by Sonja Lutz

Created on: January 13, 2009   Last Updated: January 28, 2009

The scenarios are endless. You need something quick and nutritious to serve your family for dinner. You want something easy and memorable for a dinner party. Never fear! As long as you have chicken in the fridge, your meal is on its way.

Quick Fix Chicken

1 fryer, cut into pieces

1pkg. onion soup mix

1 can cream of chicken soup

Arrange fryer in 3 quart casserole. Sprinkle onion soup mix over chicken. Pour undiluted soup over this and cover. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes to one hour.

The comforting smell of this dish will have everyone at the table on time.

Or if you tried quick fix chicken last week, why not cook easy chicken this week? All you need is chicken, cola and catsup.

Easy Oven Chicken

1 fryer, cut into pieces

1 c. cola

1 c. ketchup

Place chicken in baking dish. Mix catsup with cola and pour over chicken.

Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes to one hour.

Shh! Don't tell anyone that this recipe that has been in your family for generations.

Just as simple is baked chicken.

Baked Chicken

1c. honey

c. soya sauce

c .water

1 fryer, or desired pieces

Place chicken in casserole dish. Pour ingredients over chicken and bake at 375 for 1

hour.

The one thing about any chicken recipe is that rice is a great side dish. Serve rice and a salad with any of these recipes, and you will be known far and wide for your culinary skills.

Ok, you say. These are all fine and good for the husband and kids, but what about company? It's pay back time and every time you look at recipes for company, your brain turns to mush as you contemplate lists of ingredients and dozens of steps. But help is on its way. Take a look at four ingredients Salsa Verde Chicken.

Salsa Verde Chicken

Skinless chicken breasts

Jack Cheese

Whole Canned Chili's (mild)

One 12 oz jar of Salsa Verde Sauce

Pound the chicken;

Place one chile and 2 slices of jack cheese on each chicken breast.

Roll the chicken and secure with a toothpick.
Layer the chicken rolls in a casserole.

Top with shredded jack cheese. Pour salsa verde sauce on top. Bake for 45

minutes at 350.

You can find salsa verde sauce in the International food section of almost any grocery store.

Of course, if you really want to impress, you can make your own salsa verde sauce. Roast tomatillos in the oven, chop, and add one medium tomato, one jalapeo, a few onions, and some cilantro. A couple of pulses in the food processor and viola - homemade salsa. But you don't have to actually make it. You can just talk about it, and if someone asks about it, just mention tomatillos. That will impress.

Finally, if you are having a large group, there's nothing better than Aunt Mabel's Drunk Chicken. In my hometown, Aunt Mabel is famous for her chicken, and she will be glad to tell you how everyone staggers with satisfaction after eating this mouth watering dish.

Aunt Mabel's Drunk Chicken

Serves 10

16 pieces of chicken (breasts, thighs, or drumsticks)

6 green onions (stems and all)

c. grated Cheddar cheese

2 cans mushroom soup

c. dry Sauterne or sherry

Place chicken in casserole, sprinkle with diced green onions. Blend soup and wine; pour over chicken. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake 2 hours at 325.

So, there you go. Five simple chicken recipes with five ingredients or less. How much tastier and easier can it get?

Learn more about this author, Sonja Lutz.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.