Southern Cornbread Chicken Casserole

Featured in: Lazy Day Meals

This comforting Southern casserole combines shredded chicken, sweet corn, and creamy seasonings beneath a golden cornbread crust. The filling blends sautéed onions, celery, sour cream, cheddar, and spices for rich flavor. A simple cornbread batter is gently spread atop before baking to a crisp, golden finish. Ideal for hearty family meals and potlucks, this dish offers a satisfying balance of savory textures and cozy warmth.

Updated on Sat, 15 Nov 2025 11:44:00 GMT
Golden, bubbly Southern Cornbread Chicken Casserole, a hearty and comforting family favorite dinner. Save to Pinterest
Golden, bubbly Southern Cornbread Chicken Casserole, a hearty and comforting family favorite dinner. | snackandmack.com

A comforting, hearty casserole featuring tender chicken, sweet corn, and a golden cornbread topping—perfect for family dinners or potlucks.

I remember serving this dish last winter at a big family get-together. Everyone came back for seconds, and the kids loved the sweet cornbread top mixed with savory chicken filling.

Ingredients

  • Cooked chicken: 2 cups, shredded (rotisserie or poached)
  • Frozen corn kernels: 1 cup, thawed
  • Canned cream of chicken soup: 1 cup
  • Sour cream: 1/2 cup
  • Yellow onion: 1/2 cup, chopped
  • Celery: 1/2 cup, chopped
  • Cheddar cheese: 1/2 cup, shredded
  • Unsalted butter: 1 tablespoon (for filling) plus 1/4 cup melted (for topping)
  • Garlic powder: 1/2 teaspoon
  • Smoked paprika: 1/2 teaspoon
  • Salt: 1/2 teaspoon (filling) plus 1/2 teaspoon (topping)
  • Black pepper: 1/4 teaspoon
  • Yellow cornmeal: 1 cup
  • All-purpose flour: 1/2 cup
  • Granulated sugar: 1 tablespoon
  • Baking powder: 1 tablespoon
  • Buttermilk: 1 cup
  • Egg: 1 large

Instructions

Prepare oven and dish:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
Sauté vegetables:
In a skillet, melt 1 tablespoon butter over medium heat. Add onions and celery and cook until softened, about 4 minutes.
Make chicken filling:
In a large bowl, combine cooked chicken, sautéed onions and celery, corn, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, cheddar cheese, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
Transfer filling:
Spread the chicken mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
Mix dry topping ingredients:
In another bowl, whisk together cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
Combine wet topping ingredients:
In a separate bowl, whisk buttermilk, egg, and melted butter. Pour wet ingredients into dry and stir to combine (do not overmix).
Add cornbread topping:
Spoon the cornbread batter evenly over the chicken mixture, spreading gently to cover.
Bake:
Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the cornbread topping is golden and cooked through.
Cool and serve:
Let cool for 5–10 minutes before serving.
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When we make this casserole, everyone sits together at the table, enjoying stories and the comfort of a classic Southern meal. It's perfect for welcoming guests or a Sunday supper.

Required Tools

9x13-inch baking dish, mixing bowls, skillet, whisk, spatula

Notes

For extra flavor, add 1/2 cup diced roasted red peppers or 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives. Substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream. Serve with a green salad or steamed green beans. A lightly oaked Chardonnay pairs well.

Nutritional Information

Per serving: Calories: 410, Total Fat: 19 g, Carbohydrates: 37 g, Protein: 23 g.

Savory Southern Cornbread Chicken Casserole with a crispy cornbread crust over tender chicken and corn filling. Save to Pinterest
Savory Southern Cornbread Chicken Casserole with a crispy cornbread crust over tender chicken and corn filling. | snackandmack.com

This casserole brings warmth to any table. Prep ahead for busy nights and enjoy leftovers for lunch!

Recipe FAQs

Can I use rotisserie chicken for this dish?

Yes, rotisserie chicken works well and adds tender, flavorful meat to the casserole.

How do I ensure the cornbread topping is moist yet golden?

Mix the cornbread batter gently without overmixing, then bake until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Can I add vegetables to the filling?

Absolutely. Diced roasted red peppers or fresh chives can enhance flavor and texture.

What can I serve with this casserole?

It pairs nicely with crisp green salads or steamed green beans for a balanced meal.

Is there a suggested wine pairing?

A lightly oaked Chardonnay complements the dish’s creamy and savory notes beautifully.

Southern Cornbread Chicken Casserole

Comforting Southern casserole with tender chicken, sweet corn, and golden cornbread topping, perfect for gatherings.

Prep Time
20 min
Cook Time
40 min
Overall Time
60 min
Recipe by Snack And Mack Ryan Mitchell

Recipe Type Lazy Day Meals

Skill Level Easy

Cuisine Type Southern American

Output 6 Serving Size

Dietary Details None specified

Ingredient List

Chicken Filling

01 480 grams cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie or poached)
02 160 grams frozen corn kernels, thawed
03 245 milliliters canned cream of chicken soup
04 120 milliliters sour cream
05 80 grams chopped yellow onion
06 80 grams chopped celery
07 56 grams shredded cheddar cheese
08 14 grams unsalted butter
09 0.5 teaspoons garlic powder
10 0.5 teaspoons smoked paprika
11 0.5 teaspoons salt
12 0.25 teaspoons black pepper

Cornbread Topping

01 120 grams yellow cornmeal
02 60 grams all-purpose flour
03 12 grams granulated sugar
04 14 grams baking powder
05 0.5 teaspoons salt
06 240 milliliters buttermilk
07 1 large egg
08 56 grams unsalted butter, melted

Steps

Step 01

Preheat and prepare baking dish: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.

Step 02

Sauté vegetables: Melt 1 tablespoon unsalted butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onions and celery; sauté until softened, approximately 4 minutes.

Step 03

Combine filling ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine shredded cooked chicken, sautéed onions and celery, thawed corn kernels, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly.

Step 04

Assemble chicken layer: Spread the chicken mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish.

Step 05

Mix dry cornbread ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together yellow cornmeal, all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt.

Step 06

Combine cornbread wet ingredients: In another bowl, beat buttermilk, egg, and melted butter together until combined.

Step 07

Make cornbread batter: Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and stir gently just to combine, avoiding overmixing.

Step 08

Add cornbread topping: Spoon the cornbread batter evenly over the chicken filling, spreading gently to cover.

Step 09

Bake casserole: Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until the cornbread topping is golden brown and cooked through.

Step 10

Rest before serving: Allow to cool for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

Equipment Needed

  • 9x13 inch baking dish
  • Mixing bowls
  • Skillet
  • Whisk
  • Spatula

Allergy Info

Double-check every item for known allergies. If unsure, reach out to a healthcare provider.
  • Contains wheat (flour), milk (cheese, buttermilk, sour cream, butter), eggs, and chicken.
  • May contain gluten; verify cornmeal and baking powder labels for gluten content.
  • Check canned soup label for soy or other allergens.

Nutrition Details (each serving)

Nutrient details are offered for reference only. Speak with your doctor for personal health questions.
  • Calorie Count: 410
  • Fat Content: 19 g
  • Carbohydrate: 37 g
  • Proteins: 23 g