DINNER ESSENTIALS: YUMMY CHEESY CHICKEN CASSEROLE

Steps:

• 1. PREP/PREPARE
• 2. Use whatever chicken that you have on hand; dark meat, white meat, or a combination. Then pan cook, or bake, dice or shred.
• 3. I used Greek yogurt; however, you could just as easily use plain mayonnaise.
• 4. The spices used represent what I thought would make a good combination, and were items I had on hand.
• 5. Gather your ingredients (mise en place).
• 6. Optional Step: Pull the skin off the chicken before cooking, then chop up, fry in a bit of oil until crispy, and reserve. When the chicken comes out of the oven, sprinkle them on top before serving. They are called cracklings, and they are yummy good.
• 7. Sprinkle the chicken with some salt and pepper and add the oil to a pan over medium heat. Cook the chicken, turning several times, until the internal temperature reaches 160f (71c).
• 8. Remove chicken from the pan, and chop.
• 9. Place a rack in the middle position and preheat the oven to 375f (190c).
• 10. Add the remaining ingredients, except the cheddar cheese, to a bowl, and fold together with the chopped chicken.
• 11. Place the mixture into an ovenproof dish, and top with the shredded cheddar cheese.
• 12. Place into the preheated oven, and bake until the cooked through, and the cheese is beginning to brown, about 25 - 30 minutes.
• 13. Allow to rest for 5 - 7 minutes before serving.
• 14. PLATE/PRESENT
• 15. Sprinkle with the cracklings, if using, and serve with some crusty bread. Enjoy.
• 16. Keep the faith, and keep cooking.