Rainy Day Chicken Recipes

Steps:

• In a large stockpot combine the parsley, pepper, onion, chicken, bouillon cubes and 10 cups water. Bring to a boil and cook for about 30 minutes. Remove and reserve the chicken from the broth, then strain the broth into a large bowl. Discard the onion mixture. Allow the chicken to cool and cut into cubes.
• Measure the broth and add water so that you have 8 cups of liquid in the large stockpot. Add the carrots and potatoes, bring to a boil and cook until the potatoes are done, about 20 minutes. Add the noodles and cook for 10 minutes more. Remove the pot from the heat and add the rice and reserved chicken. Stir the mixture and let it stand for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with cubed cheese.

Steps:

• For the soup:
• Set a large stock pot over medium heat. Add olive oil, half the garlic, carrot, onion, celery, bay leaf, and thyme and gently saute until fragrant, about 5 to 7 minutes. Pour in chicken broth, add parsley stems, black peppercorns and salt, to taste. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to simmer while you work on meatballs and tortellini.
• For the meatballs:
• Caramelize the diced onion in a saute pan with a little olive oil over medium heat. Add the sausage, egg, onion, thyme, parsley, and cheese to the bowl of a food processor and pulse until they all come together. Season with salt and pepper. Heat a skillet with a few tablespoons of olive oil until just smoking. Use a small ice cream scoop to drop meatballs onto skillet. Cook, turning, until golden brown.
• Drop tortellini straight from freezer into soup. Cook until they float. Once meatballs are browned, add to pot of chicken broth. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2 or 3 minutes. Give soup a final seasoning and serve in shallow bowls with a small shower of Parmesan, olive oil, and parsley.

Steps:

• Mix together all but the parmesean cheese and pour into a freezer bag. Put parmesan cheese in a small bag and attach it to the chicken bag. Label and freeze.
• To cook:.
• When thawed, pour into a 13x9-inch greased casserole dish and cover with foil. Bake at 350 for 1 1/2 hours. Add parmesan cheese during the last 10 minutes.
• Cooking time does not include thawing. The easiest way to thaw is to put the bag in the refrigerator at night before you go to bed. Then when you get home the next evening it should be ready to put right into the oven.

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients except Parmesan cheese together and pour into a 1-gallon bag freezer bag. Put Parmesan cheese into a 1-quart freezer bag and attach to the bag of chicken. Label and freeze.
• To prepare, thaw and pour into a 13x9-inch greased casserole dish.
• Cover with foil and bake in a 350-degree oven for 1 1/2 hours.
• Add Parmesan cheese during the last 10 minutes of cooking.
• Suggested sides/dessert: sauteed zucchini, fresh brownies.