Comforting Chicken Casserole

Total Time: 2 hrs 30 mins Preparation Time: 1 hr 30 mins Cook Time: 1 hr

Ingredients

• Servings: 12
• 3 -4 lbs broiler or 3 -4 lbs broiler-fryer chickens
• 3 quarts water
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 celery ribs, coarsely chopped
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 6 cups unseasoned stuffing cubes
• 1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes
• 1/2 teaspoon rubbed sage
• 1/2 cup chopped celery
• 2 tablespoons chopped onions
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 cup butter, cubed
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 6 eggs, beaten

Recipe

• 1 in a soup kettle, combine first seven ingredients. bring to a boil. reduce heat. cover; simmer for 1 1/2 - 2 hours or until chicken is tender.
• 2 remove chicken from broth. when cool enough to handle, remove meat from bones; dice and set aside. strain broth and skim fat; discard onion, celery and bay leaf. set aside 6 cups broth for sauce.
• 3 in a bowl, combine stuffing cubes, parsley and sage. saute celery and onion in butter until tender. add to stuffing mixture. mix well; set aside.
• 4 in a large saucepan, melt butter. whisk in flour, salt and pepper until smooth. gradually add reserved broth; bring to a boil. reduce heat; cook and stir for 2 minutes. remove from the heat. stir a small amount into eggs, return all to the pan, stirring constantly. bring to a gentle boil; cook and stir 2 minutes longer.
• 5 in a greased 13x9x2-inch baking dish, layer half of the chicken, stuffing and sauce. repeat layers. cover; bake at 350 for 45 minutes. uncover; bake 15-20 minutes longer or until a knife comes out clean.