Apple Cheddar Grain Bowls

Apple Cheddar Grain Bowls

adapted slightly from Kelsey Nixon

Serves 4-6 as a meal, 12-15 as a side

Salad:

4 c. farro (TJs quick cooking farro in the blue bag is awesome for this!)

4 c. kale

4 c. shredded chicken

2 apples, diced

2 avocados, diced and seasoned

1 c. diced white cheddar cheese (TJs Unexpected Cheddar works great here!)

1 c. pecans, roasted and chopped

Creamy Balsamic Dressing:

1/4 c. extra virgin olive oil

1/4 c. balsamic vinegar

2 t. dijon mustard

1/2 c. non fat plain greek yogurt

1/2 t. salt

1/4 t. black pepper

Cook farro according to package directions. Shred or finely chop kale (stems removed). and prepare chicken. apples, avocados, cheese, and pecans.

Prepare dressing by combining all ingredients and whisking until combined.  Add a tablespoon or two of water if it seems too thick.  Adjust salt and pepper to taste. Can be stored in the fridge for up to a week.

For individual salads, divide ingredients equally between bowls and toss with desired amount of dressing. If serving as a larger salad, combine all salad ingredients and add dressing to the desired amount.  

McChicken Sandwiches with Spicy Pickle Ranch

McChicken Sandwiches with Spicy Pickle Ranch

slightly adapted from Dining with Skyler

serves 6

For the Chicken Cutlet:

1 lb ground chicken (or turkey)

1 t. kosher salt

1 t. garlic powder

1 t. onion powder

1 t smoked paprika

all pupose flour for dusting

1 egg, whisked

panko breadcrumbs

avocado oil spray

For the spicy pickle ranch:

1/4 c. mayo

1/4 c. non fat greek yogurt

1 T. pickle juice

1/2-1 T. sriracha

1/4 c. chopped dill pickles, to taste

1/2 t. dill

1/4 t. garlic powder

1/4 t. onion powder

salt and pepper, to taste

lemon juice, to taste (optional)

For assembling:

6 potato buns or 12 King's Hawaiian slider buns

shredded lettuce

dill pickles

American cheese slices (optional)

For the sauce, mix mayo with pickle juice, pickles and seasonings.  Taste and adjust as desired.

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.  In a bowl, mix ground chicken with spices until just combined.  Don't overmix.  

On parchment, press into a thin rectangle large enough to match your bun layout (about a 1/4 inch larger than the buns). Lightly dust with flour, brush with egg, then coat fully in panko, pressing gently to adhere.  Spray generously with avocado oil until fully coated so the oven can actually "fry" the cutlet to a deep golden brown. Use a second sheet of parchment paper to cover and press the meat until it's evenly thin. Flip quickly and repeat on the other side.  

Transfer to a sheet pan, sliding cutlet off of the parchment so it can crisp directly on the sheet pan. Bake for 15 minutes, then broil for a few minutes until golden and crispy (2-5 min depending on the broiler).  Keep an eye on it!

Assemble sandwiches by layering bottom buns, sauce, chicken cutlet, more sauce, pickles, shredded lettuce, optional American cheese, and top buns. Slice and serve immediately.

Caramelized Pineapple and Chorizo Rice Bowls

Caramelized Pineapple and Chorizo Rice Bowls

Serves 4-6

@itsaflavorfullife Instagram

Chorizo pineapple rice:

1 c. organic short grain brown rice

2 c. chicken broth

salt and small pat of butter

1/2 T olive oil

1 lb. chorizo (or Italian sausage or ground chicken sausage)

1 small sweet onion, chopped

4 cloves garlic, minced

2 bell peppers, chopped

1 T butter

2 c. pineapple, cut into small cubes

4 green onions, chopped

Creamy chipotle sauce:

1/4 c. mayo

1/4 c. plain Greek yogurt

1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce + 1 T. adobo sauce

juice of 1 lime

Bring broth to a boil and then add rice, butter and salt.  In a large skillet over medium heat, add olive oil and brown the chorizo until cooked through.  Add onion and saute until softened, translucent and fragrant, about 3-5 minutes.  Add the garlic for 30-60 seconds and then remove the sausage/onion mixture to a bowl, draining off fat if needed.  Saute peppers in the skillet for 2-3 minutes until softened and move to the bowl.  Add 1 T. butter to skillet.  When it is melted and warm, add the pineapple.  Allow to cook and caramelize on one side, without stirring, for about 5 minutes.  Toss and allow to continue to caramelize for a few more minutes, the moisture from the pineapple will help release all the stuck on bits in the pan.  

Add the chorizo, veggies and rice to the caramelized pineapple and toss to combine.  Top with chopped green onions.  Whisk together the chipotle sauce ingredients.  Serve rice bowls with sauce drizzled on top. 

Oven Baked Chicken Fajitas

Oven Baked Chicken Fajitas

Serves 6-8

adapted from Real Mom Kitchen

2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into thin strips

3 T. avocado oil

4 t. chili powder

4 t. cumin

1 t. garlic powder

1 t. oregano

1/2 t. salt

10 oz. can mild Rotel, diced tomatoes with green chiles, drained of excess juice

4 oz. can mild green chiles

1 medium onion, sliced

1 large bell pepper, sliced (half green, half red)

12 flour tortillas

Toppings: cheese, sour cream, guacamole

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place chicken strips on a half sheet baking tray. In a small bowl combine oil and spices into a paste.  Drizzle spice mixture over the chicken and stir to coat. Add drained Rotel tomatoes, peppers, green chiles and onions to the pan and stir to combine.  Bake uncovered 20-25 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and vegetables are tender.  Serve on tortillas with desired toppings.  

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Chicken Alfredo Tortellini

Chicken Alfredo Tortellini

Serves 6

slightly adapted from Macro Friendly Food

1 (19 oz) pkg frozen cheese tortellini

1.5 lbs. cooked chicken, diced

1 large (or 2 small) head of broccoli, cut into bite-size florets

Alfredo Sauce:

2 c. low fat small curd cottage cheese

2 c. low fat 1% milk

1/2 c. grated parmesan cheese

1 t. salt

1/2 t. pepper

1/2 t. garlic powder

1 t. onion powder

2 T. cornstarch

Bring a large pot of water to a boil.  Add broccoli and tortellini. Cook tortellini according to package directions and until broccoli is tender; drain and set aside. 

Combine all sauce ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Pour the mixture into pot used for the tortellini. Warm over medium heat, stirring occasionally until heated through and thickened slightly.  Toss tortellini, broccoli and cooked chicken in sauce.  

Sheet Pan Greek Chicken and Peppers

Sheet Pan Greek Chicken and Peppers

adapted from Kelsey Nixon

serves 6

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoon Greek Seasoning (ex. Covenders)
• 2 teaspoon paprika
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• kosher salt & cracked black pepper
• 3 lbs. boneless chicken thighs
• 2 lbs. baby potatoes, halved
• 2 bell peppers, sliced
• 1 red onion, sliced
• 1 lemon, sliced
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta 
• 1/2 cup kalamata olives, pitted

DILL SAUCE

• 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon fresh dill, finely chopped
• kosher salt & cracked black

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.  Spray a sheet pan with non stick spray.

Add oil, vinegar, spices, garlic and salt and pepper to a gallon ziploc bag.  Add chicken and toss to coat.  Let marinate for up to an hour.  Transfer chicken to sheet pan, allowing excess marinade to drip off.  Reserve marinade.

To the reserved marinade, add potatoes, bell peppers and onion and toss to coat.  Transfer vegetables to sheet pan and arrange in an even layer around the chicken.  Add lemon slices and transfer to the oven to roast for 30-40 minutes (or until potatoes are tender).

Remove from oven and top chicken with crumbled feta and olives.  Roast for an additional 5 minutes or until chicken is cooked through (165 degrees) and potatoes are golden brown.

Serve with Dill Sauce and toasted pita bread.

Eclair Cake

Eclair Cake

from The Recipe Critic

Crust:

1/2 c. (1 stick) butter

1 c. flour

1 c. water

1/4 t. salt

1 T. sugar

4 eggs

Filling:

1 (8 oz.) pkg cream cheese, softened

2 small packages vanilla or chocolate instant pudding

3 c. milk

8 oz. Cool Whip 

chocolate syrup for drizzling on top (optional)

strawberry or banana slices to garnish on top (optional)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. On low heat in a medium saucepan, melt butter on low.  Add water and bring to a boil. Turn off burner and add flour, salt, sugar and mix into a soft ball.  Let cool 5 minutes. Add eggs one at a time and whisk until incorporated.  Spray a jelly rol pan or a 9x13 inch pan with cooking spray. Spread the mixture out in the pan. If using a 9x13 pan, slightly bring the mixture up on the sides. Bake for 25-30 minutes.  The crust will bubble up on the edges and will turn slightly brown. Let it cool completely.

For the filling, in a stand mixer (or using a hand mixer and bowl) mix 1 cup of milk with the cream cheese and mix until creamy.  Add pudding mix and the rest of the milk and mix well together until creamy. Spread over the cooled crust. Spread the Cool Whip on top of the filling mixture.  Top with fruit and chocolate syrup if desired.