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Chicken noodle skillet meal in a jar

Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Keyword freeze-dried chicken meal, gift in a jar, meal in a jar, pantry meal, skillet dinner mix
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 4 servings
A quart jar of egg noodles, freeze-dried chicken and vegetables, and creamy powders. Empty it into a skillet with water for a quick chicken noodle dinner, or give it as a gift.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups egg noodles
  • 1 cup freeze-dried diced chicken (or chicken TVP as a substitute)
  • 1/2 cup freeze-dried vegetable mix (freeze-dried, not dehydrated)
  • 1 tablespoon dried minced onion
  • 1/3 cup instant non-fat dry milk
  • 1/3 cup cheese powder
  • 1/4 cup butter powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper

Directions

  • Fill a clean wide-mouth quart jar in layers, keeping the powders near the top, and shake to settle.
  • Close with a new lid, using a FoodSaver wide-mouth jar attachment or a 100cc oxygen absorber.
  • Write the cooking instructions on the jar label; keep it in a cool, dry place away from light.

Notes

To cook: empty the jar (remove any oxygen packet) into a large skillet. Add 3 1/2 cups water; bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Simmer 12 to 15 minutes, stirring often. Remove from heat and rest 3 to 5 minutes so the sauce thickens.
Shelf life: up to about 10 years if the seal holds; limited by the shortest-lasting ingredient, usually the freeze-dried chicken or powdered milk.
Notes: chicken TVP or canned chicken can be stored alongside the jar if freeze-dried chicken is hard to find. Use freeze-dried peas or corn, not dehydrated vegetables (too slow to soften).
Safety: freeze-dried chicken, milk, cheese and butter powders can go rancid.

Nutrition

Serving: 123g | Calories: 426kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 0.8g | Cholesterol: 59mg | Sodium: 506mg | Potassium: 348mg | Fiber: 2.5g | Sugar: 4.7g | Vitamin A: 1341IU | Vitamin C: 2.8mg | Calcium: 170mg | Iron: 1.5mg

Nutrition is an estimate per serving from USDA FoodData Central, for 4 servings; egg noodles counted as dry pasta, freeze-dried diced chicken (the first choice counted), freeze-dried vegetable mix (freeze-dried counted as mixed vegetables, dried minced onion counted as dehydrated onion, cheese powder counted as cheddar, Italian seasoning counted as dried oregano. Brands and portions vary, so use it only as an approximation.