Creamy Chicken Bake

I thought since I went grocery shopping last week, it would be prudent to use up several of the perishable items before they go bad. I am really horrible about that. I have no idea what nights I'll be home and what nights I'll be out, it all depends on my mood half the time. Whether I feel like I want to go eat out with friends after work or if I'm not all that hungry after work because I had a big lunch. Anyways I decided to have a friend over for dinner and I decided to make what I consider comfort food. Some creamy, something with wine, and anything with pasta. I first made this recipe for my sister in law Madeleine a few years back when her Aunt was our dinner guest but for some reason had just been sitting in my inbox since then. I added a thing or two here and there but the recipe is very simple and turns out perfectly.

Yield: 6-8 ( if using regular sized breasts)
Main Ingredient: Chicken
Cuisine: American

Tags: Main dishes, Poultry, Cheese, Parmes, Chicken, Cream, Butter, Garlic, Parmesan, Wine, White wine, Dinner, Spring, Comforting

Ingredients:
4 whole Chicken Breasts ( i  used 4 thin sliced chicken breasts)
4 slices Swiss Cheese (I used the pre sliced kind and broke them in half)
1 10-oz can Cream of Chicken Soup
1/4 c Dry white wine
1 c Herb seasoned stuffing mix (or crumbled ritz crackers ect similar)
1/4 c Butter; melted
Garlic powder; (opt.)
2 tb Parmesan cheese; (opt.)

Instructions:

Arrange split (if using whole chicken breasts), skinned and boned chicken breasts in a lightly greased 13x9 inch baking dish. Top with cheese slices. Combine soup and wine; stir well. Spoon sauce evenly over chicken and sprinkle with crushed stuffing mix.

Drizzle butter over stuffing. If desired, sprinkle with garlic powder and Parmesan cheese. Bake at 350 for 45 to 55 minutes. I baked for 40 minutes for 4 thin sliced breasts and it turned out perfect.

I then decided to make some risotto to put the chicken over and let me tell you, risotto has a special place in my heart after traveling to Italy. Seems like anything you put over in with it, will soak up that flavor. I like how risotto isn't sticky and its not very grainy like rice. Maybe I'm just not a master at cooking rice but risotto is easy and simple and tastes good with just about everything. 

I topped off the meal with some baked asparagus, nothing special. Just salt, pepper, and a little bit of lemon juice for tenderness. Baked on 350 for ~ 15-20 min. I wasn't keeping very good track of the timer, I just put them in when the chicken was atleast halfway done. 

Sorry, no gourmet picture. I'm not good at taking pictures with my nice camera while I cook but I used my cell so pardon the poor quality. ENJOY!

+AMDG+

June Bug

I can't believe it is already June 1st! I really don't know where time has gone. My mom always told once you get a "real" job you'll know the same feeling about how quickly time goes. I guess I am finally starting to experience that, and I don't know how to stop it! I feel like I'm doing tons of stuff and my days are packed as it is, but yet you always find time to do something else. Part of the reason I haven't written really much at all lately is because this is the first weekend I have been in town since mid March. Between weddings, family events, birthday parties, bridal showers, bachelorette parties, and more weddings I have been out of town for the past few months. I get exhausted thinking about all the traveling I have been doing but now that is all slowing down. I guess I'll just try to highlight what I have been doing in the past several weekends but I could very well write a novel.

April

Bacon, Apple, and Gouda Pizza- Sorry I'm really bad about blogging anything I make but I am usually pretty good at atleast getting a picture of the finished product.

Picture with my sweet niece Maris and Nephew Jack on Easter Sunday. Yes, even Shakespeare made and appearance in the picture. What can I say, the kids love him.

I had my lovely friends from Reno/Tahoe area come and visit me for a few days after Easter. This is at the local minor league team, the Charleston River Dog's stadium. Best part about the night... "So how do you girls know each other? ... we all dated the same guy... *people in stands suddenly turn around and give a look of utter shock* priceless. Needless to say we were not the problem in the relationship.

Me and one of my best friend's Joy Beth at her dress rehearsal for her wedding. Such a gorgeous lady!

The back of my hair for Joy's wedding, thought it was funny that my hair looks somewhat like the clock in the background of this picture. Thanks Christi at Fringe Salon in Evans, GA!

The bride and I. I was so blessed to be her Maid of Honor and watch her marry the love of her life, Max. Front view of hair style- loved my hair!

Another reason I was busy, Joy asked Me and another friend to help design her candy table for her wedding, I made the "Just Married" signs, candy bags and helped coordinate candy and such.

Ok now for my 2nd wedding of April that I was in, Dorita's wedding! I did my hair myself for this wedding and it turned out great, I had to pat myself on the back for this one.

A picture of the bridal party for the wedding. I know what you're thinking too... let's just say I'm quite diverse. =)

A little blurry but a picture of me with the new Mr. and Mrs. Lattany. I had 4 classes with Dorita my freshman year in college and atleast 1 with Melvin somewhere along the way.

 My sister and my niece came to visit me in April and we took Maris to the beach for the first time and she absolutely loved it, even the water. 

May

My Mother, my sister Monica, Maris and I at Maris's 1st Birthday Party.

Playing airplane with Maris in the play room, pay no attention to that giant vein in my forehead. Dang it made you look for it. 

My sister in law Madeleine and my niece Emma happened to be in town too! I definitely don't get to see them often at all since they life in NYC. My two sisters and my two precious nieces. 

Maris's smash cake. Her big brother, Jack, is helping her blow out her candle.

Picture of me before Lindsey and Brett's wedding in Sand Key Beach, FL. 

Picture of the happy couple, the reception site was beautiful and she did an amazing job picking out colors and decorations!

And more visitors! Kurt and Sheila came to visit me from Colorado and Miami. I had a great time hanging out with Sheila and seeing Kurt again, 5 years is too long to go without seeing a friend.

Kurt and Sheila at South End Brewery downtown Charleston. We were the 3 Muskateers for the weekend

Kurt and I planking it. lol.

At Shem Creek park near my house, I was sad to have such fun people leave.

There was too much fun to be had in the last few months but I am looking forward to some down time and having a chance to explore my new hometown. I look forward to many more visitors and seeing what  other gems are hidden in this paradise of a town.

+AMDG+