Stuffing for Chicken

4-6 servings servings Prep: 10 m Cook: 5 m Total: 15 m Beginner
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Stuffing for Chicken
This is a quick and easy stuffing for your baked chicken—day-old bread crumbs tossed with onion, parsley, and butter for a classic savory filling. Perfect for stuffing a whole roasted bird or Cornish hens.

Ingredients

4-6 servings servings
  • 2 1/2 cups white day old bread crumbs
  • 1/2 tsp finely chopped onion
  • 3 tbsp finely chopped parsley
  • 1 tsp poultry seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/8 tsp pepper
  • 3 tbsp melted butter or margarine

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Crumb bread into small pieces. Add the rest of the ingredients except the butter.
  2. Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the seasoned bread crumbs. Turn and stir until well coated and all butter is absorbed, about 3-5 minutes. Remove from the heat and your stuffing is done!

Common Problems and Solutions

Q: Can I make this ahead of time?

A: Yes, you can prepare the seasoned bread mixture ahead and refrigerate it. Just wait to melt the butter and coat the crumbs until you're ready to stuff the chicken, so the bread doesn't get soggy.

Q: Why use day-old bread?

A: Day-old bread is drier and absorbs the butter and seasonings better than fresh bread. Fresh bread can turn mushy. If you only have fresh bread, toast it lightly first to dry it out.

Tips and Techniques

Don’t pack the stuffing too tightly into the chicken cavity—it needs room to expand slightly as it absorbs the chicken’s juices during roasting. Loosely fill the cavity and tie the legs together to keep the stuffing in place.

Ingredient Substitutions

  • day old bread crumbs: cornbread crumbs or French bread crumbs
  • butter: bacon drippings or olive oil
  • poultry seasoning: mix of dried sage, thyme, and rosemary (about 1/4 tsp each)

Equipment Needed

  • Skillet
  • Mixing bowl