Stir Fry for One

 This stir fry is quick and easy.  You can make more servings by multiplying the ingredients.  It's one of my favorite dinners.

Stir Fry for One

Ingredients:

4 ounces meat of your choice, very thinly sliced (It's easier to slice it thinly if it's partially frozen): chicken, beef, fish, pork

1 cup mixed fresh or frozen vegetables of your choice, bite sized pieces (I often use frozen Asian mix vegetables)

1 teaspoon cooking oil

1/2 teaspoon ginger, either grated fresh or powdered

1 teaspoon soy sauce

1 teaspoon Hoisin sauce

1/2 teaspoon sesame oil

Directions:

Heat heavy shallow skillet on medium heat.  Add cooking oil.  Add meat.  Stir and fry until browned.  Add vegetables.  Stir and fry until cooked to crisp tender and heated all the way through.  If it gets too dry add a small amount of water, less than a teaspoon.

When vegetables are crisp tender and meat is cooked through add 1/2 teaspoon Ginger, 1 teaspoon soy sauce, and 1 teaspoon Hoisin sauce.  Stir and fry for about 30 seconds.  Add 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil.  Stir until combined.  Remove from heat and enjoy.  This is delicious with rice or noodles.  Sometimes I add cooked rice to the skillet before I add the ginger and mix it all together.

Cilantro Lime Chicken

Make ahead and freeze
Cook in the Crock Pot
This is one of the easiest meals ever. Make a few and put them in the freezer. You'll be so glad you did. I love that I just place it into the crock pot and it cooks all day while I'm at work. And it IS delicious!

Ingredients:
1 1/2 pounds of chicken breast, cut into 4 equal size pieces (No need to cook before putting the meal together.)
juice from 2 limes
1 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped (about 1/4 cup)
1 (16 oz) bag frozen corn
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 red onion, chopped
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 teaspoon cumin
salt and pepper to taste

 Directions:
 Place all ingredients in a resealable gallon-sized freezer bag. Mix together and zip bag closed.
Store in freezer for up to 6 months.
When ready to eat, remove from freezer and thaw in refrigerator for 24 hours.
Cook on LOW for 8 hours (or HIGH for 4 hours).
Serve with tortillas and your favorite toppings (sour cream, guacamole, salsa, and cheese). I served mine over rice.
Makes 4 servings.

Italian Chicken and Tortellini

Easy dinner and almost no clean up since you cook it in a foil packet.  Great for summer. Cook it on the grill and keep your house cool. It's also great for fall or winter. Cook it in the oven and enjoy a great one dish dinner.

Ingredients:
2 sheets (12x18-inches each) aluminum Foil*
2 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (1/2 to 3/4 lb.)
1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
1 package (9 oz.) refrigerated or frozen cheese tortellini
1 can (14 1/2 oz.) diced tomatoes with basil, garlic and oregano, undrained
1/2 can (from a 2 1/4 oz. can) sliced ripe olives, drained (optional)

Directions:
Preheat grill to medium-high or oven to 450°F.
Center one chicken breast half on each sheet of aluminum foil that has been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. Sprinkle each chicken breast with 1/4 teaspoon of Italian seasoning. Arrange 1/2 of the tortellini around each piece of chicken. Spoon 1/2 of tomatoes and 1/2 of olives over each serving of tortellini.
Bring up foil sides. Double fold top and ends to seal packet, leaving room for heat circulation inside.
Repeat to make two packets.

Cook:
Bake 30 to 40 minutes on a cookie sheet in the oven OR
Grill 14 to 18 minutes in a covered grill.

*I  use 4 pieces of foil and make two layers of aluminum foil to prevent the juices from leaking out.

Island Teriyaki Chicken

Who knew that it is so easy to make your own Teriyaki sauce?!  This stuff is delicious.  You'll be amazed at how quick and easy it is. 

 Tastes so great and

only 5 ingredients

1 cup soy sauce

1 cup sugar

1 cup water

3 cloves garlic

1 teaspoon ground ginger

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Combine soy sauce, sugar, water, garlic, and ginger in a saucepan and bring to a boil on medium-high heat.** 

Boil for 1 minute.  Remove 1/2 cup of sauce and reserve for later.

Tenderize the chicken with a meat mallet.  (I just put the chicken in a zipper bag and pound it with my rolling pin until it's an even thickness.)  Combine the sauce and chicken in a zip top bag or airtight container.  

Let chicken marinate in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes up to overnight.  (The longer you let it marinate the more flavorful it will be.)

Remove from the bag and arrange the chicken breasts and marinade in a 9 X 13 inch pan.  Cover with foil.  Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.  (Or you can grill the chicken on medium-high heat until cooked through.)  You can cook it in a slow cooker by placing the chicken and marinade in a slow cooker and cook on low heat for 8 hours.

This is beef in the crockpot, not chicken.

It will have lots more Teriyaki flavor.

Serve with white or brown rice and reserved marinade.

**For Hawaiian Chicken that’s a bit spicier add the following to the marinade before boiling (I usually add the spices below):

1 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 teaspoon oregano

1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, less for Teriyaki that's less spicy

1 teaspoon paprika

1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, less for Teriyaki that's less spicy

This sauce also works great with beef.

Teriyaki Sauce will keep in your refrigerator for up to two weeks in a sealed container.

If you want a thicker sauce boil for 2 to 5 minutes.

Easy Individual Chicken Pot Pie

Here are the tiny Chicken Pot Pies I made in my little 4 inch casserole dishes. So yummy.

I wanted some chicken pot pie. So I found a couple of recipes that sounded good. I looked at what I had in the house; then combined the recipes to come up with this. It worked out great and I had a delicious easy dinner without going shopping.

2 Tablespoons butter or margarine
2 Tablespoons flour
Dash pepper
3/4 cup chicken broth (You can buy broth or use water and bouillon. I use 3/4 cup water and a scant teaspoon of Better Than Bouillon.)
1/2 cup milk
1 cup cubed cooked chicken (You can use leftover, rotisserie, or just cook it in the microwave.)
1 cup refrigerated cooked diced potatoes with onions (I use Simply Potatoes)
1 cup frozen peas and carrots
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 can refrigerated reduced fat crescent dinner rolls

Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease 4 ramekins or custard cups or use large muffin cups.
In skillet, melt butter, stir in flour and pepper. Cook about 1 minute, stirring constantly, until smooth and bubbly and slightly brown. Gradually stir in broth and milk; cook until mixture boils and thickens, stirring constantly. Add chicken, potatoes and onions, peas and carrots, and salt. Cook until hot and bubbly. Spoon mixture evenly into prepared ramekins. Separate dough into triangles. You can cut to fit your ramekins, but I just push them down and roll and fold until they fit. (Bake the leftover triangles into crescent rolls.) Brush tops with additional milk if desired.
Bake 15 to 18 minutes or until they are golden brown.

Stuffed Chicken Breasts

This is a simple and satisfying dinner. Add a salad or vegetable and you have a complete meal.

2 cups cooked brown rice
1 pound chicken breast halves
1/2 teaspoon pepper divided
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 Tablespoons finely chopped onion
1/4 cup finely chopped tomatoes
1/4 cup finely shredded part skim mozzarella cheese
1 teaspoon basil
In a zipper bag, pound chicken breasts to 1/4 inch thickness. I cut them in half, so each serving is about 4 ounces. Sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon pepper and the salt. Combine cooked rice, onion, tomatoes, cheese, basil and remaining 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Spoon rice mixture on top of chicken breasts; fold over and secure sides with wooden toothpicks.

Spray a large frying pan with nonstick cooking spray. Add stuffed chicken breasts and cook over medium high heat one minute on each side or just until golden brown. Transfer chicken to shallow baking pan. I use my cast iron skillet, and then I don’t have to transfer the chicken to another pan. I just put the skillet in the oven and bake it in the same pan. I always have leftover rice mixture, so I just put it in the pan next to the chicken and serve the chicken over the rice that I baked next to the chicken. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
This is great by itself, but I really like to put Lemon Apricot Sauce on the top, so here’s the recipe for that.

Lemon-Apricot Sauce
1/3 cup sugar free apricot preserves
1 Tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon soy sauce
1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
In a small microwavable bowl, stir together all of the Lemon-Apricot Sauce ingredients. Microwave on High 1 minute; stir.
Pour sauce over chicken.

Lemon Apricot Chicken

This is so delicious! The glaze is just the right touch. I love using egg whites and heart smart Bisquick to add flavor and crunch without all the fat and calories.

Makes: 3 servings
Chicken
2 tablespoons fat-free egg product or 1 egg white
1 tablespoon water
1/2 cup Bisquick Heart Smart® mix
1 1/2 teaspoons grated lemon peel
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
3 small chicken breasts (4 ounces each)
Cooking spray
Lemon slices, if desired
Lemon-Apricot Sauce
1/3 cup sugar free apricot preserves
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon soy sauce
1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
1. Heat oven to 425°F. Spray 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray.
In shallow dish, beat egg product and water slightly. In another shallow dish, stir together Bisquick® mix, lemon peel and garlic powder.
Flatten chicken breasts between sheets of plastic wrap or waxed paper to 1/2-inch thickness.
2. Dip chicken into egg mixture, then coat with Bisquick mixture. Place in pan. Spray chicken with cooking spray.
3. Bake uncovered 20 minutes. Turn; bake 10 minutes longer or until chicken is no longer pink in center.
4. In small microwavable bowl, stir together all Lemon-Apricot Sauce ingredients. Microwave on High 1 minute; stir.
Cut chicken crosswise into 1/2-inch slices. Pour sauce over chicken. Garnish with lemon slices.
Weight Watchers 5 points per serving.

CROCK POT CHICKEN

4 chicken breasts halves (about 4 oz. each)
1 (16 oz.) mini carrots
1 small cabbage, cut into pieces
2 (14 oz.) cans mexican stewed tomatoes

Layer into crockpot in order given. Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours.

Easy Chicken Pot Pie

1 (12.5 oz) can Snow's chicken
2 (15 oz) cans Veg-All mixed vegetables
1 (12 oz) jar chicken gravy
1 dash sage (opt)
salt and pepper to taste
1 package of 2 premade Western Family refrigerated pie crusts

Drain chicken and vegetables. In a large bowl, mix the first five ingredients. May add 1/4 cup milk if desired. Place 1 pie crust into deep dish pie pan. Spoon mixture into pie crust and top with second pie crust. Crimp edges together. Make 2 or 3 slits in top crust and bake at 400 degrees about 50-60 minutes or until golden brown. Let rest for 5 minutes. Cut and serve.

Chicken with Clementine Glaze

This is so yummy...light and tender. It is also quick and easy. I added some brown rice and green salad. Very delectable dinner.

Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients
6 clementines
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 chicken cutlets, pounded thin
Salt and pepper to taste
2 teaspoons sugar
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons lemon juice
Directions
1. Cut the clementines in half and juice them.
2. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper, then cook the cutlets in the skillet, turning over once, until browned on both sides, about 6 minutes total. Transfer the chicken to a plate.
3. Pour off the excess oil from the skillet, then add the sugar and cook, stirring with a wooden spoon, for 15 seconds. Add the clementine juice (be careful; it will steam up at first) and cook until thickened slightly, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the butter and swirl with a spoon until it's evenly melted into the liquid, about 30 seconds. Add the lemon juice and swirl. Return the chicken to the skillet and turn to coat with sauce. If necessary, reduce heat to low and cook the chicken, covered, until cooked through. Serve with sauce.

I don't use the oil, I just spray the pan with non-stick cooking spray.
I only use about 2 teaspoons of butter, just enough for a touch of flavor and to make the glaze a little more creamy.
I'm going to try it with oranges when clementines are no longer in season.
About 4 points per serving.

Nacho Chicken Chowder

This is an easy soup to put together and cooks while you're doing whatever else you need to do. It tastes delicious. You would never guess it's as easy as it is. Wonderful on a cold day.

Makes 6 servings
Ingredients:
1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
2 (14.5 oz) cans Mexican-style tomatoes
1 (10.75 oz) can condensed nacho cheese soup
1 (10 oz) pkg. frozen whole kernel corn (2 cups)
Shredded Mexican-style or cheddar cheese
Directions:
In a 3 1/2 to 4 quart slow cooker, stir together chicken, undrained tomatoes, soup, and corn.
Cover and cook on low heat for 4 to 5 hours or on high heat for 2 to 2 1/2 hours.
Sprinkle each serving with shredded cheese.

Chicken Noodle Soup

2 cups chicken cut into bite-sized pieces
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon lemon pepper
1 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning, optional
4 Cans fat free chicken broth
1 Tablespoon Better Than Bouillon
1 broth can water
4 cups fresh or frozen vegetables (I like peas and carrots and/or broccoli and cauliflower. I usually use frozen.)

1/2 bag noodles
Salt and pepper to taste (It depends on the sodium in the broth.)

Rub chicken with spices. Saute in a skillet sprayed with cooking spray. Cook 3-5 minutes until browned on outside and no longer pink inside.
Put the broth, bouillon, and water into a large saucepan. Add the chicken. When the water comes to a full boil, add the vegetables and the noodles. Bring back to a boil and cook for 8 to 12 minutes until the noodles are done.
Makes about 14 servings 1 cup each.

(Optional brown 1/2 onion in the skillet and added it to the broth and water with the chicken.)

Southwest Seasoning Mix

This is a great rub or marinade for chicken or pork. Use it instead of Taco seasoning in the Southwestern Chicken Salad. It's quite spicy. Don't put too much.


1 Tablespoon Paprika
1 Tablespoon Oregano
1 Tablespoon Garlic (fresh)
1 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper

Mix all together and sprinkle or rub on meat and foods as desired.
Will keep in the refrigerator for about a week.

Southwestern Chicken Salad

This salad is wonderful and so easy. If you want it to be extra special, instead of ranch or French dressing, use the recipe for Cilantro Lime Dressing. I'm sure you and your family will love it. It's great for summer or can be used as a side dish.
You can use the Southwest Seasoning Mix instead of the Taco seasoning mix.

Makes: 4 servings

6 cups torn romaine lettuce
1 Lb boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into bite sized pieces
1 can (11 oz) corn, drained, liquid reserved
2 tablespoons taco seasoning mix (from 1-oz package)
1/2 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend (2 oz)
1/2 cup ranch or French dressing
1 cup corn chips (1 1/2 oz)
Salsa, if desired

In 10-inch nonstick skillet, place chicken and reserved liquid from corn. Sprinkle with taco seasoning mix. Cook over medium heat 5 to 7 minutes, stirring constantly, until blended and chicken is done.
Mix chicken mixture and lettuce. Sprinkle with cheese and corn. Drizzle with dressing; top with corn chips. Garnish with salsa.
For a variation add a can of drained black beans.

Jamaican Pasta Chicken Salad

This chicken is the same as the Jamaican chicken. Cook extra when you make it and cook once for two meals. (Or three if you also make the Jamaican Chicken Salad.)
It's a great salad for summer. And I love cooking once and eating three times, three different meals. Delicious!

Serves 6

1 TBSP vegetable oil
1 TBSP Jerk seasoning
1 LB Chicken (tenders or boneless, skinless)
1 fresh pineapple
1 bell pepper
3 green onions (white and light green parts only)
1 LB Rotini pasta (or kind of your choice)
1 can (15 ounce) black beans, drained
6 slices bacon, cooked, drained and crumbled
DRESSING:
2 limes
1/3 cup reduced-fat mayonnaise
2 TBSP pineapple juice (from pineapple)
DIRECTIONS:
Mix together the oil and jerk seasoning. Add chicken; mix well to coat and set aside.
Peel pineapple, remove core, and slice. Cook chicken in skillet 3-5 minutes on each side, until done. Remove from pan, set aside. Add pineapple slices to pan. Cook 1 minute on each side. Remove from pan. Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces.
Thinly slice bell pepper and green onions. Drain and rinse beans. Set aside.
For dressing, zest one lime. Juice both limes. Mix lime zest, juice, mayonnaise and pineapple juice in small bowl.
Cook pasta according to directions on package. Drain.
Mix pasta, beans, bell pepper, chicken, pineapple, bacon, and green onions in bowl. Drizzle dressing over salad. Toss gently.

Jamaican Chicken Salad

The chicken in this salad is the same as the Jamaican Chicken recipe. When you cook the chicken cook some extra and you can make two meals while cooking only once. This is delicious and great for an easy, cool, summer meal. The dressing is great.

Serves 6
1 TBSP vegetable oil
1 TBSP Jerk seasoning
1 LB Chicken (tenders or boneless, skinless)
1 fresh pineapple
1 bell pepper
3 green onions (white and light green parts only)
2 heads romaine lettuce
1 can (15 ounce) black beans, drained
6 slices bacon, cooked, drained and crumbled
DRESSING:
2 limes
1/3 cup reduced-fat mayonnaise
2 TBSP pineapple juice (from pineapple)
DIRECTIONS:
Mix together the oil and jerk seasoning. Add chicken; mix well to coat and set aside.
Peel pineapple, remove core, and slice. Cook chicken in skillet 3-5 minutes on each side, until done. Remove from pan, set aside. Add pineapple slices to pan. Cook 1 minute on each side. Remove from pan. Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces.
Thinly slice bell pepper and green onions. Tear lettuce and place in bowl. Drain and rinse beans. Set aside.
For dressing, zest one lime. Juice both limes. Mix lime zest, juice, mayonnaise and pineapple juice in small bowl.
Mix lettuce, beans, bell pepper, chicken, pineapple, bacon, and green onions in bowl. Drizzle dressing over salad.

Jamaican Chicken

Serves 4

1 TBSP vegetable oil
1 TBSP Jerk seasoning
1 LB Chicken (tenders or boneless, skinless)

Mix together the oil and jerk seasoning. Add chicken; mix well to coat and refrigerate. Let marinate for at least 15 minutes; and up to 24 hours.

Cook chicken in skillet 3-5 minutes on each side, until done.

Serve with Roasted vegetables, rice, or whatever you choose.

Aloha Chicken

I made this for a dinner the other night and everyone really liked it. I didn't use the chunks of pineapple, I used the tidbits. I like the smaller pieces of pineapple better. I also used brown rice.

10 (4 oz.) pieces chicken breast
20 oz can pineapple chunks
11 oz can mandarin oranges, drained
1 green or red pepper, chopped
1/4 onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 Tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp fresh ginger, peeled and grated

Arrange chicken in slow cooker, set aside. Combine remaining ingredients. Pour over chicken. Cover and cook on low setting for 8-10 hours.

10 servings=5 points each

Serve over one cup cooked rice for 4 additional points.

Southwest Chicken Eggrolls

This was made in Little Theater. It was very easy to make and so delicious. These would be good for a party or anytime you would like something light. They taste very similar to the eggrolls you can get at Chili's.

1 small onion, peeled and chopped
1/4 cup butter or cooking oil
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 (10 oz) pkg frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
2 or 3 chicken breasts, cooked and chopped
1/2 cup frozen corn
1/2 cup cooked black beans
1/2 to 1 tsp ground red pepper
1/4 tsp ground oregano
1/4 cup fresh cilantro (or 1 tsp dried crushed cilantro)
1 cup salsa
1 tsp cornstarch
1 (4 oz) can chopped green chilies ( mild or hotter)
egg roll wraps
vegetable oil for frying
1 recipe Ranch Avocado dip

Saute onion and garlic in butter until clear. Add remaining 10 ingredients and heat through slowly. Following the directions on the eggroll pkg, fill wraps with chicken filling and deep fry in vegetable oil until golden brown. Remove and drain. Serve immediately with Ranch Avocado Dip. Or any other dip you may like.

Chicken and Broccoli Braid

This is an easy recipe and is really delicious. One great thing about it is that it has so many food groups. There's meat, dairy, vegetable, and grain. If you have a salad, it's a perfect meal and very easy. You can use leftover chicken or even buy a roasted or rotisserie chicken from the store. You can also use precooked packaged chicken from the refrigerated section at the store. You can use either fresh or frozen (thawed) broccoli. It's a great "go to" recipe when you're tired or don't have a lot of time to spend. You can put together a salad or do whatever else while it bakes.

2 cups cooked chicken, chopped
1 cup broccoli, chopped
1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese
1 garlic clove, pressed
1/2 cup ranch dressing
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 packages (8 ounces each) refrigerated crescent rolls
1 egg white, lightly beaten
2 tablespoons slivered almonds

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Place chicken and broccoli in large bowl. Add pepper and cheese. Press garlic over vegetable and chicken mixture. Add mayonnaise and salt; mix well. Unroll 1 package of crescent roll dough; do not separate. Arrange longest sides of dough across width of 12" x 15" pan(a cookie sheet works well). Repeat with remaining package of dough. Seal perforations, so that you have one large rectangle of dough. On longest sides of dough cut into strips 1 1/2 inches apart, 3 inches deep (there will be 6 inches in the center for the filling). Spread filling evenly over middle of dough. To braid, lift strips of dough across mixture to meet in center, twisting each strip one turn to help them stick together. Brush on a bit of water for "glue", if you need to. Continue alternating strips to form a braid. Tuck ends up to form a rim at the end of braid. Brush egg white over dough. Sprinkle with almonds. Bake 25-28 minutes or until deep golden brown.
Cut crosswise to serve.

You can use mayonnaise instead of the ranch dressing. You can also add 1 teaspoon of dill weed to the filling, if you like.

It's still good if you use reduced fat cheese, light ranch dressing, and reduced fat crescent rolls.

Makes: 10 servings