To make this chicken and ham casserole
up to two days in advance, follow the make-ahead instructions
Chicken Hawaiian
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
12 (4-ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1/4 cup margarine or butter
1 (20-ounce) can pineapple tidbits (juice pack)
1/2 cup dry sherry
2 cups sliced celery
1 1/2 cups sliced onions
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups fully cooked ham, cut into thin strips
Stir together the 1/4 cup flour and the
salt. Roll chicken pieces in flour mixture to coat.
In a 12-inch skillet cook the chicken, half at a time, in hot
margarine or butter until chicken is brown, turning once. Transfer
chicken to a 13x9x2-inch baking dish, reserving drippings in
skillet. Bake, uncovered, in a 350 degree F oven for 25 minutes.
Meanwhile, for sauce, drain pineapple,
reserving juice. Add sherry to drippings in skillet. Cook and
stir over medium heat, stirring to scrape up browned bits. Add
pineapple tidbits, celery, and onions. Bring to boiling. Reduce
heat; simmer, uncovered, about 5 minutes or until celery starts
to soften.
Combine reserved pineapple juice and the 2 tablespoons flour;
stir into the sauce mixture in the skillet. Cook and stir until
thickened and bubbly. Remove from heat.
Spoon off any juices from chicken in the
baking dish. Sprinkle ham over chicken. Pour sauce over all.
Bake, uncovered, about 10 minutes more or until chicken is tender
and no longer pink.
Makes 12 servings.
Make-ahead Tip:
Prepare chicken as directed, except bake,
uncovered, (without sauce) for 35 minutes (instead of 25 minutes)
or until tender and no longer pink. Cool slightly. Drain. Cover
and chill for up to 2 days.
Prepare pineapple sauce as directed, except
do not pour over chicken. Cool slightly. Transfer to a storage
container; cover and chill for up to 2 days.
To reheat, sprinkle ham over the chilled
chicken and bake, covered with foil, in a 350 degree F oven about
40 minutes or until chicken is heated through. Meanwhile, in
a medium saucepan cook and stir the sauce over medium heat about
15 minutes or until heated through. Pour the sauce over the ham
and chicken, and serve immediately.
