Chicken Tacos

Sometimes you just need an easy meal with a few simple ingredients and this recipe fits the bill. I found this recipe in the Fix-It and Forget-It Lightly cookbook and it was also recommended on my favorite rewards site- Sunshine Rewards. I also like that it uses ingredients that I usually keep on hand so it can be a good fall back recipe when needed.


Ingredients (for 6 servings)
1 1/2 lbs frozen, boneless, skinless chicken breasts
14 1/2 oz can diced tomatoes with green chilies
1 package low sodium taco seasoning


Directions
1. Place chicken breasts in slow cooker.
2. Mix tomatoes and taco seasoning. Pour over chicken.
3. Cover. Cook on low 6-8 hours.
4. Serve in soft flour tortillas. Top with salsa, shredded cheese, guacamole and tomatoes.


**I usually use about 4 chicken breasts and mine seem to be done around the 4 hour mark. I usually take them out and shred the chicken with two forks. This chicken can be used in tacos, quesadillas or burritos.





Enjoy!

Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings

I have never really made chicken and dumplings...yet at least! Over the past few years, I have read/ heard people rave over this Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings so I knew it needed to be on my list. Slow Cookers can be any parents dream- whether you work outside the home or not. Just throw the ingredients together in the morning and go about your business. I love it when you can start smelling the food cooking while you are doing something else.

This recipe sure did smell good while cooking too! The dish had a good flavor as well. You certainly have to give this one points for being easy too! It is also a kid friendly meal which is definitely a plus. The ingredients are simple and perhaps things that you keep on hand.

One thing that I did that wasn't mentioned in the recipe was to shred the chicken (using 2 forks) before adding the biscuits. When I make this one again, I will add some frozen veggies to the mix before I add the biscuits. Even my husband (the seldom veggie eater) mentioned that it needed some kind of veggie in there. I also would use less biscuits so that they would be more done. The ones around the edge were done, but it took quite a bit longer for the center biscuits. So I would probably use 1 to 1 1/2 packages of biscuits next time.


I also have on my list to try "traditional" chicken and dumplings. It's probably better that I tried the easy/ quick version first. I have a way of spoiling my family- once they get the real deal, there's no going back. But I will keep this one in mind for a good hearty meal with minimal preparation!




Ingredients

4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
2 tbsp butter
2 (10.75 oz) cans condensed cream of chicken soup (I used low sodium)
1 onion, chopped
2 (10 ct) packages refrigerated biscuits, cut into pieces


Directions

1. Place all ingredients, except the biscuits, in a slow cooker and fill with enough water to cover. (I used about 2 1/2 cups water to cover the chicken).
2. Cover and cook for 5-6 hours on high. About 30 minutes before serving, place the cut up biscuits on top of the mixture. Cook until the dough is no longer raw.

Enjoy!

Slow Cooker Turkey Chili

Chili always tastes good on a cold winter day! This is a recipe for Turkey Chili that I have been using for awhile. I wasn't crazy about it the first time I made it, but after some tweaking, it has become a favorite in our house! I usually double the recipe and freeze half for a later meal.

Ingredients

1 tbsp vegetable oil
1 lb ground turkey
1 can tomato soup
1 (15oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 (15oz) can light kidney beans, drained
1 (15oz) can chili beans, drained (I use hot)
1 medium onion, chopped
2 tbsp chili powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tbsp ground cumin
1/8 tsp black pepper
salt to taste

Directions
Heat oil in skillet over medium heat. Cook turkey, onions and cumin in skillet until turkey is no longer pink; drain. Use a crockpot liner (you'll thank me later). Put all ingredients in crockpot and stir well. Cover, and cook 8 hours on low or 4 hours on high. Makes 8 servings.


It also makes a great topping for a baked potato! Yumm!


Enjoy!

Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce

This is another compilation of recipes and my "go to" recipe for Spaghetti Sauce. This recipe freezes very well and I often make it when I do "once a month cooking". One batch makes enough for dinner, a few lunches and 2 quart sized freezer bags to freeze for later meals. Each quart sized bag also makes enough for dinner and a few lunches- so at least for us, this recipe can be stretched pretty far. This was our dinner tonight- love being able to throw everything into the crockpot in the morning and not worry about it until dinner!

Ingredients

2 lbs ground turkey (or lean ground beef)
3 medium onions, chopped
2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms
6 garlic cloves, minced
1 can (28 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can (29 oz) tomato sauce
1 can (12 oz) tomato paste
2 tbsp dried basil leaves
1 tbsp dried oregano leaves
1 tbsp sugar
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper


Cook ground turkey, onions, mushrooms and garlic in skillet over medium heat until turkey is cooked, about 10 minutes; drain. While turkey is cooking, combine remaining ingredients in crockpot. Add turkey mixture and stir well. Cover and cook on low setting for 8 hours. Makes 24 1/2 cup servings.


*I have also added other veggies like carrots, broccoli and zucchini when I have them on hand- good way to sneak in some veggies!