Cheezy Chicken Pot Pie

1 package (8 oz) cream cheese

1 cups shredded Colby-Monterey Jack cheese (8 oz)

¾ cup milk 

1 small can Pillsbury Grands Flaky Layers refrigerated biscuits

2 cups diced cooked chicken
1 cup carrots and peas (drained if using a can)

butter

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Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) baking dish with cooking spray.

To large microwavable bowl, add cream cheese and shredded cheese. Microwave uncovered on High 1 minute, stirring after 30 seconds, until softened and cheese is starting to melt; add additional 30-second increments as needed. Beat in milk with whisk until mostly smooth; mixture may still be slightly lumpy.  Separate dough into biscuits; cut each into sixths. Gently stir into cream cheese mixture; stir in chicken, carrots and peas. Spoon into baking dish.  Cover with foil and bake 20 minutes. Remove from oven and top with small pieces of butter.  Bake until top is golden brown.

Comment:  This dish is simply delicious!  I found a recipe for a cheezy chicken casserole and made my usual changes.  I cut the cheese and biscuits in half, eliminated the onion and ham from the original recipe and added the carrots and peas.  You can use a can of peas and carrots or a cup of frozen peas and carrots.  I’m not saying 1 can of peas and 1 cup of carrots but the combined blend.  The flavors of the cream cheese mixed with the cheese gives this dish the special taste, as does the slight sweetness of the biscuits.  You can make changes by adding back the onions and ham or even some diced potatoes, which I think I would cook until almost done before adding.

Chicken and Spinach Calzone

4 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 cup Mozzarella cheese, finely shredded
2 tsp. minced garlic
1 pkg (6 oz.) frozen baby spinach, thawed and drained
2 chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
1 pie shell

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Place a piece of parchment paper or foil on a baking dish.  Spray with cooking spray.  Lay out the pie shell.  Spread the cream cheese over the crust up to about 1” from the edge.  In a pan saute spinach and garlic until the spinach is wilted, draining completely.  In a large bowl combine spinach, chicken and mozzarella cheese.  Place on half of the pie shell.  Fold over and seal the edges with the tongs of a fork.  Bake 15-20 minutes or until crust is lightly browned and cheese inside has melted.  Sprinkle with more cheese if desired. 

Comments:  I know that the last few recipes have been chicken and spinach but there is a reason.  I have a medical problem that forbids me from eating any greens except spinach.  So, I'm working on different variations using the spinach.  I promise to try making something with pork and even beef in the near future.

Anyway, this dish was so easy to make and boy was it delicious!  I actually had some of the mixture left over that I'll be putting in crescent rolls.  I have no doubt that version will be delicious too.  Give this one a try.  You'll love it.