• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Get our Freezer Meal Quick Start Guide
freezer meal quick start guide

Get Our Freezer Meal Quick Start Guide

Loading

About
Free Resources
Contact

Instagram

Facebook

Pinterest

YouTube

TikTok

Thriving Home

Food & Lifestyle

  • Recipe Index
    • Course
      • Breakfast
      • Lunch & Dinner
      • Sides & Salads
      • Soups & Chilis
      • Appetizers
      • Snacks
      • Desserts
      • Baked Goods
      • Beverages
      • Condiments
    • Method
      • Freezer Meals
      • Stovetop
      • Oven
      • Slow Cooker
      • Instant Pot
      • Grill or Smoker
      • 6 Ingredients or Less
    • Diet
      • Gluten-Free
      • Dairy-Free
      • Vegetarian
    • Ingredients
      • Chicken & Turkey
      • Beef
      • Pork
      • Seafood
      • Pasta & Pizza
    • Holiday
      • Birthday
      • Christmas
      • Easter
      • Halloween
      • Thanksgiving
      • Valentine's Day
    • All Recipes
  • Freezer Cooking
    • Start Here
    • Freezer Meal Recipes
    • 1 Hour Freezer Prep
    • Cookbooks
  • Menu Plans
  • Shop
    • Cookbooks
    • 1 Hour Freezer Prep
    • Shop Our Favorites
    • Gift Guides
Search...
Home Recipe Index

Chicken and Stuffing Casserole

★★★★★ 4.7 /5 Updated: 1/26/23
Jump to Recipe Rate Recipe

This post may contain affiliate or sponsored links. Please read our disclosure policy.

With just 4 ingredients, you can use up leftover cooked chicken in this cheesy, comforting Chicken and Stuffing Casserole. Be sure to prep two and freeze one for later using our freezing instructions.

a spoon serving chicken and stuffing casserole

Disclaimer: This post was created in partnership with Hy-Vee (Columbia).

Contents hide
My Brief History with Chicken and Stuffing Casserole
5 Reasons You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients in Chicken and Stuffing Casserole
Where to Get Your Ingredients
Tip: Buy Cooked Chicken in Bulk
How to Make Chicken and Stuffing Casserole
Step-by-Step Instructions
Tip: Use Turkey Instead!
How to Freeze Chicken and Stuffing Casserole
What to Serve with This Cheesy Chicken Casserole
Chicken and Stuffing Casserole
Did you make this?

My Brief History with Chicken and Stuffing Casserole

A version of this casserole, which we called “Cheesy Chicken Casserole back in the day (note: you know you’re old when you say “back in the day”), was one of the first recipes I learned to make in college.

I invited my new boyfriend over for dinner and frantically called Jamie, a mentor/friend who is a great cook. “What am I supposed to make for him? I only know how to whip up Tuna Helper.” Without skipping a beat, she rattled off the ingredients for this casserole!

a plate with cheesy chicken and stuffing casserole and roasted broccoli

Well, I think it’s safe to say Jamie’s advice helped win over my boyfriend’s heart. We got married a year later and are celebrating 22 years of marriage next month…all because of this casserole.

I kid. I joke. But, Nathan did love this cheesy Chicken and Stuffing Casserole then and still does today!

5 Reasons You’ll Love This Recipe

  1. Only 4 main ingredients! (Although we give the option to make the stuffing & gravy or cream soup from scratch, if you want.)
  2. Comforting, cheesy, and satisfying recipe.
  3. Kids and adults enjoy it.
  4. Great way to use up leftover chicken, stuffing, and gravy.
  5. Easy to make ahead and freeze (so be sure to double it!).

Ingredients in Chicken and Stuffing Casserole

You’ll only need four basic components for the casserole. Hooray!

My original version of this required several processed food items that I learned later are full of preservatives and additives–junk that I’m not crazy about feeding my family. So, we show you how to make your own stuffing and cream soup/gravy from scratch BUT we also give tips for buying healthier store-bought items, if you want shortcuts.

ingredients for cheesy chicken casserole
  1. Chicken breasts: I look for a brand that has no added antibiotics or preservatives (i.e. Bare Chicken) or organic chicken. Check the package to make sure it’s just “chicken” and there’s no added sodium or other additives.
  2. Leftover Homemade Gravy or Cream of Chicken Soup: If using a canned soup, I always spend a little extra money to get an organic version, preferably in a box or BPA-free can. You can also certainly make your own, too!
  3. Shredded Cheddar Cheese: I always use sharp cheddar, but use what you like.
  4. Prepared Stuffing: Either make your own or prepare store-bought stuffing. The bummer is that the boxed stuff is often filled with processed ingredients, preservatives, and additives. To avoid those, spend a little more and purchase an organic (and preferably whole wheat) stuffing in the health food section. Tip: You can add in a little ground flaxseed or chia seed to up the nutrition of the stuffing.

Where to Get Your Ingredients

We suggest grabbing the casserole ingredients at your local Hy-Vee. If you have this store nearby, you know what a gem you have under your nose–especially if you’re a parent who knows all of these hacks!

hy-vee

Hy-Vee is a “one-stop shop” for anything you might need, from high-quality ingredients to grab-and-go meals to their pharmacy and much more. I especially love their Health Market and super helpful Meat Department.

Order Groceries From Hy-Vee Now

Tip: Buy Cooked Chicken in Bulk

Did you know you can ask Hy-Vee’s catering department to cook and shred the chicken ahead of time for you in large quantity? We did that recently for a freezer meal party, and it saved us so much time!

How to Make Chicken and Stuffing Casserole

Take a peek at just how easy it is to make this recipe…

Step-by-Step Instructions

You can probably memorize this recipe, to be honest. It only requires three steps.

Prep the Oven & Dish

Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat an 8×8 inch casserole dish with cooking spray.

Layer the Casserole

Layer 1: Add the chicken.

process shot of cooked, chopped chicken in a casserole dish

Layer 2: Spread out the cream of chicken soup or gravy.

process shot of chicken and gravy in casserole dish

Layer 3: Sprinkle on the shredded cheddar cheese.

process shot of cheese step in chicken stuffing casserole recipe

Layer 4: Top with the prepared stuffing.

process shot of stuffing step in chicken stuffing casserole recipe

Bake

Bake for about 30 minutes, or until heated through and golden brown on top. Serve hot.

overhead shot of baked chicken stuffing casesrole
slicing a turkey breast off the bone

Tip: Use Turkey Instead!

This casserole is a great way to use up leftover turkey, gravy, and stuffing from the holidays, too.

How to Freeze Chicken and Stuffing Casserole

One of the perks of this recipe is that it’s super easy to prepare an extra one ahead and freeze it. If you freeze before baking, it will taste like a fresh meal later. Just follow these instructions…

Freeze For Later:

Grease an 8×8 inch casserole dish with cooking spray. Follow Step 2 in the recipe, putting the casserole together. Do not bake. Cover tightly with a few layers of plastic wrap or foil (or an air-tight lid) and freeze.

Prepare From Frozen:

Thaw completely. Preheat oven to 350°F. Set the casserole on the counter while the oven preheats. Bake according to Step 3 in the recipe.

freezer meal of chicken stuffing casserole

What to Serve with This Cheesy Chicken Casserole

Autumn Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette

roasted broccoli on a baking sheet

Oven Roasted Broccoli

Crockpot Cinnamon Applesauce

The BEST Way to Make Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Did you make this? Snap a photo and tag us on Instagram at @thrivinghome so we can see your creations and cheer you on!

overhead shot of baked chicken stuffing casesrole
★★★★★ 4.7 from 3 reviews

Chicken and Stuffing Casserole

With just four ingredients, you can use up leftover cooked chicken in this cheesy, comforting casserole. Be sure to prep two and freeze one for later using our freezing instructions.

Yield: 8x8 inch casserole (6 servings) 1x
Prep: 10 minutesCook: 30 minutesTotal: 40 minutes
Print Recipe Rate Pin for Later
  • Email
Units:
Scale:

Ingredients

  • 2 – 2 1/2 cups diced, cooked chicken (see Cooking Notes)
  • 1 1/4 cups (or one 10.5 ounce can) Cream of Chicken Soup OR Leftover Chicken Gravy
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 3 – 3 1/2 cups Homemade Stuffing OR 1 (6 ounce) box store-bought stuffing, prepared according to package directions

Tip: Grab all of these ingredients at your local Hy-Vee, including a cleaner version of canned cream soup and boxed stuffing in their HealthMarket.

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

Instructions

Make It Now:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat an 8×8 inch casserole dish with cooking spray.
  2. Layer the casserole dish evenly with the chicken, cream of chicken soup or gravy, shredded cheese, and prepared stuffing. (Freezing instructions being here.)
  3. Bake for about 30 minutes, or until heated through and golden brown on top. Serve hot.

Freeze For Later:

Follow Steps 1 and 2. Cover tightly with a few layers of plastic wrap or foil (or an air-tight lid) and freeze.

Prepare From Frozen:

Thaw completely. Preheat oven to 350°F. Set the casserole on the counter while the oven preheats. Follow Step 3.

Equipment

8×8 Glass Baking Dish with Lid (Freezer Container)

Buy Now →

Measuring Cups

Buy Now →

Notes/Tips

  • How to Prep Chicken for This Casserole: You have a few options to prepare cooked chicken for this recipe:
    • Shred Rotisserie Chicken – Buy a rotisserie chicken at the store and shred the meat. This should yield about 4 cups or enough to make two casseroles (freeze one for later!).
    • Bake: Season 2-3 chicken breasts liberally with salt and pepper. Bake on a rimmed sheet pan at 400°F for about 20-30 minutes (until no longer pink inside or register 165°F internally). Let rest on wooden cutting board for 5-10 minutes and then shred or dice the chicken.
    • Instant Pot: Add 2-3 well-seasoned chicken breasts and 1 cup chicken broth to the Instant Pot. Cook at high pressure for 7 minutes with a quick release. Let rest on wooden cutting board for 5-10 minutes and then shred or dice the chicken.
    • Slow Cooker: Season 2-3 chicken breasts liberally with salt and pepper and add to slow cooker. Cover and cook on LOW for 2 1/2 – 3 hours (until no longer pink inside or register 165°F internally)–no longer and NOT on high. Let rest on wooden cutting board for 5-10 minutes and then shred or dice the chicken.
    • Word of Caution: I do not recommend using canned or store-bought frozen cooked chicken. The taste and texture is much better using the recommendations above!

 

  • Where We Get Our Chicken: We get our meat from ButcherBox. The chicken is organic and curated from small, trusted farms. We highly recommend this service to source healthy meat–like uncured bacon, wild salmon, and grass-fed beef–and have used it for years ourselves. Read my full review here.
  • Recipe Update: On 11/2/22, we retested, took new photos of, and sized down this recipe to make it faster and more convenient to make. We are now using pre-cooked rather than raw chicken.
  • Gluten-Free Version: Use gluten-free stuffing and gluten-free canned cream soup.
  • Can I Make a Dairy-Free Version? Because there is dairy in the stuffing, soup/gravy, and the cheese, this will be challenging. However, you’re welcome to omit the cheese and try to find DF versions of stuffing and soup/gravy at the store, though.
© Author: Thriving Home
Cuisine: American Method: Baking

Did you make this?

Snap a photo and tag us on Instagram at @thrivinghome so we can see your creations and cheer you on!

Rate Recipe

Tag Us on Instagram

544 shares
  • Share
  • Email
Rachel Tiemeyer

Rachel Tiemeyer

As co-founder of Thriving Home, Rachel dreams about creating recipes (literally) and uses her husband, her 3 kids, and even the neighbors as guinea pigs several nights a week. She believes that good food has the power to bring families and friends closer together and continues to wake up excited about her job each day, even after 10+ years!

Read more...

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Have a question? Submit your question or comment below.

Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  1. AvatarArlene LaPan says

    Posted on 12/23/22 at 6:13 pm

    I will make this dish for sure!!!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Carla from Thriving HomeCarla from Thriving Home says

      Posted on 12/24/22 at 12:39 pm

      Thanks!

      Reply
  2. AvatarSarah says

    Posted on 12/8/21 at 5:07 pm

    What’s your recommended weight for the chicken breasts? Chicken breasts seem to be getting bigger and bigger. 🙂

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  3. AvatarNatalie Cartledge says

    Posted on 2/20/19 at 12:11 pm

    The chicken is raw when you assemble it? hmm

    Reply
    • RachelRachel says

      Posted on 2/20/19 at 7:29 pm

      Oh yes, it will cook through during that bake time. You can always use a meat thermometer to double check. It should reach an internal safe temp of 165°F.

      Reply
Older Comments

sidebar

polly and rachel

Welcome

We’re moms, cookbook authors, and freezer cooking evangelists. Our mission is to help your home thrive, one delicious meal at a time. Let’s make the most of your time in the kitchen! Read more.

Follow Us On Instagram!

freezer cooking

Order On:

Amazon • Target

Autographed Copy

Learn More

freezer to table

Order On:

Amazon • Target

Autographed Copy

Learn More
freezer meal quick start guide

Get Our Freezer Meal Quick Start Guide!

We’ll send you the best of the best recipes, tutorials, and freezer meal expertise. A $9.99 value for free!

Loading

Reader Favorites

marinades for chicken breasts in freezer bags

7 BEST Chicken Marinades

freezer meal

The 70+ Best Freezer Meals on the Planet

20+ Easy Crock Pot Recipes

smoothie packs

7 Frozen Smoothie Packs (+ Printable with Shopping List)

freezer meal update
New to freezer cooking?

Grab Our Freezer Meal Quick Start Guide!

5 days of recipes & tips from freezer meal experts.

Loading

Instagram

Facebook

Pinterest

YouTube

TikTok

About
About Us
Work With Us
Press
Recipes
All Recipes
Freezer Meals
Menu Plans
Shop
Cookbooks
1 Hour Prep Sessions
Gift Guides
Explore
Free Resources
Shop Our Favorites
Facebook Group
Privacy Policy
Accessibility
Disclaimers
Contact
© 2023 Thriving Home
Site Credits
Designed by Melissa Rose Design Developed by Once Coupled
Back to Top
544 shares