In addition to chicken, ingredients such as cream soups, salsa, rice, pasta, tomato sauce, and vegetables can be mixed, matched, and tossed to create an assortment of culinary delights.

One-dish chicken casseroles are simple to make, and can be thrown together with very little planning. Using a pound of chicken thighs, or boneless, skinless chicken breasts, a can of creamy soup (mushroom, chicken, or celery), a can of milk, and a cup of rice, a hearty dinner can be ready in less than 45 minutes. Top with shredded cheddar cheese for a tangy treat. Add some Mexican flavor by adding a can of diced green chilies.

For a "fix it and forget it" dinner, place a pound of boneless, skinless chicken breasts in a slow cooker, add one half of a small diced onion, one diced green or red bell pepper, a cup of salsa, and a packet of onion soup mix. Let cook on low for 6-8 hours, and serve the dish over rice.

The chicken is so tender that it falls apart with a fork, and the taste is divine. Any leftover chicken can be used for chicken tacos the following night. For a change of flavor, substitute the salsa for spaghetti sauce or tomato sauce, and the dish is transformed from a taste of the southwest to a taste of Italy. Serve with angel hair pasta instead of rice.