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Handling Chicken With Care
Chicken, like all fresh meats, is
perishable and should be handled with care to maintain top quality. Here are
some basic things to remember:
Refrigerate raw chicken promptly; never leave it on countertop at room
temperature.
Packaged fresh chicken can be refrigerated in original wrappings in the coldest
part of the refrigerator.
Cooked, cut-up chicken is at its best refrigerated for no longer than two days;
whole cooked chicken, an additional day.
Freeze uncooked chicken it if is not to be used within two days. |
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Chicken Zucchini Bake
3 boneless, skinless, split chicken breasts
8 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
1/4 C. milk
6 eggs, beaten
2 C. cubed French bread, 1/2 inch cubes
2 C. shredded Swiss cheese
1/2 C. chopped onion
1/2 C. chopped red bell pepper
1/2 C. chopped fresh cilantro
1/4 C. sliced black olives
1/2 t. each dried basil, dried oregano, garlic powder, salt, and crushed red
pepper
2 zucchini cut into 1/4 inch round slices (reserve 15 slices for garnish)
paprika
Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly coat bottom and sides of 9 inch spring form pan
with oil or cooking spray. Set aside. Place chicken in single layer in large
saucepan and add enough water to cover by 1/2 inch. Bring to a boil, reduce heat
to simmer, cover, and poach 12 to 15 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink
inside. Drain and set aside to cool.
Place cream cheese in large mixing bowl and beat until smooth. Beat in milk and
eggs until well combined. Cut cooled chicken into bite-size pieces making about
2 cups. Add chicken and remaining ingredients, except reserved 15 slices of
zucchini, to cream cheese mixture. Combine well.
Place reserved zucchini slices around side of prepared pan in standing position.
Pour chicken mixture into pan and sprinkle top with paprika. Place pan on baking
sheet and bake in preheated oven 1 hour or until center is firm. Cool slightly,
place on serving dish then remove sides and bottom of spring form pan. Serve
warm.
6 to 8 servings
Variation: A combination of white and dark chicken meat may be substituted for
all white meat.
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