This is the perfect way to use up those bits and pieces of leftover turkey a few days after Thanksgiving (you know, those little pieces of turkey that are too small to make sandwiches with) * and any leftover store-bought stuffing mix that you have *
If you want to make it with boneless, skinless chicken, then you get the added bonus of homemade chicken broth (when you simmer the chicken) to refrigerate and use another night in a different recipe. |
3 whole chicken breasts (boneless, skinless) ***
2 pkg (10 oz each) frozen broccoli (I like spears or florets but chopped is fine) ~OR~ 2 big stalks or a bunch of florets of fresh broccoli
2 cans cream of chicken or mushroom soup (fat free is fine)
juice of 1/2 lemon
1/2 cup milk (any kind ~ I like unsweetened almond or cashew milk)
1 cup mayonnaise (mine has olive oil in it)
1/2 tsp curry powder
1 pkg Cornbread stuffing mix (i.e. Pepperidge Farm) ~ actually any stuffing mix will do (but NOT instant, i.e. Stovetop) ~ pkgs. are about 14 oz. which is about 6-3/4 cups of stuffing
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted ~ plus more to dot on top
***
Simmer chicken breasts in water to cover about 30-45 minutes, until cooked through (I add some Kosher salt and parsley); cut into small bite-sized pieces. (Make sure to keep the broth in refrigerator to use another day!) ** If you're using FRESH BROCCOLI, trim about 1/4" off the bottom, and slice the whole stalk in half. I put the halves into a pyrex dish with about 1/4" water in the bottom; lightly put a piece of waxed paper on top and microwave for about 4 minutes. (This will turn the broccoli spears bright green and give them a "head start" on cooking ~ they'll finish during baking.)
In small bowl, mix together lemon juice, milk, curry powder, soup and mayonnaise. In another little bowl, mix the stuffing mix with the melted butter. Now mix about half of the stuffing mix into the soup/mayonnaise mixture (keeping the rest of the stuffing mixture to sprinkle on top).
Layer as follows in greased/sprayed (I sprayed w/buttery non-stick cooking spray) very large casserole dish (or 9x13" pan): broccoli (thawed, but not cooked), chicken, mayonnaise/stuffing mixture and then the plain stuffing. If you want, you could dot with more cubes of butter.
Bake, covered with foil, for 30 minutes at 350. Remove foil and continue baking uncovered for 15 minutes. If it looks too dry, when you uncover it, you can dot with more butter then ~OR~ to save on calories & fat, I generously sprayed the top with buttery non-stick cooking spray before putting it back into the oven **
Serves 6-8 (NOTE: I cut the recipe in half for 2-3 people, and it still fills a 3-qt. casserole dish.)
*** Great use for LEFTOVER cooked chicken or turkey ~ use about 3-4 cups, cut up or shredded