Monday, February 27, 2012

Alfredo Chicken Pot Puff Pies

Alfredo Chicken Pot Puff Pies
Serves 4

  • 1 sheet frozen puff pastry (from 17.3oz pkg), thawed
  • 1 Tbsp butter
  • 2c chopped cooked chicken
  • 1 16oz jar alfredo sauce
  • 2 Tbsp. finely chopped shallots
  • 2c frozen peas and carrots
  • 1 tsp. Thyme
  • 1 egg, beaten
Heat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly spray 4 (10oz) ramekins with cooking spray. On lightly floured surface, roll puff pastry to 13 inch square. Cut into 4 squares. Lightly press 1 square in bottom and up sides of each ramekin, letting corners hang over the edge.  In a skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add shallots and cook 3 minutes. Add chicken, peas and carrots and Alfredo sauce. Cook 3-4 minutes longer, until vegetables are thawed and mixture is hot. Sprinkle with thyme and stir well. Spoon mixture evenly into ramekins. Fold corners of pastry over filling, pinching to almost close the tops. Brush with egg. Bake 25-30 minutes or until pastry is deep golden brown.  Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Pizza in a Bowl

Pizza in a Bowl
Serves 6

  • 1/2 of a 3.5oz pkg thinly sliced pepperoni
  • 2c dried rotini (6oz)
  • 1/2c finely chopped onion
  • 8oz shredded Mozzarella cheese
  • 1lb. lean ground beef
  • 1 26-oz jar pizza/pasta sauce
  • 1 13.8oz can refrigerated pizza crust

    Preheat oven to 375 degrees.. Coat six 10-12oz ramekins with cooking spray. Cook pasta; drain; set aside. Cut pepperoni slices into quarters. In a large skillet, cook ground beef and onion. Drain off fat. Stir in sauce, shredded cheese, cooked pasta and pepperoni.  Mix until well combined.  Divide meat mixture evenly between prepared casseroles. Unroll pizza crust and cut into six equal-sized pieces. Place one piece over the top of each casserole. Tuck corners of dough inside the edge of the dishes to make rounded tops. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until pizza dough is golden brown. Let stand 5 minutes. Carefully invert each ramekin to serve. It desired, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

    You can change this up to your liking, using your favorite pizza toppings. For our daughters, I had to take out the pepperoni. For my husband, I added ground sausage, green peppers and mushrooms. This dish is truly limitless!!!

Chicken in Wine Sauce

Chicken in Wine Sauce
Serves 4

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1/2c white wine (more if desired)
  • 1 can cream of chicken soup
  • 1 can cream of celery soup
  • 8-12 slices of swiss cheese.
  • 1 pkg. stuffing mix
  • 1/2 stick butter, melted
  • Salt and pepper to taste

    Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place chicken in a lightly greased casserole dish. Layer cheese on top. Mix soups and wine together. Salt and pepper to taste; pour over cheese. Sprinkle stuffing mix on top and drizzle with melted butter.  Bake for 45-60 minutes, or until chicken is no longer pink in center.
Bake time varies depending on the size of chicken breasts you use.  I've had this dish done in as little as 45 minutes, and as long as 1 1/2 hours.  

Buffalo Chickn and Potatoes

Buffalo Chicken and Potatoes
Serves 4-6

  • 1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into 1-inch strips (or tenderloins)
  • 1/2c Buffalo wing sauce
  • 1 1/4c Ranch or Blue cheese dressing
  • 1 14.5oz can cream of celery soup
  • 2 Tbsp butter, melted
  • 6c frozen diced potatoes, thawed
  • 1/2c shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/2c corn flake crumbs
  • 4 medium green onions, diced.
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 13x9 glass baking dish with cooking spray.  Put the chicken strips in a medium bowl and add Buffalo wing sauce.  Mix well, until chicken is coated. In a large bowl, stir potatoes, dressing, cheese and soup together until well combined.  Spoon potatoes into the baking dish. Place chicken strips in a single layer on top.  In a small bowl, mix corn flake crumbs and butter together. Sprinkle over chicken. Cover with Aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake another 20-25 minutes longer, or until potatoes are tender and chicken is no longer pink in the center.  Sprinkle with green onions and serve.

Green Chili Chicken Lasagna

Green Chili Chicken Lasagna  
Serves 6-8
  • 1 pkg. oven ready lasagna noodles
  • 4c shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 28oz can green enchilada sauce
  • 1 14.5oz can cream of chicken soup
  • 2 4.5oz cans green chiles
  • 1 14.5oz can diced tomatoes
  • 1 rotissire chicken, deboned, skin removed and shredded.
 Heat oven to 350 degrees. In a large saucepan over medium heat, combine enchilada sauce, green chilis, soup, undrained tomatoes, and shredded chicken.  Mix well until heated through.  In an UNGREASED 13x9 baking dish, spread 1c of the chicken mixture. Top with three uncooked lasagna noodles. Cover evenly with chicken mixture, top with cheese. Repeat until all ingredients are used up, ending with cheese.  Bake uncovered for 30-45 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly and edges are lightly brown. Let stand 10-15 minutes before serving.

I usually make this with some rice and beans to help stretch the meal out. SO good, and relatively quick to throw together.