Make Ahead Chicken

When you know you're gonna need to plan ahead for a one-dish dinner, this is the one! Mix up Make-Ahead Chicken and have it waiting in the fridge to pop into the oven and bake up fresh and hearty.

Serves: 3

Chilling Time: 6 hr

Cooking Time: 45 min

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked chicken, cut into cubes
• 1 (9-ounce) package frozen mixed vegetables, thawed and drained
• 8 ounces (2 cups) uncooked elbow macaroni
• 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded Cheddar cheese
• 1 (10 ¾-ounce) can cream of mushroom soup
• 2 cups water
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 teaspoon curry powder (see Options)
• 1 cup cornflake crumbs (for topping)
• 3 tablespoons butter, melted (for topping)

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients except topping ingredients; mix well. Place in an 8-inch square baking dish and cover tightly with aluminum foil. Refrigerate 6 to 8 hours, or overnight.
    
2. Before serving, preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
    
3. In a small bowl, combine cornflake crumbs and butter; mix well. Stir chicken mixture then sprinkle crumb topping evenly over top.
    
4. Bake 45 to 50 minutes, until golden.

Options

If you don't care for the flavor of curry, try an equal amount of dried basil for an Italian treat, or dried dill for that "right from the garden" taste.