The Ultimate Guide to Making the Perfect Chickenscratch

Chickenscratch is a classic Southern dish that has been around for centuries. It is an easy and delicious recipe to make at home and can be served as part of any meal or occasion. In this blog post, we will discuss what chickenscratch is, the history behind it, ingredients for making the perfect recipe, tips and tricks for preparing chickenscratch successfully, serving ideas for your dish, common variations of recipes, nutritional facts about chickenscratch dishes, and why cooking at home is beneficial. Read on to learn more!

What Is Chickenscratch?

Chickenscratch is a type of casserole dish made with chicken pieces, cream sauce, and cooked egg noodles. This traditional Southern dish is flavorful and comforting, making it a popular choice for all occasions. While there are many versions of chickenscratch recipes, the basic ingredients remain the same: cooked chicken, cream sauce, egg noodles, and seasonings.

History of Chickenscratch

The exact origin of chickenscratch is unknown, but it is believed to have originated in the American South. It was likely created by African-American cooks who used simple ingredients from their kitchen to create a tasty and filling meal. Chickenscratch became a staple of Southern cooking and continues to be enjoyed today.

Ingredients For The Perfect Chickenscratch Recipe

To make the perfect chickenscratch dish, you will need the following ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked chicken (can be rotisserie or leftover cooked chicken)
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 8 ounces cooked egg noodles
• 2 cups shredded cheese

Instructions To Cook Your Chickenscratch Dish

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Heat butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions and garlic and cook until softened.
3. Add chicken and seasonings and cook for 5 minutes.
4. Stir in cream and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Remove from heat and stir in cooked egg noodles. Transfer mixture to a 9×13 inch baking dish. Top with cheese.
6. Bake for 25 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly. Let cool slightly before serving.

Tips & Tricks For Preparing Chickenscratch Successfully

When making chickenscratch, it is important to use quality ingredients such as freshly cooked chicken and good quality cheeses. Additionally, if using canned cream sauce, be sure to adjust the amount of additional seasoning accordingly as pre-made sauces can be quite salty. Lastly, adding fresh herbs will add a nice flavor to the dish so feel free to experiment with different combinations of herbs!

Serving Ideas For Your Chickenscratch Dish

Chickenscratch makes a great main course for dinner parties or family meals. Serve it with a side salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal. Alternatively, cut the chickenscratch into smaller portions and serve as appetizers or snacks. It also makes a delicious topping for toast or crackers.

Common Variations Of Chickenscratch Recipes

There are many ways to customize chickenscratch to suit your tastes. You can switch up the proteins (for example use pork instead of chicken), replace cream sauce with white wine or vegetable stock, use various types of cheeses, or add spices such as curry powder or smoked paprika. Additionally, you can opt to bake the dish without cheese or top it with crunchy bread crumbs instead. Get creative and make it your own!

Benefits Of Cooking At Home

Cooking at home not only saves time and money but also allows you to control the ingredients that go into your meals. By choosing healthy ingredients and limiting processed foods, you can enjoy nutritious dishes while avoiding unhealthy additives. Moreover, homemade dishes often taste better than store-bought options since they are made with fresh ingredients. So get out those pots and pans and start experimenting!

Nutritional Facts About Chickenscratch Dishes

As mentioned earlier, when making chickenscratch at home you can choose healthier ingredients which means that the overall nutritional value of the dish increases significantly. Generally speaking, a single serving of homemade chickenscratch contains approximately 300 calories, 16 grams of fat, 27 grams of carbohydrates, 13 grams of protein, and 4 grams of fiber. Not bad for something that’s so easy to make!

Conclusion

Chickenscratch is a classic Southern dish that has been around for centuries. It is an easy and delicious recipe to make at home and can be served as part of any meal or occasion. There are many variations of the recipe so you can customize it according to your preferences. Furthermore, making chickenscratch at home offers numerous benefits such as cost savings and control over ingredients used which results in increased nutritional value compared to store-bought versions. Whether you’re looking for a hearty main course or simply want to whip up a quick snack – give chickenscratch a try!