Lynne's Country Kitchen
lynnescountrykitchen.net

This plan comes from Robbyn's Friendly Freezer.

This is a simple Chicken Plan. I purchase my chicken at Sam's Club or Costco where I can buy in bulk at fairly reasonable prices.

I shop as early in the morning as possible, return home, get organized, and start the night before cooking day by making by stock.

Using 1 or 2 (10-pounds each) of chicken quarters, I put it in my stock pots along with celery tops, onion peelings and tops and bottoms of celery, a bit of garlic, and a few carrots. Cover with water and heat to a simmer. Cover, if you like, and go to bed, which is usually 11 o'clock or later for me. I am an early riser, so at 5 a.m. I get up and turn it off. By the time the kids are up and about, the chicken is cool enough to pick from the bone. After picking the chicken, I put the skin and bones back in the pot and cook it for my broth. I leave it simmer most of the day while I cook. This way I have LOTS of broth for my cooking and can make supper for that night. After cooking several hours, I strain it and put it in the refrigerator to let it cool so I can remove the fat off the top. You should get about 10 cups of nice chicken meat from a 10-pound bag of chicken quarters.

Another way of doing this, using your crockpot, is All Purpose Chicken and Broth from Lynn Nelson at Busy Cooks. I have done it both ways.

I always keep extra Chicken Stock/Broth handy in the freezer, so when I do this plan of cooking I use both methods of preparing stock, and use 1 batch of broth for just chicken broth. It's up to you.

SAFETY NOTE: - Remember that as a general rule of thumb, food shouldn't be between 45 and 140 degrees for more than 2 hours, so if you are cooking a smaller amount than I do, you might not want to leave it sitting. As in all things, use your common sense, please.

MENU

TO MAKE YOUR BROTH YOU WILL NEED

10 or 20 pounds of chicken quarters
Onions
Carrots
Celery
Garlic

If making ALL PURPOSE CHICKEN AND BROTH YOU WILL NEED:

1 onion, sliced
1 carrot, sliced
1 celery rib, sliced
1 large chicken, 5 pounds or more
1/2 cup chicken broth or water

If you are doing a 10-pound bag of quarters you will be able to make:

Plain Chicken
Chicken Tetrazzini
King Ranch Chicken Casserole
Chicken Noodles

If you decide to make a second bag of 10-pound quarters you will also be able to make:

Easy Chicken Divan
Country Chicken Pot Pies
Broccoli Rice Chicken Casserole
Chicken Packets
Chicken and Broccoli Lasagna
Chicken Wild Rice Casserole

SHOPPING LIST

To prepare Menu for 10-pounds of chicken quarters you will need:

12 ounces spaghetti
2-1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
1-1/2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1-1/2 cups onion, diced
1 can Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup
2 cans Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup
10 ounces 2% or regular milk
3/4 cup Pace Picante Sauce
3/4 cup sour cream
1 tablespoon chili powder
2 medium tomatoes
12 (6-inch) corn tortillas
16-ounce bag or box of elbow macaroni

To prepare MENU for 20-pounds of chicken quarters you will need the above ingredients PLUS:

1 can Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup
5 (10-ounce) packages frozen broccoli
3 cans Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup
1-3/4 cups mayonnaise
1 teaspoon lemon juice
2 ounces Process American or Cheddar cheese
1 cup soft bread crumbs
2 sticks butter
4-1/2 cups chopped onion
2 cups chopped celery
1 cup chopped carrot
About 4-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup half-and-half
1 cup frozen peas
1-1/2 plus cups shortening
3 cups milk
1 jar Cheese Whiz
4 cups cooked rice
3-ounce package cream cheese
1 tablespoon chopped chives
1/2 cup seasoned crouton crumbs OR more bread crumbs
2 packages refrigerated crescent rolls
1/4 cup margarine
3 eggs
3/4 cup Parmesan cheese
Nutmeg
Cayenne pepper
Lasagna noodles
Fresh garlic
1/4 cup parsley
1 pound Mozzarella cheese, sliced
6-ounce package Quick-Cooking Long-Grain Wild Rice Mix