(**) means: use these shortcuts and have it ready in less time
Needed:
-4 chicken breast (**or a rotisserie chicken from the grocery)
-ham cubed (**buy thick sliced from the deli)
-1 1/2 cups of Basmati rice
-1 family size can of cream of chicken soup
-1 cup of sour cream
-lemon juice
-Chicken base
-2 sticks of butter
-Shredded Swiss Cheese
-shredded Parmesan
-Ritz crackers
On a greased baking sheet put your breasts and season with salt pepper and lemon juice ....very generous with all three and then add a pat of butter on top of all the breasts. Cook at 425 for 20 minutes if fresh chicken breasts ....we are going for a well seasoned crispy edged chicken for the casserole. Shred the chicken after cooked for casserole.
-This is not the shortcut version
-**Debone and Shred a rotisserie chicken :) for that version.
-Buy a good cooked ham. Slice and chunk up the piece into 1/2 inch bites ....crisp up in a skillet with some butter for added yumminess (about 2 cups of Cubes)
-** get thick sliced deli ham from the deli and cut into chunks
-Boil 1 1/2 cups of rice with a heaping spoonful of chicken base and 3 cups of water ....when it comes to a boil. Turn the burner off and put a lid on it and let cook.
-** use two packets of the success boil in a bag rice ...takes 10 minutes
-In the same skillet you cooked the ham...add two sleeves of crushed Ritz crackers and a 1/2 stick of butter. On a low heat combine the two then turn off the burner and mix some shredded Parmesan to crackers (this is your topping)
-**just crush the Ritz crackers and add them to the top they already have butter in them
-Now combine the chicken ...ham and rice with cream of chicken...sour cream ....if not creamy enough add a little heavy cream and some chicken broth. (Very little)
-put in a buttered 9x13 baking pan
-Top with shredded Swiss cheese
About 3-4 cups
-then cook at 400 for about 15 minutes
-add the Ritz cracker mixture and cook 5-10 more minutes or until bubbly
If you use the shortcuts you can pretty much use one pot to boil the rice and then chop and shred the rest and combine ...then add to baking dish.
BUT the long version is worth your time. Adding base to your rice and flavor to you chicken and getting a good ham is worth the extra dishes and work! I promise and it’s fun to layer flavor.
-Serve with:
-fresh peas cooked in some lemon juice and butter ...salt and pepper ...add some chili flakes before serving.
-or a simple salad of tomatoes onions and cucumbers covered in lemon juice and salt/pepper
-Make a simple fruit salad for your kids
I hope you enjoy this recipe. I always love hearing from you. Email me with questions: bjustice@leeparkchurch.org