Louisiana chicken

4 servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
1tablespoonVegetable oil
13-lb broiler/fryer chicken, skinned
& cut-up
1largeYellow onion; chopped
2largesCarrots; chopped
2Stalks celery; chopped
2cupsChicken stock or low-sodium chicken broth
1teaspoonThyme, fresh; or 1/4 tsp dried; chopped
1Bay leaf
4cupsEgg noodles, hot, cooked, wide
tablespoonUnsalted butter or margarine
3tablespoonsAll-purpose flour
1cup1% milk, low-fat
2tablespoonsLemon juice; fresh
½teaspoonSalt; or to taste
½teaspoonPepper; or to taste
¼cupParsley; minced

Directions

Recipe by: Reader's Digest Down Home Cooking - ISBN 0-89577-646-4 Preparation Time: 1:30

1. In a 12-inch nonstick skillet, heat the oil over a moderately high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 4 mins on each side or until browned, then transfer to a plate with a slotted spoon.

2. Add the onion, carrots, and celery to the skillet and saute for 5 mins. or until tender. Return the chicken, along with any juices that have collected, to the skillet; add the stock, thyme, and bay leaf and bring to a boil.

3. Lower the heat, cover, and simmer for 45 mins or until the juices run clear when a thigh is pricked with a fork. Discard the bay leaf; reserve the cooking liquid, skimming off any fat. Line a warm serving plate with the noodles and arrange the chicken on top. Cover with aluminum foil to keep warm.

4. In the same skillet, melt the butter over moderate heat. Add the flour and cook for 1 min or until bubbly. Whisk in the milk and the cooking liquid from the chicken. Cook for 3 mins or until thickened, then remove from the heat. Stir in the lemon juice, salt and pepper.

Ladle the gravy over the chicken and top with the parsley. Makes 4 servings.