Here’s a full, rich, Southern-style recipe just like you asked — long, warm, and story-filled 🤍🍗🌽
🍗🌽 Mississippi Delta Chicken & Cornbread Dressing Casserole
(Is it “dressing” because it’s baked in a pan… or is it still “stuffing” at your house? Down here, it’s dressing — and we stand by it!)
🌾 Introduction
In the heart of the Mississippi Delta, food is more than nourishment — it’s heritage, comfort, and love baked into every bite. This Chicken & Cornbread Dressing Casserole is the kind of dish you find on a Sunday table, next to sweet tea and stories passed down through generations.
Moist cornbread, tender chicken, aromatic vegetables, and rich savory broth come together in one warm, golden casserole that feels like home. Whether served at holidays or made “just because,” this dish is a Southern classic that never goes out of style.
🛒 Ingredients
🐔 Main Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie or boiled)
- 5 cups crumbled cornbread (day-old is best)
🧅 Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 cup celery, chopped
- 2 tablespoons butter
🌿 Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
- ½ teaspoon sage (optional but traditional)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
🥣 Wet Ingredients
- 2–3 cups chicken broth (warm)
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup (optional but very Southern)
👩🍳 Instructions
- Prepare the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish generously. - Sauté the Vegetables
In a skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add diced onion and chopped celery. Cook until soft and fragrant, about 5–7 minutes. - Build the Dressing Base
In a large mixing bowl, combine:- Crumbled cornbread
- Shredded chicken
- Sautéed vegetables
- Season with Love
Add salt, pepper, poultry seasoning, sage, and garlic powder. Mix gently. - Add Moisture
Stir in the beaten eggs, cream of chicken soup (if using), and enough warm chicken broth to make the mixture moist but not soupy. - Bake to Perfection
Transfer mixture to the prepared baking dish. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
Remove foil and bake another 15–20 minutes, until golden on top.
🔥 Cooking Methods & Tips
- Classic Oven-Baked: Traditional and best for a crispy top
- Extra Moist: Add an additional ½ cup broth before baking
- Crispy Top Lovers: Broil for 2–3 minutes at the end
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Assemble a day ahead and bake when ready
📜 History of Cornbread Dressing
In the Deep South, dressing is baked in a dish, while stuffing goes inside the bird. Cornbread dressing dates back to early Southern kitchens where wheat flour was scarce, and cornmeal was king. Families added whatever they had — chicken, herbs, broth — creating a humble but soulful dish that became a holiday staple.
In Mississippi Delta homes, this casserole wasn’t fancy — but it was unforgettable.
🧬 Formation & Texture
- Bottom: Soft, savory cornbread soaked in broth
- Middle: Juicy shredded chicken woven throughout
- Top: Golden, lightly crisp crust that seals in flavor
Each bite is moist, hearty, and deeply comforting.
❤️ Who Loves This Dish?
- Southern comfort food lovers
- Holiday table traditionalists
- Busy families needing one-pan meals
- Anyone who believes food should taste like home
🌟 Conclusion
Mississippi Delta Chicken & Cornbread Dressing Casserole isn’t just food — it’s a memory in the making. Whether you call it dressing or stuffing, one thing is certain: this dish brings people together.
Serve it hot, pass it with pride, and don’t be surprised if someone asks for the recipe before the plate is empty.