Day Before Chicken Recipes

25 QUICK CHICKEN RECIPES

Steps:

• Store any leftover chicken in an airtight container and place in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Most of these recipes are also freezer-friendly and can also be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.
• To reheat, simply reheat in the air fryer at 300F for 5-10 minutes, or in the oven at 300F for 10 minutes. You can also reheat on the stove over medium heat until fully warmed through. the oven at 350 F for 10 minutes. If heating from frozen, let it thaw first in the refrigerator and then reheat.

DAY BEFORE CHICKEN

Steps:

• In a large greased baking or roasting pan, place the chicken breasts and top with all of the vegetables.
• Sprinkle with the seasonings and cheese.
• Top with the spaghetti sauce mixed with the wine.
• Cover tightly with foil and bake at 300 degrees for 2 hours.
• Refrigerate overnight to meld and deepen flavors.
• Reheat uncovered at 350 until hot and bubbly.
• If you're not counting carbs, serve this over pasta, but it's just as great on its own.

DAY BEFORE CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients.
• Place in buttered 3 quart or 9x13 inch pan.
• Refrigerate overnight or freeze.
• (Can break this down into individual serving sizes) Remove from freezer 1 hour before baking.
• If frozen, thaw before baking.
• Preheat oven to 350.
• Bake one hour.

MAKE-AHEAD FRIED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Make the marinade: Whisk together all the marinade ingredients, except the chicken, and place in a large bowl or plastic bag. Submerge the chicken in the marinade, cover bowl or seal bag, and let rest in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or, better, overnight.
• Make the coating: In a bowl, whisk together the flour, cayenne, salt and chile powder. Place a paper bag inside another paper bag (to prevent seepage, use large bags or several small ones) and transfer the flour mixture into it. This is so you can shake the chicken pieces. (You can also just mix flour in a bowl and dredge the chicken parts in it, or use a heavy-duty plastic zipper bag for shaking.)
• Take a piece of chicken out of the marinade and place it in the bag with the flour mixture. Close the bag and shake it so the chicken is fully coated. (Or, if you are using a bowl, dredge the chicken in the flour mixture.) Remove and place on a plate or sheet pan. Repeat with remaining chicken pieces, one by one. Let chicken rest for 30 minutes so it can come to room temperature. Reserve the coating mixture.
• In a large Dutch oven or heavy skillet with a lid, heat the oil until it reaches 350 degrees. Just before frying, shake the chicken pieces in the coating mixture once again, one by one.
• Fry the chicken for 6 minutes, covered, then uncover the pot and flip the chicken with tongs. Continue frying for about another 6 minutes, or until the coating is dark golden brown and the juices run clear when the meat is pricked with a fork.
• Place chicken on a wire rack set over a paper-towel-lined baking sheet to drain and cool. Serve within 8 hours, but it's best to serve within 4 hours and leave the chicken at room temperature, rather than chilling it.