Be prepared for a busy day by making this chicken and ham casserole when you have some extra time.

Chicken Hawaiian

1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
12 (4-ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1 (20-ounce) can pineapple tidbits (juice pack)
1/2 cup dry sherry
2 cups sliced celery
1 1/2 cups sliced onions
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups fully cooked ham, cut into thin strips

1. Stir together the 1/4 cup flour and the salt. Roll chicken pieces in flour mixture to coat.
   In a 12-inch skillet cook the chicken, half at a time, in hot butter until chicken is brown, turning once. Transfer chicken to a 13x9x2-inch baking dish, reserving drippings in skillet. Bake, uncovered, in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 25 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, for sauce, drain pineapple, reserving juice. Add sherry to drippings in skillet. Cook and stir over medium heat, stirring to scrape up browned bits. Add pineapple tidbits, celery, and onions. Bring to boiling. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, about 5 minutes or until celery starts to soften.
   Combine reserved pineapple juice and the 2 tablespoons flour; stir into the sauce mixture in the skillet. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly. Remove from heat.
3. Spoon off any juices from chicken in the baking dish. Sprinkle ham over chicken. Pour sauce over all. Bake, uncovered, about 10 minutes more or until chicken is tender and no longer pink.

Makes 12 servings.

Make-ahead Tip:

• Prepare chicken as directed, except bake, uncovered, (without sauce) for 35 minutes (instead of 25 minutes) or until tender and no longer pink. Cool slightly. Drain. Cover and chill for up to 2 days.
• Prepare pineapple sauce as directed, except do not pour over chicken. Cool slightly. Transfer to a storage container; cover and chill for up to 2 days.
• To reheat, sprinkle ham over the chilled chicken and bake, covered with foil, in a 350°F (175°C) oven about 40 minutes or until chicken is heated through. Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan cook and stir the sauce over medium heat about 15 minutes or until heated through. Pour the sauce over the ham and chicken, and serve immediately.

Nutritional facts per serving: calories: 268, total fat: 8g, saturated fat: 2g, cholesterol: 79mg, sodium: 566mg, carbohydrate: 13g, fiber: 1g, protein: 33g, vitamin A: 5%, vitamin C: 12%, calcium: 3%, iron: 8%

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