The Ultimate Guide to Making Chicken Stuffing

Stuffing chicken with a flavorful filling transforms an ordinary chicken dinner into something special. When done right, chicken stuffing adds texture and tons of flavor to the chicken while keeping it super moist. Follow this complete guide to learn everything you need to know about making great chicken stuffing.

What is Chicken Stuffing?

Chicken stuffing, also known as dressing is an aromatic blend of bread vegetables, herbs and spices that is stuffed inside the cavity of a whole chicken or rubbed under the skin of chicken parts before roasting. The stuffing absorbs the chicken juices as it cooks, making it incredibly moist and flavorful.

Chicken stuffing originated as a thrifty way to use up stale bread. The dried bread cubes soak up the savory chicken drippings transforming into a rich side dish. While bread is the base, the filling can be customized in endless ways. From cornbread and sausage to sourdough with apples and sage the options are limitless.

Why Should You Make Your Own Chicken Stuffing?

Making homemade chicken stuffing allows you to control the quality of ingredients. You can avoid preservatives, artificial flavors and excess sodium that are typical in store-bought mixes. With homemade, you can create a customized blend of flavors perfect for any meal. It also costs just a fraction of the price of stuffing mixes.

And unlike stove-top boxed stuffing, homemade chicken stuffing cooks right inside the bird, absorbing all the delicious roasted chicken essence. The result is an ultra-moist, deeply flavorful dish your whole family will love.

Tips for Making Great Chicken Stuffing

Follow these simple tips for perfect homemade chicken stuffing every time:

• Use stale, dry bread: For the best texture, allow fresh bread to dry out overnight. Cubes of day-old bread work great.

• Go beyond white bread: Explore different types like whole wheat, sourdough, cornbread or baguette.

• Sauté aromatics: Cook onion, celery and herbs to bloom their flavor before adding to bread.

• Season generously: Chicken drippings will season the stuffing, so feel free to add ample herbs, spices and salt.

• Don’t pack it tight: Loosely fill the cavity to allow airflow for even cooking.

• Cook until 165oF: Use a meat thermometer to ensure the center of the stuffing reaches a safe temperature.

Key Ingredients for Chicken Stuffing

While you can get creative with mix-ins, these basic ingredients form the flavor base for most chicken stuffing recipes:

Bread

Choose day-old or lightly toasted bread cut into 1⁄2 to 1-inch cubes. Beyond white, whole wheat and sourdough work well. For a Southern twist, use cornbread.

Onion

Onion provides aromatic flavor. Yellow, white or shallots all work. Sweat until translucent for mellower flavor.

Celery

Like onion, celery boosts flavor and aroma. Dice finely and sauté until tender-crisp.

Herbs

Dried sage, thyme, marjoram and parsley are commonly used. Rosemary, oregano and basil also pair well.

Chicken Stock

Adds moistness and deep chicken flavor. Low-sodium chicken broth works too.

Eggs

Helps bind the stuffing and adds richness. Omit for fluffier texture.

Butter or Oil

A small amount of fat enhances flavor and moisture. Olive oil also works.

Creative Mix-Ins for Chicken Stuffing

Customize your homemade chicken stuffing by folding in any of these tasty mix-ins:

• Cooked breakfast sausage or bacon
• Diced apples or cranberries
• Chestnuts or pecans
• Mushrooms or caramelized onions
• Shredded cheese like cheddar or Parmesan
• Fresh herbs like parsley, sage or rosemary
• Spices like paprika, cumin, curry powder or chili powder

The options are endless, so get creative with flavors your family will love.

How to Make Moist Chicken Stuffing

The trick to moist stuffing is allowing some liquid to be absorbed while preventing it from getting soggy. Follow these tips:

• Use stale bread that won’t absorb too much liquid.

• Saute the aromatics first to remove excess moisture.

• Mix in just enough stock to lightly moisten the bread.

• Avoid overpacking the cavity which inhibits airflow.

• Brush the stuffed chicken with butter or oil to keep the skin moist.

• Let the stuffing rest outside the oven for 5-10 minutes before serving. The residual heat will continue to cook it.

Should You Cook Stuffing Inside or Outside the Chicken?

There are pros and cons to both methods. Cooking inside the chicken allows the stuffing to absorb all the flavorful juices but can dry out the meat if overstuffed. Here are the differences:

Inside the Chicken

Pros:

• Absorbs chicken juices for tons of flavor

• Cooks along with the chicken for hands-off ease

• Adds moisture to keep chicken tender

Cons:

• Can dry out chicken if overstuffed

• Needs to cook to 165oF, which may overcook chicken

Outside the Chicken

Pros:

• Allows chicken to cook faster

• Can season chicken by placing under skin

• Easy to monitor doneness

Cons:

• Loses out on absorbed chicken flavor

• Less convenient to bake separately

Tips: For the best of both, loosely fill the cavity and bake any extra stuffing alongside in a casserole. Cook the chicken until done, then cover and rest it while baking the extra stuffing.

How to Bake Chicken Stuffing

If cooking your stuffing outside the chicken, here are a few tips:

• Grease a casserole dish and press the stuffing mixture lightly into the pan.

• Cover with foil and bake at 375°F until warmed through, 20-25 minutes.

• Uncover and continue baking until browned on top, 10-15 more minutes.

• Bake alongside the chicken during last 30 minutes or so for flavor.

• Let rest 5 minutes before serving. The residual heat will finish the cooking.

Can You Microwave Chicken Stuffing?

To reheat leftover stuffing, the microwave works great. Place the chilled stuffing in a microwave-safe dish, cover and heat until steaming, 4-6 minutes. Fluff with a fork before serving.

Microwaving doesn’t yield the same crispy top as oven baking, so it’s best for reheating leftovers.

Delicious Chicken Stuffing Recipes to Try

Now that you’re a stuffing expert, give one of these top-rated chicken stuffing recipes a try:

• Classic Bread Stuffing – The gold standard, flavored with onion, celery, sage and thyme.

• Sausage Cornbread Stuffing – Savory, moist and perfect for Thanksgiving.

• Wild Rice and Mushroom Stuffing – An elegant twist with wild rice and earthy mushrooms.

• Apple Walnut Stuffing – Sweet-savory with apples, cranberries and walnuts.

• Southwestern Stuffing – Bold Tex-Mex flavors from corn, peppers and spices.

The possibilities are endless. Once you master the basics, get creative with flavors your family loves. From fruity and herby to savory or spicy, a flavorful homemade stuffing can take any simple roast chicken to the next level.