Shredded Chicken Jalapeno casserole with hashbrowns and bacon ranch. That is what I finally come up with for supper tonight. It was a hit, no leftovers. I love no leftovers.. 

As I mentioned before, here on the plantation you never know what you are gonna get. One of the kids apparently likes jalapenos and brought in a jar of jalapenos, and my mom found a deal somewhere on a 40lb box of chicken for .89 cents a pound, and a case of frozen square hashbrowns similar to those they sell at McDonalds at breakfast time, and so she split both of those with me, and so that is what I was working with today. I am so glad to be blessed with such a good sharing, caring village. I am a big believer in the village and it takes a whole one to make a thing go round.

If you read my previous post you know I was searching recipes looking for inspiration, and sharing some recipe links. Well here is what I finally came up with and fed my crew tonight.

Jalapeno chicken casserole with hashbrowns 

12 chicken thighs

1/2 cup canned jalapenos with juice

1 tbsp lemon juice

1/4 cup franks red hot hot sauce

1 block cream cheese

9 square hashbrown patties

1/2 cup franks red hot sauce

1/2 cup kraft bacon ranch dressing

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1 can campbell's cheddar cheese soup

1 cup broth from simmered chicken 

simmer chicken thighs in first 5 ingredients in crock pot for 5 hours, or on stove on low heat for 3 hours then turn off and allow to cool

when cooled shred chicken 

line a greased casserole dish with square hashbrowns

in separate bowl mix shredded chicken, campbell's cheddar cheese soup mix, franks red hot sauce, and bacon ranch dressing until mixed well, 

pour evenly over frozen hashbrowns pour 1 cup of broth from simmered chicken over everything in casserole dish

top with cheddar cheese jalapeno slices and parsley for color (chives would probably also be good but i didnt have that)

bake in a 375 degree over for 45 minutes or until cheese is golden brown.

Some variations that you might consider for add-ins

whole kernel corn

black beans

shredded lettuce

diced tomato

sour cream

black olives

avocado 

more ranch (when is there ever enough ranch?)

french fried onions

chives

scallions

bacon bits

spinach (also another of my favorites)

rotel tomatoes 

queso sauce

I hope you enjoyed our supper as much as we did.. If you try it let me know what you think im comments...