Eva Claiborne's Hen and Dressing

Indulge in the comforting flavors of the South with Eva Claiborne's Hen and Dressing, a classic recipe that marries tender, slow-simmered hen with a richly seasoned cornbread dressing. This dish combines the savory depth of homemade chicken stock, sautéed celery and onion, a hint of sage, and the perfect blend of crumbled cornbread and toasted bread for a moist and flavorful medley. Baked to golden perfection, this hearty dish is ideal for holiday gatherings or a Sunday family dinner. With its nostalgic taste and simple yet timeless preparation, this recipe is sure to evoke warm memories while creating new ones. Perfectly portioned to serve eight, it’s the ultimate crowd-pleaser for any festive table. Keywords: Southern hen and dressing recipe, cornbread dressing, comfort food, holiday side dishes, traditional dressing recipe.

Nutriscore Rating: 65/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:150 mins

Total Time:180 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 1 piece whole hen (about 4-5 lbs)
• 2 cups, chopped celery
• 1 cup, chopped onion
• 1 stick unsalted butter
• 6 cups cornbread, crumbled
• 2 cups white sandwich bread, toasted and crumbled
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 3 large eggs, beaten
• 1 tablespoon sage
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Place the whole hen in a large stockpot and cover with water. Add a pinch of salt, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cook for about 1.5 hours or until the hen is tender and the meat falls off the bone.

Step 2

Remove the hen from the pot and set aside to cool. Strain the stock, reserving 4 cups for the recipe. Once the hen has cooled, shred the meat, discarding the skin and bones. Set the shredded meat aside.

Step 3

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 4

In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped celery and onion, and sauté until they are soft and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.

Step 5

In a large mixing bowl, combine the crumbled cornbread, crumbled toasted sandwich bread, sautéed vegetables, and shredded hen meat.

Step 6

In a separate bowl, whisk together the reserved chicken broth, beaten eggs, sage, salt, and black pepper.

Step 7

Pour the wet ingredients into the cornbread mixture and gently mix until evenly combined. The dressing should be moist but not soupy; add a bit more broth if needed.

Step 8

Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and transfer the dressing mixture into the dish, spreading it out evenly.

Step 9

Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the dressing is set.

Step 10

Let the dressing cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy this comforting dish as the centerpiece of your meal!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(5367.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	8618.1

Total Fat 408.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 144.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.2g
Cholesterol 1863mg	0%
Sodium 17763.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 877.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 47.7g	0%
Total Sugars 143.3g
Protein 326.7g	0%

Vitamin D 160IU	0%
Calcium 2459.6mg	0%
Iron 47.5mg	0%
Potassium 5807.3mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 43.3%

Protein: 15.4%

Carbs: 41.3%