Old Fashioned Chicken Dressing
A classic Southern-style chicken dressing with savory herbs, cornbread, and tender chicken, perfect for holiday dinners or family gatherings, offering hearty comfort and rich flavors.
Ingredients
- 4 lb. fryer chicken, cut up
- 3 Tbsp. margarine ⓘ
- 6 cups cornbread ⓘ
- 3 cups chopped onions ⓘ
- 2 bunches chopped green onions
- 1 1/2 cups chopped celery ⓘ
- 1 medium chopped bell pepper ⓘ
- 3 eggs ⓘ
- 2 cups light bread or leftover biscuits ⓘ
- sage to taste ⓘ
- salt to taste ⓘ
- black pepper to taste ⓘ
- 1 small can Pet milk ⓘ
Instructions
- Mix well all ingredients, except Pet milk and milk.
- Add Pet milk and some of the chicken broth, saving 3 cups of broth for Giblet Gravy.
- Add sweet milk gradually to achieve a medium to thin mixture, depending on desired moistness.
- Mix well again.
- Taste and adjust salt and sage as needed.
- Remove 2 cups of the mixture and set aside for Giblet Gravy.
- Pour the remaining dressing into a large, well-greased roasting pan.
- Place a pan of water underneath the roasting pan to prevent over-browning.
- Bake until golden and cooked through, approximately 60 minutes.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider using homemade cornbread instead of store-bought. If you're short on time, leftover bread or biscuits can work well as a substitute. Adjust the sage based on your preference, and feel free to add herbs like thyme or rosemary for extra depth. To keep it moist, ensure your chicken broth is warm when mixing in, as this helps the ingredients combine better.
Serving Suggestions
This Old Fashioned Chicken Dressing pairs beautifully with roasted vegetables and a side of cranberry sauce for a festive touch. For a complete meal, consider serving it alongside mashed potatoes and gravy, or even with a light salad. It’s a perfect complement to traditional American recipes during holiday gatherings.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, cover the dressing with foil and warm it in the oven at 350°F for about 20 minutes, or until heated through. You can also add a splash of broth to keep it moist while reheating.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Old Fashioned Chicken Dressing contains roughly 813 calories, with 25g protein, 110g carbohydrates, and 33g fat. It is an excellent source of protein (50% of the Daily Value), vitamin C (48% of the Daily Value), and iron (34% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin A. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1576mg per serving (69% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this dressing ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the dressing a day in advance. Simply mix all the ingredients except for the Pet milk and broth, then store it in the refrigerator. On the day of baking, add the liquids and bake as directed. This can enhance the flavors as they meld overnight.
What can I substitute for cornbread?
If you don't have cornbread, you can use day-old white bread or even a mix of other breads. Stale bread absorbs the moisture well, giving the dressing a nice texture. Just be sure to keep the proportions similar to maintain the balance of flavors.
How can I make this dressing vegetarian?
To make a vegetarian version, simply omit the chicken and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. You can add sautéed mushrooms or nuts for added texture and flavor. This variation would still be delicious and perfect for those seeking meatless options.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).