Easy chicken rules the roost

As the weather turns cooler and we anticipate being cooped up all winter, these chicken recipes will make your family as happy as a rooster in a hen house.

The Easy-As-1-2-3 Chicken Bake comes from the Gooseberry Patch recipe book “5 Ingredients or Less!” It’s easy peasy and can be thrown in the oven in a matter of minutes. (And it only uses five ingredients!)

Turn this into a hearty cool-weather meal by pairing the chicken with things like steamed broccoli, asparagus or rice. It will have your mouth watering and your kids asking for more!

There’s nothing quite like a hot, home-cooked meal straight out of the crock pot on a cold evening. I found the Slow Cooker Cheesy Chicken and Rice recipe online at southernplate.com, and it was beyond delicious! (especially with a little extra cheese...)

Anything made in a slow cooker is great, since you can throw it together in the morning or at lunch and have it ready when you get home from work. You can also personalize this recipe to meet your family’s taste by adding in some of your own favorite ingredients.

Easy-As-1-2-3 Chicken Bake

3/4 cup corn flake cereal, crushed
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1-ounce package Italian salad dressing mix
8 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/3 cup margarine or butter, melted

Mix cereal, Parmesan cheese and salad dressing mix together; coat chicken. Place in a single layer in a greased 13”x9” baking pan. Sprinkle remaining crumbs on top; drizzle with butter. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until juices run clear when chicken is pierced with a fork.

Slow Cooker Cheesy Chicken and Rice

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 large onion, chopped
1 8-ounce box Zatarain’s yellow rice mix,
cooked according to directions
1 cup cheddar cheese
1 10.5-ounce can cream of chicken soup
1 -15 ounce can whole kernel corn, drained

Place chicken in bottom of slow cooker. Scatter chopped onion over top. Spoon cream soup over top of that. Cover and cook on low 7-8 hours or on high 3-4 hours. A few minutes before serving, add in cooked rice, corn and cheese. Stir to combine. Serve hot.