Roasted Slicing Chicken From the Deli

(Family Features) Looking for a way to get out of the kitchen to enjoy warm weather activities with friends and family? Here's a secret for cooks looking for time-saving shortcuts that won't compromise the taste of homemade meals. Fully cooked, roasted chicken sliced to desired thickness at the deli counter can save hours of preparation time for dishes calling for roasted chicken as an ingredient. By substituting chicken that's already been slow-roasted and seasoned when bought sliced at the deli, meals can still have the homemade taste of roasted chicken even if the cook has spent the day at the beach, on the golf course or in the garden.

Deli slicing chicken is versatile, too. It can be sliced thick and then cut into pieces and tossed into a refreshing salad, or give a boost to a summery soup. Cut thin, deli slicing chicken goes gourmet when layered on soft slices of multigrain bread and combined with an assortment of fresh vegetables and spices.

Visit www.boarshead.com for more time-saving meal preparation tips.

Chicken Lettuce Wraps with Barbecue Dressing

Servings: 4 wraps
Light and satisfying, tangy and sweet - this recipe has it all. Juicy roast chicken topped with a sweet and mild barbecue sauce and wrapped up in tender butter lettuce leaves makes a quick lunch or a light supper - and it all comes together in just minutes.

• 2 cups Boar's Head EverRoast Oven Roasted Chicken Breast, julienned
• 4 large butter lettuce leaves
• 1 cup mixed cucumber and green onion strips
• 1/4 cup barbecue sauce
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon mix black and white sesame seeds

1. Place the chicken onto the lettuce leaves and top with the cucumbers and onions. Mix the barbecue sauce with the lemon juice and mayonnaise and pour over the top. Sprinkle with the sesame seeds.

Chicken Gazpacho Sandwich

Servings: 4
The pungent tastes of roasted red peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, sweet carrots, cucumbers and spices turn a simple chicken sandwich into the perfect gourmet meal for a warm day or evening.

• 8 slices multi-grain bread
• 1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
• 1 small cucumber, sliced into thin rounds
• 1 cup grated carrots
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1/2 cup drained roasted red peppers, cut julienne style
• 1/2 cup drained, sun-dried tomatoes in oil, cut julienne style
• 12 slices Boar's Head EverRoast Oven Roasted Chicken Breast

1. Place 4 bread slices on a work surface. Spread each with a layer of mayonnaise and add enough cucumbers to form a layer. Sprinkle with carrots and a pinch of dried rosemary and garlic powder. Mix peppers with tomatoes and layer on top of carrots. Evenly divide chicken among sandwiches. Close sandwich with remaining bread slices and serve.

Pulled Chicken and Tomato-Vegetable Soup

Servings: 6
Cut the cooking time for this flavorful soup by substituting deli slicing chicken for recipes calling for pre-cooked chicken. Make sure to use a quality chicken that is sliced fresh at the deli for a homemade chicken taste.

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/4 head cabbage, shredded
• 1 red onion, cut into a small dice
• 3 stalks celery, finely chopped
• 4 small Yukon Gold potatoes, cut into a 1/2-inch dice
• 2 large carrots, cut into
• 1-inch julienne strips
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano, 6 sprigs for garnish
• 2 14-ounce cans chicken broth
• 2 14-ounce cans fire-roasted tomatoes with liquid
• 1 pound (1/4 inch thick) slices Boar's Head EverRoast Oven Roasted Chicken Breast, cut in strips

1. Add olive oil to large soup pot and heat at medium high until oil is hot. Add cabbage, onion, celery and potatoes; sauté for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add carrots, dried oregano, chicken broth and tomatoes. Cook 20 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Use your fingers to pull chicken into strips; add to soup. Serve in individual bowls garnished with an oregano stem.

Source: Boar's Head

(Family Features) If you're looking for new ways to entice the family to the table for dinner, then I've got the perfect recipes for you.

Whether you call them bakes or casseroles, your family will simply call them delicious. And as a time-saving extra, you can make these creamy dishes ahead of time, then just pop them in the oven when you need them. Toss a fresh green salad and add some warm bread, and you have a meal they'll love to sit down to.

For more easy weeknight dinner recipes, visit www.verybestbaking.com/carnation.

Cheesy Oven Burrito Bake

Makes 12 servings, (1/2 burrito each)

• Nonstick cooking spray
• 2 large sliced red and/or green bell peppers, cut into thin strips
• 1 medium onion, sliced
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 can (12 fluid ounces) Nestlé Carnation Evaporated Lowfat 2% Milk, divided
• 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded reduced fat 2% cheddar cheese
• 1 can (4 ounces) diced green chilies, undrained
• 1 1/2 cups cooked long or medium grain brown rice, heated
• 1 can (16 ounces) fat-free refried black beans
• 6 8-inch multi-grain or whole-wheat tortillas
• Salsa and guacamole (optional)

1. PREHEAT the oven to 350° F. Spray 13 x 9-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
2. SPRAY large, nonstick skillet with nonstick cooking spray. Add peppers, onions and cumin; cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, for 6 to 8 minutes until vegetables are tender.
3. MEANWHILE, COMBINE 1 1/4 cups evaporated milk, cheese and chilies in small saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until cheese has melted and mixture is smooth. Remove from heat. Stir 3/4 cup of cheese sauce into heated brown rice; reserve remaining cheese sauce.
4. COMBINE refried beans and remaining 1/4 cup evaporated milk in medium, microwave-safe bowl. Microwave, uncovered, on HIGH (100% power) for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring after each minute or until slightly thickened.
5. FILL tortillas with hot beans, rice and vegetables, dividing equally. Fold sides over filling. Place filled burritos, seam-side down, in prepared baking dish. Top with remaining cheese sauce. Cover with foil.
6. BAKE for 20 to 25 minutes or until heated through. Serve with salsa and guacamole, if desired.

TIPS: Cooked chicken or ground beef may be added to filling. Look for precooked ready-to-use brown rice to save prep time.

Nutrition Information per serving: 210 calories; 45 calories from fat; 5g total fat; 2.5g saturated fat; 10mg cholesterol; 540mg sodium; 30g carbohydrate; 6g fiber; 6g sugars; 11g protein; 10% Vitamin A; 50% Vitamin C; 25% Calcium; 20% Iron

Turkey & Hash Brown Bake

Makes 10 servings

• 1 bag (16 ounces) or 4 1/2 cups frozen, shredded hash brown potatoes
• 2 cups chopped frozen or fresh broccoli
• 8 ounces sliced turkey, cut into 1/2-inch pieces (about 2 cups)
• 1 can (12 fluid ounces) Nestlé Carnation Evaporated Lowfat 2% Milk
• 1 can (10 ounces) condensed fat-free cream of chicken soup
• 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

1. PREHEAT oven to 350º F. Grease 13 x 9-inch baking dish.
2. COMBINE all ingredients in large bowl until well blended. Pour into prepared baking dish.
3. BAKE for 50 minutes or until heated through. Cool for 10 minutes before serving.

TIPS: When you visit the deli counter, ask for the amount of turkey you'll need and it can be cut into one thick piece.

Nutrition Information per serving: 130 calories; 30 calories from fat; 3g total fat; 2g saturated fat; 20mg cholesterol; 500mg sodium; 16g carbohydrate; 1g fiber; 4g sugars; 9g protein; 15% Vitamin C; 15% Calcium When you visit the deli counter, ask for the amount of turkey you'll need and it can be cut into one thick piece.

Nutrition Information per serving: 130 calories; 30 calories from fat; 3g total fat; 2g saturated fat; 20mg cholesterol; 500mg sodium; 16g carbohydrate; 1g fiber; 4g sugars; 9g protein; 15% Vitamin C; 15% Calcium

Source: Nestlé