1) I roast a whole chicken, then use some of the leftover chicken to make other things, such as my previous recipe for "chicken and dumpling noodles", King Ranch Chicken etc.
To roast a whole chicken, I either roast it whole as is, or take a fresh whole chicken and cut it in half then roast both halves next to each other (takes half the time. You can do this with a whole turkey also! again saves half the time!). Either way, rub the chicken with oil, salt, pepper, and sprinkle on dried and fresh herbs you like. Often I use rosemary, or thyme and oregano, or sometimes even add lavender buds, or lime slices. Whatever you like and have.
If you want the roast chicken crisp on the outside, a bit like fried chicken, then sprinkle the chicken (or turkey) with a light amount of flour also. I usually do this, and it is like making a fried chicken, but quicker. You can season it with spices, such as paprika if you like.
2) With the leftovers, shred up a few cups of chicken (this works well with turkey too, or ground beef, just substitute what you have. Often we make half ground beef, and half chicken). Set aside for later. And save the liquid of the chicken or turkey for use in the recipe.
3) Saute the veggies (onion, bell peppers, shallot, garlic) in a tiny amount oil and butter. Or, you can use water to saute them, as I usually do. Tastes fine, works either way. As you saute, add some coriander seeds.
4) add herbs, spices, seasoning, can of crushed tomatoes, tabasco to taste to the veggies. The herbs I usually use are minced cilantro, minced or dried oregano and thyme. Turn off heat, and gently stir in some whole cream, the stock from the chicken or turkey, and a little milk.
LAYER
In a large lasagna pan, layer your ingredients, bake in preheated oven til bubbly on top.
INGREDIENTS TO LAYER:
-Corn taco shells. First warm them in the oven. This saves you having to fry them.
-The chicken or beef or turkey (cooked, seasoned meat of your choice)
-The veggies/tomato/cream mixture
-mixed shredded cheeses of your choice
-Misc (if you want to add black olives, or other veggies such as spinach, black beans is ok too)
Layer warmed taco shells, shredded meat, veggie/tomato/cream mixture, then cheeses, finishing with taco shells with cheeses. We often make half ground beef and shredded chicken. Just half both bowls of meat ready, and only use one per side, in the same pan.
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Serve with sour cream, black olives, salad stuff, fresh cooked thin corn tortilla chips, salsa etc.
For a WHITE KING RANCH CHICKEN (similar to sour cream chicken enchiladas) omit the tomatoes, and add sour cream instead. Blue corn chips if you have them instead of the yellow corn taco shells work well too.
