Michelle Cooks: Smoked Chicken Strata

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon canola oil
• 2 cups fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut-up or chopped up broccoli
• 1 ½ cups fresh mushrooms, sliced
• ½ cup red or yellow sweet pepper, chopped
• 1 Nonstick cooking spray
• 3 eaches whole-grain English muffins, torn or cut into bite-size pieces (4 cups)
• 2 cups smoked chicken or cooked chicken breast, shredded (10 ounces)
• ¾ cup shredded Swiss cheese (3 ounces)
• 1 cup refrigerated or frozen egg product, thawed, or 4 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 cup fat-free milk
• ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. In a large nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add asparagus, mushrooms, and sweet pepper; cook about 3 minutes or just until vegetables are crisp-tender.
2. Lightly coat 6 12-ounce individual casserole dishes with cooking spray. Divide half of the English muffin pieces among the dishes. Top with chicken, asparagus mixture, and 1/2 cup of the cheese. Top with the remaining English muffin pieces.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, milk and black pepper. Pour egg mixture evenly over the layers in dishes. Using the back of a large spoon, press muffin pieces down. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup cheese. Bake, uncovered, for 25 to 30 minutes or until a knife inserted in centers comes out clean. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.