Cali Burritos

Ingredients:

1 Boneless skinless chicken breast, thinly sliced

1 can black beans, drained and rinsed

1/2 cup rice

1 medium onion, chopped

2 cups chicken stock, divided

1 bunch cilantro

1 orange, zest and juice

1 lime, zest and juice

about 1 cup pineapple juice (I drain the pineapple juice from a can of pineapple and use that)

1 chipotle pepper, seeded

1 clove garlic, smashed

2 Tbs honey

salt and pepper

1 Tbs vegetable oil

4 burrito size tortillas

2 avocados, sliced

1/2 cup sour cream

Directions:

In a small bowl with a lid, mix together 1 cup chicken stock and the zest of both the lime and the orange and 1 Tbs salt. Slice the chicken into thin slices and add to the brine. Allow to marinate for 4-6 hours (I usually do it in the morning, for dinner that night)

For the rice, add 1 cup chicken stock to a small saucepan with a lid. Bring to a boil. Stir in the rice. Cover and turn off heat. Allow to sit for 15 minutes - until all the stock is absorbed.

While the rice is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium heat with 1 Tbs vegetable oil. Chop the onions and add them to the pan. Season with salt and pepper. Saute until lightly caramelized, about 5 minutes.

While the onions are cooking, juice the lime and orange into a blender. Tear the leaves off the bunch of cilantro and them to the blender. Add the pineapple juice, chipotle pepper, garlic, honey, and salt & pepper to taste. Blend well (about 1 minute).

Once onions are caramelized, remove chicken from brine and add to the skillet. Cook just until chicken is white on the outside, once this happens add the citrus cilantro sauce. Allow to simmer for 5 minutes. Once, the rice is done, add it and the beans to the skillet. Allow to simmer until the mixture is moist but not soupy (2-3 minutes). Remove from heat.

To assemble the burritos, place a dollop of sour cream down the center of the tortilla. Lay avocado slices on top of the sour cream (1/2 avocado per burrito). Place 1/4 of the chicken and rice mixture on the tortilla (about 1 cup). Fold in ends and roll up. Repeat for remaining burritos.

Serves 4

To see what I spent on this meal and to read the story behind it, visit my other blog here.

Chicken Tortellini Salad with Grapes and Pineapple

Ingredients:

2 9oz packages refrigerated tortellini (any flavor - I used cheese ones and sausage ones and they both taste great)
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 can crushed pineapple
1 cup mayonnaise
1 rib celery, finely diced
3 green onions, finely sliced
1 cup grapes, halved
2 tsp ground sage
1 tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 Tbs. olive oil
salt and pepper

Directions:

Heat a large skillet over medium heat with olive oil. Cut the chicken into 1/2 inch pieces. Add to the skillet, season with salt and pepper and cook through (about 5 minutes). Remove from heat and allow to cool.

Cook pasta according to package directions.

While pasta is cooking, in the bottom of a large mixing bowl, stir together the pineapple, mayonnaise, sage, thyme, garlic powder and salt and pepper to taste. Cut the green onions, celery and grapes and add them to the bowl.

When the pasta is finished cooking, drain it and rinse it under cold water. Add the pasta and the cooled chicken to the bowl. Stir all together. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving.

Serves 4

To see what I spent on this recipe, visit my other blog here.

Curry Chicken and Grapes Wraps

Ingredients:

4 burrito size tortillas
2 cans chicken breast meat, drained
8 leafs of lettuce, shredded
1 rib of celery, finely chopped
3 green onions, thinly sliced
1/2 lb grapes, halved

1/2 cup cashew pieces
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 tsp curry powder
1 tsp lemon juice
salt and pepper

Directions:

In the bottom of a medium size mixing bowl, stir together the mayo, curry powder, lemon juice and salt and pepper to taste. Thinly slice the green onions and add them to the bowl. Finely chop the celery and add it to the bowl too.

Open and drain the chicken and add to the bowl. Slice the grapes in half and stir the entire mixture together.

Using a sharp knife, finely shred the lettuce.

To assemble the wraps, place 1/4 of the chicken mixture down the center of the tortilla. Top with 1/4 of the shredded lettuce. Fold up the ends and roll shut. Slice on an angle down the middle. Repeat for remaining servings.

Serves 4

This stores in the fridge well, so even if you don't need 4 servings for 1 meal, make up the whole recipe and use for lunches later in the week.

To read the story behind this recipe and see what I spent on it, visit my other blog here.

BBQ Chicken Salad

Ingredients:

2 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts, thinly sliced

2 cups (16oz) BBQ Sauce

1 15 oz can Black Beans, drained and rinsed

3 hearts of romaine lettuce, shredded

2 Roma Tomatoes, seeded and chopped

2 Avocados, sliced

4 oz shredded Cheddar Cheese

1/2 cup (approx) Ranch Dressing

2.8 oz can French Fried Onions

1 Tbs vegetable Oil

Directions:

Add 1 cup BBQ sauce to the bottom of a small mixing bowl. Thinly slice the chicken breasts and add to the BBQ sauce. Toss to coat. Marinate overnight in the refrigerator. (If you don't have time to do this, you can just cook the chicken and coat in the sauce - it will still be tasty)

Pre-heat a large skillet over medium heat with the vegetable oil. Remove the chicken from the BBQ sauce marinade and add it to the pan and cook until done (about 5 minutes). Once the chicken is done, turn off the heat and stir in the remaining cup of BBQ sauce. The chicken will be very saucy - this is what you want, it becomes part of the dressing for the salad.

While the chicken is cooking, shred the lettuce using a sharp knife. Wash and dry (I use a salad spinner). Seed and chop the tomatoes. Pit and slice the avocado.

Once the chicken is done you can assemble the salad. Place 1/4 of the lettuce on a plate. Drizzle with 3 Tablespoons Ranch Dressing. Place 1/4 of the chicken strips, avocado slices (1/2 of an avocado), chopped tomato (1/2 of a tomato) and 1/4 of the black beans on the lettuce. Sprinkle with 1 oz cheddar cheese and 1/4 of the french fried onions. Repeat for the remaining servings.

Serves 4 (as an entree)

Serving suggestion: Serve with warm stove top cornbread with butter and honey (yum!)

To see what I spent on this recipe, visit my other blog here.

Check out more chicken recipes over at Life as MOM's Ultimate Recipe Swap

Asparagus and Herbed Chicken Pasta

Ingredients:

2 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts, cut into thin strips

1 lb spaghetti (I use whole grain)

1 bundle asparagus

2 packages Weber White Wine and Herbs marinade mix

20 - 30 cherries, pitted and quartered (5 per serving)

1/4 cup water

2 Tbs Olive oil

salt

Directions:

Place 1 packet of the marinade mix into a small mixing bowl. Stir in water and olive oil. Place sliced chicken breasts into marinade and toss to coat. Allow to sit for 1 hour in refrigerator.

Place a large pot of water over high heat and bring to a boil. Salt the water. Drop the pasta and cook according to package directions (do not over cook!)

Place a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken and marinade to pan and cook until chicken is done (about 5 minutes).

While chicken and pasta is cooking, pit and chop the cherries and cut the asparagus - cut each spear into thirds on a heavy angle. Add the asparagus to the pasta water during the last minute of cooking (allow to cook for 1 minute).

When pasta is done, reserve 1 cup of the cooking liquid before draining. Drain the pasta and asparagus. Add the cooking liquid back into the pot. Stir in the 2nd marinade packet until dissolved. Add the asparagus and pasta back to the pot and toss until all the liquid is absorbed. Stir in the chicken strips. Portion onto plates and garnish with cherries.

Serves 4-6

To see what I spent on this recipe, visit my other blog here.

See more tasty recipes over at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam's Tasty Tuesday carnival

Pineapple Green Chili Chicken Salad

Ingredients:

1 Pablano pepper

1 large tomatillo

1 bunch cilantro

1 4oz can diced green chilies

1 can pineapple tidbits (fruit and juice)

2 Tbs sugar

1 Tbs apple cider vinegar

4 Tbs Olive Oil

1/2 tsp Chili Powder

1/2 tsp Cumin

Salt and pepper

1 large onion, finely chopped

3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1/2 cup lime juice

1 head lettuce, shredded

4 tortillas

4oz Mexican blend cheese (I used one with pepper jack)

crushed tortilla chips (I use the remnants at the bottom of a bag)

Directions:

Pre-heat the broiler in your oven. Peel the paper skin off the tomatillo and remove the stem. Place the pablano pepper and tomatillo on a sheet pan and place under the broiler. Broil until their skin is blackened (5-7 minutes). Rotate around to the other side. Broil until blackened (5-7 minutes). Remove from oven. Place pablano in a small bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Allow to sit and steam for 15 minutes. Remove the pablano from the bowl and peel off the blackened skin. Remove the stem and seeds. Roughly chop the pepper into smaller pieces. Add the pepper and the tomatillo to the blender.

Add to the blender: the juice from the can of pineapple, sugar, apple cider vinegar, 1 Tbs Olive oil, chili powder, cumin, diced green chilies, 1/4 cup cilantro, salt and pepper. Blend until mostly smooth. Pour into a small saucepan, set over medium heat. Simmer for 10 - 15 minutes, until thickened. Pour in a small bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

Thinly slice the chicken breasts. Place the lime juice, 1 Tbs olive oil, salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Add the chicken. If there isn't enough lime juice to cover the chicken add water so that the chicken is completely submerged. Allow to marinate for 30 minutes.

Pre-heat a medium skillet over medium heat with 1 Tbs olive oil. Finely chop the onion. Add the onion to the pan, season with salt and pepper. Saute 5 minutes until lightly golden brown. Reduce heat to medium low and saute for 20 minutes, until caramelized.

Pre-heat a large skillet over medium heat with 1 Tbs olive oil. Remove chicken from the marinade and add to the pan. Cook for about 5 minutes (until cooked through).

While chicken is cooking, shred the head of lettuce using a knife. Wash and dry (I use a salad spinner). Roughly chop the remainder of the bunch of cilantro.

Place a small skillet over medium heat. Add 1 tortilla and sprinkle with 1 oz shredded cheese. Allow cheese to melt. Remove tortilla, place it on a plate. Repeat for each tortilla.

To assemble the salad, place 1/4 of the lettuce on the tortilla. Spoon on 1/4 of the green chili sauce over the lettuce. Top with 1/4 of the chicken strips, 1/4 of the pineapple tidbits, 1/4 of the caramelized onions, 1/4 of the chopped cilantro, and some tortilla chips. Repeat for remaining servings.

Serves 4

To see what I spent on this recipe, visit my other blog here.

Cranberry Dijon Chicken Salad Sandwich

Ingredients:

2 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1 heaping Tbs Dijon Mustard

1 celery stalk, finely chopped

2 green onions, thinly sliced

1/2 cup Craisins

8 leafs of lettuce

8 slices of bread

salt and pepper

Directions:

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Place chicken in baking dish, season with salt and pepper and bake until it reaches and internal temperature of 160 degrees (20 - 30 minutes). Remove from oven, cool to room temperature, store in fridge.

Once chicken is cool, mix up the rest of the ingredients. Add mayonnaise and mustard to the bottom of a small mixing bowl. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir in chopped celery, sliced green onions and craisins. Chop the chicken into 1/4 - 1/2 inch pieces. Add to bowl and mix. Chill for 1 hour before serving.

To serve, toast bread, pile on the chicken salad and top with 2 leafs of lettuce.

Serves 4

To see what I spent on this recipe visit my other blog here.

Pasta and Chicken in a Chive Cream Sauce with Cherries and Pecans

It looks like dessert doesn't it. And it probably sounds a little odd, but trust me it's yummy! The tangy / sweet cherries cut through the rich sauce and the nuts add a nice crunch.

Ingredients:

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, thinly sliced
10 oz Farafalle (bow tie) pasta
8 oz Onion & Chive cream cheese
1/2 cup milk
1/2 pound cherries, pitted and quartered
1/4 cup chopped pecans
salt and pepper
1 Tbs vegetable oil


Directions:

Fill a large pot with water and place over high heat. Once it comes to a boil, salt the water and cook the pasta according to package directions.

While the water is coming up to a boil, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Thinly slice the chicken breasts. Add them to the pan and salt and pepper them. Cook until done, about 5 minutes. Remove from pan, set aside.

Add milk to large skillet that the chicken was in. Once the milk is bubbling, whisk in the cream cheese until smooth. Lower heat to med-low and simmer for a couple minutes, to thicken the sauce. Season with pepper.

While the pasta is cooking and the sauce is simmering, pit and quarter the cherries.

Once the pasta is done, drain it and add it to the skillet with the sauce. Add the chicken and stir until coated in the sauce. Serve with nuts and cherries on top.


Serves 4


To see what I spent on this recipe and the story behind it, visit my other blog here.

I'm participating in 5dollardinners.com $5 dinner challenge.

Sweet and Sour Chicken with Lo Mein Noodles

I realize this recipe is nothing even close to authentic, but I wanted to utilize ingredients that I have in my pantry and that I bought at rock bottom prices.

Ingredients:

1 cup Russian Salad Dressing

1/2 cup Asian (sesame ginger) salad dressing

8 oz whole grain spaghetti

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts

1 can pineapple tidbits (juice and fruit)

2 Tbs soy sauce

1 lb bag of cole slaw mix

1 large celery stalk, thinly sliced

3 green onions, thinly sliced.

2 Tbs vegetable oil

Directions:

Preheat a large skillet over medium heat with 1 Tbs vegetable oil. Thinly slice the chicken. Add to skillet. Salt and Pepper. Cook until cooked through (5-7 minutes). Remove chicken from pan, set aside.

In the same pan, add the Russian dressing, juice from the canned pineapple and pepper. Heat over medium heat. Allow it to simmer for about 10 minutes - you want it nice and thick so that it will coat the chicken nicely.

While chicken is cooking, fill a large pot with water and place over high heat. Once water is boiling, salt it, and add the pasta. Cook until al-dente (do not over cook!)

Once you have added the pasta to the water, heat another large skillet over medium heat with 1 Tbs vegetable oil. Add the cole slaw mix, green onion and celery to the pan. Salt and pepper. Stir fry the veggies until wilted - about 5 minutes.

Once the pasta is done cooking, drain it and return it to the pot. Add the Asian salad dressing and stir until it is absorbed. Add the sauteed veggies to the pot and stir all together.

Stir the soy sauce into the Russian dressing sauce. Add the chicken back into the pan with the sauce just long enough to re-heat it.

Serve the noodles with the chicken and pineapple on the side.

Serves 4

To see what I spent on this meal, visit my other blog here.

Chipotle Chicken Pizza

Ingredients:

1 refrigerated pizza dough

1 boneless, skinless chicken breast

1 small onion, finely chopped

1 cup BBQ sauce

12 oz shredded cheese (we used mozzarella and sharp cheddar)

1/2 can corn

1/2 can black beans, drained and rinsed

1/4 cup cilantro, finely chopped

1 small lime

1/4 cup sour cream

1 Tbs chili powder

1 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp ground coriander

1/2 - 1 tsp chipotle powder (depending on how hot you like it)

1/4 cup cornmeal

2 Tbs vegetable oil

salt and pepper

Directions:

Pre-heat medium skillet over medium heat with 1 Tbs vegetable oil. Thinly slice chicken breast. Add to pan, salt and pepper, and cook through (about 5 minutes). Remove from pan and set aside.

Add 1 Tbs oil to pan. Finely chop the onion and saute over medium heat until tender and slightly golden brown (about 8 minutes). When onions reach this point add the chili powder, cumin, coriander, chipotle powder, and salt and pepper to taste. Stir in BBQ sauce and reduce heat to simmer. Simmer for a few minutes, just to bring flavors together.

While the chicken and onions are cooking, pre-heat the oven to 425 degrees. Sprinkle corn meal onto baking sheet. Roll out the pizza dough and bake until golden brown all over (about 7 -8 minutes). Remove it from the oven and spread the BBQ sauce over it. Sprinkle on the cheese and place the chicken strips on it. Return it to the oven for 5-7 minutes - until cheese is melted.

While the pizza is cooking, open and drain cans of corn and beans. Place 1/2 can of each in a small mixing bowl. Finely chop the cilantro and stir into the beans and corn. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Place sour cream in a small mixing bowl. Add the zest and juice of lime. If there isn't enough juice in the lime to make the sauce drizzly, add a little milk until it's a good, drizzly consistency.

When the pizza is done, remove it from the oven. Top it with the corn and bean salsa. Drizzle on the lime cream sauce. Slice and serve.

Serves 4

Note: you will have corn and beans leftover - I'm sorry! I hate when that happens, but find another recipe to use them in so that they don't go to waste.

To see what I spent on this recipe see my other blog here.

I am participating in 5DollarDinners.com $5 dinner challenge.

Jamaican Jerk Chicken Pizza

Ingredients:

1/2 cup Kraft Spicy Honey BBQ sauce

1 tsp ground allspice

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp ground cloves

1-2 Tbs hot sauce (depends on how hot you like it)

2 Tbs Molasses

Juice of 1 orange

1 Boneless, skinless chicken breast

1 Tbs vegetable oil

1 Red Bell Pepper, roasted and sliced

3 green onions

12 oz shredded mozzarella cheese

1 refrigerated pizza crust

1/4 cup cornmeal

Directions:

To roast the red bell pepper, pre-heat the broiler in your oven. Place your top rack at the highest level. Wash and dry the pepper. Place it in the oven, directly under the heating element. Allow it to roast for 5-7 minutes per side. Once the top side is black, rotate it around and roast on the next side until black. Repeat this until blackened all over. Once it is mostly blackened, remove it from the oven and place in a small bowl. Cover the bowl immediately with plastic wrap. The plastic wrap will trap the steam and will release the skin from the flesh of the pepper. Allow the pepper to sit for at least 10 minutes. Peel the blackened skin off the pepper. Remove the stem and seeds. Cut into 4 pieces and thinly slice. (you can buy roasted red peppers in a jar, but it is more expensive than making it on your own, but it is easier and faster. So, pick whichever method works for you)

While the pepper is roasting in the oven, make the BBQ sauce. Stir together the BBQ sauce, cloves, cinnamon, allspice, hot sauce, molasses and orange juice. Set aside.

Pre-heat a medium skillet over medium heat with 1 Tbs vegetable oil. Thinly slice the chicken breast. Add to the pan, salt and pepper the chicken. Cook until chicken in cooked through. Remove from pan and set aside.

Pour the BBQ sauce into the pan, and reduce heat to med-low. Simmer for 5 minutes until sauce is thickened and flavors developed.

Sprinkle 1/4 cup corn meal onto a baking sheet. Roll out the pizza dough onto the pan. Once the pepper is done roasting, set the oven temperature to 400 degrees and put the pizza dough into the oven and cook for about 5 minutes - until lightly golden brown all over.

Remove the dough from the oven. Spread sauce over dough. Sprinkle on 8 oz of the cheese. Place the chicken and sliced red bell peppers onto the pizza. Sprinkle with the remaining 4 oz of mozzarella cheese.

Bake in the oven about 5 minutes - until cheese is melted. While pizza is in oven, thinly slice the green onions. When pizza is done baking, remove from oven and sprinkle with green onions.

Slice and serve.

Serves 4

To see what I spent on this recipe and read the story behind it, visit my other blog here.

Grilled BBQ Chicken Burritos

Ingredients:

8 whole wheat tortillas

1 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1 can black beans, drained and rinsed

1 green bell pepper, cut into thin strips

1 red bell pepper, cut into thin strips

1 large onion, quartered and thinly sliced

2 Tbs vegetable oil

salt and pepper

1 cup BBQ Sauce

2 Tbs Chili powder

1 Tbs Cumin

1 Tbs ground Coriander

1/2 tsp Chipotle powder (optional)

Canola Oil Spray

8oz shredded Sharp Cheddar cheese

1/2 cup sour cream

1/4 cup chopped cilantro

Directions:

Measure out 1 cup of BBQ sauce, into small bowl. Stir in chili powder, coriander, cumin and chipotle powder. Set aside.

Add 1 Tbs vegetable oil to a large skillet and pre-heat over medium heat. Slice the chicken into thing strips. Add chicken to the pan, season with salt and pepper, and cook through. While chicken is cooking, slice peppers and onions. When chicken is cooked through, remove it from the pan. Add 1 Tbs oil to the pan and then add the peppers and onions. Saute until tender, about 5-7 minutes. While the peppers and onions are cooking, drain and rinse black beans. Once the peppers and onions are tender and slightly brown, add the chicken, black beans and BBQ sauce to the pan. Reduce the heat to simmer, and allow to heat through.

Pre-heat the grill over medium heat.

Lay the first tortilla out on a sheet pan. Sprinkle 1oz of cheese in a line down the center of the tortilla. Place about 1/3 cup of the BBQ chicken mix along the middle of the tortilla. Roll up tightly and place seam side down on the sheet pan. Repeat for the remaining tortillas. Do not overfill them - it will be difficult to grill them if they are too full.

To grill the burritos, hold one in your hand, seam side up, spray it with the canola oil spray. Place it seam side down on the grill. Repeat for all the burritos. Once they're all on the grill, spray the tops of them with canola oil spray (don't worry, it won't flare up too much). Grill them for about 3 minutes. Once they have good grill marks and are starting to crisp, using tongs, roll them over to the other side. Grill for about another 3 minutes. Remove them from the grill.

Serve 2 per person. Top with a dollop of sour cream and chopped cilantro.

Serves 4

To see what I spent on this recipe and read the story behind it, visit my other blog here.

Sun Dried Tomato Crusted Chicken with Balsamic Glazed Onions and Cream Sauce

How's that for a title?! I know the picture doesn't look terribly appetizing, but trust me, it's good!

Ingredients:

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, butterflied
30 sun dried tomato and basil wheat thins, crushed
1/2 cup flour
1 large egg, beaten
salt & pepper
2 Tbs vegetable oil
1 medium onion, quartered and thinly sliced
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup milk
4oz sun dried tomato and basil Philadelphia cream cheese

Directions:

Add 1 Tbs vegetable oil to a medium skillet and pre-heat over medium heat. Slice the onion and add to the pan. Season with salt and pepper. Continue to stir occasionally while cooking the chicken and cream sauce. Once onions are lightly caramelized (about 10 minutes) add the balsamic vinegar. Continue to cook until the vinegar has reduced and the onions are glazed (3-4 minutes).

Lay chicken breasts flat on cutting board. Using a sharp knife, slice through them horizontally, the whole length. This is essentially creating 4 chicken cutlets out of the 2 chicken breasts.

Set up a breading station using 3 shallow dishes big enough for the chicken. Put the crackers in the food processor and run until finely crushed. (If you don't have a food processor, put the crackers in a bag and let your kids go crazy on it. Or, if you don't have kids, take out some frustration on them yourself). Place the ground up crackers in one of the dishes. Place flour in the 2nd dish - season with salt and pepper. Beat egg in 3rd dish - season with salt and pepper.

Add 1 Tbs vegetable oil to a large skillet and pre-heat over medium heat. For each chicken cutlet, dredge first in the flour (both sides), then in the egg (both sides) and finally in the cracker crumbs (both sides). Place chicken in pan. Once all the chicken is in the pan, cover it and cook for 3-4 minutes - until the crackers are browned. Covering it will create a miniature oven, allowing the chicken to cook all the way through without burning the crust. Once the crackers are browned on the first side, use tongs to turn them over. Cover again and continue to cook for 3-4 minutes. Check to make sure chicken is done using a thermometer. If the crackers are browning faster than the chicken is cooking reduce the heat. Once done, remove chicken from the pan.

While the chicken is cooking, make the cream sauce. Add 1/2 cup milk to a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer. Whisk in 4oz of the cream cheese until smooth. Allow it to simmer for a couple minutes which will thicken it up.

Serve the chicken topped with the balsamic glazed onions and cream sauce.


Serves 4

To see what I spent on this recipe, visit the post on my other blog here.

I'm participating in 5dollardinners.com $5 dollar dinner challenge.

Cucumber Cantaloupe Chicken Salad

Ingredients:

3 Boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1 cantaloupe

1 medium cucumber, peeled

8 oz vanilla yogurt

1/4 cup mayonnaise

3 Tbs dried tarragon

salt and pepper

1 Tbs vegetable oil

Directions:

Day before: Thinly slice chicken. Salt and pepper the chicken. Saute in vegetable oil. Cool. Store in fridge for next day.

In a medium mixing bowl, mix together yogurt, mayonnaise, tarragon and salt & pepper to taste. Cut up cantaloupe and cucumber, add to dressing. Add the chicken. Toss well. Refrigerate for 1 hour before serving.

Serves 4

Serving Suggestion: serve with sourdough bread.

To see how I made this meal frugally, check out my other blog here.

Check out more chicken recipes at Life as MOM's Ultimate Recipe Swap

Strawberry Pecan Chicken Salad Sandwich

Ingredients:

8 thick slices of sourdough bread

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts - cooked and shredded

1/4 cup mayonnaise

2 Tbs Balsamic Vinaigrette Salad Dressing

4 green oinions, thinly sliced

3/4 lb strawberries, chopped
8 leafs of lettuce
salt & pepper

Directions:

Cook, cool and shred chicken the night or morning before making the sandwiches.

Slice green onions. Combine them with the mayonnaise and salad dressing. Salt and pepper to taste. Stir in chicken and strawberries. Cover and chill for 1 hour.

Spoon onto sliced sourdough bread and top with lettuce.

Serves 4

To see how I made this recipe frugally, see the post on my other blog here.

Pineapple Poppy Seed Pasta Salad

Ingredients:

1 lb Barrilla Piccolini Mini Farfalle Pasta
1 16oz bottle Kraft Creamy Poppy seed Salad Dressing
1 20oz can Crushed Pineapple, drained
3 green onions, thinly sliced
3 large ribs of celery, chopped (use 8 ribs if using, pre-trimmed stalks from the heart)
1 whole chicken, roasted and chopped

Directions:

If you are roasting your own chicken, cook at 350 degrees until and internal temperature reaches 160 degrees. After you remove it from the oven, allow to cool for about 30-45 minutes before pulling and chopping the meat. If you are using a rotisserie chicken, simply pull and chop the meat and set aside.

Cook pasta according to directions on box. Be sure to salt the water - the dressing is sweet, so you need the pasta to be seasoned well, to balance the flavors. You should put in about a handful of salt into the boiling water. Do not over cook the pasta - it will absorb the dressing once the salad is all assembled. Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water.

While pasta is cooking, slice the green onions and celery. Keep in mind that you are using small, dainty pasta, so you want the chicken and celery pieces scaled accordingly - about 1/4 inch chop on the celery and 1/2 - 1 inch chop on the chicken.

Toss all the ingredients together in a large mixing bowl. Chill at least an hour before serving.

Serves 6 (It keeps great in the fridge, so even if you don't have 6 in your family, make the whole recipe and eat it for lunches the next day)


To find out how I made this dish frugally, check out the post on my other blog here.

Check out more chicken recipes at Life as MOM's Ultimate Recipe Swap