Today’s post is a “two-fer”! Super Easy Turkey Breast and equally super easy “Surprise” Tortilla Chip Stuffing. I like “super easy” anything, don’t you? Let me tell you more.
When I shared the Special Turkey Breast crockpot recipe the other day, I mentioned I had an even easier recipe for a traditional turkey breast, Super Easy Turkey Breast. This recipe is also made in a slow cooker. I also have an easy and delicious Surprise Tortilla Chip Stuffing recipe for you today!
The good news is that both of these recipes are so easy, so gluten free easily (gfe), that you won’t even believe it (and, perhaps, will thank me profusely once you make it). The bad news is that I don’t have a photo of the Super Easy Turkey Breast for you.
I’ve been making this turkey breast since I first hosted Thanksgiving several years ago to give my mother a break. I had no intentions of roasting a whole turkey because I knew most of it would not get eaten. So I looked online for a suitable recipe.
When I found the following recipe with two ingredients (the turkey breast plus one more), I was very skeptical to say the least. But, when I made it, I was so pleased and everyone raved over it.
Now it’s one of my standard turkey breast recipes. (Members of my support group have also happily added it to their holiday cooking repertoire.) I’ll be making both this Super Easy Turkey Breast and my Special Zesty Turkey Breast on Thanksgiving, because the latter recipe is also always demanded.
Super Easy Two-Ingredient Turkey Breast Recipe
You won't believe the incredibly delicious turkey breast that results from slow cooking a turkey breast with a single ingredient. Yep, two ingredients total for an amazingly delicious turkey breast!Super Easy Two-Ingredient Turkey Breast
Ingredients
Instructions
A little background … I saw this basic recipe on the celiac listserv a few years ago. The individuals who posted the recipe raved over it. So I saved it to my computer and even printed it out, but I’ve never been a huge stuffing fan and when “push came to shove” with all my Thanksgiving cooking and limited time each year, I always thought I’d make it later.
Well, later never came. Until now.
Did I mention that folks raved over this stuffing? Did I mention that some said it tasted just like Stove-Top stuffing? Hmmm, well, that could be a plus or a minus depending on one’s purist views regarding stuffing. When I was eating a prepared stuffing, I personally always liked Pepperidge Farm stuffing back in the day.
But, I digress … a bit. Did I mention that this stuffing recipe uses no bread of any type? The main ingredient is a surprise … a snack food that many people keep on hand, and a naturally gluten-free snack food (yippee!), but one that everybody loves—corn tortilla chips.
Yes, that’s correct. That bag of Tostitos (or any other brand of corn tortilla chips that’s gluten free, such as Simple Truth Organic shown below) in your pantry will be transformed into your new favorite stuffing!
I don’t know why I waited so long to try this recipe. It’s excellent and so easy to make. It’s also naturally dairy-free and just requires a few ingredients. Mr. GFE doesn’t usually like stuffing, but he’s in love with this recipe. He said it tastes almost like my sister Susie’s Crab Casserole.
Although I don’t think this casserole tastes like crab casserole, it does have a similar texture and consistency and is really good. I ate this small bowl full right after it came out of the oven and I never eat stuffing instantly like that.
Hey, maybe it could be a Poor Man’s “Crab” Casserole—ideal for the budget and perhaps a good option for the non-seafood lover. Setting that consideration aside, I’m looking forward to serving this to Son when he comes home tomorrow and making more to serve my family on Thanksgiving.
How To Make Gluten-Free “Surprise” Tortilla Chip Stuffing
I’m even looking forward to using it in another recipe that I haven’t made since going gluten free—a chicken and stuffing casserole—but I’ll wait a while. I think I’ll be “poultry’d” out for a bit after Thursday.
Here’s the recipe as I made it today. Note that while Tostitos basic tortillas contain no gluten ingredients (steer clear of multigrain, which do contain gluten), they are not made in a dedicated facility or on a dedicated line. Frito-Lay cleans their lines between processing their different products, but please use your own judgment regarding using Tostitos if you eat gluten free for medical reasons.
Of course, any other tortilla chips that you like and consider safe (such as the brand shown above) can be used instead. I would really like to try this with the blue tortilla chips. Blue stuffing … now that would be fun. (No Smurf jokes, please.) Okay, okay—here’s the recipe.
Oh, and if this recipe is not the type of stuffing recipe you had in mind, please check out this collection of Over 40 Holiday-Worthy Gluten-Free Stuffing Recipes.
Gluten-Free Surprise Tortilla Chip Stuffing Recipe
You're going to love this gluten-free "surprise" stuffing because there's no bread to make, no cubing of bread, etc. This stuffing---made from the surprise ingredient, corn tortilla chips---really is super simple and super delicious! If using vegetable broth, you will need to add additional ingredients and seasonings because store-bought vegetable broth is pretty bland in my opinion. (Homemade vegetable broth might be flavorful enough depending on the ingredients used.) I’ve read that folks have even “stuffed” their turkey with this stuffing successfully versus baking as a side dish! Remember that the photos shown are of the recipe made when halved. If you have any leftover stuffing, you can recycle it into croutons.Gluten-Free Surprise Tortilla Chip Stuffing
Ingredients
Instructions
Notes
See this obnoxious little turkey guy. Okay, he doesn’t look that obnoxious .. goofy, for sure … but wind him up and you’ll see and hear how obnoxious he is—a singing, dancing turkey. I went away on a business trip in mid-November a few years back and came home to find this turkey on the dining room table … as well as evidence of a party.
It seems Mr. GFE and Son had a little oyster roast with friends and family while I was gone and this was one of the “host” gifts they received. (I was only a bit dismayed that they had a party in our somewhat untidy house and equally untidy screened porch. LOL)
Both the young and the old love this strange little turkey, so we keep him around for entertainment purposes.
Enjoy your Super Easy Two-Ingredient Turkey Breast and Surprise Tortilla Chip Stuffing! Just think … all the time you save by NOT working away in the kitchen can be spent chatting and catching up with family and friends.
Originally published November 21, 2009; updated November 20, 2021.
Lisa Williams says
Great post, necessity is the mother of invention and your stuffing is a great work around forthose of us with allergies/celiac. Thanks!
Shirley says
Hi, Lisa–Welcome to gfe! It seems that inventive (or simple) is often the answer indeed. 🙂 I’m so glad I finally tried this recipe! I can’t wait to make it for my extended family next week—they won’t believe it. 😉
I hope you’ll enjoy this stuffing when you try it! I’ll be checking out your blog, Lisa Cooks Allergen Free, for sure. Allergen free is good! Look forward to seeing you again. 🙂
Shirley
Trish says
I made this super easy turkey breast in my crockpot. OMG was it ever delicious and moist. This is my go to from here one out. Thanks so much!
Shirley Braden says
Hi Trish–I’m go glad you enjoyed it! It’s pretty amazing; isn’t it? 🙂 Thanks so much for taking the time to leave your review!
Shirley
Katrina (gluten free gidget) says
That stuffing IS a surprise! You are so creative!
Shirley says
Hi, Katrina–Thanks! I can’t take credit for the idea though. This recipe has been posted on the celiac listserv by different authors over the years, so I think all of us took the original idea and tweaked it to our own liking. 🙂
Shirley
Lauren says
Such a fun idea! And anything with butter is awesome =D.
Shirley says
Hi, Lauren!– 🙂 I still can’t believe the idea worked LOL, but I’m so happy it did! Butter can do amazing things to food, that’s for sure. Interestingly enough, our speaker at our support group’s open house this past weekend said he does not eat dairy except for some butter because research shows that there are some health benefits to eating butter.
Shirley
Lauren says
Love that! I’m a sucker for butter in pretty much anything, so its good to know its not all for taste (although that wouldn’t be too bad either)!
Shirley says
Always happy to help here at gfe! 😉
Shirley
glutenfreeforgood says
You are always full of surprises, my friend! I do love your creativity, whether it’s baking a cake without flour, making a pizza without a crust or making stuffing without bread! Do you come up with all these ideas yourself or do you have a culinary creative crew working for you??!
It’s always a joy to visit GFE! And I’m starting to get attached to all these little turkey critters you’ve been featuring lately.
🙂
Melissa
xo
Shirley says
Hi, girlfriend! 😉 Just trying to keep everyone’s gluten-free lives saner. I like to be able to pick up my ingredients at my local basic grocery store and our new farmer’s market (which sadly closed for the season at the end of October—that growing calendar thing, of course). Just makes more sense to me than stocking up on tons of specialty ingredients. No, no crew here! LOL Just me always reading a ton and absorbing ideas as I look for new, easier gfe ways to make great recipes and live a little simpler gluten free. 🙂
You’re so sweet—thank you! Now, those turkeys … be careful, my dear … I might be shipping you one as an early Christmas present. Then you can feature it over at Gluten Free For Good next Thanksgiving! LOL
Shirley
Alisa - Frugal Foodie says
YOu are so creative! That looks awesome. going to RT 🙂
Shirley says
Hey there, Alisa–Just sharing someone else’s great idea … hoping to save gf distraught stuffing makers everywhere! 😉 So, I’m very glad you’re tweeting on this one—thank you!! 🙂
Hope you’ve gotten lots of entries for your week of cookbook giveaways over at One Frugal Foodie–some folks will be very thankful for those worthy cookbooks!
Shirley
Kay Guest says
Thanks for this great recipe! I would call it “dressing” myself. My husband has never been a big fan of dressing but I will make this for him just because YOU say that it is so good! Thanks again! P.S. I am a HUGE fan of stuffing or dressing…whatever you like to call it!! Oh, and also, torilla chips are like another food group in our gluten free household…
th
Shirley says
Hi, Kay–Welcome to gfe! You know … we always called it dressing growing up. 🙂 That term doesn’t seem to get used that much any more. Now, I’m going to be worried that your husband won’t like it. Well, at least there will be more for you if that happens. 😉
Oh, I hear you on tortilla chips, Kay. Since I only used half a bag for my test run, Mr. GFE has happily eaten the other half. 🙂 Bagged tortilla chips are one party/staple snack food that we can count on when heading out and about.
Thanks so much for stopping by gfe and taking the time to comment! I hope you’ll report back on what you think of the recipe or any adjustments you made.
Shirley
Susie's Homemade says
Very ingenious:-)
Shirley says
Hi Susie–Yes, whoever originated this one was brilliant! I just had some leftover stuffing for lunch and it was just as tasty as before. It’s still surprising me! 😉
Shirley
Linda says
I was never a huge stuffing fan so while I do miss it sometimes, it’s never been worth the trouble of making it. This sounds so easy though. I’m going to have to try it. Thanks for the recipe!
Shirley says
Hey Linda–I think you’ll really enjoy it for the occasional taste of stuffing. I was surprised Mr. GFE liked it as much as he did, because he’s always passed on stuffing in the past. Hope you try it and like it!
Have a great Thanksgiving!
Shirley
Jenn/CinnamonQuill says
Incredible recipe!! Especially since I just got a huge bag of tortilla chips from Costco. This is absolutely brilliant! I can’t wait to make it once, then change up the flavors…And if it tastes like crab casserole, all the better, it will be crab casserole for vegetarians. 😉
Shirley says
Jenn–Isn’t it great how the universe works that way? You having that big bag of tortilla chips and me having this recipe. LOL You might make a smaller amount of the recipe the first go round before you make your adjustments. I think I might throw some Old Bay seafood seasoning in next time. I was thinking I’d do that for a little spiciness and flavor, but that addition might really make it taste crabby. Hmmm, you might have your vegetarian crab casserole yet! 😉 Please report back … good or bad … on what you think and your adaptations—thanks!
Hugs,
Shirley
Linda says
I made this for dinner tonight and I’m keeping the leftovers for myself to eat on Thursday. It was very good! I was amazed at how it turned out. I was out of poultry seasoning and so was the store, so I used 1 1/2 t. ground sage and 1/2 t. ground thyme, but I wish I had used more of both.
Thanks you Shirley! It will be nice to have stuffing with Thanksgiving dinner this year.
Shirley says
Hi Linda–Oh, I’m so very glad you were pleased and that you reported back! I love to hear “amazed” in re: to any recipes here—thank you. 🙂 I say whoever came up with that was a genius. (Makes me wonder what other gluten-free “mountains” we could conquer with common, but unexpected foods or ingredients.) I just had the last of my test run stuffing with some leftover turkey salad. I’m making a new batch on Thursday. I’ve decided to use more seasoning next time, too. I’m actually thinking about adding some Old Bay. I think everyone has to try once to figure out how much of which seasonings they prefer. I do think I’d like more sage, too … well maybe more sage OR Old Bay … not both.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, Linda!
Shirley
Amy @ SS&GF says
I’m always amazed at the creativity people muster up when unable to eat gluten – they make great food out of ingredients I would never think to use. I love this idea. I know Joe would love it.
Shirley says
Hi Amy!–We are a creative bunch, aren’t we? LOL I’d like to find the person who came up with this recipe and personally thank them! I just dictated it to one of my group members over the phone. 😉 I can’t wait to try it out on everyone tomorrow!
Shirley
Chelsey says
Shirley thanks for visiting my blog again! You always leave the most kind and thoughtful comments. You are an inspiration and encouragement. Thank – You!
Shirley says
Chelsey–What a very lovely thing to say! Thank you … sooo much. I think your Crazy Kitchen is a beautiful site. I love all the terrific recipes that you (and your guests, like your hubby) come up with–such fresh and gorgeous dishes. 🙂 Like your new Flippingly Fast Fridays blog carnival, too! Who doesn’t want a great meal pronto?
Shirley
Julie Christine says
Oh wow, the Surprise Stuffing looks great – I just happen to have some tortilla chips in the cupboard (ok, it’s really more like 1/2 dozen bags, many of which are partial bags of crumbled chips – PERFECT for this recipe!!!). I’m going to make this so that my 10yo celiac DS and I can have stuffing tomorrow.
Shirley says
Hi Julie Christine!–Welcome to gfe! LOL on so many partial bags of chips. When Son was home, that would often be the case here, too. One note … since you have crumbled chips, you may only need to let your chips sit in the chicken broth for a few minutes–maybe 15 minutes? I’m so happy you and your son will be able to have wonderful—and wonderfully easy 😉 —gluten-free stuffing. I hope you’ll report back on what you two think!
Thanks so much for stopping by and taking the time to comment! Happy Thanksgiving!
Shirley
Annie says
I was at the store today, exhausted and starving (and attempting to get everything I need to buy for the next two weeks purchased in fifteen minutes), armed with, among other things, this recipe. I am in love. It’s easy, it tastes good, and adding protein (chickpeas) isn’t difficult.
I don’t know about regular tortilla chips but my blue tortilla chips are making me think about Smurfs. *evil grin*
Shirley says
Hi Annie–So nice to see you again! Oh, I’m so happy that you tried the surprise stuffing and have fallen in love. 🙂 Adding chickpeas is a terrific idea! Similar to the chestnuts some folks like to add. I’m not sure if the following idea would work with the chickpeas added, but did you see my post on recycling the leftover stuffing into croutons? Check it out here just in case. LOL on Smurfy blue tortilla chips. I would have made mine with blue chips at Thanksgiving, but couldn’t find them at our basic store.
So glad this recipe was a hit for you!
Shirley
Kim @ Cook It Allergy Free says
Shirley, what a brilliant idea for a stuffing! I would make this to go along with all kinds of meals. I love the idea of using tortilla chips in this. And it seriously could not be easier. Thanks for sharing this one, I will be trying it for sure!! And I like the idea of adding protein, some shredded chicken would even be good in this.
xo
kim
Shirley says
Hi Kim–Thanks for all the LOVE on the interwebs re: this stuffing, Kim. It’s not my recipe. It originally came from the celiac listserv as I noted, but I believe it was passed on then, so not sure who the original brilliant person was. Yes, it’s super easy and like you said, add some chicken to it and you have a meal. 🙂 I love that there’s no need to make some type of bread and then cube it, etc. Hope you guys enjoy it when you make it!
Happy Thanksgiving Eve, dear! You’ve got an awfully big day tomorrow. Hope all goes well! xo,
Shirley
Debbie says
I would love to be a fly on the wall when you tell your family what this stuffing is made with! If I could eat tortillas I would love this. It would be fun to take to gluten eating parties…Have a wonderful and safe thanksgiving!
Shirley says
Hi Debbie–Late last night (after I’d turned off my PC), it occurred to me that I hadn’t responded to your comment … oh no! I made the stuffing last year when I hosted, but my mom insisted on bringing her gluten stuffing. She’s fine on gf with most things, but just had to have that. So only Mr. GFE, Son, and I enjoyed my stuffing. And, I think I did a test run and shared it with others earlier. This year we went to MIL’s and there was no stuffing at all, gluten or not. Since we are leaving today on our trip, I decided not to make any. However, when we get back I plan to make a stuffing and chicken dish as Kim suggested. Yum.
Our Thanksgiving was good. 🙂 Both of our families are local so that makes the travel factor much easier. However, today we are headed off on a trip and hoping the travel stars will align for us. 😉
Hugs,
Shirley
Lexie says
Inventive! I love food innovators like you. Keep those recipes coming!
Kahri says
Made the stuffing tonight for our Thanksgiving dinner and it was quite a hit! Everyone loved it (gluten free eaters and non-gf eaters, alike!) We will definitely be making this more often and adding this to our normal Thanksgiving day repetoire! Thank you so much Shirley!!
Shirley says
Hi Kahri–Thanks so much for taking the time to comment here and on Facebook on your success with the tortilla stuffing! Don’t we all love it when we can make a gf recipe that makes everyone happy? 😉 That’s part of the mission behind gfe! As one blogger friend, suggested, I think this tortilla chip stuffing would even make a great meal by adding some shredded chicken and perhaps a veggie. 🙂
Thanks again, dear!
Shirley
Shelley Edwards says
I tried this stuffing recipe, more from desperation than anything else because i so want stuffing with my Christmas dinner. When the tortillas were soaking I wondered what on earth i was doing – the smell wasnt the best!!!! But i’m so glad i carried on. I forgot it was in the oven (big oops, but nothing new for me) and overcooked it, but that was a bonus because the crunchy topping was gorgeous. I’m definitely going to experiment with adding different flavours to this. Thank you so much 🙂
Veronica says
These are so easy. I’m definitely doing the turkey breast this way. I have gotten out of the habit of making stuffing the last few years, but maybe this year I’ll go for it. The corn chip recipe really intrigues me. What is the texture like? Is it closer to chewy or more smooth?
Shirley says
Hey Veronica–I like easy … have you noticed? 😉 I hope you enjoy the turkey breast. I remember the surprise we all experienced the first time I made it. How could a no-fuss turkey breast taste go good, but it did and it will once again, as soon as the latest one is done slow cooking. (It’s a big one and I didn’t put it in until late today. We’re not eating it for dinner tonight, so it didn’t matter what time I started it.)
The stuffing? I’d say it’s more smooth than chewy, but it’s been a year since I had it last so maybe my memory is off. 😉 Be sure to use whatever seasonings (and amounts) that you enjoy, because some have had said they wished it had a little more “oomph” in that department. I’m not one who likes stuffing heavy on all the traditional seasonings though.
Good luck and happy Thanksgiving to you all! Hugs,
Shirley
Suzanne says
This is for any of you “doubters” out there. As part of our Thanksgiving dinner this weekend, we had the Surprise Stuffing. I have never really been a fan of “real” stuffing and haven’t tried any GF stuffing recipes since I was diagnosed with Celiac. This was such a “crazy” concoction that I thought it would be fun just to have a go at it. It was fantastic! And my non-GF husband had no clue as to how it was made. He said it was much better than the gluten-full version that our lovely church ladies fix. I was doing to GF Happy Dance!
Shirley says
Hi Suzanne–It’s great to see you here at gfe again! 🙂 Your comment makes me smile the big happy smile (sort of like that gf happy dance!). 🙂 It is a crazy concoction, but somehow it works, right? My mom even asked me to make this stuffing for Thanksgiving because it’s better than hers—woohoo!!! Of course, it took her a year to tell me that … hehe … but I’ll gladly accept the compliment and make it again, because it’s just so darned easy! I’m so happy that your hubby loves your new “surprise” stuffing. To say that it’s better than that of the church ladies is quite the compliment indeed! 😉
Thanks again, Suzanne. I know that many will appreciate your feedback. Oh, and dance on! 🙂
Shirley
Shirley P. says
Shirley,
I made this last night – a trial run before Thanksgiving. I love it! Someone at work suggested adding dried cranberries, but as you say, you can add anything you like. This will be my go to dressing recipe for sure!
Shirley says
Hi Shirley–I am so, so embarrassed that I just saw this comment a year later. I must just have been so swamped last year at Thanksgiving that I missed it. Please forgive me and accept my extremely belated welcome to gfe! And, of course, I’m thrilled that you love this recipe and are making it part of your holiday plans each year. 🙂
Shirley
Vivi says
If I want to stuff the turkey breast with this stuffing how would I bake it? Still in Crockpot?
Shirley says
Hi Vivi–Welcome to gfe. 🙂 To be honest, I don’t know the specifics as I haven’t tried doing this myself. I do know that the most important factor is that you cook a stuffed turkey until the final internal temperature is 165 degrees F. You can read more here: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/factsheets/turkey_basics_stuffing/index.asp Most recipes for slow-cooked turkey breast and stuffing call for the stuffing to be placed in the bottom of the slow cooker vs stuffed in the cavity of the turkey breast. By the way, the latter is pretty small and would not hold all that this stuffing recipe makes. Sending you good luck for whichever route you take!
Shirley
Vivi says
If I make the turkey in advance, should i heat it up in the oven before serving or serve room temp?
Shirley says
Vivi–I don’t think you’d enjoy this turkey or the stuffing very much at room temperature. I’d start out by heating it for 20 to 30 minutes at 350 degrees. But allow yourself some extra time in case it needs more heating than that because it well might. Turkey is dense and stuffed turkey is even denser, of course, and might take longer to heat so that it’s warm enough for serving.
Shirley
SherriS. says
Well Shirley, it’s been a few years since you posted this recipe and I’ve finally made it for today! I chose Utz Gluten Free Multi-grain tortilla chips. They have flax, sesame and sunflower seeds in them. I loved how easy this recipe was and it was beyond delicious. So much easier than cooking cornbread to make the dressing. Keeper recipe for sure.
Hope you have had a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family!
Shirley says
Hi Sherri!–First, thanks so much for the Thanksgiving wishes. We did have a wonderful Thanksgiving. 🙂 I hope yours was lovely as well. I’m thrilled to hear that this Surprise Stuffing was part of it and that you loved it so much! I was not even familiar with this product from Utz. I checked out the ingredients … very cool! Like you, folks are very skeptical about this recipe, but so far (at least in my memory), everyone has been a convert once they made it. 😉 Thanks for sharing your review with all of us!
Shirley
April J Harris says
Your Turkey Breast sounds absolutely delectable, Shirley, and I love the idea of Tortilla Chip Stuffing! What great recipes! Shared. Thank you for being a part of the Hearth and Soul Hop.
Shirley says
These are fun and delish recipes, April! I like to keep everything as simple as possible. 😉 I appreciate you sharing, as always!
Shirley
judee says
Being a vegetarian, I won’t be making turkey for Thanksgiving- but who doesn’t love stuffing and this recipe looks delicious, easy and uses everyday ingredients! It’s a winner in my book- can’t wait to try it!
Shirley Braden says
Thanks, Judee! I just got a rave on this stuffing recipe in a comment on another recipe on Facebook. So nice and unexpected. It really is such a fun and delicious recipe!
Shirley