All casseroles need to be hearty, great tasting, filling, served hot and steaming and in these economically harsh times as cheap as possible. This chicken casserole certainly fits the bill on every point.

Although I do not generally use pre-mix commercial ingredients I have based this recipe around them just to show what a little bit of imagination and kitchen versatility can do. From a thrifty stand point we will use up all of that chicken and anything else leftover from your festive spreads. Note that this recipe makes those Red Rooster leftovers edible as most fast food chicken seems to lose its appeal once cold.

If like me you don’t have any leftovers (truly great cooks rarely do) then I guess you’ll just have pop down to the shops and buy a cold cooked chicken or better still some chicken mince and chicken pieces. Simply cut the chicken pieces into small cubes and then quickly fry them along with the chicken mince in a cast iron fry pan or wok to brown on all sides and then you will be ready to go.

Ingredients

1 Kg (2¼ Pounds) Chopped Cooked Chicken – If you don’t have any leftovers on hand then you will need to do as above and either buy some cold cooked chicken or quickly cook some fresh chicken meat.

1 10 Ounce Can each of Mushroom Soup, Cream of Chicken Soup, Chicken Noodle Soup and Diced Tomato and Capsicum (bell peppers)

1 Cup of Chicken Broth – If you don’t have any chicken broth to hand then use 1 chicken stock cube dissolved in a cup of hot water along with 1 teaspoon of vegetable extract paste

1 each of Large Onion, Medium Carrot, Large Potato, Medium Parsnip, Small Chili Pepper

2 Cloves of Garlic

2 Splashes Tabasco Sauce

250 Grams (about 8 Ounces) Mozzarella Cheese

30 Grams (about 1 Ounce) of Very Finely Grated Colby Cheese

1 500 Gram (about 18 Ounces) Bag of Nacho Cheese Doritos

Salt and Black Pepper to Taste

Preparation

Mince the garlic (a garlic press works well)

Finely dice the onion

Peel and dice the carrot, potato and parsnip into small bits (sugar cube size)

Cut the chili pepper into very small pieces

Finely shred (grate) the Mozzarella cheese

Make sure that whatever chicken you are using is nicely chopped up

In a large glass mixing bowl combine the soups, tomatoes and capsicum mix and the chicken broth or the chicken stock cube and vegetable extract mix if you are using that. Stir well to make sure all ingredients are evenly dispersed.

In another bowl combine the carrot, potato, parsnip and finely diced chili pepper and stir to ensure that all ingredients are evenly dispersed throughout the mix.

Use a medium/large casserole dish or cast iron baking dish

Sprinkle one third of the chicken into the casserole dish then cover with one third of the soup and tomato mix. Now sprinkle one third of the potato, carrot, parsnip and chili mix into the bowl. Cover with one third of the Mozzarella cheese.

Now repeat the process by sprinkling the second third of the chicken into the casserole dish then cover with the second third of the soup and tomato mix. Now sprinkle the second third of the potato, carrot, parsnip and chili mix into the bowl. Cover with the second third of the Mozzarella cheese.

Repeat this process using the remaining chicken, soups, vegetables and Mozzarella cheese.

Sprinkle enough crushed Doritos over the top to cover all and then sprinkle the finely grated Colby cheese over the top of the crushed Doritos.

Cooking

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F

Place your casserole mix into the preheated oven and cook uncovered for about 45 minutes. The top layer of Colby cheese should now be browned and slightly hardened into a crust and the rest of the casserole underneath it will be gently bubbling.

If you are worried about the Colby cheese crust burning then waiting until it has formed a medium hard crust and browned nicely cover the casserole dish and continue baking. Once you have decided that the casserole is cooked remove the lid and cook for another 3 to 5 minutes to let the Colby and Doritos crust reform.

To Serve

This recipe makes 8 really healthy adult sized portions and can be served with rice and vegetables (peas and corn work real well). You may wish to use heated nachos, chips and even a dollop of sour cream. Enjoy!