INDIAN-SPICED CHICKEN CASSEROLE

prep 50 minutes bake 1 hour 10 minutes at 350°F

•   8 oz. dried vermicelli
•   3 Tbsp. butter
•  ½ cup finely chopped onion
•   1 Tbsp. lemon juice
•   1 Tbsp. ginger-garlic paste
•   2 tsp. garam masala
•   2 tsp. ground cumin
•   2 tsp. chili powder
•   1 cup tomato puree
•   1 6-oz. carton plain yogurt
•  ¾ cup heavy cream
•  ¼ tsp. salt
•  ¼ tsp. cayenne pepper
•   3 6-oz. pkg. refrigerated grilled chicken breast strips, chopped
•   1 lb. paneer, cut into ½-inch cubes; crumbled queso fresco; or shredded farmer cheese
•   2 8-oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened
•   1 tsp. garam masala
•   1 tsp. ground cumin
•   1 tsp. ground turmeric
•   2 10-oz. pkg. frozen chopped spinach, thawed and well drained
• Fresh Italian parsley leaves (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Cook vermicelli according to package directions; drain. Rinse with cold water; drain again.

2. Meanwhile, in a large skillet melt butter over medium-high heat. Add onion; cook about 4 minutes or until onion is tender, stirring occasionally. Add the next five ingredients (through chili powder); cook and stir 1 minute. Carefully add tomato puree; cook and stir 2 minutes more. Stir in yogurt, cream, salt, and cayenne pepper. Stir in chicken. Cook, uncovered, over low heat 10 minutes, stirring frequently.

3. In a large bowl combine three-fourths of the paneer and the next four ingredients (through turmeric). Stir in spinach.

4. Butter a 3-qt. rectangular baking dish. Transfer half the chicken mixture to the prepared dish. Top with half the vermicelli; spread the spinach mixture over vermicelli. Top with remaining vermicelli and remaining chicken mixture.

5. Bake, covered, 65 to 70 minutes or until heated through. Sprinkle with the remaining paneer. Bake, uncovered, 5 minutes. If desired, sprinkle with parsley.

number of servings 12

per serving 428 cal., 27 g fat (15 g sat. fat), 111 mg chol., 779 mg sodium, 25 g carb., 3 g fiber, 5 g sugars, 22 g pro.

HEALTHY CHOICE

Two packages of cream cheese is a hefty amount—you can cut the fat substantially by using the reduced-fat version.