Easy Chicken Dinner

Ok, this one, I'm almost embarrassed to post. It requires no culinary wizardry at all. But, it's good. And it goes in your crock-pot. And if you throw in a salad or some apple sauce you have a full meal with very little effort. What busy mom or working girl doesn't like that idea. A good, complete meal cooking for you while you go about your day. Here's what you need to do and you can go ahead and start calling me Emeril at any time. :)

Crock-Pot Chicken Dinner

4-6 Chicken Breasts (frozen or thawed)
2 Cans Whole New Potatoes, drained
1/2 Bag Baby Carrots
1 Can each - Cream of Chicken and Cream of Mushroom Soup
Salt, Pepper, Garlic and Onion Powder to taste

Dump it in your crock-pot, stir, set to high for 4-5 hours or low for 6-8 hours. Easy, peezy, lemon squeezy.

Crock-Pot Pork Chops with Apples and Stuffing

That's a HUGE recipe title, isn't it? I didn't know what else to call it. I could have just called it "delish", cause it is! My friend from St. Louis sent this to me a couple of months ago and I've made it twice now. Once in the oven and then once in my crock-pot and they turned out a lot more tender in my crock-pot so that's the version I'm going with from now on. If you like the pork/apples/stuffing combo - this one is a winner! A little sweet, little savory and oh so good! Here's what you need:

Pork Chops with Apples and Stuffing

4-5 Boneless Pork Chops
1 Can Apple Pie Filling
1 Box Chicken Flavor Stove Top Stuffing
Salt and Pepper, to taste

Lightly season pork chops with salt and pepper on both sides. Pour can of apple pie filling in the bottom of the crock-pot. Place pork chops on top and cook on low for 6 hours or on high for 4 hours. About 10 minutes before you are ready to serve, cook Stove Top Stuffing as according to package directions. Spread over pork chops and serve.

Serve with a veggie or any sides you might like with pork!

BBQ Chicken Pizza

A friend from church recently told me about her homemade BBQ Chicken Pizza and I knew I had to give it a try for myself. I used one of my favorite things - a rotisserie chicken from Walmart - these things are so useful in so many different recipes! I also bought the refrigerated pizza dough by Pillsbury (found by the canned biscuits) - which was so good! This came together really fast and everyone loved it! It's nice for a little change every once in a while! Add a side salad and you have a great meal and a lot healthier than regular pizza! Enjoy!

BBQ Chicken Pizza

White Meat (skin and bones removed) from a Rotisserie Chicken - Chopped
1 Can Refrigerated Pizza Dough - Rolled out fairly thin
Red Onion - Thinly sliced
BBQ Sauce - Any kind (I used Sweet Baby Ray's - Honey BBQ Flavor)
Shredded Mozzarella Cheese

Roll out pizza dough and place on lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake for about 4-5 minutes at the temperature stated on the can. (This will help to crisp up your dough a little before adding your ingredients.) Take out of oven and layer the following: BBQ Sauce, shredded chicken, red onion, cheese. Bake the remaining amount of time or until crust is lightly golden and cheese is melted.

Homemade Meatballs

I am a sucker for spaghetti and meatballs - I just love it! This is my mom's recipe and they are WAY better than those frozen meatballs you can buy at the grocery store and they take no time to mix up. I have also made these, then put them in some marinara sauce and let them simmer for an hour or so and they make some super good meatball subs! Top them with provolone cheese and/or parmesan and they are a great meal! Very versatile! :) Enjoy!

Meatballs

1 lb. Lean Ground Beef
1 Cup Italian Style Bread Crumbs
1 tsp. Garlic Powder
1/2 Cup Milk
1 Egg, Beaten
Salt and Pepper to taste

Mix all ingredients in a large bowl and shape into balls. Place on lightly greased cookie sheet and bake at 350 for about 30 minutes or until no longer pink. Add them to your sauce and let simmer until ready to serve.

Chicken Tacos - Crock Pot Recipe

Here's a recipe that a friend from church gave me a while back. They are so easy to throw together and always taste great! A little change from regular beef tacos. Just toss all the ingredients in your crock-pot and when they are done, add your favorite toppings and you have a quick meal.

Chicken Tacos

4 Chicken Breasts (Frozen or thawed)
1 Can Chicken Broth (I use fat free/low sodium)
1 Can Rotel
1 Packet Chicken Taco Seasoning

Add all the above to the crock pot and cook on low 6-8 hours or on high 4 hours. When chicken is tender, remove from crock pot and shred up with 2 forks. Put shredded meat back into crock pot with all the juices and stir.

I use regular flour tortillas and top with cheese, lettuce and sour cream. Add some chips and salsa and enjoy an easy meal!

White Chili (or Chicken Chili)

Well, it's that time of year again! It's getting cold and in my house, that means it's time for soup! I made this the other night along with Sandwich for a Crowd (see recipe in older posts) and it tasted so great together. It's a nice little change from regular chili and is easy to put together. You could even put it in your crock-pot and let it cook on low for several hours for a yummy meal after work one day.

White Chili

2 Tbsp. Olive Oil
2 Cans White Meat Chicken-drained and chopped
2 Cans Great Northern Beans-drained and rinsed
1 small can Green Chilies
1 large Onion-chopped
4 cloves Garlic-minced
6 Cups Chicken Broth (I used fat free/low sodium)
1/4 tsp. Pepper
1 1/2 tsp. Oregano
2 tsp. Cumin
3 Cups Shredded Monterey Jack Cheese (and extra for topping)
Sour Cream for topping
Salt to taste

In a large stock pot, add olive oil and cook onion and garlic over medium heat until soft. Add beans, chilies, chicken and chicken broth. Stir in pepper, oregano, cumin and salt - combine well. Turn to low heat and add 3 cups shredded cheese. Let simmer for at least an hour or put in crock-pot and let cook on low for several hours.

When ready to eat, top each bowl with extra cheese and sour cream. (Don't forget to check out the recipe for Sandwich for a crowd! They went great together!)

Mozzarella Cheese Dip

My sister gave me this recipe and I recently took it to a get-together and it was gone in no time. Several of the girls asked me for the recipe and I thought I'd share it on here as well. It's a really quick dip that you can throw together for a party, shower, or just a yummy evening snack! It's served with pretzels (I always use regular pretzel twists) and can easily be doubled for a large group.

Mozzarella Cheese Dip

8 oz. mayo
8 oz. sour cream
1 TBSP Parmesan cheese
1 TBSP dried parsley
1/2 TBSP sugar
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp garlic powder

Mix all ingredients and let sit overnight. Serve with pretzels.