Shabby Chic Boho There is something downright magical about old fashioned cornbread dressing. The kind that floats through the house with that warm sage aroma and makes everyone peek into the kitchen like curious little woodland creatures. It is cozy. It is nostalgic. It is the food equivalent of a warm hug wrapped in an apron. And this version comes with tender shredded chicken tucked inside like a surprise holiday gift.
If you have ever wanted to make dressing that tastes like your grandma’s but with your very own Shabby Chic Boho flair, this is the one. And yes, each ingredient has its own personality because food should never be boring.
Ingredients with a Little Extra Holiday Sass
Pan of baked savory cornbread
The star of the whole show. This golden goodness crumbles like a dream and smells like comfort came to life.
4 to 5 slices day old white bread, crumbled
The humble supporting actor. Soft, squishy, and determined to soak up every flavor it meets.
1 cooked chicken breast, shredded
This is the VIP guest who walks in late yet steals the spotlight instantly.
1 medium onion, diced
The tear giver, the flavor builder, the little diva who refuses to be ignored.
2 to 3 celery stalks, diced
Crunchy green wands of aromatic magic. Honestly the unsung hero of all holiday dishes.
4 to 6 tablespoons butter
Pure golden joy. Melted happiness. Do not fight it. Let it shine.
2 eggs, lightly beaten
The glue that lovingly keeps everyone in the bowl behaving.
2 to 3 cups chicken broth
The cozy blanket that wraps around the whole mixture and whispers “Relax. I got this.”
1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
The classic aroma that instantly makes everybody think the holidays have officially begun.
1 teaspoon sage
Earthy, nostalgic, and the flavor that says “Yes honey, you are home.”
Salt and pepper
The final sparkle. Every dish needs a little attitude.
Optional spoonful of cream of chicken soup
The creamy secret that makes your dressing swoon worthy and extra rich without lifting a finger.
Instructions That Feel Like Holiday Cheer
Preheat your oven to 375°F and butter your baking dish
This step feels a little like setting the stage for the coziest play ever written.
Crumble the cornbread and white bread into a large mixing bowl
Get your hands in there. This is therapy. Crumbly, soft, delicious therapy.
Add the shredded chicken and stir it through the bread
Watch the chicken mingle like it showed up to the potluck early and immediately made friends.
Sauté the onion and celery in butter until tender, then add to the bowl
This creates that aroma that makes people yell from the living room “What are you cooking in there?”
Mix in eggs, poultry seasoning, sage, salt, and pepper
Everything meets everything and suddenly your bowl smells like the holiday season finally arrived.
Pour in broth slowly until the mixture becomes very moist, almost like thick oatmeal
This is where the dressing finds its personality. Wet enough to bake up soft and custardy, but still structured like a proper holiday dish should be.
Spread into the baking dish and bake 35 to 45 minutes until the top turns golden and the center feels softly set
When it comes out, stand back and admire your creation. It is beautiful. It is fragrant. It is fabulous.
Notes Straight From My Cozy Kitchen
Dressing should never be dry or shy. Give it the broth it deserves.
Let it rest ten minutes so it scoops like a dream.
Serve it warm with giblet gravy or turkey drippings and watch faces light up like Christmas morning.
