Easy Chicken & Stuffing Bake: Simple Oven Dinner Idea

This easy chicken and stuffing bake is about to become your new weeknight hero.

Imagine tender, juicy chicken nestled under a savory, golden-brown stuffing, all brought together with a creamy, comforting sauce. It’s a true one-dish wonder that delivers big on flavor with minimal fuss, making it perfect for those busy evenings when you still want a homemade meal.

Whether you’re feeding a family, a hungry crowd, or just looking for a simple yet satisfying dinner for yourself, this recipe hits all the right notes. It’s designed for convenience, using readily available ingredients and straightforward steps that even the most novice cook can master.

Easy Chicken and Stuffing Bake

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• Total Time: 35-40 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x

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Description

This easy chicken and stuffing bake is a comforting one-dish meal featuring tender chicken in a creamy sauce, topped with savory, golden-brown stuffing. It’s perfect for busy weeknights, offering big flavor with minimal fuss and easy cleanup. Designed for convenience, it uses readily available ingredients and straightforward steps, making it a family-friendly favorite that’s also great for casual gatherings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup

1/2 cup milk

1 teaspoon dried parsley

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced

1 (6 ounce) box stuffing mix (such as Stove Top)

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted

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Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375 F (190 C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray.

2. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the condensed cream of chicken soup, milk, dried parsley, black pepper, and garlic powder until the mixture is smooth and well combined.

3. Gently fold the shredded or diced cooked chicken into the soup mixture, ensuring the chicken is evenly coated.

4. Pour the chicken and soup mixture evenly into your prepared 9×13 inch baking dish. Use a spatula to spread it out into a single, consistent layer.

5. In a separate small bowl, combine the dry stuffing mix with the melted butter. Stir until all the stuffing crumbs are moistened by the butter.

6. Carefully sprinkle the buttered stuffing mixture evenly over the chicken and soup layer in the baking dish, covering the entire surface.

7. Place the baking dish into your preheated oven. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the topping is lightly golden brown and the chicken mixture is bubbly around the edges. The internal temperature should reach 165 F (74 C).

8. Once baked, remove the dish from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
• Category: main dish
• Method: bake
• Cuisine: american

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe

Keywords: chicken, stuffing, casserole, easy, weeknight, comfort food, bake, creamy, savory, family-friendly

What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe

You’ll absolutely adore this recipe for its sheer simplicity and comforting appeal. It’s a fantastic solution for busy weeknights when time is short but you still crave a hearty, home-cooked meal. This dish is incredibly forgiving and uses everyday ingredients you likely already have on hand or can easily pick up at any grocery store. It’s perfect for families because it’s a universally loved combination of chicken and savory stuffing, often a hit even with picky eaters. The one-dish nature means less cleanup, which is always a win in a busy household. Serve it when you need a reliable, delicious dinner that doesn’t require hours in the kitchen, perhaps after a long day at work or when you have evening activities. It’s also a great option for casual gatherings or potlucks, as it scales up easily and travels well. The combination of tender chicken, creamy sauce, and crispy stuffing creates a harmonious blend of textures and flavors that feels both familiar and satisfying.

Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress

Gathering your ingredients for this chicken and stuffing bake is a breeze. Most of these items are pantry staples, ensuring a stress-free cooking experience. You won’t need any special equipment beyond a baking dish, making this recipe accessible for everyone.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
• 1 (6 ounce) box stuffing mix (such as Stove Top)
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted

When it comes to substitutions, there are a few easy swaps you can make to suit your preferences or what you have on hand. If you don’t have cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom or cream of celery soup can work as alternatives, though they will subtly change the flavor profile. For the milk, any kind will do – whole, 2%, or even a non-dairy milk if you prefer. The dried parsley, black pepper, and garlic powder are key for seasoning, but feel free to adjust these to your taste; a pinch of onion powder could also be a nice addition. For the cooked chicken, rotisserie chicken is a fantastic shortcut, or you can boil and shred chicken breasts or thighs. If you prefer, you can even use leftover turkey. As for the stuffing mix, any brand of savory dry stuffing mix will work perfectly. If you’re out of unsalted butter, salted butter is fine, just be mindful of adding extra salt to the dish.

Time Needed From Start To Finish

This recipe is designed for maximum efficiency, getting a delicious meal on the table without eating up your entire evening.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
• Total Time: 35-40 minutes

The prep time is incredibly quick, mostly involving mixing a few ingredients and shredding your pre-cooked chicken. The cook time is also very reasonable, allowing the flavors to meld and the stuffing to get perfectly golden and crispy. This makes it an ideal candidate for weeknight dinners when you need something satisfying without a long wait.

How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues

Creating this comforting chicken and stuffing bake is incredibly straightforward. Follow these simple steps for a perfect, family-friendly meal every time.

1. Prepare Your Baking Dish: Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray. This will help prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
2. Combine Creamy Base Ingredients: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the condensed cream of chicken soup, milk, dried parsley, black pepper, and garlic powder until the mixture is smooth and well combined. This forms the flavorful, creamy sauce for your bake.
3. Add the Chicken: Gently fold the shredded or diced cooked chicken into the soup mixture. Ensure the chicken is evenly coated. This step integrates the protein into the creamy base, setting up a delicious foundation for the dish.
4. Spread into Baking Dish: Pour the chicken and soup mixture evenly into your prepared 9×13 inch baking dish. Use a spatula to spread it out into a single, consistent layer. This ensures even cooking and distribution of ingredients.
5. Prepare the Stuffing Topping: In a separate small bowl, combine the dry stuffing mix with the melted butter. Stir until all the stuffing crumbs are moistened by the butter. The butter helps the stuffing become golden and crispy as it bakes.
6. Top the Chicken Mixture: Carefully sprinkle the buttered stuffing mixture evenly over the chicken and soup layer in the baking dish. Make sure to cover the entire surface for a consistent topping.
7. Bake Until Golden: Place the baking dish into your preheated oven. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the topping is lightly golden brown and the chicken mixture is bubbly around the edges. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C) for food safety.
8. Rest and Serve: Once baked, remove the dish from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the dish to set slightly and prevents the creamy sauce from being too runny.

Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life

This chicken and stuffing bake is wonderfully versatile, allowing for easy adaptations to suit different tastes and occasions. For a kid-friendly twist, you can add a cup of frozen peas or corn to the chicken mixture before baking; these vegetables add a touch of sweetness and color that kids often enjoy. Another idea is to sprinkle a cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the chicken mixture before adding the stuffing topping for an extra layer of cheesy goodness.

If you’re looking to change up the flavor profile, consider adding a can of drained, sliced mushrooms to the soup mixture, or a dash of poultry seasoning for a deeper savory note. For a little kick, a pinch of red pepper flakes can be stirred into the sauce.

When it comes to serving, this dish is a complete meal on its own, but it pairs beautifully with a simple side salad dressed with a light vinaigrette to add freshness and balance. Steamed green beans, roasted broccoli, or a side of cranberry sauce also make excellent companions. For a heartier meal, you could serve it alongside some mashed potatoes, though with the stuffing, it’s often not necessary. This bake is also fantastic for a casual buffet-style dinner; simply keep it warm in a slow cooker on a “warm” setting after baking, or serve it directly from the baking dish.

Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them

Even simple recipes can have common pitfalls, but with a little awareness, you can easily avoid them and ensure your chicken and stuffing bake turns out perfectly every time.

One frequent mistake is using raw chicken. This recipe specifically calls for *cooked* chicken. If you use raw chicken, it won’t cook through properly in the time allotted for the bake, and the texture will be off. Always make sure your chicken is pre-cooked and shredded or diced before adding it to the soup mixture. Rotisserie chicken is a fantastic shortcut here.

Another common issue is over-baking the stuffing. While you want the stuffing to be golden and crispy, baking it for too long can dry it out and make it hard. Keep an eye on it during the last 10 minutes of baking. If the stuffing is browning too quickly, you can loosely tent the dish with aluminum foil to prevent further browning while the rest of the dish finishes cooking.

Not mixing the soup base thoroughly can lead to lumps of condensed soup in your final dish. Take the extra minute or two to whisk the cream of chicken soup and milk together until it’s completely smooth before adding the chicken. This ensures a consistent, creamy sauce throughout the bake.

Forgetting to grease the baking dish can result in a sticky mess, making it difficult to serve and clean up. A quick spray of cooking oil or a light rub of butter will prevent the chicken mixture from adhering to the bottom and sides of the dish.

Finally, not allowing the dish to rest before serving can lead to a runny consistency. Just like a casserole, this bake benefits from a 5-10 minute rest period after coming out of the oven. This allows the sauce to thicken slightly and the flavors to settle, making for cleaner portions and a more enjoyable eating experience.

How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture

This chicken and stuffing bake is excellent for

FAQs

• Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
• How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
• Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
• Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.