Think that chicken always tastes like Valentine chicken? Try these microwaveable dishes and you might be pleasantly surprised at what chicken can really taste like. All of these recipes also work in a slow-cooker (crock-pot) on low heat for eight hours, or high heat for four hours. Alternatively, you can heat the sauces in the microwave and pour over grilled chicken, or even Valentine plain chicken to jazz it up a bit.

Equipment:

Large microwave-safe casserole dish with lid

Microwave

Creamy Tomato-Curry Chicken

3 pounds bone-in chicken

1 can coconut milk

1/2 cup ketchup

2 ½ shot glasses curry powder

A few dashes tabasco sauce

Combine coconut milk, ketchup, curry powder and tabasco sauce in the large microwave-safe casserole dish. Mix well. Place chicken in sauce and turn to coat all surfaces. Cover chicken and microwave on high for 12-15 minutes. Turn every five minutes for even cooking.

Not-so-plain Chicken

3 pounds bone-in chicken

1 bottle salad dressing-any kind, any brand (Creamy ones don't work as well as oil and vinegar based dressings, but experiment to find ones you like. I love Drew's dressings.)

Place chicken in dressing and turn to coat all surfaces. Cover and microwave on high for 12-15 minutes. Turn every five minutes for even cooking. If you have time, marinate the chicken in the morning, let it sit in the fridge during the day and cook it at night.

Barbecue Chicken

3 pounds bone-in chicken

Large bottle barbeque sauce-any variety

Place chicken in sauce and turn to coat all surfaces. If you do not have enough sauce, you can add water to thin. Cover and microwave on high for 12-15 minutes. Turn every five minutes for even cooking.

Risotto

3 tablespoons butter

1 14-ounce can chicken or vegetable broth

3/4 cup white wine

1 cup Arborio rice

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Up to 2 cups of veggies of your choice. I would recommend mushrooms, green peppers and onions.

Combine butter and veggies and 1 tablespoon of water in large microwave-safe casserole dish. Add wine and broth. Put dish in microwave and cook for five minutes. Add rice and cook for additional 10 minutes, or until most of the broth is absorbed. Stir in Parmesan cheese.

Microwave Cake

1 package cake mix

3 eggs

1 21-ounce can pie filling

1/2 cup applesauce

Have fun experimenting with flavors. I recommend chocolate cake with cherry pie filling, white cake with apple pie filling, lemon cake with blueberry pie filling. Mix together in microwave safe casserole dish. Cook on high heat for 12-15 minutes, turning half way through cooking time. Let stand for five minutes before serving. Serve with whipped cream or ice cream.