Dolly Parton-Inspired Chicken and Stuffing Casserole

This Dolly Parton-inspired chicken and stuffing casserole is creamy, comforting, and ridiculously easy to throw together. It combines tender chicken, savory stuffing, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and broth in one cozy bake that’s perfect for busy weeknights, fall dinners, or using up leftover chicken or Thanksgiving turkey.

Why You Have to Try This Viral Chicken and Stuffing Casserole

After making Dolly Parton’s cuppa cuppa cake and my Dolly Parton-inspired banana pudding, I was already on a Dolly recipe kick. Then I came across the viral reel from @daniela_dish sharing this as Dolly Parton’s Chicken and Stuffing Casserole, and the simple ingredient list immediately caught my attention. Chicken, stuffing, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and butter come together for a rich, cozy casserole that's hard to beat once fall rolls around. 

This Dolly-inspired version is a simple Southern comfort food that fits right in with the way Dolly talked about cooking. She proudly called herself a “country cook,” and many of the family recipes she shared over the years were straightforward, comforting dishes meant to feed the people you love. This casserole checks all of those boxes, and it’s especially good for busy weeknights, Sunday dinners, or using up leftover chicken or turkey around Thanksgiving.

Ingredients

• 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded or chopped
• 6 oz stuffing mix
• 1 can, 10 oz, cream of chicken soup
• ½ cup sour cream
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 3 tablespoons butter, melted
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder

Ingredient Notes That Make This Chicken and Stuffing Casserole Better

• Cooked chicken. Shredded rotisserie chicken works great here and makes the casserole especially easy. You can also use leftover baked or roasted chicken.
• Stuffing mix. Use a standard seasoned stuffing mix, like chicken or herb flavor. The seasoning in the stuffing does a lot of the work, so you don’t need a long list of extra herbs.
• Cream of chicken soup. This gives the casserole its creamy base and helps keep the chicken from drying out as it bakes.
• Sour cream. This makes the filling richer and creamier while adding a little tang that balances the savory stuffing.
• Chicken broth. The broth softens the stuffing and keeps the casserole moist. If your mixture looks especially dry before baking, you can add a small splash more.
• Melted butter. Butter adds richness and helps give the stuffing that classic buttery flavor you expect from a cozy chicken-and-stuffing casserole.
• Garlic and onion powder. The stuffing and soup are already seasoned, so I keep the added seasonings simple. These give the casserole a little more savory flavor without overpowering it.

How to Make Chicken and Stuffing Casserole

Step 1: Prep

Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly grease an 11x7-inch baking dish.

Step 2: Mix the Casserole

Add the cooked chicken, stuffing mix, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, chicken broth, melted butter, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper to a large bowl. Stir until everything is evenly combined and the stuffing is fully coated.

Step 3: Bake

Spread the mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish and cover with foil. Bake for 25 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the casserole is hot and bubbling and the top is golden brown.

Step 4: Rest and Serve

Let the casserole rest for about 5 minutes before serving so everything has a chance to set slightly.

My Expert Tips for the Best Chicken and Stuffing Casserole

• Go easy on the added salt. Stuffing mix, condensed soup, and chicken broth can all be fairly salty depending on the brands you use. I recommend seasoning lightly at first rather than adding a lot of salt automatically.
• Keep the chicken pieces fairly small. Shredded chicken or small bite-sized pieces distribute better through the casserole, so you get chicken and stuffing in every scoop instead of large chunks in some servings.
• Let the mixture sit for a few minutes before baking. Giving the stuffing about 5 minutes to start absorbing the broth helps it hydrate more evenly before it goes into the oven.
• Don’t pack the casserole down. Spread the mixture into the baking dish without pressing it firmly. Keeping it a little loose gives you a softer filling with more texture on top.
• Watch the edges toward the end. The outside of the casserole will cook faster than the center. If the edges start looking dry before the middle is hot and bubbly, loosely cover those areas with foil.
• Don’t overbake it. Everything except the stuffing is already cooked, so once the casserole is hot throughout and the top is golden, it’s ready. Leaving it in much longer can dry out both the chicken and stuffing.
• Use leftover turkey after Thanksgiving. This recipe works just as well with cooked turkey, which makes it an easy way to turn holiday leftovers into a completely different dinner.

Dolly Parton Chicken and Stuffing Casserole FAQs

Is this really Dolly Parton’s chicken and stuffing casserole?

This casserole has gone viral on social media as “Dolly Parton’s Chicken and Stuffing Casserole,” which is what inspired me to make it. I haven’t found an official Dolly Parton cookbook or source confirming this exact recipe, so I consider this my Dolly Parton-inspired version of the viral casserole.

Why is this casserole associated with Dolly Parton?

The viral recipe fits the simple Southern comfort-food cooking Dolly has long been associated with. Dolly and her sister Rachel Parton George have shared family recipes rooted in their Tennessee upbringing, including fried chicken, biscuits, potatoes, dumplings, and other comforting dishes meant for family meals and gatherings.

Do I need to prepare the stuffing before adding it to the casserole?

No. Add the dry stuffing mix directly to the bowl with the chicken, soup, sour cream, broth, and butter. The stuffing softens as it absorbs the liquid and bakes in the casserole.

Can I use rotisserie chicken?

Yes. Rotisserie chicken is one of the easiest options for this recipe. Remove the skin, shred or chop the meat, and measure out about 3 cups before mixing the casserole.

Can I use turkey instead of chicken?

Absolutely. Cooked turkey works especially well here, which makes this an easy recipe to make after Thanksgiving with leftover turkey.

Can I make chicken and stuffing casserole ahead of time?

Yes. Assemble the casserole, cover it tightly, and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. Since it will be starting cold, it may need a few extra minutes in the oven.

Why is my chicken and stuffing casserole dry?

A dry casserole usually means there wasn’t enough liquid or it baked too long. Make sure the stuffing is evenly coated with the soup, sour cream, broth, and butter before baking, and take it out once the center is hot and the top is golden.

Can I add vegetables?

Yes. Peas, corn, green beans, carrots, or cooked mushrooms would all work. I’d use vegetables that are already cooked or thawed so they don’t release too much extra liquid while the casserole bakes.

Can I use a different cream soup?

Yes. Cream of mushroom or cream of celery soup can replace the cream of chicken if that’s what you have. The flavor will change slightly, but the casserole will still stay creamy.

How should I store leftovers?

Store leftover chicken and stuffing casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or cover the baking dish with foil and warm it in the oven.

Can I freeze chicken and stuffing casserole?

Yes. Let the casserole cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

More Comforting Chicken Casseroles to Try Next

If you liked this chicken and stuffing casserole, here are a few more comforting chicken dinners to make next:

• Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole
• Cheddar Bay Biscuit Chicken Pot Pie 
• Chicken and Rice Casserole 
• Chicken Pot Pie with Cream of Chicken Soup