Yields Makes 8 servings

Notes: For the cornbread, use your own favorite recipe or a mix. You can toast cornbread cubes 1 day ahead; let cool in pan, wrap airtight, and store at room temperature. You can bake dressing (step 6) in same oven with chicken, on a rack below.

How to Make It

Step 1
1

Spread cornbread cubes level in a 10- by 15-inch rimmed pan. Bake in a 375° regular or convection oven until lightly toasted, 20 to 25 minutes, turning cubes occasionally with a wide spatula.

Step 2
2

Meanwhile, lightly butter one side of a 12-inch-long sheet of foil. Lay foil flat on a counter, buttered side up.

Step 3
3

In a 10- to 12-inch frying pan over high heat, stir 2 tablespoons butter, pecans, sugar, and 2 tablespoons vinegar just until liquid is evaporated and sugar mixture is dark brown, 4 to 5 minutes. Scrape nuts onto foil and push apart.

Step 4
4

Rinse frying pan and wipe dry. Return to medium-high heat and add bacon; stir often until well browned, 5 to 8 minutes. With a slotted spoon, transfer bacon to paper towels. Discard all but 2 tablespoons fat from pan. Add onion; stir often until limp and lightly browned, 5 to 8 minutes. Add remaining 2 tablespoons vinegar and stir until liquid is evaporated, about 1 minute. Add thyme and nutmeg and mix; add parsley and stir until wilted, about 1 minute. Remove from heat.

Step 5
5

Pour toasted cornbread into a large bowl. Add onion mixture and mix well; add 2 cups broth and mix well. Mix in 1/2 cup candied pecans and salt to taste.

Step 6
6

Return cornbread mixture to 10- by 15-inch pan; spread level. Bake in a 375° oven until hot, about 10 minutes. If you prefer a more moist dressing, stir in more broth.

Step 7
7

Spoon hot dressing into center of drumstick crown roast; garnish with remaining pecans.

Step 8
8

Nutritional analysis per serving of dressing.

Ingredients

 8 cups cornbread cubes (1/2 in.; see notes)
  About 2 tablespoons butter
 1 1/2 cups pecan halves
 2 tablespoons sugar
 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
 6 bacon slices (about 6 oz.), diced
 1 onion (about 8 oz.), peeled and chopped
 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
 1 cup minced parsley
  About 2 cups fat-skimmed chicken broth
  Salt

Directions

Step 1
1

Spread cornbread cubes level in a 10- by 15-inch rimmed pan. Bake in a 375° regular or convection oven until lightly toasted, 20 to 25 minutes, turning cubes occasionally with a wide spatula.

Step 2
2

Meanwhile, lightly butter one side of a 12-inch-long sheet of foil. Lay foil flat on a counter, buttered side up.

Step 3
3

In a 10- to 12-inch frying pan over high heat, stir 2 tablespoons butter, pecans, sugar, and 2 tablespoons vinegar just until liquid is evaporated and sugar mixture is dark brown, 4 to 5 minutes. Scrape nuts onto foil and push apart.

Step 4
4

Rinse frying pan and wipe dry. Return to medium-high heat and add bacon; stir often until well browned, 5 to 8 minutes. With a slotted spoon, transfer bacon to paper towels. Discard all but 2 tablespoons fat from pan. Add onion; stir often until limp and lightly browned, 5 to 8 minutes. Add remaining 2 tablespoons vinegar and stir until liquid is evaporated, about 1 minute. Add thyme and nutmeg and mix; add parsley and stir until wilted, about 1 minute. Remove from heat.

Step 5
5

Pour toasted cornbread into a large bowl. Add onion mixture and mix well; add 2 cups broth and mix well. Mix in 1/2 cup candied pecans and salt to taste.

Step 6
6

Return cornbread mixture to 10- by 15-inch pan; spread level. Bake in a 375° oven until hot, about 10 minutes. If you prefer a more moist dressing, stir in more broth.

Step 7
7

Spoon hot dressing into center of drumstick crown roast; garnish with remaining pecans.

Step 8
8

Nutritional analysis per serving of dressing.

Cornbread and Candied Pecan Dressing

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