Creamy Chicken and Cornbread Casserole
April 11th, 2011 § 45 Comments
When I made this casserole for our big Sunday supper, Daniel smiled into his plate. He chewed and mmm’ed and then looked up at me, and with the sunniest grin, said, “I want you to make this for our children.”
Me: …[pause]…Ooo…Here’s the only snafu: You know that we don’t have any of those yet?
Daniel: Ha, yes, but I was just thinking out loud. It tastes good…and it’s so good for you…and it’s got corn…kids would love this kind of thing.
Me: …You also just found out that we’re not yet married?
Daniel: Uh huh.
Me: …And that by the time I have children I’ll be making meals exclusively in the shape of Muppet Babies?
Daniel: Yup.
Me:…And that I’m going to be really sleepy by then?
Daniel: When you’re thirty?
Me: Uh huh.
Daniel: Yeah.
Me: …And you also know that I’m going to teach my someday children to cook by the time they’re 18 months old?
Daniel: I figured.
Me: …be-because…I really believe in independence. And self sufficiency.
Daniel: Makes sense.
Me: But I guess I can make this sometimes. Because, like, some kids don’t like peanut butter and fluff sandwiches as much as I’d like them to. Not all the time, anyhow. And remember what I said about being sleepy?
Daniel: I know.
Me: But our kids will, right? They’ll like fluff?
Daniel: How could they not?
Me: Good point. You know I’m a worrier.
[chew, chew, chew]
Me: And…I mean…can we teach them how to paint my nails and toes? Like, really good?
Daniel: [nods]
Me: And clean the tile in the shower? Because I really don’t like that.
Daniel: Sure.
Me: Oh! And do you think they’ll watch The View with me? Because sometimes you forget?
Daniel: Well, I don’t know if The View will still be on then…
Me: Pffft wha-?! How could you say that?!
Daniel: No, I mean, it probably will still be on. It’s just…you know how TV goes…it’s tough to tell how long shows will last.
Me: That show will last forever.
Daniel: No, you’re right. I’m sure it will.
Me: No, like for-ev-er. I don’t even want to think about it being over. Can’t. Won’t. Will not. Nope.
Daniel: Kiddo, don’t worry about it. And yes, kids will love to watch The View with you. I’ll teach them explicitly how to DVR it if they have to do things like…oh, I don’t know, say, go to school. And how to fix you an iced pomegranate spritzer in the middle of the night. Everything will be great.
Me: Okay.
Daniel: Good. [smile] Really, I just love this dinner. Thanks for making it.
Me: Uh huh.
Daniel: You like it too? It has cornbread and chicken and gravy- all things you love.
….
….
Me: I just can’t believe you would say that about The View. You know how much I love Barbara.
[Daniel exits stage left]
This is lovely.
Tender chunks of chicken, sweet softened carrots, celery, onion, and corn, swimming in a rich, creamy gravy, and nestled under a blanket of sweet, gritty cornbread. The crumbly topping serving as the perfect sponge for all that sauce. Comfort.
Chicken and Cornbread Casserole
(recipe adapted from Oprah.com)
(serves 5)
Filling:
- 1 1/2 tablespoons butter
- 3 large carrots, chopped
- 3 stalks celery, chopped
- 1 medium onion , chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup sweet corn
- 1/4 cup flour
- 2 cups chicken stock
- 2 teaspoons ground thyme
- 2 teaspoons ground sage
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 cups chopped, cooked chicken (12 oz)
Crust:
- 3/4 cup white or yellow cornmeal
- 3/4 cup flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoons canola oil
Directions:
To make filling: First, if you haven’t got any leftover chicken like I had from a whole bird I roasted on Saturday, you’ll need to poach a few boneless, skinless breasts. Set three chicken breasts in a large pot, cover with two inches of water, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer the chicken for about 12 minutes, or until no longer pink in the center.
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Coat an 8” square baking dish (or any baking dish of a comparable size) generously with nonstick cooking spray. Heat butter in a large pan over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, celery, and corn, and sauté for about 10 minutes, until tender. Add garlic and stir constantly for 30 seconds. Sprinkle the flour into the pan and stir until it coats the vegetables, about 30 seconds. Slowly stir in 2 cups of chicken stock, whisking well so that the flour begins to de-clump and thicken the stock. Cook mixture over medium heat until thickened and bubbly, about 4 minutes. Stir in cooked chicken, thyme, sage, salt, and pepper. Pour the mixture into your prepared dish and spread mixture evenly.
To make crust: In a large bowl, whisk the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, sugar and salt. Stir milk, egg and canola oil until well combined in a separate bowl. Stir wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Spoon the batter evenly over the filling. Bake until the top is golden brown, about 22 to 25 minutes. Let cool for at least 15 minutes before serving.
Nutrition info for 1 serving (1/5th of entire recipe): Calories: 450.1, Fat: 16.1g, Carb: 50g, Fiber: 5.1g, Sugars 4.9g, Protein: 21.9g
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I’ve been reading your blog for a few weeks, and today was the day I could not help but post. This looks amazing! It’s 10:45 at night, and I’m seriously debating making this.
Oy.
You can’t imagine how wide I smiled when I read your comment. Thank you
Like this article and this recipe
O M G!
This looks awesome!!!
And I love the little story that went along with it
Smiles at Muppet Baby Shaped food…that show was the best.
So is this casserole.
this looks SO good! i love cornbread, especially on my chicken pot pies
This looks delicious! Reminds me of pot pie and I do love me some pot pie. Thanks for sharing this recipe. I will have to give it a try!
Wow, Willard. It’s ibencdirle to read your review of the JAZZ series a decade after it aired, and what seems like a lifetime after I worked on it (you were so kind to make specific mention of me as a part of Ken’s “co.” lol. Thank you!) If you only knew the debates and ruffled feathers that abounded just in the crew of JAZZ because one musician got more onscreen time than another, or whatever the case – production of the series was an dizzyingly emotional time. And just as happened when I found my formerly disdainful self falling in love with Louis Armstrong early on in production, tears came to my eyes tonight as I relived the making of JAZZ through your kind, genuine telling of your recent experience with the series. I’m gratified to know that there are a t least a few people in jazz, especially ones I so respect like you, who appreciate the work my colleagues and I put into JAZZ. You’re right – the series is by no means meant to be definitive. But I can tell you one thing fo’ sho’: that thing was made with much love.
I love the way you write. You honestly give me great ideas every day. Such a funny story. I can’t believe he said that about the View either… but you know, Oprah’s gone after this year. Anything can happen
Obviously I am not from the South because I have never had cornbread before in my life! I really like the sounds of this though. And I would LOVE to be a fly on the wall that can listen to all of the dinnertime conversations you have with Daniel, because you two are hilarious!! In the meantime while you don’t have kids, I suppose you could teach him how to make that dinner instead!
Andrea, you. are. hilarious.
I sincerely hope that your (future) children like fluff =)
Great post again! You always make me laugh
I love yours and Daniel’s conversations!!! So adorable!
I’m so making this this weekend. (I hate using 2 this’s but really there’s no better way to say that.)
And thanks once again for the morning laughs, as always!
Is this the same recipe as the chicken pot pie with cornbread crust?
Yes it is
ALL your recipes lately have been killing me, they look SO good. And the story on your exercise journey was so amazing. I loved reading all about it and it really got me thinking!
I love the style of this post! Very creative, I have yet to see one like it. I’ve been reading your blog for weeks now and it is really one of the greats, keep them coming!!
I will be making this next week, it just looks too amazing! If dinner wasn’t already planned for tonight this is what would be on the menu.
This post put a huge smile on my face.
I love conversational posts! It’s like I’m right there eating dinner with you. Nice to know not ALL men are terrified of children
I love your relationship with Daniel and the conversations you post on here. Cracks me up!
I already loved your thoughts after reading the posts on weight…. and now I find out we share a love of the view? I can’t even imagine it going off the air. I love it way too much.
Andrea, I actually have video of my then 18 month old daughter, sitting on the kitchen counter with a garbage bowl in front of her, peeling garlic. It’s on VHS so I need to convert it – when I ask her on the video what she is doing, she says “skinnin’ garlic!”
And now at 19 she can throw a stir fry together faster than anyone – I love her!
Haha, you guys crack me up.
Nail polish wielding children, middle of the night sparkling refreshment…sounds perfect. You should definitely make these children someday.
I love your stories so much!
This casserole sounds perfect. Im a sucker for cornbread anything.
Oh, if only I could teach M to scrub tile and paint my nails. LOL
I love your posts! Always so fun to read and they make me smile.
This looks Amazing! and I love one dish meals! And your commentary was adorable! And thank you!
The best reason to have kids is to make them cook and do the chores. That’s what I’ve been told anyway…
wow girl!! this looks delicious! I can almost taste it in imagination!
wow not only does this dish look amazing, but the conversation is absolutely hysterical with it!
ha, you’re too funny. and this looks perfect for the rainy day we’ve got going on here in dc. so warm and comforting.
Yum! It’s like a fabulous pot pie – looks like awesome comfort food!
This looks like a wonderful twist on shepard’s pie! I would eat anything with cornbread! Delicious and gorgeous photos!
Your posts always make me laugh! And drool of course
When are you and Daniel going to get married?
This looks so tasty… I will def be trying this soon.
I suppose we’ll be married when I find a ring in my fluff jar
Thanks for your lovely comment on my blog today! And also … I made this tonight. And it was AMAZING! After we put the baby girl to bed, my husband and I ate it out on our deck because it was a beautiful day and night in Nashville. I can’t wait to serve it to my daughter tomorrow for lunch. And I can’t wait to try more of your recipes! Thanks lady!
mmmm looks delish. kinda looks like a chicken pot pie? with CORNBREAD!!:D i love how you put the nutrition facts at the bottom too
[...] Another reason why I wanted to make this casserole, is that it comes from one of my favorite foodie blogs, Can You Stay For Dinner. There is so much deliciousness on this blog – and fantastic photography as well! You can find this recipe here. [...]
is it embarrassing to ask is chicken stock the same as chicken broth? thanks!
I am totally making this the day after Thanksgiving with Turkey instead of chicken
mmmmmmm
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[...] Thursday: Creamy Chicken and Cornbread Casserole [...]