Introducing the savory delight of Lexington Chicken Spaghetti, a recipe straight from the culinary treasures of the Monroe Junior Charity League in Monroe, Louisiana. While I haven’t personally indulged in this feast, the allure of feeding a hungry crowd with a single dish is undeniable, making it a gem worth exploring 🍽️.
Recipe Overview:
- Name: Lexington Chicken Spaghetti for 50
- Cook Time: 1 hour and 30 minutes
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour and 50 minutes
- Servings: 50
Ingredients:
Let’s gather our ingredients for this epicurean adventure:
- 4 whole chickens
- 16-20 cups water
- 8 stalks celery
- 2 large onions
- 8 bell peppers
- 4 garlic cloves
- 8 cups tomato sauce
- 4 cups tomato paste
- 4 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 8 tablespoons catsup
- 4 teaspoons black pepper
- 8 teaspoons salt
- 1 3/4 gallons chicken broth
- 1.333 pounds spaghetti
Instructions:
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Prepare the Chicken: In a large pot, bring water seasoned with celery, onions, salt, and pepper to a boil. Use 4 to 5 cups of water for each chicken. Boil the chickens until cooked through. Once done, remove the meat from the bones, saving the broth and fat for later use.
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Saute the Aromatics: In a skillet, sauté onions, celery, bell pepper, and garlic in the chicken fat until soft and fragrant.
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Create the Sauce: To the sautéed vegetables, add tomato sauce, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, catsup, pepper, salt (to taste), and 20 cups of chicken broth. Allow the mixture to simmer for about an hour, allowing the flavors to meld together beautifully.
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Add Chicken: Once the sauce has simmered to perfection, add the cooked chicken pieces, incorporating them gently into the sauce.
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Prepare Spaghetti: In a separate pot, boil the spaghetti in salted water for 8 to 12 minutes, until al dente. Drain the spaghetti once cooked.
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Combine and Refrigerate: Add the drained spaghetti to the sauce mixture, ensuring it’s well-coated. This tantalizing creation can be stored in the refrigerator overnight, allowing the flavors to intensify.
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Reheat and Serve: To reheat, use an electric roaster set to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Allow several hours for thorough heating, stirring occasionally from the bottom to prevent sticking. Add additional broth if needed to keep the spaghetti moist.
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Enjoy: Serve up this hearty dish to feed a crowd of 50, savoring each forkful of tender chicken, flavorful sauce, and perfectly cooked spaghetti.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving):
- Calories: 275.6
- Fat Content: 5g
- Saturated Fat Content: 1.4g
- Cholesterol Content: 27.5mg
- Sodium Content: 1363.7mg
- Carbohydrate Content: 47.4g
- Fiber Content: 3.7g
- Sugar Content: 14.4g
- Protein Content: 12.4g
Tips and Tricks:
- For added convenience, prepare the chicken and sauce ahead of time, storing them separately until ready to assemble and serve.
- Customize the spice level to your liking by adjusting the amount of black pepper and salt.
- Feel free to add in extra vegetables like mushrooms, spinach, or zucchini for an added nutritional boost and flavor dimension.
- Ensure the spaghetti is cooked just right, neither too firm nor too soft, for the perfect texture in every bite.
This Lexington Chicken Spaghetti recipe is a testament to the joy of communal dining, bringing people together over a shared love for comforting, homemade meals. So gather your friends and family, set the table, and indulge in this soul-warming dish that’s sure to leave everyone craving for more! 🍝🍗
