Ingredients

  • 2 quarts water
  • 3 chicken thighs and 2 necks
  • 1 tablespoon poultry seasoning
  • 1/2 chopped onion
  • 1/2 fresh sprig rosemary
  • 1 fresh sprig thyme
  • 1 fresh sprig sage
  • 1 fresh sprig savory (optional)
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 3 stalks celery, chopped
  • 1/2 onion, chopped
  • 1/4 cup chopped green pepper, optional
  • 1/2 cup bacon fat
  • 4 cups day old cornbread, crumbled
  • 2 slices day old bread crumbled, optional
  • 1 cup homemade chicken broth
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly chopped thyme leaves, or dry thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly chopped sage leaves, or dry sage
  • Whole cranberries strained from can
  • Chopped pecans or walnuts
  • Sauteed oysters
  • Diced cooked chicken

Method

  • In a large pot, bring the broth ingredients to a boil over medium heat.
  • Lower the heat and simmer for 1 hour.
  • Strain and set aside.
  • Dressing:
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • In a large saute pan, add the celery, onion, green pepper and bacon fat and saute until until the onions are translucent.
  • Add the cornbread, day old bread, if using, broth, thyme and sage.
  • Stir to combine and put in an 8 by 8-inch oven-proof baking dish.
  • The mixture will be moist.
  • Bake until the edges become brown, about 30 minutes.
  • Remove from the oven and serve with cranberries, pecans or walnuts, sauteed oysters or chicken.
  • This recipe was provided by professional chefs and has been scaled down from a bulk recipe provided by a restaurant.
  • The FN chefs have not tested this recipe, in the proportions indicated, and therefore, we cannot make any representation as to the results.