Chicken Noodle Casserole

We have an insanely busy week ahead with dance, back to school shopping, getting my newspaper staff off its collective butt, and gearing up for Little Buddy's first soccer season.

I need meals that are quick and satisfying. I especially love casseroles that I can make the night before and pop in the oven when we get home. Here's primo uno!

Chicken Noodle Casserole

2 split chicken breasts (breasts with rib still attached), skinned
1 cup chicken broth
1/2 tsp thyme
1/8 tsp pepper
1 medium onion, diced
16 oz egg noodles
2 cans cream of chicen soup (I use Campbell's Healthy Request)
8 oz fat free sour cream
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp spicy brown mustard
1/4 c margarine, melted
1/2 cup bread crumbs (I use Italian, but plain is fine, too)

1. Place chicken breasts in 4-quart sauce pan. Cover with water. Add chicken broth, thyme, pepper, and onion. Bring to boiling. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, 20-30 minutes, until chicken is cooked through.

2. Remove chicken from water. Increase heat to high. When water comes to full boil, add egg noodles. Cook for 10 minutes. Drain, reserving 1 cup of the liquid.

3. Meanwhile, remove rib bones from chicken and cut into 1-inch pieces. Place in 13x9x2 inch baking dish. Add noodles (with onions).

4. In small bowl mix soup, sour cream, paprika, mustard, and the 1 cup of the water used to cook the chicken and egg noodles.

5. Pour soup mixture over chicken and noodles. Stir to coat.

6. In small bowl mix melted margarine and bread crumbs. Sprinkle over the top of the chicken and noodles.

7. Bake at 350 degrees 30-35 minutes. Allow to stand at least 5 minutes before serving.

MAKE AHEAD DIRECTIONS: Follow steps 1-5. Cover baking dish with saran wrap or foil and place in refrigerator. Uncover and follow step 6 just before baking (step 7).

MAKE THIS EVEN EASIER DIRECTIONS: Forget boiling the chicken -- use 1.5 to 2 lbs bonesless skinless chicken breast and cook it in the microwave. Place it on a plate, cover with saran wrap, and microwave 7-9 minutes. Cook the noodles at the same time (with the onions).