Slow Cooker Lemon Chicken

Slow Cooker Lemon Pepper Chicken

{makes 8 servings}

Ingredients

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts

1/4 cup whole wheat flour

1 teaspoon lemon pepper seasoning

2 tablespoons butter

1 tablespoon lemon pepper seasoning

1/2 cup fresh lemon juice

1/2 cup low sodium chicken broth

Directions

Prepare your chicken by rinsing it and trimming the fat. I cut each breast into 2 pieces to make them more like large tenders.

In a shallow dish, combine the flour and 1 teaspoon of lemon pepper seasoning. Coat each piece of chicken in flour.

Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Once melted, brown each side of the chicken. You want them to be golden brown, but not cooked through because you’ll be cooking them in the slow cooker.

Spray the slow cooker (crockpot) with cooking spray and place the browned chicken into the bottom. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of lemon pepper seasoning on top of the chicken.

Mix together the lemon juice and chicken broth. Pour over the chicken and seasoning.

Cook on low for 3-4 hours. Enjoy!

Nutrition Information

{serving size = 1 chicken tender – recipe makes 8 servings}

125 calories, 4.1g fat, 4.1g carbs, 0.5g fiber, 19.5g protein

*Actual nutrition info may vary based on exact ingredients used. Recipe in MyFitnessPal as FG8 Slow Cooker Lemon Pepper Chicken.

Easy Teriyaki Chicken and Vegetables

Easy Teriyaki Chicken and Vegetables

from:  happyfoodhealthylife.com

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 lbs chicken breast, chopped
• 1 yellow bell pepper, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 2 garlic cloves
• 12oz broccoli
• 4 large carrots, sliced
• 16 asparagus spears, chopped
Teriyaki Sauce
• 2 tablespoons ginger, chopped
• 1/3 cup low sodium soy sauce
• 1/3 cup cold water
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 1/3 cup honey

Instructions

1. Mix all of the sauce ingredients in a small saucepan and cook over medium to low heat, stirring occasionally, until thickened (about 5 minutes).
2. Heat the olive oil in a large sauté pan, over medium to high heat. Add the chicken and peppers and cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through (about 6-8 minutes). Add the garlic and cook for another minute.
3. While the chicken is cooking, cook your other vegetables until crisp tender. They can be put in a microwave safe dish and microwaved for 6-7 minutes, roasted in the oven, or cooked in a steamer.
4. Stir together the teriyaki sauce, chicken and vegetables until everything is coated. Serve over whole grain brown rice or rice noodles.

White Chicken Chili

This White Chicken Chili is so flavorful.  Link here.

White Chicken Chili

Recipe by Our Best Bites

I call this a chili, but it’s really a soup consistency.
If you want it thicker, just reduce the amount of broth.

1 T Extra virgin Olive Oil
1 lb boneless chicken, cubed (about 3-4 boneless, skinless breasts)
1 medium onion, diced
3-4 cloves garlic, minced
2 cans Great Northern Beans
1 3.5 oz can green chilies
1/2 t cumin
1/2 t dried oregano leaves
1/2 t coriander
1/2 t salt
fresh cracked pepper
1 lime
1/2 C chopped cilantro

1 32oz box chicken brothCondiments: (in addition to measurements above)
Sour cream
Chopped cilantro
Pepperjack or Jack cheese, shredded
Avocado
Tortilla Chips or make your own tortilla strips

In a large pot, heat olive oil. Add chopped onion and cook for about 2 minutes- just until it starts to become translucent. While onions are cooking, drain beans and rinse with cold water and set aside. Sprinkle chopped chicken with a little salt and pepper and add to pot. Add garlic as well. Cook until there’s no more visible pink on the chicken, probably 3-4 minutes.Then add green chills- along with all of the juices in the can. Add beans, cumin, oregano, coriander, salt, and a few turns of fresh cracked pepper. Stir to combine and then add chicken broth.Bring to a boil and reduce heat to a simmer. Simmer uncovered for 10-15 minutes. Remove from heat and add the juice from one lime and the 1/2 C chopped cilantro. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Ladle into bowls and top with sour cream. Serve with condiments. If you don’t have all those condiments- at least have sour cream! But honestly, it’s best with everything 

Makes about 8 cups of soup.

Cowboy Quesadillas from Our Best Bites

Cowboy quesadillas
quick ,easy, delicious

Cowboy Quesadillas
Recipe by Our Best Bites

1/2 C white rice
1/3 C black beans
1 cup diced cooked chicken
1/3 C fresh frozen corn kernels (no need to thaw)
2/3 C diced tomato
3 Tbs sliced green onion
1 1/2 C shredded cheese (any type or combo you like)
1/4 C bbq sauce
6 small tortillas (fajita size, about 6″)

Dipping Sauce
equal parts bbq sauce and ranch dressing (here’s our favorite)

Combine rice, beans, chicken, corn, tomato, green onion and shredded cheese.  Add bbq sauce and stir to combine.  Place about 1/3 C of mixture on half of each tortilla and fold over to close.

Heat a skillet to medium heat on the stove top.  When hot, spray lightly with cooking spray, or drizzle with canola or olive oil.  Place quesadillas in pan and cook for 2-4 minutes or until golden brown and slightly crisp.  Flip and repeat on opposite side.  Cool for a few minutes and then serve with BBQ-Ranch dipping sauce.

Can be modified to gluten free by using gluten free bbq sauce, and corn tortillas

Slow Cooker Taco Chicken from Our Best Bites**

recipe to come

Chicken Stir Fry (Sunbird packet)**

recipe to come

Chicken Fajitas (Seasoning Mix)**

recipe to come

Chicken Roll Ups

Another favorite comfort recipe.

Chicken Roll-Ups
by peppermintkitty from Food.com
1¼ hours | 50 min prep
SERVES 4
• 2 cups chicken, cooked and cubed
• 4 ounces cream cheese
• 2 tablespoons butter or margarine
• 2 tablespoons onions or chives, chopped
• 2 tablespoons pimientos
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 dash pepper
• 1 (8 ounce) can crescent rolls
• crouton (optional) or corn flakes, crushed (optional)
• butter or margarine, melted
1. Boil chicken until done and no pink remains.
2. Cool and chop into small cubes.
3. In a large bowl, mix together the cream cheese, butter, onion, pimento, milk, salt, and pepper.
4. Stir in chicken and set aside. Open crescent rolls and place each piece of dough flat on a lightly greased baking sheet. Place several tablespoons of chicken mixture on the center of each piece of dough.
5. Roll up dough around the chicken mixture making sure are edges are sealed.
6. Dip each chicken roll in melted butter and roll in the crushed croutons or corn flakes (optional). Place on baking sheet. Bake at 350°F for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.
7. Serve with chicken gravy if desired.
8. To make chicken gravy add 1 can cream of chicken soup to a small saucepan.
9. Add 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice and stir well.
10. Add milk or sour cream to thin to desired consistency.
11. Cook over low heat until hot. Serve over chicken roll-ups.

Ranae's Chicken Casserole

From my old roomie Ranae, adapted for pre-cooked chicken.


Ranae's Chicken Casserole

-8 TBSP butter, divided
-2-3 chicken breasts, cooked and cubed
-4-6 slices swiss cheese
-1 can cream of chicken soup
-1/2 can milk
-1 pkg. Seasoned croutons, crushed.

Put 6 TBSP butter in 9x13 pan. Add chicken. Place cheese squared on top of chicken. Mix soup and milk completely and pour over cheese and chicken. Sprinkle croutons on top. Melt remaining 2 TBSP butter and drizzle over top. Bake at 325 degrees for 30-45 min, or until hot and bubbly

BBQ Chicken Tacos

BBQ Chicken Tacos
from the internet

2 cup(s) shredded skinless rotisserie chicken meat
1/3 cup(s) barbecue sauce
1 1/2 cup(s) fresh corn kernels (1/2 cup per ear)
2 plum tomatoes, chopped
1 tablespoon(s) fresh lime juice
8 (6-inch) flour tortillas
3 cup(s) thinly sliced iceberg lettuce
1/2 cup(s) reduced-fat sour cream

Directions
In large bowl, stir together chicken, barbecue sauce, corn, tomatoes, and lime juice.
Just before serving tacos, place stack of tortillas between paper towels on microwave-safe plate; heat in microwave on High 10 to 15 seconds to warm.
To serve, divide lettuce and chicken mixture among tortillas; fold over to eat out of hand. Serve each with a dollop of sour cream.

Turkey (or Chicken) Topper

Good way to use up leftover turkey or chicken.

Turkey (chicken) Topper
from Set for Life: Eat More, Weigh Less, Feel Terrific by Jane P. Merrill and Karen M. Sunderland

Ingredients:
-2 c. cooked and diced turkey and chicken
-1 tsp. instant minced onion
-1 10 3/4 oz. can cream of mushroom soup, low fat
-1/2 c. skim milk
-1 c. cooked mixed vegetables (your choice of veges)
-4-6 baked potatoes

Combine turkey or chicken, onion, soup, milk and vegetables in a medium sized saucepan. Cook until sauce is thick and hot. Thin with more milk if desired. Serve over baked potatoes.

Hawaiin Haystacks: Chicken Sauce Reinvented

I first had this at my sister in law's house and I loved it. I love the alternative to using a cream o' something soup, because I am not a big fan of canned cream o' something soup taste, but I BIG fan of the ease of using a can of cream o' something.

Hawaiian Haystacks: Chicken Sauce Reinvented
YIELD: MAKES ABOUT 4 CUPS CHICKEN SAUCE (ENOUGH TO SERVE 4-6 FOR HAWAIIAN HAYSTACKS)
From: Mel's Kitchen Cafe

INGREDIENTS

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size chunks (or leftover cooked chicken, cubed)
3 tablespoons butter
½ onion (about ½ cup), finely chopped
3 cloves garlic; finely minced
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
¼ cup flour
2 cups milk
1 cup chicken broth
DIRECTIONS

In a large skillet melt the butter over medium heat and add the onion and raw chicken (if using leftover cooked chicken, don’t add it to the skillet now, you’ll add it later). Saute the onion and chicken, if using, until the onions are soft and translucent and the chicken is cooked through, about 5 to 6 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for about one minute, stirring, until fragrant.
Sprinkle the flour over the onions and chicken and stir to combine. Cook over medium heat for one minute – this helps get rid of the starchy, flour taste. Slowly whisk in the milk and chicken broth. Cook, stirring constantly with a whisk, and bring the sauce to a simmer over medium to medium-high heat. Add the salt and pepper. If you are using leftover cooked chicken, add it now. Continue simmering, stirring the sauce frequently, until the sauce has thickened, about 5-8 minutes.
Serve the chicken sauce over rice with your toppings of choice, such as olives, tomatoes, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, green onions, mandarin oranges and chow mein noodles.
Recipe Source: Mel's Kitchen Cafe

**Kat's Note: The order that I LOVE for my hawaiin haystack is: rice, chow mein noodles, chicken gravy, tomatoes, celery, green pepper, green onion, pineapple, cheese,a little more chicken gravy, almonds and coconut. So yummy.

Ranch Chicken Rice Casserole (Mom Simon's)

Super easy. A great way to use leftover chicken and rice, and it's microwavable.

Ranch Chicken Rice Casserole
from Mom Simon

Ingredients:
-2 chicken breasts cooked and chopped small (or leftover rotisserie chicken or other precooked chicken)
-1/2 c. chopped celery
-1/4 c. chopped onion
-3 c. cooked rice
-1/2 c. ranch dressing
-1/2 c. sour cream (light is fine)
-1/2 c. grated cheese
-2 TBSP fresh lemon juice (optional)

Mix all the above ingredients together in a glass baking dish. Microwave until it is hot and the cheese is bubbly ( or bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes, but I prefer the microwave way because the rice does not dry out like it will in the oven).

Easy Sweet and Sour Catalina Chicken

Love this one and it's so easy and quick.

Easy Catalina Chicken
Adapted by Our Best Bites

1 cup Apricot or Apricot-Pineapple Jam (Peach is yummy too)
1 cup Catalina Salad Dressing (Russian works too)
1/2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
1 envelope dry onion soup mix (like Lipton)
3-5 lbs chicken (breasts, bone-in/boneless, thighs, tenders, whatever)*
olive oil

*The amount of chicken you use is very flexible. If you use less, you’ll just have lots of sauce, and if you use more- you’ll have less sauce to spoon over rice, but there’s plenty to cook that much chicken.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Heat a large oven proof skillet or dutch oven to medium-high heat on the stove top. If you don’t have an oven proof one, you can use any skillet and just transfer your chicken to a baking dish after searing.

While pan is heating, place jam, Catalina dressing, cider vinegar, and 1/2 of the onion soup packet (just eyeball it) in a bowl and stir to combine. Set sauce aside. Sprinkle remaining onion soup mix onto chicken pieces and pat on all sides with clean hands.

Drizzle olive oil into hot pan to coat bottom of pan. Place chicken pieces in and cook without moving for 2 minutes. Flip chicken to other side and cook for 2 more minutes. Pour sauce over chicken and spread out evenly over chicken pieces.

Place pan in oven, uncovered and cook until chicken registers 165 on a meat thermometer. Different parts of the chicken will vary in time so gauge according to what you are using. boneless skinless breasts usually take about 20-30 minutes.

Remove from oven and let cool at least 10 minutes. Serve chicken and sauce over hot white rice. Serving size varies according to how much chicken you make, but serves a bunch!

Sweet and Sour Chicken Stir-Fry

This is the best Sweet and Sour Chicken that I have made so far. I really liked it.

Sweet and Sour Chicken Stir-Fry
Recipe by ourbestbites.com

Ingredients

1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/4 cup cold water
1 8 ounce can pineapple chunks, drained and juices reserved
3 tablespoons ketchup
1 tablespoon soy sauce
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon rice vinegar

3-4 teaspoons vegetable oil, divided
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs diced into 1 inch pieces
(you could also use pork tenderloin, or sliced boneless pork chops)
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
3 cups broccoli florets
1 medium bell pepper, stemmed , seeded, and cut into 1/2 inch squares*
hot cooked white or brown rice

*In this post, I used half of the bell pepper, and added 1/2 of a diced onion as well

Instructions
Start cooking your rice so it will be ready.

Combine cornstarch and water in a medium sized bowl and stir to dissolve. Add the reserved pineapple juice*, ketchup, soy sauce, brown sugar, and vinegar to the bowl and stir to combine.

*If you’re using a stainless steel pan, save pineapple juice for de-glazing it

heat 2-3 teaspoons of the oil in a wok or large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken, salt, pepper, garlic, and ginger. Stir-fry until the chicken is cooked and no longer pink, 3-4 minutes. Remove chicken from pan and cover to keep warm.

Add the remaining 1-2 teaspoons oil to the pan and add the broccoli and bell pepper. Stir-fry over medium-high heat until the vegetables are crisp-tender and the broccoli is bright green, 3-5 minutes.

Return the chicken to the pan and add the pineapple chunks and sauce mixture. Bring to a simmer and cook until everything is heated through and the sauce has thickened, 1-2 minutes. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste. Serve over the hot cooked rice. If desired, top with sesame seeds and chopped fresh cilantro or parsley.

Serves 4 (or more like 6 if you’ve got some kiddos in the mix)

Parmesan Chicken Pasta

This is from Meals on the Move: Rush Hour Recipes by Holly Clegg.

Parmesan Chicken Pasta

Ingredients: 2 TBSPS olive oil, 2 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breast, 1 TBSP minced garlic, 1 onion chopped, 1 tsp. dried thyme, 1 tsp. dried oregano, 1 tsp. dried basil, 1 c. chopped tomatoes, salt and pepper to taste, 1 (16 oz.) package bow tie pasta ( I use whole wheat), 1/3 c. grated parmesan cheese ( I use fresh, and mine is closer to 1/2 c.).

In a large skillet coated with non-stick cooking spray, heat the olive oil and cook the chicken for about 5-8 minutes or until lightly browned. Add the garlic and onions and continue cooking until the onion is tender. Add the thyme, oregano, basil, and tomatoes and continue cooking until the tomatoes are well heated, about 5 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Meanwhile, prepare pasta according to package directions; drain. Toss the pasta with the chicken and add the cheese and mix until heated through. Makes 8 servings.

7 Weight Watchers points plus.

Baked Creamy Chicken Taquitos

This ever popular recipe from Our Best Bites is also a favorite of ours ( at least Brent and I. The kids don't count. They ask for pancakes or waffles every night for dinner.)

Baked Creamy Chicken Taquitos
1/3 C (3 oz) cream cheese
1/4 C green salsa
1T fresh lime juice
1/2 t cumin
1 t chili powder
1/2 t onion powder
1/4 t granulated garlic, or garlic powder
3 T chopped cilantro
2 T sliced green onions
2 C shredded cooked chicken (for extra yumminess, use grilled taco chicken!)
1 C grated pepperjack cheese
small flour tortillas
kosher salt
cooking spray

Heat oven to 425. Line a baking sheet with foil and lightly coat with cooking spray.

Heat cream cheese in the microwave for about 20-30 seconds so it’s soft and easy to stir. Add green salsa, lime juice, cumin, chili powder, onion powder and granulated garlic. Stir to combine and then add cilantro and green onions. Add chicken and cheese and combine well.

You can prepare up to this step ahead of time. Just keep the mixture in the fridge.

Work with a few tortillas at a time and heat in the microwave until they are soft enough to roll without cracking. It helps to place them between damp paper towels. Usually 20-30 seconds will do it. If you find yours are cracking when you roll them or are coming unrolled right away, just try heating them longer and try the paper towel thing.

Place 2-3 T of chicken mixture on the lower third of a tortilla, keeping it about 1/2 inch from the edges. Then roll it up as tight as you can. Place seam side down on the baking sheet. Lay all of the taquitos on the baking sheet and make sure they are not touching each other. Spray the tops lightly with cooking spray or an oil mister and sprinkle some kosher salt on top. Place pan in oven and bake for 15-20 minutes or until crisp and the ends start to get golden brown.

Makes 12-16

Freezer Instructions: Prepare the taquitos through rolling them out and placing them on the baking sheet. Place the baking sheet in the freezer and freeze until solid, then transfer to a large freezer bag. When ready to cook, preheat oven to 425 and place the taquitos on a lined baking sheet. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.

Wanna make it a meal?
Serve with a side of Black Beans and a simple green salad with Creamy Lime-Cilantro Dressing. Wash it down with some Brazilian Lemonade!

Skillet Pizza Chicken

I love this recipe. Love It! I think it's delicious and it actually comes together quite easy, especially if your chicken is already thawed. It is from The New Holly Clegg Trim And Terrific Cookbook.

Ingredients: 1 egg white, 1/4 c. buttermilk, 1/4 c. grated parmesan cheese (the bagged stuff works great), 1/2 tsp. dried oregano, 1/2 tsp. dried basil, 1/2 c. all-purpose flour, 1/2 c. bread crumbs, 2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breast pounded thin, 2 c. tomato pasta sauce (i.e. Ragu), 1 c. shredded Mozzarella cheese ( bagged stuff works great).

In a shallow bowl, combine the egg white and buttermilk, beating lightly. On a plate, combine the Parmesan cheese, oregano, basil, flour, and bread crumbs. Dip each piece of chicken in the egg and then in the flour mixture, making sure to completely coat each piece. Set the chicken aside.
Heat a large non-stick skillet coated with non-stick cooking spray over medium heat. Add the chicken, and cook until lightly browned. Turn the chicken and cook several more minutes, or until almost done. Lower the heat, and cover the chicken with the pasta sauce. Top with the Mozzarella, cover the pan, and cook several more minute, or until the cheese is melted. Serves 6. I like to serve it over pasta. So yummy!

Nutritional Value
calories 361
protein 46
carbs 24
fat 8
fiber 2

Crispy Coconut Chicken Fingers

This was very tasty, and I am not a big chicken fan so that is saying a lot. From Our Best Bites

Crispy Coconut Chicken Fingers
Recipe by Our Best Bites

12 chicken tenders (ya know, more or less…)
1-2 eggs (start with one and crack another if it runs out)
1/2 C flour
1 C sweetened coconut flakes
1 C panko bread crumbs
1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
3/4 tsp table salt
3/4 tsp curry powder
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper (you can leave this out if you want to skip the spice for the kiddos)

preheat oven to 450 degrees. Give coconut a rough chop so it’s about the same size as the panko pieces. Combine it with Panko and spices in a shallow dish. Mix well to distribute all of the spices. Place the flour in another shallow dish, and the egg in another. Give the egg a quick beating. Working with one chicken tender at a time, dredge in flour and then dip in egg, and then finally coat in the coconut Panko mixture. Press in with your fingers to make sure the entire thing is well coated.

Place chicken tenders on a foil-lined baking sheet (for easy clean up!) that has been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. I give mine a teeny drizzle of olive oil on top to help them crisp nicely, but it’s optional.

Bake in your 450 degree oven for about 20 minutes or until juices run clear. Try not to overcook them because chicken tenders go from perfect to overcooked really fast! If your tenders are on the small side, they could even be done in about 15 minutes so keep an eye on them. If they’re big they can take more like 25. The coconut will be nice and golden and the panko crisp, but light in color still.

Freezer Instructions: Prepare chicken fingers through coating them in the panko/coconut mixture. Place in a single layer on a lined baking sheet and freeze for several hours. Remove from freezer and transfer to a gallon-sized Ziploc bag or a freezer safe container. When ready to cook, preheat oven to 450. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until juices run clear.

Oven Fried Chicken

This is one of Brent's favorites. It is from Meals On The Move: Rush Hour Recipes by Holly Clegg.

Oven Fried Chicken

Ingredients: 1 c. buttermilk, salt and pepper to taste, 1/2 tsp. minced garlic, 2 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breast, 2 c. italian bread crumbs, 1/4 c. grated parmesan cheese (bagged stuff is fine for this recipe), 2 TBSP. butter or margarine, melted.

Combine buttermilk, salt, pepper, and garlic. Pour over the chicken, turning to coat. Marinate, covered, at least 2 hours, preferably overnight in the refrigerator. Drain the chicken. In a small bowl, combine the bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese. Coat the chicken with this mixture and place on a baking sheet coated with nonstick cooking spray and chill for 30 minutes to an hour. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Drizzle the chicken with the margarine*. Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until tender and golden brown. Makes 6-8 servings.

*I sometimes get lazy, actually a lot of times, and I just spray the chicken over the top with some cooking spray.

Nutritional Value for 8 servings
calories 284
protein 32
carbs 21
fat 7
fiber 1