Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken

Recipe from Six Sisters Blog

Ingredients:
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (thighs would be fine too)
Salt and pepper
1 cup honey
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup diced onion (I omitted)
1/4 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons vegetable oil (could also use olive oil or canola oil)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional - doesn't really add heat, just adds more flavor)
4 teaspoons cornstarch dissolved in 6 Tablespoons water
Sesame seeds (I didn't have any on hand, but will definitely add next time!)

Directions: 
Season both sides of chicken with lightly with salt and pepper, put into crock pot. In a small bowl, combine honey, soy sauce, onion, ketchup, oil, garlic and pepper flakes. Pour over chicken. Cook on low for 3-4 hours or on high 1 1/2 – 2 1/2 hours, or just until chicken is cooked through. Remove chicken from crock pot, leave sauce. Dissolve 4 teaspoons of cornstarch in 6 tablespoons of water and pour into crock pot. Stir to combine with sauce. Replace lid and cook sauce on high for ten more minutes or until slightly thickened. Cut chicken into bite size pieces, then return to pot and toss with sauce before serving. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve over rice or noodles.
*You can also sprinkle more red pepper flakes on top if you want more heat.

Lemon Orzo & Chicken

Recipe from here.

Ingredients

• The juice of one lemon
• 1 large chicken breast, butterflied
• 1 ½ cup uncooked orzo
• ½ cup low-fat sour cream
• ¼ cup Parmesan cheese
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 Tablespoon olive oil
• ½ teaspoon salt
• Zest of one half lemon
• ½ pint grape tomatoes cut in half
• 5 basil leaves

Directions

1. In a small bowl, squeeze the lemon juice over the chicken and sprinkle with ¼ teaspoon salt. Let it sit for about twenty minutes. Heat a grill to medium high-heat (or a grill pan)
2. Cook chicken until just done (about 3 minutes each side) remove from grill to a plate, cover with foil and set aside.
3. Bring a pan of water to a boil and cook Orzo according to package directions.
4. Meanwhile, in a medium sized bowl, mix together sour cream, Parmesan, garlic, olive oil salt and lemon zest.
5. When the Orzo is cooked, drain and put in a large bowl – add the sour cream mixture, tomatoes and basil.
6. Cut the chicken breasts into strips and place on top of the orzo!

Baked Chicken Fajitas

I looooove fajitas, and decided to try baking them after seeing this recipe on pinterest. It was so quick, easy, and delicious!

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips

1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes (drain the juice out)

1 (4 oz) can diced green chilies

1 large bell pepper, seeded and sliced

2 T vegetable oil

2 t. chili powder

2 t. cumin

1/2 t. garlic powder

1/2 t. dried oregano

salt & pepper

12 flour tortillas, warmed to serve

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Grease a 13×9 baking dish. Mix together chicken, tomatoes, chilies, and peppers in the dish.

In a small bowl combine the oil and spices. Drizzle the spice mixture over the chicken and toss to coat.

Bake uncovered for 25 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender. Serve with warmed tortillas, sour cream, and shredded cheddar and enjoy!!

Spicy Cashew Chicken

I am always trying out different stir-fry recipes, but I think I have found my go-to recipe! This looked so pretty, was super delicious, and very healthy!

Recipe from here.

Ingredients:

• 1 tbs vegetable oil
• 1 tbs toasted sesame oil
• 1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, sliced into thin strips
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
• 1/2 medium red pepper, thinly sliced
• 1/2 medium yellow pepper, thinly sliced
• 3 cups broccoli florets, cut to about 1 to 1 1/2 inch thick pieces
• 1/2 cup unsalted cashews, crush into small pieces
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1/3 cup water
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes

Preparation:

Stir fries are all about quick cooking. Make sure all of your ingredients are diced, minced, measured, and on standby for things to go smoothly.

Mix the vegetable oil and sesame oil in a small bowl.

Heat 1 tbs of the oil mix in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat, until shimmering. Add chicken and cook, stirring frequently, until no longer pink, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove and let sit in a bowl.

In same wok or skillet over medium-high heat, add the remaining oil, and when hot, add garlic and ginger. Cook, stirring frequently, for 1 minute. Add pepper slices and broccoli and continue to cook until vegetables are tender yet maintain some crunch, about 5 minutes. Keep everyone moving around the wok by stirring constantly. Add cashews and cook 1 minute more. Throw chicken back into the party and stir.

While everyone is cooking in the wok, whisk together soy sauce, water, cornstarch, and red pepper flakes. When everything is cooked through, add to the wok and mix well. Sauce will thicken quickly.

Serve right away with some whole grain rice.

Chicken Rollatini with Spinach alla Parmigiana

Recipe from here.

• 6 thin chicken cutlets
• 1/2 cup whole wheat Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese, divided
• 6 tablespoons egg beaters
• 5 oz frozen spinach, squeezed dry of any liquid
• 6 tbsp part skim ricotta cheese
• 6 oz part skim mozzarella
• olive oil non-stick spray
• 1 cup your favorite marinara sauce
• salt and pepper to taste

Wash and dry cutlets, season with salt and pepper. Preheat oven to 450°. Lightly spray a baking dish with non-stick spray.

Combine breadcrumbs and 2 tbsp grated cheese in one bowl and 1/4 cup egg beaters in another.

Shred or finely chop 1.5 oz of mozzarella cheese and combine with remaining grated cheese, spinach (make sure you squeeze it dry), 2 tbsp egg beaters, and ricotta cheese.

Lay chicken cutlets down on a working surface and spread 2 tbsp of spinach-cheese mixture on each cutlet. Loosely roll each one and keep seam side down.

Dip chicken in egg mixture, then in breadcrumbs and place seam side down in a baking dish (no toothpicks needed). Repeat with the remaining chicken. When finished, lightly spray with olive oil.

Bake 25 minutes. Remove from oven, top with sauce then cheese.

Bake until cheese is melted and bubbling, about 3 more minutes. Serve with additional sauce on the side and grated cheese.

Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken

Recipe from here.

Ingredients

• 4 boneless, skinless, chicken breasts
• 2 14.5 oz can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
• 4 garlic cloves
• 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1 tbsp. olive oil
• 1 tsp each: dried oregano,basil, and rosemary
• 1/2 tsp thyme
• ground black pepper and salt to taste

Directions

1. Pour the olive oil on bottom of slow cooker, add chicken breasts, salt and pepper each breast, put sliced onion on top of chicken then put in all the dried herbs and garlic cloves. Pour in vinegar and top with tomatoes.
2. Cook on high 4 -5 hours, serve over angel hair pasta.

Quick Chicken Divan

Photo & Recipe from Prevention Magazine

I was way too tired last night to take my own photo, but this was really yummy!

I altered the recipe a little...and it was delish!

Ingredients:

8 oz. pasta, your choice. I used a whole grain spiral.

1 lb. broccoli, cut up

1 tbsp. butter

2 tsp. dried basil

1 tsp. chopped garlic

4 1/2 tsp. flour

1 cup reduced sodium chicken broth

2/3 cup low fat milk

3/4 tsp. salt

1 small rotisserie chicken, meat pulled off the bone

1/2 cup grated parm/romano cheese

Directions:

1. Boil pasta. Add broccoli during last 5 minutes. Darin.

2. Melt butter with basil and garlic in pasta pot and stir in flour. When light brown, whisk in broth, milk, and salt. Bring to a boil.

3. Toss with chicken, pasta/broccoli, and cheese. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Crock Pot Chicken Taco Chili

Recipe from here and here.

1 14.5-oz can black beans
1 14.5-oz can kidney beans
1 14.5-oz can tomato sauce

2 14.5-oz cans diced tomatoes w/chilies

10 oz package frozen sweet corn kernels

1 packet taco seasoning

1 tbsp cumin
1 tbsp chili powder
(3) boneless skinless chicken breasts
chili peppers, chopped (optional)

Combine beans, chili peppers, corn, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, cumin, chili powder and taco seasoning in a slow cooker. Place chicken on top and cover. Cook on low for 10 hours or on high for 6 hours. Half hour before serving, remove chicken and shred. Return chicken to slow cooker and stir in. Top with cheese & sour cream!

Healthy Baked Chicken Nuggets

These are DELISH!!!!

Recipe from here.

(2 - 3 large) skinless boneless chicken breasts, cut into even bit sized pieces

salt and pepper to taste

2 tsp olive oil

6 tbsp whole wheat Italian seasoned breadcrumbs

2 tbsp panko

2 tbsp grated parmesan cheese

olive oil spray

Preheat oven to 425°. Spray a baking sheet with olive oil spray.

Put the olive oil in one bowl and the breadcrumbs, panko and parmesan cheese in another.

Season chicken with salt and pepper, then put in the bowl with the olive oil and mix well so the olive oil evenly coats all of the chicken.

Put a few chunks of chicken at a time into the breadcrumb mixture to coat, then on the baking sheet. Lightly spray the top with olive oil spray then bake 10 minutes. Turn over then cook another 10 minutes or until cooked though.

Chipotle-Chicken Burrito

Recipe from here.

Ingredients:
2 cups cooked long-grain rice
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Zest and juice from 1 lime
1/2 pound chicken breasts, cooked, chopped (I used leftover Lime and Chili Rubbed Chicken!)
1 can (15 oz.) black beans, rinsed
1 tomato, seeded, chopped
6 flour tortillas (10 inch)
3/4 cup BREAKSTONE'S Zesty Blends Chipotle Sour Cream

Directions:
MIX rice, cilantro, zest and juice until well blended. Combine next 3 ingredients in separate bowl.
SPREAD tortillas with sour cream; top with rice and chicken mixtures.
ROLL up, tucking in both sides of each tortilla as it is rolled.

Lime and Chili Rubbed Chicken

Photo&Recipe from here.

Delicious!

Ingredients:

2 teaspoons chili powder
2 teaspoons packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons grated lime peel
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper (cayenne)
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1 1/4 lb)
2 teaspoons olive or canola oil

Directions:

1) Heat gas or charcoal grill. In small bowl, mix chili powder, brown sugar, lime peel, salt, garlic powder and ground red pepper. Rub both sides of chicken with oil, then with spice mixture.

2) Place chicken on grill over medium heat. Cover grill; cook 10 to 15 minutes, turning once or twice, until juice of chicken is clear when center of thickest part is cut.

Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings

Ingredients:

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts

2 tbsp butter

2 (10.75 oz cans condensed cream of chicken soup

2 potatoes, cubed

2 or 3 carrots, cut up

1 (16 oz.) package refrigerated biscuit dough, torn into pieces

Directions:

Place chicken, butter, soup, potatoes, and carrots in a slow cooker and fill with enough water to cover.

Cover and cook on High 5 to 6 hours.

About 45 minutes before serving, place torn biscuit dough in the slow cooker. Cook until the dough is no longer raw in the center.

Thyme-Garlic Chicken

Recipe from BHG

The flavor was delicious! But next time I'll try doubling the liquids. Chicken was a little bit dry.

Ingredients:
4 chicken breasts
4 cloves garlic, minced
1-1/2 teaspoons dried thyme, crushed
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup orange juice
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

Directions:
1. Clean chicken. Sprinkle chicken with garlic, thyme, salt. Place chicken in a 4-quart slow cooker. Pour orange juice and vinegar over chicken.

2. Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 6 to 7 hours or on high-heat setting for 3 to 3-1/2 hours. Remove chicken from slow cooker; cover and keep warm. Discard cooking juices.

Roast Chicken with Balsamic Bell Peppers

Recipe from Cooking Light

3/4 teaspoon salt, divided
3/4 teaspoon fennel seeds, crushed
1/2 teaspoon black pepper, divided
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
4 (6-ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breasts
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
Cooking spray
2 cups thinly sliced red bell pepper
1 cup thinly sliced yellow bell pepper
1/2 cup thinly sliced shallots (about 1 large)
1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary
1 cup fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

1. Preheat oven to 450°.

2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Combine 1/2 teaspoon salt, fennel seeds, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, garlic powder, and oregano. Brush chicken with 1 1/2 teaspoons oil; sprinkle spice rub over chicken. Add 1 1/2 teaspoons oil to pan. Add chicken; cook 3 minutes or until browned. Turn chicken over; cook 1 minute. Arrange chicken in an 11 x 7–inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Bake at 450° for 10 minutes or until done.

3. Heat remaining olive oil over medium-high heat. Add bell peppers, shallots, and rosemary; sauté 3 minutes. Stir in broth, scraping pan to loosen browned bits. Reduce heat; simmer 5 minutes. Increase heat to medium-high. Stir in vinegar, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper; cook 3 minutes, stirring frequently. Serve bell pepper mixture over chicken.

Chicken Stuffed with Spinach, Feta, and Pine Nuts

Recipe from Cooking Light

5 ounces fresh spinach, chopped
1/2 cup (2 ounces) crumbled feta cheese
2 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted
1 teaspoon fresh thyme, minced
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
2 garlic cloves, minced
4 (6-ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 cup fat-free, lower-sodium chicken broth

1. Preheat oven to 350°.

2. Heat a large nonstick ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add spinach to pan; cook 1 minute or until spinach wilts, tossing constantly. Place spinach in a colander; press until barely moist. Wipe pan clean.

3. Combine spinach, cheese, nuts, thyme, juice, and garlic. Cut a horizontal slit through the thickest portion of each chicken breast half to form a pocket. Stuff 3 tablespoons filling into each pocket. Seal with wooden picks. Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper.

4. Heat oil in pan over medium-high heat. Add chicken; cook 3 minutes on each side or until brown. Add broth, and cover pan. Place pan in oven. Bake at 350° for 15 minutes or until done.

Crockpot Chicken Taco Chili

Recipe from This Blog

Ingredients

• 1 onion, chopped (I omitted)
• 1 16-oz can black beans
• 1 16-oz can kidney beans
• 1 8-oz can tomato sauce
• 10 oz package frozen corn kernels
• 2 14.5-oz cans diced tomatoes w/chilies
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 1 tbsp cumin
• 1 tbsp chili powder
  
• 24 oz. (3) boneless skinless chicken breasts
• chili peppers, chopped (optional)
  
• chopped fresh cilantro
• shredded cheese
• sour cream
• 1 avocado

Combine beans, onion, chili peppers, corn, tomato sauce, cumin, chili powder and taco seasoning in a slow cooker. Place chicken on top and cover. Cook on high for 6 hours. Half hour before serving, shred chicken in crockpot with fork.

I served over brown rice and topped with shredded cheese, sour cream, fresh cilantro, & avocado.

Cilantro-Lime Chicken with Avocado Salsa

Recipe from Cooking Light

Chicken:
2 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro
2 1/2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
3 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1/4 teaspoon salt
Cooking spray

Salsa:
1 cup chopped plum tomato (about 2)
2 teaspoons fresh lime juice
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 avocado, peeled and finely chopped

1. Pound chicken down and trim fat. To prepare chicken, combine first 4 ingredients in a large bowl; toss and let stand 3 minutes. Remove chicken from marinade; discard marinade. Sprinkle chicken evenly with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add chicken to pan; cook 6 minutes on each side or until done.

2. To prepare salsa, combine tomato and next 3 ingredients (through pepper) in a medium bowl. Add avocado; stir gently to combine. Serve salsa over chicken.

Pineapple Jerk Chicken and Rice

Recipe from Rachael Ray

Ingredients:
2 cups brown rice
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 onion, chopped (I omitted)
1 jalapeño chile—stemmed, seeded and finely chopped
1 1/2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
Salt and pepper
1/2 pineapple, cut into 3/4-inch pieces (about 3 cups)
1/2 cup jerk marinade, such as Lawry's
One 15-ounce can black beans, rinsed
1/2 cup chopped cilantro

Directions:
1.In a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook the rice, uncovered and stirring occasionally, until tender, about 30 minutes; drain.

2.Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion (omitted) and jalapeño and cook until the onion is browned, 7 minutes; transfer to a bowl.

3.Add the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil to the same skillet and increase the heat to medium-high. Season the chicken with salt and pepper, then add to the pan and cook until browned, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the pineapple and jerk marinade and simmer until the chicken is cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the onion mixture, black beans and cilantro; cook until the beans are heated through, about 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper and serve over the rice.

Chicken Avocado Sandwiches

I have made these a few times, but I forgot to ever post them. These sandwiches are sssoooooo yummy! And easy!

Recipe from Prevention

Ingredients:
1 c mashed avocado, about 1 medium
1 Tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice (about 1/2 lime)
1/2 tsp green pepper sauce
1 c baby spinach
10 oz grilled or roasted chicken breast, sliced (about 2 c) (i used rotisserie)
1 mango, peeled, pitted, and sliced (about 1 c)
2 or 3 whole grain rolls, split

1. Combine avocado, lime juice, and green pepper sauce, in small bowl. Spread top and bottom halves of rolls with 2 tablespoons each of the avocado-lime mixture.

2. Layer 1/4 cup of the spinach, one-quarter of the chicken, and 1/4 cup of the mango on bottom halves. Top with other halves of rolls.

Chicken Broccoli Stirfry

Recipe from Whole Foods

Healthy, Filling, & Delicious!

Ingredients:
8 ounces whole wheat linguine
3/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
3 tablespoons soy sauce
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 teaspoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 pound Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts, cut into strips
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons minced peeled fresh ginger
3 cups small fresh broccoli florets
1 carrot, peeled and cut into thin strips

Directions:
Cook linguine according to package instructions, drain and keep warm. Meanwhile, combine broth, soy, pepper and cornstarch in a bowl. Heat a wok or heavy skillet over high heat. When very hot, add 1 tablespoon oil. Add chicken and stir-fry until lightly browned, about 2 minutes. Remove from wok and set aside. Add remaining oil, garlic and ginger; stir-fry 30 seconds. Add broccoli and carrot; stir-fry 2 minutes. Add soy mixture and chicken, stir well, and cover. Lower heat to medium and simmer until vegetables are tender, about 3 minutes. Toss with linguine and serve. I also threw in some chopped peanuts!