Slow Cooker Cajun Chicken Pasta

My daughter, Janna really loves the Cajun Chicken Pasta you get at Chili's.  So I went in search of a copycat recipe, and this is what I came up with.

Now mind you, it doesn't really taste anything like Chili's, but my family fell in love with it, and the rest is history!  Hope you like it as much as they do! :)

Ingredients:

2 Boneless-Skinless Chicken Breasts
3 - 14.5 oz. cans of Chicken Broth (I use low sodium)
1 T. Minced Garlic
1 – 16 oz. box of Penne Pasta
2 cups of Baby Spinach  
3 slices of Thin Pepper Jack Cheese
3 slices of Velveeta Cheese
2 – 15 oz. Jars of Alfredo Sauce (I use Light)
Tony’s Creole Seasoning (to taste)
Black Pepper (to taste)
Cooking Spray
Slow Cooker Liners (Optional – but oh what a lifesaver!)


Directions:

1.  Cover slow cooker insert with liner (optional), or spray well with cooking spray;
2.  Put chicken in the slow cooker, add the chicken broth and garlic;
3.  Cook on high for 2-3 hours or low for 4-5 hours (depending on your crockot);
4.  During the last 30 minutes of cooking, add the pasta;
5.  Stir pasta well, and make sure the broth is covering it;
6.  Remove chicken, shred with a fork, and put back in crockpot on top of pasta;
7.  Just before serving, add the spinach and the cheese.  Let the spinach wilt and the cheese melt;
8.  Add the Alfredo sauce and the seasonings, mix well, and serve immediately.

Enjoy!

Stir Fry Chicken

Years back when I was still working outside the home, a friend of mine made this for me. I loved it so much that I started making it myself.

Over the years, I've changed the recipe up a bit. She used frozen veggies, while I love using fresh ones. And with a few more changes here and there, I've revised this recipe to my own personal liking.

It's one of my personal favorites, and I never get tired of it! And...it's pretty healthy for you, too!
Hope you enjoy it as much as I do!


Ingredients:

1 Lg. box of Zatarain’s Yellow Rice
2 T. of Olive Oil
2-3 Chicken Breasts (Cut into bite-size pieces)
1 Bunch of fresh broccoli
1 Red Bell Pepper
1 Green Bell Pepper
1 Yellow Bell Pepper
1 pkg. of fresh sliced mushrooms
2 T. Minced Garlic
Teriyaki Sauce
Worcestershire Sauce

Directions:

1) Cut raw chicken into bite size pieces – about the size of your thumb, then set aside;
2) Cut vegetables into bite size pieces. (You can leave the broccoli stems, if you like, or just use the    crowns.) Set veggies aside;
3) Cook rice as directed on the box for the serving size you wish;
4) Pour oil into skillet or wok, and mix in your garlic;
5) When oil is hot, add chicken, and a bit of Soy and Worcestershire Sauce (Use to your liking);
6) When chicken is no longer pink and lightly browned, remove from pan;
7) Add veggies, mushrooms, and enough Teriyaki and Worcestershire Sauce to stir fry in. Add a little water, if necessary;
8) Add the chicken back to the pan, cover and simmer until veggies are tender. (Unless you prefer them crispier.) Serve over rice.

Enjoy!

(Note: I have also tried this recipe with a little brown sugar added; both are yummy!)

Crusted Parmesan Chicken

I originally found this recipe on All Recipes.com.  Oh!  It was so moist and yummy!  Of course, I put my own little spin on it and changed it up just a bit.  I try to always make things a little healthier if I can.

I hope you enjoy it as much as my family and I did!

Ingredients:

3-4 Chicken Breasts (Cut into cutlets or filets)
2-3 Eggs
2 T. Minced Garlic
1-2 cups of Bread Crumbs
Grated Parmesan Cheese (I use the kind in the canister)


Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees;
2. Cut chicken into cutlets or filets;
3. In a medium size bowl, mix your eggs and garlic together;
4. In another bowl, mix your bread crumbs, cheese, and pepper together;
5. Dip your chicken into the egg mixture, and allow any excess to drip into bowl;
6. Now dip the chicken into the bread crumb mixture and coat well;
7. Place chicken on a sprayed, foil-covered cookie sheet;
8. Bake for approximately 30-40 minutes, depending on your oven.

Enjoy!

Deviled Chicken

I found this recipe on All Recipes.com, and it's got to be one of the best I've tried!

Once again, I changed it up just a bit, but my family absolutely loves it!

It's kind of like "Deviled Eggs" meets "Chicken"! 😊

Ingredients:

3-4 Chicken Breasts
½ cup of Mayonnaise
2-3 T. Yellow Mustard
2-3 drops Tabasco Sauce
Bread Crumbs
Parmesan Cheese
Black Pepper

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees;
2. Cut chicken breasts into filets or cutlets;
3. In a shallow bowl, combine the mayonnaise, mustard, and Tabasco sauce;
4. In a deeper bowl, combine your bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, and Black Pepper;
5. Coat both sides of your chicken with the mayo/mustard mixture;
6. Then coat with bread crumb mixture;
7. Place on sprayed cookie sheet covered with foil;
8. Bake for approximately 35-40 minutes, depending on your oven;

Eat up and enjoy!

Crockpot Chicken Fajita Tacos

I've actually been making these fajita tacos for years. My friend, Sherri, introduced them to me long ago. They've always remained a family favorite!

I've just made one small change - I now cook my chicken in the crockpot instead of boiling it on the stove top. The chicken is so much more moist and tender, and it shreds so much easier.  But from time to time, I still like to make them the way Sherri taught me! :)

And simple...these are so simple and so delicious!

Ingredients:

3-4 Boneless, skinless Chicken Breasts
1-2 Taco Bell Fajita Seasoning Packet (You might like 2 if you want more flavor)
1/2 - 1/4 cup of Pace Picante Sauce
Wheat or Flour Tortillas
Grated Cheese
Lettuce
Tomato
Avocado (Optional)
Light Sour Cream (Optional)
Guacamole (Optional)

Directions:

1. Place chicken in crockpot;
2. Pour Fajita seasoning in a small bowl;
3. Fill packet with water twice and mix well; (This way you get all of the seasoning out of your packet)
4. Pour over chicken;
5. Cook on high for approximately 4 hours; (Depending on your crockpot)
6. When cool - shred chicken, add back to crockpot, and stir well;
7. On a tortilla - add chicken, cheese, lettuce, tomato, and any other toppings you might like;
8. Fold or roll tortilla, and savor these delicious tacos!

Serve with a side of Refried Beans, Spanish Rice, and Guacamole, or just gobble 'em up all by themselves!