Value Meals: Buttery Cheddar Chicken

Here is another budget recipe that we incorporated this week into our family meals. Unlike the ham, I went big with this one, cooking three servings, so I could freeze the extra two meals for use during the busy holiday season that is just around the corner. I also like to keep a few good meal choices in the freezer just in case someone else in our community has an emergency need that can be quickly filled from my freezer. I purchased the large family pack of boneless, skinless chicken breasts, a good value, especially when you can get these … Continue reading →

Taco Chicken-ladas

Are you looking for a fast and yummy meal that even the kids will love? Get it here. I threw this one together this afternoon and then left my husband in charge of putting it into the oven on a busy evening, and it turned out perfect. Try it the next time you have some boneless, skinless chicken tenders (or breasts) and no idea of what to do with them. My kids love tacos, so I knew they would enjoy this dish which is much less work. Ingredients: About 10 or so boneless, skinless chicken tenders (or butterfly and cut … Continue reading →

Simple Roast Chicken

A roast chicken is one of the easiest dishes to make, and yet it is often very much appreciated. The aromas of a chicken roasting in the oven are homey, and the crackling skin and homemade gravy are very much comfort food. Furthermore, any leftover roast chicken can be put to so many good uses, especially if you prepare it simply in the beginning. Roast chicken can be used in salads, soups, casseroles and more. Be sure to baste your roast chicken after the first hour and then at least every 30 minutes after that initial basting. This will keep … Continue reading →

Recipes for Busy Moms

Aren’t all moms busy? I don’t know a mom out there who would turn down help in the kitchen at mealtime. Unfortunately, I don’t have extra bodies to dispatch to harried moms the world over, but I can suggest some simple and affordable recipes that will help busy cooks create delicious dishes without breaking a sweat. Take a look: CRUNCHY CHICKEN CASSEROLE Ingredients: 4 tablespoons butter 4 stalks celery, diced 1 cup finely diced onion 2 teaspoons garlic salt 1 teaspoon black pepper 2 cans (10 3/4-ounce) condensed cream of chicken soup 1/2 cup mayonnaise 1 cup sour cream 2 … Continue reading →

Cheap Chicken Dishes

Cheap doesn’t have to mean ugly and tasteless. On the contrary, some of my family’s favorite dinners cost less than 10 bucks to make. The following chicken dishes are a perfect example. I buy chicken in bulk whenever it is on sale. Once I stock up, I create a menu that includes a heavy chicken rotation. The recipes listed below are ones that I save for the days I don’t have time to rush out to the market to purchase a ton of fresh ingredients to add to the chicken dish. These following recipes call for ingredients most people have … Continue reading →

Quick and Easy Weeknight Dinners

The holidays are over, the kids are back in school, and your chaotic weeknight ritual has returned. Juggling a job, kids, a house and chauffeuring duties can really compromise menu planning, but it doesn’t have to be that way. The following simple yet delicious entrees prove that there is a way to get a healthy dinner on the table without spending hours in the kitchen: CHICKEN NOODLE CASSEROLE Ingredients: 6 tablespoons butter, divided 1 cup finely diced onion 1 1/2 cups finely diced celery 1/4 cup finely diced green pepper 1 teaspoon garlic salt 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 2 cans … Continue reading →

Chickenlicious Comfort Food

In our home chicken is king. You can’t beat the bird’s price, flavor, and its versatility. What’s more, my kid loves it, which means I am spared a night’s worth of cajoling, bribing and threatening, when chicken is on the menu. Chicken is also an excellent addition to popular comfort foods, such as soups and casseroles. This winter has been especially harsh in the Upper Midwest, so we’ve relied on comfort foods to help warm up. The following Chickenlicious dishes are among our favorites: PARMESAN CHICKEN SOUP Ingredients: 4 tablespoons olive oil 4 boneless chicken breasts, diced in to bite … Continue reading →

Middle Eastern Chicken Aussie Style

Here is a great chicken dish that goes beautifully with Middle Eastern Rice. My variation of Middle Eastern Chicken, is cooked in the barbecue instead of the oven, mainly because I don’t want to have to fuss and clean ovens. Anything done on the barbecue is Mick’s responsibility. But if you’re keen you could roast in an oven instead. I admit to being finicky about chicken. Because of risk of salmonella and other health issues, I always take precautions in preparing chicken. Some are things like hands and utensils scrupulously clean, but I also cut vegetable or fruit on a … Continue reading →

International Entrees

Instead of making the same ol’ boring meatloaf for dinner this week, consider spanning the globe for a taste of a different world. Occassionally it pays to cook outside of your comfort zone. You can span the globe without ever leaving your kitchen by whipping up the following fabulous recipes with international flair: THAI CHICKEN CURRY Ingredients: 3 tablespoons vegetable oil 3 tablespoons Thai red curry paste mixed with 3 tablespoons water 3 stalks lemon grass (white portion only), finely minced 2-inch piece ginger, grated 2 cloves garlic, mashed 2 chicken breasts, cut in very thin strips 1 cup thinly … Continue reading →

Go Crunchy Tonight

My bird-loving daughter is dying to try the Colonel’s new Kentucky Grilled Chicken. I tried to explain to her that the grilled version doesn’t include the crunchy outer skin that she enjoys. She assured me that some of her preschool buddies already tried it and that she’ll “love it” as much as they had. We’ll see. In the meantime, I’ll keep the following crunchy recipes on hand just in case: CRUNCHY CHIP CHICKEN Ingredients: 1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream 1/4 cup milk 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt 1/4 teaspoon onion salt 1/4 teaspoon paprika 1 bag (12 ounces) potato chips, … Continue reading →