Day 129: Easy Chicken and Cheese Enchiladas

Original Source: Campbellskitchen.com

If you've read my other posts, you'll know I'm not a fan of Cream of ____ soups. I don't like much processed foods at all, but occasionally, and until I learn how to make my own, I give in and use it. Especially for a family favorite like this one. I used to make these religiously in our house, and then I lost the recipe and forgot about it. Thank you Google. I have it again. Everyone in this house LOVES these and prefers them to regular "real" enchiladas. So yes, this is a definite try!

Get the recipe HERE

Day 128: Oven Fajitas

Take me out for Mexican food and 4 times out of 5, I'm probably ordering fajitas. I've tried making variations of them at home, and they're all yummy, but nothing beats that steaming plate they bring you, sizzling and popping vegetable juices all over the place. Not really going to get that effect in an oven, I know, but I had to try this because look at it. Why wouldn't I??? Looks fantastic!

And it was really good! No sizzle and pop, but the flavor was spot on and prep was really easy. It was a win for the whole family.

Voila!! I think I would love some sliced avocado on this!

Get the recipe HERE

Day 119: Tex- Mex White Cheddar Chicken Spaghetti

Original Source: Lauren's Latest

My Guy cooked this one, and even my cheese-hating Teen Boy loved it. It's really really good. I only ate a little, piled on a lot of greens to make me feel a little fuller as pasta tends to have an adverse reaction for my weight. But trust me, I wanted more. My Guy claims it was fairly easy and quick to cook, as well. I'll take his word for it.

(Also, is there anything sexier than being cooked for by your significant other? I think not.)

Get the recipe HERE

Day 108: Lemon Angel Hair and Chicken and Spinach

Original Source: Recipe Crayon Box

I don't get to eat pasta much anymore. I don't think it agrees with my stomach, as much as it agrees with my tastebuds. However, I had to try this one, because I'm a sucker for all things angel hair. 

The whole meal took fifteen minutes or less, which you can't argue with.

Our thoughts: Me and My Guy said it was a little too lemony, so next time, I'll reduce the amount of lemon I put in. Teen Boy is not a fan of cheese, and so he didn't like the amount of parmesan in it (which I couldn't really taste because of afore mentioned lemon) so next time, I'll serve his before adding the cheese.

But there will probably be a next time, because over all, it was pretty yummy.

Get the recipe HERE

Day 95: Chicken Tikka Masala

Original Source: Chef in Training

This was a whole new world of flavor for my family. I wasn't sure the kids would like it (teens) but they all seemed to. The cinnamon was a bit strong, so I might cut it next time, but only by a bit because I know much of the flavor came from it. It's rich and decadent, and I served it over rice. Everyone loved it. Will definitely be doing this one again.

My sauce did come out darker than the original photo but not this dark. The lighting was responsible for most of the brown here.

GET THE RECIPE HERE

Day 90: Crockpot Orange Chicken

Original Source: Team T Adventures

Looks good, doesn't it? Well, wait till you see MY pictures. Not so much. I don't know if the cooking time was off or what, but my sauce was so burnt, it was inedible. We ordered pizza and tossed good money down the drain. I cooked on low, as per instructions, but I guess my crockpot cooks faster because it didn't take long for the stank of burnt orange to clog up my house.

Look how pretty it started out....

And look at what it became.... (Frowny face)

If you still want the recipe (first time a crockpot recipe has ever burned in this house!!) get it HERE

Day 87: Bacon Wrapped Chicken Tenders

Original Source: Unknown

Okay, so I found this idea on Pinterest a while back, but other than "wrap bacon around chicken and cook" there was no recipe. So I created my own. I give it to you here.

I've made this a couple of times, and a couple of ways. The first time, I wrapped raw bacon around raw tenders that I had marinated in salt, pepper and ranch dressing. Yummy! But the bacon didn't cook all the way and wasted bacon makes me cry.

The second time, I marinated the chicken in a sweet and spicy sauce (pick any flavor you like), cooked the bacon for a few minutes first, so that it was still plyable but not crunchy at all. Slapped them on the grill and perfection!

• All you need is a package of chicken tenders
• enough bacon strips for your portions (1 slice per piece of chicken is fine)
• marination of choice

Day 80: Beer Butt Chicken - Version 2

Original Source: Allrecipes.com

What do you do when you want a beer butt chicken but have no beer and no desire to go to the store? You improvise!

I recently did a post for another version of Beer in the Rear chicken, and it was tasty. Half a can of beer, some herbs and a grill, and voila. Tasty, juicy bird. This time, however, I tried another version, replaced half the carbonated beverage (Diet Dr Pepper in this case) with the butter etc, that the recipe called for, and in my opinion, it was a way tastier version than THIS. Albeit, it was, I'm sure, less healthy, given all that scrumptious butter.

Get the recipe HERE

Day 75: Crock Pot Chicken

Original Source: Food.com

I'm getting really bad about this. Forgetting to take pictures because the smell of food in my house makes it impossible to wait long enough to find willpower to snap a photo. So, all I have to say about that, is thank goodness some recipes look just like the original photo when you're done. I can totally say that about this one.

I love roasted chicken. I used to make one every weekend. I even love a whole bird on the grill (check out Beer in the Rear chicken for a nice treat). But putting one in the crockpot? What???? Okay, I gave it a go.

Place chicken in crockpot, season with seasonings in recipe.. don't add water??? That was the first thing I noticed. And I panicked, because everything in the crockpot requires liquid. Doesn't it? The recipe says that the chicken will produce enough juices that no other liquid is required. Well, I don't know if it's because I bought organic, free range, small birds or what, but by about hour 3, my crock pot was still bone dry. My house smell great, but I don't know enough about the science of crockery cooking to chance it. I added about 1/2 a cup of water just as a precaution.

What resulted was a FANTASTICALLY tender, yummy bird. Granted, the skin wasn't that crisp, but that's probably because I added the water. This is definitely not leaving my recipe app!!!

HOWEVER, a word of precaution, though I know it's a matter of taste. . . . I did NOT like the left over version of this. I didn't like the smell when I heated it up for lunch, and the yummy, melt in your mouth quality it had the night before had vanished. Regardless, it probably would have been fine for a chicken salad or something.

TRY THIS!!!!! So freaking fast and easy. Set it and forget it!!

Get the recipe here

Day 72: Chicken Piccata

Original Source: Ok, I'll Eat That

Warning: If the taste of lemon bothers you, this is NOT your dish. Good thing I love me some lemon!

This was my first experience with a caper, however, and while I didn't mind the taste it gave the chicken, I did not enjoy eating the actual capers themselves. I heard they were very olive-like. I don't agree. However, this was a really tasty dish! I think Teen Girl and I loved it more than the boys, but it was easy and, served over some orzo or pasta, a complete meal that I'll definitely be keeping in my Paprika recipes.

Get the Recipe HERE

Day 71: Beer in the Rear Chicken

Original Source: Food Network

Hello Jamie Deen! Thank you!

This isn't the first Beer Butt chicken I've tried but it's the juiciest so far! I'm always surprised that I never taste a beer flavor with these birds, and am guessing you could use a can of Dr. Pepper or anything else bubbly/liquidy like that in its place. I put rosemary and thyme sprigs in the can after marinating the bird all day, then passed it to My Guy for grilling. Perfection!

Look how brown and crispy!

Get the recipe here!

Day 70: White Chicken Chilly

Original Source: (ME) 

Please note, I created this recipe before I transitioned to veg.... However, I've since made it several times by simply omitting the chicken, adding an extra can of drained beans (or 2 if you want it less soupy)... and using Better Than Chicken NO chicken bouillon instead of chicken broth.

Since I, myself, pinned this a long time ago, I think it qualifies for Pinned Recipes! It really is one of my favorite winter dinners, and I far prefer it to most brown chilis.... I can't recommend it enough. The original recipe came from a friend years ago, but I've since tweaked it for flavor. Enjoy!

Get the recipe HERE