Cheesy Chicken & Rice

This is another recipe I came across on Pinterest. It was called "slow cooker" recipe, but considering you have to cook the rice on the stove, I don't really consider it a slower cooker meal. Regardless, it was REALLY good--and my kids loved it, too!

Cheesy Chicken & Rice

1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 can condensed cream of chicken soup
8 oz. box of yellow rice mix (I used Goya brand)
1 can of yellow corn
4 oz. shredded cheddar cheese

Cook the chicken breasts however you'd like (I put them in the crock pot with the cream of chicken soup, and let them cook on high for three hours). Cook the rice mix according to package directions. Shred the chicken when it's done cooking, and then combine the cooked rice mix, chicken, cream of chicken soup, corn, and cheese. Makes 6 servings (approximately 1 cup each).

read more "Cheesy Chicken & Rice"

BBQ Chicken Pizza

My family eats pizza for dinner every Friday, and I found myself short on the usual ingredients. I had to throw something together really quickly, and I made this BBQ Chicken Pizza on the fly. It turned out really good!

BBQ Chicken Pizza

Crust:
2 cups of Heart Smart Bisquick
1/4 cup fat-free sour cream
1/4 cup very hot water

Toppings:
1/4 cup barbecue sauce (I like Sweet Baby Ray's)
6 oz. cooked chicken, chopped or shredded
2 oz. shredded 2% cheddar cheese
thinly sliced red onion
1/4 cup Hormel crumbled bacon

To make the crust, just combine the Bisquick, sour cream, and water. It will look dry, but if you use your hands to knead it, it will come together. Roll it out onto an ungreased cookie sheet.

Spread the sauce evenly over the crust. Top with chicken, cheese, onions, and bacon. Bake at 400 degrees for about 15-20 minutes, until crust is light brown and cheese is melted.

I didn't calculate the nutrition info, but I put it into the Recipe Builder on the Weight Watchers site, and it has 5 PointsPlus per slice (if you get 8 slices from the pie).

read more "BBQ Chicken Pizza"

Chicken 'n' Noodles

I was really in the mood for some creamy comfort food, and since I already had cooked and shredded chicken in the fridge, I just threw this meal together last-minute. Jerry and I both loved it! If the chicken is already cooked, the whole meal comes together very quickly.

I'm sorry, but this recipe has been migrated to my everyday blog, Runs for Cookies. This link is a direct link to that recipe. Thanks!  --Katie

read more "Chicken 'n' Noodles"

Crock Pot Italian Chicken Penne

This creamy comfort food pasta dish is perfect for a cold day!

I'm sorry, but this recipe has been migrated to my everyday blog, Runs for Cookies. This is a direct link to the recipe. Thanks for stopping by!  --Katie

read more "Crock Pot Italian Chicken Penne"

Chicken Stew

I like this when I'm looking for some comfort food. It's hot and creamy and filling.

Chicken Stew

2 tsp. olive oil
1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts
3 medium carrots, chopped or sliced
16 oz. potatoes, peeled and diced
1 onion, chopped
1 cup frozen green peas
1 1/2 cups frozen green beans
1 cup frozen corn
2 cups chicken broth
1 Tbsp. cornstarch

Heat olive oil in a pan and sauté the onion and carrots. Add the chicken and cook until chicken is browned. Add the potatoes and broth, and simmer until the potatoes are soft (I cover the pan for this part). Add the peas, corn, and green beans, and bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Combine the cornstarch with a couple of tablespoons of water, and add it to the pot. Stir until thickened.

read more "Chicken Stew"

Chicken Tortilla Soup

This is a mock-Max & Erma's Chicken Tortilla Soup recipe that I got online. Really fast to throw it together, and delicious! Got a lot of compliments when I served it to my hubby's friends. I used low fat/fat free canned soups where I could.  Here's the recipe with my changes:

Chicken Tortilla Soup

1 onion, chopped
1 can  Healthy Request cream of chicken (I used 98% fat free soups where I could)
1 can Healthy Request cream of mushroom
1 can Healthy Request cream of celery
1 can fiesta nacho cheese soup (or if you can't find that, you can use cheddar cheese soup)
1 quart of chicken broth
1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes
1 cup salsa
1 small can diced green chiles
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. red chili powder
1 pound chicken breasts, cooked and shredded (it's way better if you take the time to shred them, instead of chop them)

Add all ingredients to a large soup pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer one hour.
Makes 8 servings.

read more "Chicken Tortilla Soup"

Sweet & Sour Chicken

This is my very healthy sweet and sour chicken recipe. You could also make this with pork.

2 tsp. olive oil
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
About 20-30 baby carrots (sliced), or a few large carrots
1 large onion
1 large green bell pepper
1 clove garlic or 1 tsp. jarred minced garlic
1 tsp. minced ginger (fresh or jarred, I always use jarred because that's what I keep on hand)
1 can (about 15 oz) pineapple tidbits, drained (reserve juice)
2 Tbsp. rice vinegar (you could use white vinegar if you don't have the rice vinegar)
1 Tbsp. soy sauce
1 Tbsp. packed brown sugar
2 Tbsp. cold water
2 Tbsp. corn starch
Cooked rice, for serving  <---I always start cooking this first, and then right when it's done cooking, I'm finished with the chicken

Heat a large skillet over medium to medium high heat, and and add oil. Slice the carrot and add it to the skillet. Chop the onion and green pepper and add that (if you like your green pepper crispier, then add it later--but I like mine to be pretty soft).

While those are cooking, chop the chicken into bite-size pieces and add them to the skillet. Add the garlic and ginger. Cook until the chicken is done, stirring frequently. Add enough water to the pineapple juice to make 1 cup of liquid, and add that to the skillet. Bring to a boil, and then add the soy sauce, vinegar, and brown sugar. Add the pineapple tidbits. Stir well to comine. Put the 2 Tbsp. water in a small bowl and stir in the corn starch until it's dissolved. Then add the cornstarch mixture to the skillet, stirring well. The sauce will get very thick. Serve over rice.

read more "Sweet & Sour Chicken"

Chicken Taco Soup

This is really hearty and a great soup for a cold day! It's pretty thick, and could almost pass for chili or stew.  It's LOADED with fiber. The refried beans make the soup really thick and velvety.

Chicken Taco Soup  (in a slow cooker)

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken
1 pkg. ranch dressing mix
1 pkg. taco seasoning
1 can diced tomatoes (14 oz)
1 can black beans
1 can red beans
1 can vegetarian baked beans
1 can fat-free refried beans
1 can yellow corn
1 onion, chopped (or about 2 Tbsp. dehydrated onions, if you don't feel like chopping veggies)

This is super easy to just throw together in the morning. Combine everything in the slow cooker (don't drain any of the beans). Cook on low for 8 hours, or high for about 5 or 6 hours.  Using two forks, shred the chicken and stir before serving.  6 servings.

read more "Chicken Taco Soup"

BBQ Chicken Pizza (single-serve)

I was craving BBQ chicken pizza for the longest time, and the frozen lean cuisine one I tried was TERRIBLE.  I played around with tortillas to make them seem more crust-like... and discovered that pre-baking them makes a fabulous pizza crust!  Don't skip the pre-baking... it makes it delicious!

The type of barbecue sauce you use can either make or break this recipe. Pick a sauce you love, obviously. I use Sweet Baby Ray's Hickory & Brown Sugar.

BBQ Chicken Pizza

1 tortilla or flat bread (shown in the picture is white lavash bread)
3 oz. cooked chicken, torn into chunks (I bought a bag of frozen chicken breast strips)
2 Tbsp. good barbecue sauce (I love Sweet Baby Ray's)
1-2 paper thin slices of red onion, roughly chopped
1 oz. low-fat cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 375. (While it's preheating, I usually prep the other ingredients). When it's preheated, put the tortilla on a baking sheet (no oil or anything) and put it in the oven for 5 minutes. Flip it over, and heat for another 5 minutes. It'll be stiff and crispy, but still a little pliable. Meanwhile, combine the chicken, barbecue sauce, and onion in a small bowl and microwave for about 30 seconds just to heat it a little and soften the onion. 
When the tortilla is ready, spread the chicken mixture on the tortilla--it may seem skimpy, without enough sauce or something, but don't add more sauce. It'll be TOO saucy.  Top the whole thing with the cheese. Bake for another 5 minutes or so, until the cheese is melted. Cut into quarters.

read more "BBQ Chicken Pizza (single-serve)"

Chicken (or Mushroom) Paprikash

My all-time FAVORITE comfort food is my mom's chicken paprikash.  She makes the chicken by dredging it in flour and frying it, then makes these awesome dumplings (similar to gnocci) and a paprika-sour cream gravy to go over everything. I always used to pick that for my birthday dinners!  Anyways, here is my "light" version of my favorite comfort meal.  It tastes better than it looks, I promise :)

For Mushroom Paprikash: As you may know, I'm not a big fan of chicken. So I've actually made this with whole button mushrooms before, instead of the chicken, and it was DELICIOUS. Cook it the same way, only substitute mushrooms for the chicken breasts. You can use plain water or vegetable broth for the chicken broth.

Chicken Paprikash

1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts (whole or cut in chunks)
2 medium onions, thinly sliced
4 tsp. olive oil
2 Tbsp. paprika (note: that is TABLESPOONS, not teaspoons... it seems like a lot, but trust me)
1/2 cup chicken broth
salt & pepper to taste
1 cup fat free sour cream
8 oz. (dry) egg noodles

Start a pot of water to boil for the noodles, and cook according to package directions.  Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat olive oil. Add onions, and cook until the onions are soft and starting to caramelize. Add the chicken and cook for a couple of minutes. Add the paprika, chicken broth, salt & pepper. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer until the chicken is cooked through, about 10 minutes. Turn the heat to low, and add the sour cream. Keep over low heat until the sour cream is heated through (don't boil it because it will curdle). Serve over hot cooked egg noodles (egg noodles included in nutritional info).
Serves 4.

read more "Chicken (or Mushroom) Paprikash"

White Chili

This is a nice change from the usual chili made with ground beef.

White Chili

2 tsp. olive oil
1-2 onions, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 cups chicken broth
1/2 tsp. ground coriander
2 Tbsp. lime juice
1 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. dried oregano
1/4 tsp. Tabasco sauce (or other hot sauce)
1 can white corn, drained
1 can great northern beans, drained
1 lb. cooked chicken breast, shredded

Heat a soup pot over medium heat and add olive oil. Add onions and garlic and cook until onions are soft. Stir in remaining ingredients except chicken.  Heat to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes. Add chicken and simmer until hot. Serves 4.

read more "White Chili"

General Tso's Chicken

Just about every Weight Watchers recipe I've ever tried I've found to be gross. And really deceiving. But THIS--THIS is fabulous!  My husband and I absolutely LOVE this dish, and I make a non-spicy version for the kids.

General Tso's Chicken

1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite sized pieces
3/4 cup chicken broth
1 1/2 Tbsp. cornstarch
2 Tbsp. sugar
2 Tbsp. reduced sodium soy sauce
1 Tbsp. seasoned rice vinegar
1 tsp. crushed ginger
2 tsp. peanut oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
4 servings cooked brown rice

In a large skillet over medium heat, brown chicken in oil. Add garlic and crushed red pepper (if you want to make a less-spicy version for the kids, hold off on the pepper). In a separate bowl, combine the chicken broth, cornstarch, sugar, soy sauce, vinegar, and ginger. Pour over chicken and bring just to a boil. (Remove the kids portions here, and then add the pepper if you want). Reduce heat and simmer. Serve over rice.

Serves 4.

Nutrition info NOT including the rice

read more "General Tso's Chicken"

Southwest Chicken & Beans

This is a favorite slow cooker meal among a lot of my mom-friends. It's so easy to throw together in the morning and then have a healthy, hearty meal to eat for dinner. I like to serve this over rice, and with cheese on top if I have the calories to allow for it. However, it's also good on its own.

I'm sorry, this recipe has been migrated to my everyday blog, Runs for Cookies. You can find the Southwest Chicken and Beans recipe here! Thanks for stopping by.  --Katie

read more "Southwest Chicken & Beans"