread
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a baking dish.
In a bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Add buttermilk, eggs, and melted butter, stirring until combined.
Pour the batter into the prepared dish and bake for 20-25 minutes. Let it cool, then crumble into a large mixing bowl.
Step 2: Cook the Chicken
If not using rotisserie chicken, boil 2 chicken breasts in salted water for 15-20 minutes.
Once fully cooked, shred the chicken using two forks and set aside.
Step 3: Sauté the Aromatics
In a skillet, melt butter over medium heat.
Add diced onions and celery, cooking until soft and translucent (about 5 minutes).
Step 4: Assemble the Dressing
In a large mixing bowl, combine crumbled cornbread, shredded chicken, white bread, and sautéed onions and celery.
Stir in poultry seasoning, sage, salt, and black pepper.
Add melted butter, beaten eggs, and chicken broth, mixing until moist but not soupy.
Step 5: Bake the Dressing
Transfer the mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 35-45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and crispy.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
Let the dressing cool for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Pair it with gravy, turkey, or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.
Notes
For a spicier kick, add ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper.
Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
If your dressing is too dry, add extra broth before baking.
If it’s too wet, bake uncovered for an additional 10-15 minutes.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: Southern Chicken Dressing, Cornbread Dressing, Thanksgiving Side Dish, Holiday Recipes, Comfort Food