There are some recipes that just feel like home—and if Dolly Parton’s name is attached to it, I’m probably going to try it.

I kept seeing versions of Dolly Parton’s chicken casserole floating around, and it sounded exactly like my kind of dinner: warm, creamy, comforting, and made with ingredients you probably already have in the pantry. Nothing fancy. Nothing complicated. Just good Southern comfort food.

And y’all, this one is going into the dinner rotation.

It’s basically tender chicken tucked under a creamy, savory layer and topped with buttery stuffing. Think Thanksgiving comfort food, but easy enough to throw together on a random Tuesday night.

I doubled the recipe because there are five of us and I wanted to have some leftovers for lunches! But here’s the basic version:

What You’ll Need

• Cooked chicken, shredded or chopped
• 1 box stuffing mix
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• ½ cup sour cream
• ½ cup chicken broth
• Garlic powder, to taste
• Onion powder, to taste
• Shredded cheese, optional

How I Made It

Preheat your oven to 350°F.

Start by spreading your cooked chicken evenly in the bottom of a casserole dish.

In a bowl, mix together the cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, chicken broth, garlic powder, and onion powder until everything is nice and creamy.

Spread that mixture over the chicken.

If you’re adding cheese—and really, when has a layer of cheese ever hurt a casserole?—sprinkle it over the creamy chicken mixture.

Prepare the stuffing according to the package directions, then spread it evenly over the top.

Bake at 350°F for about 30–40 minutes, or until the casserole is hot and bubbly and the stuffing is golden on top.

A Few Coastal Wifey Notes

This is one of those recipes you can easily make your own. If your family loves cheese, add it. Want it extra creamy? Add a little more sour cream. Have leftover rotisserie chicken? Even better—it makes this ridiculously easy.

I’d serve it with something simple like green beans, roasted broccoli, or a little side salad. Although if we’re being completely Southern about it, a warm roll wouldn’t hurt either.

It would also be a great way to use leftover turkey after Thanksgiving.

The Verdict

This isn’t the prettiest dinner I’ve ever made, but casseroles rarely are. What it is is warm, creamy, filling, and exactly the kind of meal everyone wants when the days start getting a little shorter and you’re craving something cozy.

And I think that’s what I love about recipes like this. Dinner doesn’t always have to be impressive. Sometimes you just need something bubbling away in the oven while everyone starts wandering into the kitchen asking, “What are you making?”

Simple ingredients. One casserole dish. A little Southern comfort.

Dolly knows what she’s doing. 🤍

Save this one for the first cool night when you’re craving something cozy.

If you want to watch me make it, check it out on Instagram! @coastal_wifey

Until the tide comes in,

Mary Faison, editor