Quick & Easy: Start With Cooked Chicken

Recipes:

1. Creamy Chicken and Noodles
2. Chicken-and-Sausage Creole

Having chopped or shredded cooked chicken on hand is a lifesaver. You'll save both time and money. Watch for sales on chicken to get the lowest prices; then cook, package, and freeze bags of it. Supper will be ready to serve much faster. And don't forget, in a pinch, you can always use a rotisserie chicken from the deli. Round out either of these meals with a green vegetable, salad, or fresh fruit. Soft rolls are excellent to help savor all the richness by sopping the bowl clean.

Related: King Ranch Chicken Casserole, Chicken ‘n' Spinach Pasta Bake Is Your Go-To Weeknight Casserole, King Ranch Chicken Casserole That's Too Good Not To Share

For three ways to cook chicken along with how-to-freeze instructions, check out Basic Baked Chicken Breasts, Grilled Chicken Breasts, and Boiled Chicken Breasts. You'll also find 25 of our readers' highest rated chicken recipes listed below.

One-Dish Wonder
We enjoy the simplicity of Creamy Chicken and Noodles, but when you have a good thing, sometimes it's hard to leave it alone. Our staff is always full of suggestions to dress up recipes with ingredients that add additional flavor. Here are a few stir-in variations to enjoy.

1. Chopped Ham and Peas: Stir in 8 oz. diced ham and 1 cup thawed frozen peas.
2. Southwestern Style: Omit Italian dressing and Parmesan cheese. Stir in 1 (10-oz.) can diced tomatoes and green chiles and 1⁄2 cup (2 oz.) shredded Mexican four-cheese blend.
3. Italian Style: Add 1⁄4 cup diced sun-dried tomatoes and 1 cup turkey pepperoni slices.

3 Different Ways to Cook Chicken

• Basic Baked Chicken Breasts
• Grilled Chicken Breasts
• Boiled Chicken Breasts

25 Chicken Dinner Winners

• Quick Chicken and Dumplings
• Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
• Chicken Corn Chowder
• Spicy Tex-Mex Chicken Cobbler
• Tortilla Soup
• Speedy Chicken Stew
• King Ranch Chicken Casserole
• Light King Ranch Chicken Casserole
• Easy Mexican Lasagna
• Creamy Chicken Enchiladas
• Hearty Tex-Mex Squash-Chicken Casserole
• Heavenly Chicken Lasagna
• Honey Chicken Salad
• Honey-Pecan Chicken
• Chicken-Cranberry Wraps
• Chicken Enchiladas
• Chicken Tetrazzini
• 1-2-3 Jambalaya
• Cheesy Chicken Curry Casserole
• Brunswick Stew
• Chicken-Olive-Cheddar Quiche
• Chicken Picante Pasta
• Cheesy Chicken Penne
• Chicken-and-Wild Rice Casserole
• Chicken Pot Pie in Biscuit Bowls

"Quick & Easy: Start With Cooked Chicken" is from the February 2007 issue of Southern Living.