Step 1

Toast cornbread: Preheat oven to 400-degrees F. Spread cubed cornbread out evenly on a baking sheet and bake until golden and lightly toasted, about 8-10 minutes.  Remove from oven and allow to cool.

Step 2

Decrease oven temperature to 350 degrees F.  Butter or spray an 8x11’’ baking dish.  Set aside.

Step 3

Meanwhile, saute chestnuts:  Melt 1 ½ tablespoons of butter in a large saute pan or Dutch oven over medium heat.  Add chopped chestnuts.  Season with salt and pepper.  Cook, stirring often, until chestnuts are golden and fragrant, about 5 minutes.  Use a slotted spoon to transfer chestnuts to a large bowl.  Wipe out the pan with paper towels.

Step 4

Sauté vegetables: Melt 2 tablespoons butter in the same pan over medium heat.  Add the onions and celery.  Season generously to taste with salt and pepper.  Sweat the vegetables until softened, about 4-5 minutes.

Step 5

Add in the sausage and season again with salt and pepper.  Cook, using the back of a wooden to break up the sausage into bite-sized pieces.  Cook until the sausage begins to brown, about 4-5 minutes.  Add in the garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds.  Add in the thyme, parsley and rosemary.  Cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.  Remove the pan from heat and stir in ½ cup of stock.  Transfer to large bowl with chestnuts.

Step 6

Whisk wet ingredients: In a large measuring cup, add 1 cup of chicken stock and eggs. Whisk until well combined.

Step 7

Pour egg mixture over sausage mixture, then add cornbread: Slowly pour the egg mixture over the sausage mixture.  Add the toasted cornbread.  Gently fold everything until evenly combined, taking care not to mash the cornbread. (The mixture should look wet. If you like your stuffing really wet, add another tablespoon or two of stock, but be sure not to add too much or your stuffing will be soggy!)

Step 8

Bake:  Transfer the mixture to a prepared baking dish. Cover with aluminum foil (SEE NOTES IF MAKING IN ADVANCE). Bake, covered for 30 minutes.  Melt remaining 2 tablespoons of butter.  Remove stuffing from oven, uncover and brush with melted butter.  Continue to bake, UNCOVERED, for 20-30 minutes or until the stuffing is hot and the top is golden and crisped.

Step 9

Serve:  Remove from oven and let cool for a few minutes.  Sprinkle with fresh herbs and enjoy!