Super Simple Lunch or Dinner Entree: Hot Chicken Bunwiches

I love trying new recipes.....especially simple and quick ones!

My in-laws were in town Friday, from the south shore Boston area, to attend Claire's musical at school.  They had never seen Beauty and the Beast and were having fun learning the story while I was cooking dinner.  Since we had only a little time to eat due to having to get over to the junior high, I had decided to make a super simple dinner.  I had only made this recipe once before, for a friend who had come over for lunch one summer day.  They were a hit with her and they were definitely a hit with my in-laws.  I think they'll be a hit with you and your family, too!  If you want to, you can substitute turkey for the chicken. The original recipe actually calls for turkey.  I have tweaked the recipe a bit.T(omitted the salt, and added chopped walnuts)  The original one comes from Taste of Home website.

HOT CHICKEN BUNWICHES

1 1/2 c. chopped, cooked chicken or 

1 large can of chicken, chopped into small pieces

2 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and chopped

1/3 c. chopped sweet onion

1/2 c. chopped celery

1/2 c. cubed sharp cheddar cheese

( used a half cup of packaged shredded cheddar)

1/2 c. mayo 

(I used Hellmann's Lite)

dash of ground pepper

1/4. c. chopped walnuts (optional)

4 kaiser buns, split and lightly buttered on both sides

• In a large bowl, combine the first 8 ingredients.  Mix well and then add the walnuts, if using them. Stir them lightly into the mixture.
• Spread a little butter on both sides of the buns.
• Spread the mixture over each bun bottom and then replace the tops.
• Wrap each bunwich into foil and place on a cookie sheet.
• Bake at 350 in a conventional oven for about 20 minutes.

Serve with the following options:

• tortilla chips and spinach-artichoke dip
• fresh fruit salad
• green bean-tomato-mozzarella salad with basil viniagrette (this is the option I usually choose)
• pretzel sticks and garden veggie hummus
• fresh spinach tossed with raspberry viniagrette, raspberries, goat cheese, and cherry tomatoes. (I'm trying this salad this summer!)

This makes for a very nice lunch if having friends over or for a quick, simple dinner.  Serve with tall glasses of iced water and lemon slices or iced tea with lime wedges.

ENJOY!!