Sunday, January 31, 2010

Catalina Chicken

This four-ingredient recipe has been a part of my handwritten recipe stash for the past 15 years or so.  It was given to me by a co-worker, Phyllis M. when we worked at an insurance agency together.  A group of us used to get together at lunch time and laugh and laugh, sharing  observations, wild tales, and good humored teasing. The one thing that drew us together was our love of good food; there always seemed to be something delicious in the employee kitchen that someone had brought in to share.

Phyllis shared this simple recipe that she served her family or friends who are like family.   It is made with typical pantry items, it's quick and delicious.  The sauce is sweet-tangy, and it makes a lot.  I think rice might be a better choice to help absorb some of this delicious gravy.  This dish could be put together ahead of time and refrigerated until you wanted to bake it, but really, it only takes minutes to open up several ingredients, combine and stir, then bake.

And the good news...Ole Sweetie-Pi liked this!  I think it's only because he didn't see the can of cranberry sauce, first, though, or otherwise I would have to have endured another long, pained expression, grins.  

Catalina Chicken

4 large chicken breasts, split, or a combination of  10 thighs and legs)
1 packet of Lipton onion soup mix
1 small bottle of Catalina salad dressing **
1 16-ounce can cranberries (whole or sauced, you decide)

Preheat oven to 350*F.  Have ready a baking dish large enough to hold the ingredients, I used a 7 x 11 inch, and it was plenty big enough.

Place the chicken in the baking dish.  In a separate bowl, mix the onion soup, Catalina salad dressing, and can of cranberries together.  Pour over chicken..  Bake for about one hour, or until chicken is done.

**I'm not sure how many ounces a "small bottle" of Catalina dressing is.  My grocer's only had a large bottle labeled  "50% more free".   I measured out 1 cup of the dressing, tasted the mixture (before pouring it on the chicken!) and it was fine.

42 comments:

  1. A very simple yet delicious chicken dish! Cranberry sauce....mmmm....how could one resist it!

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  2. Oh Katy, I love these kind of recipes. So tasty yet simple. I tried another one of your chicken recipes that just had 2 or 3 ingredients and delicious! I'm trying this one too...thanks again Katy!!!

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  3. I'm going to see if they sell that kind of dressing over here..Im sure it's called different but I have no clue as to what it would be..lol Monday I am making your meatloaf recipe!!

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  4. Indeed very simple but looks soooo yummy . I am sure it would go perfectly with some rice.

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  5. What a lovely but simple recipe for chicken. I really like this.

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  6. This sounds perfect for dinners when everyone is running late getting home - simple, yet delish! Can't wait to try it. Thanks,
    Susan

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  7. I love this recipe! Thank you so much for reminding me about it.

    Have a blessed day!

    xoxox

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  8. What a great recipe Katy! I love ones from friends :)

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  9. gr8 recipe with simple ingredients,Katy..looks delicious ...

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  10. Your recipe looks so good and easy and I LOVE that red sauce. You always make your recipes so easy to follow, thank you darling.
    Have a great weekend.
    Cheers,

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  11. Any dish that includes cranberry sauce is my kind of dish! I bet it would also be fantastic over pasta...

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  12. it looks great... hide the can from me too... But if sweety gives the thumbs up, I will consider!

    fun story

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  13. This reminds me of the kind of recipes my mom would share with friends over morning weekday coffee...they would all scurry home and try it out before the husbands arrived home...grin! This sounds good and I am thinking the combo of flavours is just perfect for chicken!

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  14. I love this dish. My friend makes a version with the same kind of ingredients - so delicious!

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  15. I'm pretty sure I had this same recipe many years ago. It indeed is yummy! Thanks for sending it along.

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  16. I love Catalina dressing. Whenever I eat out and have salad bar, that is the dressing I am looking for. I am sure that I would enjoy this chicken!

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  17. I haven't had Catalina dressing for ages, but I used to love it...I imagine it gives this great sounding dish lots of flavor. I'll have to give this recipe a try, Katy, it just sounds too good to pass up, and easy too! Thanks!

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  18. Katy, I love this dish. I know my husband would love it too. He is all about chicken. It really sounds great. I will have to give this a try.It's so easy. Have a great week.

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  19. What a simple dish! I love its color...

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  20. Sounds very simple and it's chicken which my youngest boy LOVES! I might have to hide the ingredients as I prepare it, though; kind of the same situation as your Ol Sweetie Pi...:)

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  21. The sauce has such a rich hue to it! I can imagine the combo is delicious - especially if Sweetie-Pi liked it! I am always looking for chicken recipes and I haven't had Catalina dressing in such a long time.

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  22. I love catalina dressing - it goes great on veggies too. I'll try this one soon - it looks delicious and easy!

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  23. Simple and tasty, great way to prepare chicken.
    Mimi

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  24. I love these tried and true great recipes!

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  25. Katy, I'm so glad you found me. Thank you for being such a devoted fan; your comment really touched my heart!XOXO

    I love this recipe and that mashed potato looks absolutely heavenly delicious!!!!
    see you soon!

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  26. Delicious, lovely and spicy chicken...Looks very colourful..

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  27. This is such delicious looking chicken. Btw, I have an award for you. Please feel free to stop by. Have a nice day!

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  28. If Ole Sweetie Pie liked it, there is hope for Hubby!! Thanks for sharing, Katie, this looks delicious.

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  29. Thanx for sharing this lovely recipe. Looks splendid... Love it... :)

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  30. I haven't had Catalina dressing in years and I remember that I really enjoyed it. This sounds and looks like a fabulous chicken recipe. I'm always looking for a new way to prepare chicken, this looks and sounds so tangy and flavorful!

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  31. Delicious. Easy - sweet and tangy. And I'll walk a mile for cranberries. I love recipes I can make in the middle of the week!

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  32. another fantastic chicken recipe! i can't wait to try this, it looks fantastic, and perfect for the weeknight!

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  33. Oh I know this recipe well. Many a night was saved by Chicken Catalina. Funny thing is, I too remember who told me about the recipe. It was a 12 year old friend of my son's. The kids were all at my house one night and I hadn't decided what to do with the chicken. He said, "Let's Catalina it" and that's what we did. Thanks for the reminder, Katy. Simple, yet oh so good!!!

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  34. Don't you just love cranberry sauce. It is good in so many dishes. I am back from the snowy north and glad of it. Hope your weather is improving.

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  35. I made this years ago. It's a great meal for busy women. I hope you are having a wonderful day. Blessings...Mary

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  36. katy .. you are the winner of the Mennonite Girls Can Cook ..January giveaway. . Congratulations

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  37. This looks like a good quick and easy way to make chicken. I've never thought of using those ingredients all together, but if you say it works...I believe ya!

    By the way, I'd gladly cook duck for you : ) Too bad we're not neighbors.

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  38. Just wanted to pop in and say hello! Really, I'm secretly checking on you to be sure you're dancin' around your kitchen! If I can do it, you can do it!!!!
    Susan

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  39. That seems so simple, but delicious! I can't wait to try it!! I'm also going to try your tomato soup...looks fabulous!

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  40. Interesting combination.... :) simple things seem to always be the best way to go...

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  41. Hi Katy, thank you so much for the chocolate cake recipes! I will indeed try them some time. I did manage to make the Catalina Chicken dish today and it was wonderful :-) I posted a photo on my blog and a link to your recipe.

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  42. Good grief....I've just been too doggone busy and look what I've missed! This looks wonderful Katy-I love these chicken recipes with yummy sauce.....and I LOVE easy too!!! This sounds really different....I'm always looking for new chicken recipes. Adding this to my ever-growing list!

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