Hey there, it’s Patricia from Patricia Universe! If you’re looking for delicious easy recipes for dinner with chicken that your whole family will love, you’ve come to the right place. Today I’m sharing one of my absolute favorite weeknight solutions – a comforting casserole that combines tender chicken with savory stuffing and creamy vegetables. This dish is proof that you can create incredible meals without spending hours in the kitchen. These simple dinners are what keep our family meals stress-free and satisfying.
Table of Contents
- Why This Casserole Became a Staple
- What Makes This Chicken Dinner So Easy
- Perfect for Busy Weeknights
- The Comfort Food Factor
- Customizing Your Casserole
- Serving Suggestions and Pairings
- The Full Recipe
- Notes and Tips
Key Takeaways
- One-Pan Wonder: Everything comes together in a single baking dish, minimizing cleanup.
- Weeknight Hero: Ready in about an hour from start to finish, perfect for busy evenings.
- Family-Friendly: Creamy, cheesy, and comforting – a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
- Endlessly Adaptable: Easily swap vegetables, proteins, or cheeses based on preference or what’s in your pantry.
- Great for Leftovers: Tastes even better the next day and reheats beautifully.
Why This Casserole Became a Staple
When I first developed this recipe, I was looking for something that could bridge the gap between “homemade from scratch” and “I have 30 minutes to get dinner on the table.” This chicken stuffing bake was the perfect answer. It uses simple, pantry-friendly ingredients that come together to create something much greater than the sum of its parts. The creamy sauce, the savory stuffing topping, and the tender chicken create layers of flavor and texture that feel special, even on a Tuesday night. It’s one of those simple dinner recipes that earns a permanent spot in your rotation.
What Makes This Chicken Dinner So Easy
Let’s talk about the secret to easy recipes like this one: minimal prep and maximum flavor. You don’t need any fancy techniques. Browning the chicken adds depth, but you can even skip that step if you’re in a serious rush (see my tip about rotisserie chicken below!). The “sauce” is just a quick stir of canned soup, sour cream, and broth. The stuffing mix does double duty, providing both seasoning and that iconic crispy-soft topping we all love. This approach to family dinners means less time chopping and more time enjoying the meal together.
Perfect for Busy Weeknights
We all have those evenings when cooking feels like a monumental task. That’s when this casserole truly shines. The active prep time is under 15 minutes. Once it’s in the oven, you have 45 minutes to set the table, help with homework, or just put your feet up. It’s the epitome of a set-it-and-forget-it meal. The result is a hot, hearty, and homemade dinner that feels like a warm hug at the end of a long day. It’s the kind of reliable easy recipe for dinner with chicken that saves the day when you’re juggling a million things.
The Comfort Food Factor
There’s a reason casseroles are a cornerstone of comfort food. They’re warm, filling, and often remind us of home. This chicken stuffing bake delivers on all those promises. The creamy base, the melty cheese, and the golden stuffing crust create a symphony of comforting textures. It’s substantial enough to be a complete meal but gentle enough to feel nourishing. It’s the dish you make when you need a little extra coziness, when you’re feeding a crowd, or when you just want a dinner that guarantees empty plates and happy smiles.
Customizing Your Casserole
One of the best things about this recipe is its flexibility. Think of it as a delicious template. Don’t have mixed vegetables? Use broccoli florets or chopped green beans. Want to use up that leftover turkey? Swap it for the chicken. Feel free to experiment with different condensed soups (cream of mushroom or celery work beautifully) or types of cheese. You can even add a sprinkle of herbs like thyme or rosemary to the stuffing for an extra flavor boost. This adaptability makes it a perfect one pot solution for using what you have on hand.
Serving Suggestions and Pairings
While this casserole is a complete meal on its own, a simple side can round it out perfectly. I love serving it with a bright, crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette to cut through the richness. Steamed green beans or roasted asparagus are also excellent choices. For a true comfort food feast, a side of buttery cornbread or fluffy dinner rolls is never a bad idea. No matter how you serve it, this dish is sure to become a requested favorite for your weeknight dinners.
The Full Recipe
You’ll find the complete ingredient list and step-by-step instructions in the recipe card below. Remember to check the “Notes & Tips” section for my favorite shortcuts and variations, including how to make this even faster with pre-cooked chicken.
Notes and Tips
For the busiest nights, use 3-4 cups of shredded rotisserie chicken and skip the browning step entirely. The casserole can be assembled ahead of time, covered, and refrigerated for up to 24 hours before baking (you may need to add 5-10 minutes to the baking time). Leftovers keep wonderfully in the fridge for 3-4 days and reheat beautifully in the microwave or oven.
Easy Chicken Stuffing Bake: A Simple One-Dish Casserole
Ingredients
For the Casserole
- 1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 (6 oz) box stuffing mix (like Stove Top)
- 1 (10.5 oz) can condensed cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup sour cream
- ½ cup milk or chicken broth
- 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn, green beans), thawed
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes, until lightly browned on all sides (it will finish cooking in the oven). Transfer the chicken to the prepared baking dish.
- In a medium bowl, prepare the stuffing mix according to the package directions (usually involving boiling water and butter). Set aside.
- In another bowl, whisk together the cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and milk (or broth) until smooth. Stir in the thawed mixed vegetables and ½ cup of the shredded cheddar cheese.
- Pour the soup and vegetable mixture evenly over the chicken in the baking dish.
- Spoon the prepared stuffing mix over the top, spreading it into an even layer.
- Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of cheddar cheese over the stuffing.
- Cover the dish loosely with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese on top is melted and golden.
- Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
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