Christmas Chicken and Pasta Casserole

I wanted something quick, but wanted it to look festive. Christmas Chicken and Pasta Casserole comes to the table decorated as a Christmas tree and with lots of flavours.  It is nothing more than cooked pasta and chicken layered.  I used canned tomatoes, celery and fennel to decorate the top making a Christmas tree and using the colours of Christmas.

Most of the colours of Christmas come from European traditions.  If you are interested in learning about the colours of Christmas, then read this article https://www.whychristmas.com/customs/colors-of-christmas.shtml

I find pasta casseroles an easy fix anytime of the year, but during the holidays it allows you to bring a whole meal to the table in one dish.  Most kids love pasta and yours will love this one.  It combines the chicken cutlet surprise in the middle, a luscious béchamel and the tomatoes on top. The chicken lightly fried and then tucked between the two layers of pasta is so moist that it cuts with a fork.  Great as a left-over dish.

If you like a white sauce then be sure to check out my https://recipesatmytable.com/lasagna-bianca/

Ingredients

• 500 grams of a short pasta ( the whole package)
• 3 chicken breasts
• one beaten egg
• 3/4 cup of seasoned Italian bread crumbs
• 1/4 cup of canola oil
• salt and pepper
• béchamel sauce
• 1 cup grated mozzarella
• 1 tin small tomatoes
• a celery stalk
• the leaves of a fennel bulb
• grated parmesan for top

The Béchamel Sauce

• 2 tbsp butter or olive oil
• 1/4 cup flour
• 3 cups milk
• 1 tbsp chopped parsley
• 1/2 cp grated  parmesan cheese
• salt and pepper

Process

Cut up the chicken breasts into strips. Generously salt and pepper them.  Dip into the egg and then breadcrumbs. and fry in the olive oil.

Bubbling away in the oil.  I cooked the strips for 2 minutes on each side.

Cook your pasta and drain.  Do not rinse.  Add it into the béchamel sauce.  Completely coat.

Grease a 9 X 13 pan and put in half your pasta.  Sprinkle 1y the mozzarella over the pastaPlace the chicken strips over the mozzarella layer.  The breading will add texture to your casserole. Now layer with the remaining pasta and sprinkle the remaining mozzarella over top. It’s almost like having pasta and chicken parmigiana.    

I prepare the canned baby tomatoes by slicing them in half and strain them and reserve the juice.  I have my celery and my fennel bulb for decorating.

Here it is ready to go into the oven. Sprinkle the mozzarella over the pasta and now start to make the Christmas tree with the small tomatoes using the triangular method, always increasing by one.  Get creative.  I make the trunk form the celery stalk and I add the fennel fronds as greenery.I used some of the reserved strained juice from the baby tomatoes and lightly drizzled it over the top.  Place in a 350 F oven uncovered for 30 minutes.  When it comes out sprinkle some grated parmesan over the tree for a snow effect.

Plated and ready for the table. The chicken is moist and cooked perfectly.