Chicken Stuffing Bake

January 15, 2013 By 1 Comment

Once upon a time, cooking was a leisurely task I could attend to when the mood struck. Which, often times, it did not. Now, however, there is no leisurely about ANYTHING, especially since adding a baby to the mix!

Since he was born in October, I have been on a mission for quick and easy dinners to feed my family that are still enjoyable for everyone. Between my husband, my seven year old, and four year old, that can be quite the task- especially with a three month old who gives me a limited time frame!

Luckily, I have had some success. One of my family’s favorites is this super-simple chicken and stuffing bake, perfect for chilly nights. Bonus? It gets thrown in the oven with minimal effort, leaving my hands free to snuggle the baby. Love.It.

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Chicken Stuffing Bake

Chicken Stuffing Bake

Ingredients

  • 3-4 boneless chicken breasts
  • Seasonings (such as Mrs. Dash) to taste
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 3 stalks celery, diced
  • 2 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1 can cream of mushroom soup
  • 1/3 cup of milk
  • 3 cups stuffing mix

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350. Prepare stuffing mix according to package directions; for added flavor boost, use chicken broth in stead of water.
  2. Place onions & celery in baking dish; top with seasoned chicken breasts.
  3. Top with minced garlic. Combine soup & milk in a small bowl; pour over chicken.
  4. Spoon stuffing on top of dish; cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
  5. Remove foil and bake 15 minutes more, or until chicken is no longer pink.
  6. Serve with steamed asparagus topped with lemon pepper for a family-pleasing meal!
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What are some of your favorite go-to recipes?

1 Comment Filed Under: Recipes

Family Time in the Kitchen with Chef Boyardee’s Little Chef’s Project!

October 17, 2012 By 41 Comments

As we get ready to welcome a new addition to our family (as in, at any given moment), I have been really working on appreciating the moments I have with my kids. At 6 and 3, trying to get them both to cooperate on doing ANYTHING can be a challenge- especially the more exhausted I have become! One of my favorite ways to grab some family time is by getting my kids in the kitchen with me.

So, we were beyond excited to participate in the Chef Boyardee Little Chef’s Project! We participated in the Family Time section of the book- and Lily chopping some onions on the first page of Chapter 4! In an effort to combine family time and the kids helping with busy schedules, one of our favorite meals to make together actually becomes several meals. We love to prepare Crockpot Spaghetti Sauce. Not only does it simmer all day leaving our afternoons and evenings free for practices and events, a crockpot full feeds my family of four two dinners and a lunch! Easy to freeze and use again, it’s an efficient time-saver that we all enjoy. In the book, there are also some great tips and recipes, so be sure and check out the book for some great inspiration. A little bit about the project:

Chef Boyardee is proud to partner with real moms from the blogging community, TheMotherhood.com to create “The Little Chefs Project,” the first crowd-sourced cooking with kids e-book. With real stories written by real women, the free, downloadable book is composed of six chapters of tips, tricks and recipes from teachable moments in the kitchen, to ways to get little Chefs involved.

How fun is that? Even better, Chef Boyardee is supplying a fabulous giveaway to one lucky reader! To encourage family time in your own kitchen, you’ll get this fantastic prize pack:

The Prize Pack Includes: 

  • Kids’ kitchen measure and prep kit
  • Kids’ recipe box
  • Scrapbook album
  • 2 Chef Boyardee chef hats
  • Chef Boyardee adult apron
  • Chef Boyardee child apron
  • Chef Boyardee pizza kit
  • Time capsule
  • 2 coupons for free Chef Boyardee Beefaroni
  • 5 Chef Boyardee recipe cards

Ready to enter? Check out the rafflecopter widget below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I am participating in the Chef Boyardee Little Chefs program in conjunction with The Motherhood and I’ve been compensated for my participation. All thoughts, opinions, and fun times cooking with my kids are my own :)

41 Comments Filed Under: Recipes, Reviews & Giveaways, Sponsored

Quick go-to meals

September 20, 2012 By 9 Comments

With two kids, school activities, soccer practice, running a business from home, and a baby trying to make an appearance at any point in time, meal time can get insane. Trying to get everyone fed, happy and out the door on time is pretty much a challenge on a daily basis. Lately, we have been focusing on collecting quick & easy recipes. Here are four of my go-tos:

Brown gravy meatballs

  • 10 oz jar of brown gravy
  • onion soup mix
  • 1/4 cup of water
  • 3 minced garlic cloves
  • 1 bag of frozen meatballs

Crockpot for 5 hours or so and you’re good to go.

Chicken Tacos

  • 3-4 chicken breasts
  • jar of salsa
  • chopped onion & green pepper
  • packet of taco seasoning

Crockpot for 6-8 hours, shred and serve with taco fixings!

Kielbasa (or sausage)

  • kielbasa
  • 1 bottle beer
  • 1 cup of brown sugar (adjust for how sweet you want it)

Crockpot 5-6 hours and serve. (Thanks Shell for this one!)

Shrimp Scampi

  • 1 lb shrimp
  • 4 garlic cloves
  • 1/2 cup of butter
  • 1 cup of wine

Saute shrimp in 1 stick of butter (can make this healthier if you want, but we splurge here) and 4 cloves of minced garlic for 5 minutes. Add cup of wine (or chicken broth) and some seasoning (we like to use lemon pepper).  Simmer for about 5 minutes and serve over angel hair pasta (3-4 minutes to make) with parmesan cheese sprinkled over top (we omit because kids don’t like it on here).

What are some of your quick and easy go-to recipes?

9 Comments Filed Under: Menu Plans, Recipes

Delicious, Must-Make Beer & Cheddar Soup Recipe

January 30, 2012 By 10 Comments

I love soup, especially in the winter. Granted, it does not tend to get all the cold here in Georgia, but Atlanta has been seeing an endless amount of rain this winter. Whether it’s cold or not, one of my favorite soups has always been a good beer and cheddar soup. Thanks to my magazine addiction subscriptions, I have come across some great inspiration this winter. Here’s my adaption of beer and cheddar soup.

How to make delicious Beer & Cheddar Soup

Print
Chicken Stuffing Bake

Chicken Stuffing Bake

Ingredients

  • 3-4 boneless chicken breasts
  • Seasonings (such as Mrs. Dash) to taste
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 3 stalks celery, diced
  • 2 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1 can cream of mushroom soup
  • 1/3 cup of milk
  • 3 cups stuffing mix

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350. Prepare stuffing mix according to package directions; for added flavor boost, use chicken broth in stead of water.
  2. Place onions & celery in baking dish; top with seasoned chicken breasts.
  3. Top with minced garlic. Combine soup & milk in a small bowl; pour over chicken.
  4. Spoon stuffing on top of dish; cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
  5. Remove foil and bake 15 minutes more, or until chicken is no longer pink.
  6. Serve with steamed asparagus topped with lemon pepper for a family-pleasing meal!
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If, like my husband, you happen to like jalapenos and bacon, along with smoked cheese, you can find the original inspiration recipe here.

Make this soup and enjoy. If it’s too thick or you want to make ahead of time, thin out with some additional broth. I am in love with this soup. So, so good. Enjoy :)

10 Comments Filed Under: Recipes

Slow Cooker Chicken & Dumplings Recipe

November 17, 2011 By 14 Comments

Today was a cool day here in Georgia. I suppose the cool weather had to catch up with us eventually. When cool weather starts sweeping in, it always makes me think of soup and rich foods. So with cool air breezing in, it felt like a good day for some good ol’ fashioned comfort food. So, I made Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings. YUM.

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Delicious & Easy Mini Chicken Pot Pies

Ingredients

  • 1 cup of diced carrots
  • 3/4 cup diced green beans
  • 3/4 cup diced celery
  • 1/2 onioin, diced
  • 2 gloves of garlic, minced
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To cheat:

You can use refrigerated biscuits at the end and drop them in. Also, this can be made sans potatoes (all veggies really) but I like to make it this way as a more complete meal. If you want to prep the night before, peel the potatoes and put them in a bowl of salted water to prevent the browning process (stick them in the fridge). You can dice the veggies up and put them in air-tight containers too so all you have to do is toss everything in the crockpot in the morning!

What’s one of your favorite comfort foods?

Linked to http://www.newlyweds-blog.com/2011/11/16/recipe-linky/
14 Comments Filed Under: Recipes

Staying organized with a menu plan

October 31, 2011 By 7 Comments

If there is one thing I have realized lately, it’s that when a routine gets thrown off it can mess up my entire week. Last week, I didn’t menu plan, didn’t make it to the grocery store for a full shop (lots of quick stops for “just a couple things”), and basically didn’t maintain my stride for the entire week. The extra trips to the store were not only a pain, they added up to way more than I usually spend too!

This week, I’m determined to stay organized. With trick-or-treat happening tonight and a busy week ahead, I’m only going to the store ONCE. I swear.

Monday:  Grabbing something to go. Too much to do!

Tuesday: Skillet Pork Chops with Potatoes and Onion

Wednesday: Panera-style Broccoli cheddar soup with biscuits

Thursday: Saucy Chicken Thighs served with mashed potatoes.

Friday: Nacho Macaroni

What’s your go-to recipe for a busy week? I need ideas!

 

7 Comments Filed Under: Menu Plans

Menu Planning a Cool Week Ahead

October 10, 2011 By 3 Comments

The fall weather has been sinking in here slowly in Georgia, but there have definitely been some cooler days. That always encourages me to try more soup recipes (like this week’s Tomato Soup from the Food Network) and use my crock pot more. Nothing quite beats the convenience of having dinner simmering all day and ready to go just as the kids are hitting that peak cranky zone. Check out this week’s menu plan and be sure to visit orgjunkie.com for hundreds more with Menu Plan Monday.

Creamy bacon ranch chicken pasta

Herbed Slow-cooker pork chops served with long-grain wild rice and veggies

Homemade tomato soup with biscuits

Oven pot roast (adding golden mushroom soup to that) with potatoes, carrots, and pearl onions

Crock pot chicken tacos

What’s your favorite thing to eat on a cool day?

3 Comments Filed Under: Menu Plans

Creamy Potato Soup

September 26, 2011 By Leave a Comment

One of the best things about fall is that it’s soup weather! I love soup. All kinds. But, one of my absolute favorites is probably the most simple recipe out there- potato soup.

  • Ingredients

    • Potatoes, 4, diced
    • Onion, 1, diced
    • Baby Carrots, diced
    • Celery, diced
    • Minced garlic, to taste
    • Butter, 4 tbsp
    • Flour, 1 tbsp, heaped
    • Milk, 4 cups
    • Salt, to taste
    • Dash of pepper

  • Instructions

    1. Simmer potatoes, onions, carrots, and minced garlic in salted water for around 20 minutes.
    2. Drain potatoes if needed.
    3. In a pan (I use whatever I boiled the above ingredients in) melt the 4tbsp. margarine. Add in 1 tbsp flour until it begins to bubble.
    4. Pour in half of the milk or half & half, slowly, while constantly stirring.
    5. Add back in the potato mixture. Slightly mash.
    6. Pour in remaining milk or half/half and season with salt & pepper. Cook until hot.

If you’re a fan of bacon, you can make some of that, and sprinkle it on top with a little cheddar cheese. Simple, filling, and delicious!

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Menu Plan Monday

November 15, 2010 By 8 Comments

Sometimes, life can be so unexpected. I mean, things are relatively chaotic in my world generally, but I like to think of it as controlled chaos. Sure, we move every year or so right now, but I’ve gotten that down to a science. (Mostly). But as the end of November looms ahead, I find myself needing to take many big, deep breaths. First? My baby is turning five. Five years old. I am just not prepared to have a five year old. I cannot believe how fast time has gone and this week he will celebrate at school (his birthday is November 27th). Next? This past weekend, we booked our plane tickets.. to Alaska. Although I have been planning, preparing, and discussing this move for awhile, the reality and tangibility of reserving the tickets has escalated the move from the abstract to the actuality. Hold me.

On top of all of this, I have been given the amazing opportunity to work with a fabulous company in the world of social media marketing. I am really excited about the company as it is a product I adore with a mission I admire. More on this later, when I share an exciting opportunity with all of you with a program that has recently been launched!

For now, I have to try to stay focused and organized, and while the chaos surrounds me, I can still try to maintain some normalcy with my trusty menu plan. Here we go for the week!

Monday: Broccoli, Cheddar, & Chicken Tater Tot Casserole

Tuesday: Paula Deen’s Pot Roast

Wednesday: Baked Potato Soup with grilled turkey & cheese sandwiches

Thursday: Gravy Baked Pork Chops with Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Friday: Crockpot Chicken Tacos

What’s new and exciting in your world this week?

Check out http://orgjunkie.com for hundreds of other meal plans this week!

8 Comments Filed Under: Menu Plans

Welcome November with a Menu Plan

November 1, 2010 By 10 Comments

What a busy weekend this past weekend was around here! Did you have a fun Halloween? I was a bit apprehensive about taking my 20 month old trick-or-treating, as I remember my son at that age being terrified of all things in costume. This little girl of mine, however, had no fear, and marched past smoking pumpkins and cackling witches (and even a dancing broom) in a mission to get her candy.

That’s my girl.

So, it’s time for November to begin, and with our move to Alaska only about six weeks away,  I currently have lists for my lists. It will be an interesting few months for sure, but for now

Monday: Chicken & gnocchi soup with biscuits

Tuesday: Ranch House Crockpot Pork Chops with garlic mashed potatoes

Wednesday: Spaghetti with my homemade crockpot spaghetti sauce (looking forward to making some fresh this week!)

Thursday: Creamy chicken and pesto bow ties

Friday: The inlaws are coming. They never came last time, and I had planned on doing some appetizers and wine tastings as a type of tapas dinner. I’m going to have to put more thought into this, but should have some yummy appetizer ideas to share!

This post is linked up to Menu Plan Monday over at Organizing Junkie. Visit her for hundreds of other meal plans!

10 Comments Filed Under: Menu Plans, Recipes
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