Friday, January 28, 2011

Shredded Chicken Burritos


This recipe is for 4 burritos, so feel free to use more ingredients as needed.
Shredded Chicken
1 lb Boneless skinless chicken
Salt and Pepper
½ Tbs Olive oil
½ Cup chicken broth
1 small can Tomato Sauce

Directions
In a pan, add olive oil, broth, and tomato sauce to medium high heat
Place salted and peppered chicken into pan and cook on medium high heat 5 minutes each side
reduce heat to med low and simmer covered for about 20 more minutes flipping the chicken to the other side a couple of times throughout.
You’ll notice all of the broth and sauce start to cook into the chicken. You’ll know it’s done when it can easily be pulled apart with a fork and is cooked thoroughly throughout. Remove from heat and place on a plate. I shred my chicken the old school way – two forks. Just criss-cross the forks and pull the chicken apart to whatever thickness makes you happy. Shred to your heart’s desire.

1 package wild rice – cooked according to package directions
1 can refried BLACK beans (I was skeptical, but it was great)
1 can enchilada sauce
2 Cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 can sweet corn
4 fresh flour tortillas (I use the uncooked ones from Costco, they’re so great and the closest thing to homemade – since so far, my tortilla making skills are poo)
1 fresh plum tomato - diced

Preparation
Preheat oven to 400. Add a thin layer of enchilada sauce to the bottom of a baking dish – this will keep the burritos from sticking.
Cooking the tortillas and not letting them burn… is a skill. It involves med low head and a lot of flipping.
Prepare the burritos in any order you like.
I did:
Black beans, then wild rice, then chicken, a little cheese, small drizzle of enchilada sauce (Chris’ also had a little corn too). Roll up that burreet and place it in the baking dish.
Once all your burritos are in the dish, pour remaining enchilada sauce to cover them and top with cheese. Cook in the oven for about 20-30 minutes (you be the judge) and then let them cool for 10 minutes or so before eating. Cooling them a little will give the sauce a chance to set and not be too runny.  Garnish with the diced tomato and enjoy! This is a delicious burrito!

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Chicken Alfredo Lasagna

This was one of the best things I've eaten.
Try this!

Ingredients

  • 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
  • 1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3/4 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup Alfredo sauce (I used Butoni)
  • 3/4 cup 2% cottage cheese
  • 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese, divided
  • 1 egg, lightly beaten
  • 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning (I went with a mixture of dried basil, oregano and a little garlic salt)
  • 6 lasagna noodles, cooked and drained
  • 1-1/2 cups (6 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

Directions

  • In a large skillet, saute the chicken and mushrooms in oil until chicken is no longer pink. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in flour until blended; gradually stir in Alfredo sauce. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes or until thickened.
  • In a small bowl, combine the cottage cheese, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, egg and Italian seasoning.
  • Spread 1/2 cup Alfredo mixture in an 8-in. x 4-in. loaf pan coated with cooking spray. Layer with two noodles (trimmed to fit pan), half of the cottage cheese mixture, 3/4 cup Alfredo mixture and 3/4 cup mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle with remaining Parmesan cheese. Repeat layers. Top with mozzarella and a little parmesan.
Cover and bake at 350° for 30 minutes. Uncover; bake 10 minutes longer or until bubbly. Let stand for 10 minutes before cutting.


Monday, January 03, 2011

Creamy White Bean Chicken Chili


I don’t know why I’ve been making so much chili lately! Must be the weather. I found a couple white bean chili recipes, but they were all pretty different from each other.  I decided to take the best from all the recipes and combine it into one master white bean chili delicious soup. Sometimes my inventions don’t turn out so great... but this one did, and it was really great.

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts – diced
2 jalapeño peppers – finely chopped (don’t rub your eyes!)
3 large garlic cloves – finely minced
2 TBS olive oil

2 (4oz each) cans of chopped green chilies
14 oz chicken broth
1 tsp salt
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp dried oregano
½ tsp pepper
¼ tsp cayenne pepper
2 cans white beans
½ cup of heavy whipping cream

Sour cream
1 cup Monterey jack cheese - shredded


In a large saucepan, sauté chicken, garlic, and jalapeños in olive oil until chicken is no longer pink. Add the broth, chilies, and seasonings. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat; simmer uncovered for 2 hours, stirring occasionally.  

After simmering 2 hours, add the cream and beans and simmer another 30 minutes.

Top with Monterey cheese (and sour cream if you like it).