Nigella Lawson’s Best Roast Chicken Stuffing is made from a blend of day-old breads, butter, onion, celery, garlic, dried herbs, chicken broth, and optional cranberries or nuts. It serves 8 and takes about 68 minutes to prepare and bake.
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🧡 Why You’ll Love This Best Roast Chicken Stuffing Recipe:
- Rich and Flavorful: The combination of butter-sautéed onions, celery, and garlic with aromatic herbs creates a deeply savory and flavorful base that enhances any roast chicken.
- Perfect Texture: Toasting the bread before mixing ensures the stuffing achieves a perfect balance between being moist inside and crispy on top when baked.
- Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor: This recipe uses simple, readily available ingredients but delivers complex flavors that are sure to impress at any meal.
- Make-Ahead Convenience: You can prepare the stuffing a day ahead, refrigerate it, and simply bake before serving, making your cooking process more relaxed and manageable.
- Great for Gatherings: This stuffing recipe serves eight, making it ideal for family dinners, holidays, or other gatherings where you want a side dish that feels special and can feed several guests.
❓ What Is Nigella Lawson Best Roast Chicken Stuffing Recipe?
Nigella Lawson’s Best Roast Chicken Stuffing includes day-old bread, butter, onion, celery, garlic, dried sage, thyme, rosemary, salt, pepper, chicken broth, and optional cranberries or nuts. It’s baked until golden and serves as a flavorful accompaniment to roast chicken.
🍗 Nigella Lawson Best Roast Chicken Stuffing Ingredients
- 1 large loaf of day-old bread (about 10 cups when cubed)
- Use a mixture of breads like white, whole wheat, or sourdough for extra flavor.
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons dried sage
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- Optional: 1/2 cup dried cranberries or chopped nuts for added texture and flavor
🥘 How To Make Nigella Lawson Best Roast Chicken Stuffing
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cube the bread and spread it out on a baking sheet. Toast in the oven for about 10 minutes or until slightly dried out. This helps the bread absorb the flavors and moisture without becoming too mushy.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the onion, celery, and garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are soft and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in the sage, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until the herbs are fragrant.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the toasted bread cubes with the sautéed vegetable and herb mixture. If using, add the cranberries or nuts at this point. Toss well to ensure even distribution of ingredients.
- Gradually pour the chicken broth over the bread mixture, tossing as you go, until the stuffing is moistened but not soggy. You may not need all the broth, depending on the dryness of your bread.
- Transfer the stuffing to a buttered baking dish. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for about 25 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for another 15-20 minutes, or until the top is golden and crisp. Sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving.
💭 Recipe Tips
- Bread Selection: Using a combination of different types of bread not only adds flavor complexity but also varied textures. Sourdough adds tanginess, while whole wheat gives a nutty depth.
- Toasting Bread: Ensure the bread is evenly spread on the baking sheet for uniform toasting. This prevents some pieces from becoming too dry or others remaining too moist.
- Moisture Control: Add the chicken broth incrementally to reach the desired moisture level without making the stuffing soggy. The bread should be moist but not wet.
- Safe Stuffing: If you choose to stuff the chicken, do so right before roasting to prevent bacterial growth. Ensure that the stuffing reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) as it absorbs juices from the chicken.
- Baking Uncovered: Removing the foil for the final 15-20 minutes of baking allows the top of the stuffing to become delightfully crispy and golden.
🥗 What To Serve With Roast Chicken Stuffing?
Serve Roast Chicken Stuffing with Piccalilli and Savoury Muffins, Green Salad, Mashed Potatoes or Sweet Potato Soup, and Cranberry Sauce ,Onion Gravy is also essential for drizzling over the stuffing and chicken for added moisture and flavor.
🎚 How To Store Leftovers Roast Chicken Stuffing?
- Refrigerate: Place cooled leftovers roast chicken stuffing in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator it will keep well for up to 3-4 days.
- Freeze: For longer storage freeze leftovers roast chicken stuffing in airtight containers or freezer bags it can be kept frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
🥵 How To Reheat Leftovers Roast Chicken Stuffing?
- In The Oven: Preheat to 350°F (175°C) cover leftovers roast chicken stuffing with foil and reheat for 15-20 minutes until hot.
- In The Microwave: Cover leftovers roast chicken stuffing with a damp paper towel heat on high for 5-7 minutes, stirring halfway through.
FAQs
What is the best type of bread to use for roast chicken stuffing?
Day-old bread works best as it absorbs flavors and moisture without becoming too soggy. A mix of white, whole wheat, or sourdough adds complexity and texture.
Can I make stuffing in advance?
Yes, you can prepare the stuffing a day ahead and keep it refrigerated. Bake it just before you’re ready to serve to ensure it’s fresh and crispy.
How do I know if the stuffing is cooked properly?
The stuffing should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to ensure it’s safe to eat, especially if cooked inside the chicken. Use a food thermometer to check.
How do I keep my stuffing from getting too dry?
Ensure there’s enough moisture by adding sufficient broth or stock. If baked separately, cover with foil during the first part of baking to retain moisture, then remove the foil to allow the top to crisp up.
What meats go well with roast chicken stuffing besides chicken?
This stuffing also pairs beautifully with turkey, pork roast, or duck, making it versatile for various dishes.
What can I add to stuffing to make it more flavorful?
Herbs like sage, thyme, and rosemary are classic. For extra richness, add sautéed mushrooms, diced apples, or nuts like pecans for crunch. Dried fruits like cranberries or apricots provide a sweet contrast.
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Nigella Lawson Best Roast Chicken Stuffing Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 1/2 cup (approximately 100g)
- Calories: 287
- Total Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
- Sodium: 400mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 20g
- Dietary Fiber: 2g
- Sugars: 2g
- Protein: 5g
Nigella Best Roast Chicken Stuffing
Description
Nigella Lawson’s Best Roast Chicken Stuffing is made from a blend of day-old breads, butter, onion, celery, garlic, dried herbs, chicken broth, and optional cranberries or nuts. It serves 8 and takes about 68 minutes to prepare and bake.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cube the bread and spread it out on a baking sheet. Toast in the oven for about 10 minutes or until slightly dried out. This helps the bread absorb the flavors and moisture without becoming too mushy.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the onion, celery, and garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are soft and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in the sage, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until the herbs are fragrant.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the toasted bread cubes with the sautéed vegetable and herb mixture. If using, add the cranberries or nuts at this point. Toss well to ensure even distribution of ingredients.
- Gradually pour the chicken broth over the bread mixture, tossing as you go, until the stuffing is moistened but not soggy. You may not need all the broth, depending on the dryness of your bread.
- Transfer the stuffing to a buttered baking dish. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for about 25 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for another 15-20 minutes, or until the top is golden and crisp. Sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
- Bread Selection: Using a combination of different types of bread not only adds flavor complexity but also varied textures. Sourdough adds tanginess, while whole wheat gives a nutty depth.
- Toasting Bread: Ensure the bread is evenly spread on the baking sheet for uniform toasting. This prevents some pieces from becoming too dry or others remaining too moist.
- Moisture Control: Add the chicken broth incrementally to reach the desired moisture level without making the stuffing soggy. The bread should be moist but not wet.
- Safe Stuffing: If you choose to stuff the chicken, do so right before roasting to prevent bacterial growth. Ensure that the stuffing reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) as it absorbs juices from the chicken.
- Baking Uncovered: Removing the foil for the final 15-20 minutes of baking allows the top of the stuffing to become delightfully crispy and golden.