Pop all the dishes in the oven and dinner will be served. While dinner is baking in the oven, you can do something else during this busy season. I like this kind of meal where all the pots can go in the dishwasher. Besides fried chicken is one of my favorites. I always make extra so there are leftovers for lunch.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Oven Fried Chicken

Serves 4-8

Ingredients

8 chicken thighs
2 cups flour
1 large egg
½ cup milk
3 tablespoons melted butter
1 teaspoon paprika

Seasoning Mix

2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon white pepper
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon Cajun spice

Directions

Use a baking sheet with a rack on top. Brush some butter on the rack so the chicken won’t stick.

In a small bowl, mix together all the seasoning ingredients except for the paprika and then divide in half. Dry the chicken thighs with paper towels.

Add the paprika to one half of the seasoning and mix this well into the chicken pieces. Set aside. Can be done early in the day and refrigerate until cooking time.

Take the other half of the seasoning and mix with the flour in a shallow bowl.

In another bowl, whisk together the egg and milk.

Taking one chicken piece at a time, dip in the egg and milk mixture and coat in the flour mixture and set on a plate. Let the chicken sit for 10 minutes.

Coat each chicken piece in the flour again (not the egg) and place on the baking rack.

Drizzle the melted butter over all the chicken pieces.

Bake for 45 minutes or until the chicken pieces are brown and cooked through.

Creamy Macaroni and Cheese

Serves 8

Ingredients

8 oz elbow macaroni, cooked al dente and drained
2 tablespoons butter
2 cups milk
2 tablespoons flour or cornstarch/arrowroot
¼ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon yellow mustard powder
8 oz 2% milk Velveeta cheese
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Directions

Grease an 8×12 inch or 7×11 inch baking dish.

In a large saucepan, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour and mustard until smooth and then gradually whisk in the milk. Cook until thickened.

Add salt, pepper and Velveeta. Lower the heat and stir until the cheese melts. Turn off the heat and stir in the cooked macaroni.

Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and sprinkle the top with the cheddar. The casserole can be refrigerated if you are not ready to bake.

Bring to room temperature when ready to bake.

Place the casserole in the oven with the chicken, after the chicken has cooked for 25 minutes. The macaroni and cheese will be ready after 20 minutes of baking.

Oven Baked Asparagus

2 servings

Ingredients

½ pound of thin asparagus
1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt & pepper to taste
1 tablespoon lemon juice

Directions

Grease an 8 inch baking dish or a dish that will fit the asparagus in a single layer.

Place the asparagus in the dish and drizzle with the oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Place the asparagus in the oven after the chicken has cooked for 25 minutes. Cook for 20 minutes.

Remove the dish from the oven and drizzle with the lemon juice.


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