Things You'll Need:
- One PLUMP 3.5-5 lb Frying/Roasting Chicken or Hen
- 6 loaves white bread
- 3 cups chopped celery
- 2 cups chopped onion
- 6 cups deboned chicken pieces from the roaster/fryer
- 1 gallon chicken broth
- 2 dozen eggs
- 7 tablespoons salt
- 2 tablespoons pepper
- 2 sticks oleo
- Large pan to boil chicken
- Large roasting pan for dressing or 2 medium pans. I buy the aluminum ones you can throw away afterwards.
- Pam to spray roasting pan
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Step 1
A couple days prior to making dressing, you need to dry your bread..Place on cookie sheets or wax paper on the table or counter if you have the room. Lay it all out flat..turning it every few hours as it air drys. It could take it 24/36 hours to dry completely. When completely dry..it is ready to break up into small pieces for dressing. Recruit someone to help with this process!! I use a huge bowl or deep stock pan to do this. Put the bread pieces aside..covered..but not tightly..
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Step 2
Boil chicken/hen in a large stock pot..Allow to cool some..debone chicken, tear into smaller pieces..putting it aside to add to dressing. Save broth, as you will need 1 gallon for the dressing. If there isn't a gallon..add some water.
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Step 3
Dice/chop onions & celery and simmer in a skillet with the 2 sticks oleo on low heat. Continue simmering on low heat until tender.
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Step 4
Put bread pieces into a very large bowl or stock pot..Add the chicken pieces..Pour 1 gallon broth over all this and mix really well...let this sit while you are preparing the eggs/spices.
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Step 5
Crack the 2 dozen eggs into a bowl...using a whisk, mix these well..like you would if you were going to scramble them..
Mix in the celery..onions..then add all of this to the bread/chicken/broth mixture..Mix well! -
Step 6
Add your spices..the salt..pepper..to this mixture..mixing well..and yes, someone will have to taste it to see if it's just right! You may need more broth..if you do..just add some water...but don't get it too soupy!
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Step 7
After allowing some time..preferably overnight so all the spices, flavor can be absorbed into the bread/dressing better...Spray Pam into the roasting/baking pans...Pour dressing mixture into your baking-roasting pans...
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Step 8
Preheat Oven at 350 degrees..Bake covered with aluminum foil in a 350 degree oven..about 45 minutes.. Remove foil and allow this to bake til golden brown on top/sides. Don't overbake..as you will have a very dry dressing.
