creamy chicken & pasta bake

This one is from Kraft. We had it tonight. It was really good, but only makes an 8x8 dish, so don't plan on leftovers unless you double it. Ari really liked it, too. Photo from KraftFoods.com

1 1/2 cups rotini pasta, uncooked (the whole grain pasta we used was really good in it)

1 small bunch broccoli, cut into florets (about 3 cups)

1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces (I could have done with a little less chicken, maybe 3/4 lb?)

1/2 cup chicken broth

2 oz. cream cheese, cubed

1 cup mozzarella, divided (I realized last min. I didn't have mozz., but provolone was also good:)

2 Tbsp. parmesan

HEAT oven to 375º. Cook pasta in large saucepan as directed on package, adding broccoli for the last 3 min.

MEANWHILE, heat large nonstick skillet on medium-high heat. Add chicken; cook 3 min. or until no longer pink, stirring frequently. Stir in broth; simmer 3 min. or until chicken is done. Add cream cheese; cook and stir on low heat 1 min. or until cream cheese is melted. Stir in 1/2 cup mozzarella.

DRAIN pasta and broccoli. Add to chicken mixture; mix lightly. Spoon into 8-inch sq. baking dish; cover.

BAKE 15 min. or until heated through. Sprinkle with remaining cheeses. Bake, uncovered, 3 min. or until melted. Let stand 5 min.

Creamy Italian Chicken

*Warning: this recipe is for a tiny crockpot meal for a tiny family! I added notes if you want to double it. I also added notes for my tasty reduced fat version.

I love good crockpot recipes! I've made this before, but just found a version that the kids and I devoured. I tweaked it a bit, and it takes little preparation for such a gourmet meal!

2 frozen chicken breasts
1/2 c. (fat free) Italian dressing (I actually didn't measure, I just dumped it in until it seemed good. By the way, not need for water, the chicken will make its own).

Put these in the crockpot on low for 4-5 hours (6 hours if you're doing 4 or more chicken breasts).

30 minutes before you're ready to eat, put on some pasta to cook. We used whole wheat penne, but fettucine would work. Pull out and shred/cut up the chicken. You could probably skip this step, but the little pieces seemed more moist as the sauce works its magic. Return the chicken to the crockpot and put in one can of cream of chicken soup and 1/3 block of (reduced fat) cream cheese. (For 4 or more chicken breasts, just add the whole block of cream cheese, no need to add more soup). Drain pasta and add to the crockpot with chicken and sauce.

Season the dish with garlic salt and parmesan cheese.

As a side dish, I steamed carrots and broccoli for color. Or you could probably add some other veggies directly into the chicken since this dish lacks veggies.

Yum!

Chicken Tacos

I found this recipe on the blog twomomsinthekitchen.blogspot.com and was surprised that I had all the ingredients on hand, so I made it that night and it was so good and super easy!

(Even Kajsa ate it and she claims that she doesn't like chicken! Shhhh...don't tell her!)

(Picture courtesy of twomomsinthekitchen.blogspot.com)

Ingredients:
1 pkg. frozen corn
1 can black beans, drained
2-3 frozen chicken breasts
1 jar salsa
cumin
chili powder

Directions:
-Place corn in bottom of crock pot, then beans, and chicken
-Sprinkle chicken with cumin and chili powder
-Add salsa
-Cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-8 hours, or until chicken is done and shreds easily
-Remove chicken from crock pot, shred, return to crock pot and mix well with other ingredients
-Serve on tortillas

Chicken Lunch Wraps

1/4 c. chopped walnuts
1 tsp olive oil
3/4 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into 1" cubes)
salt
pepper
1/4 c. firmly packed crumbed Roquefort or Parmesan cheese
1/4 c. blue cheese or ranch dressing
1/3 c. dried cherries or craisins
1/4 c. finely chopped celery
1/2 c. firmly packed chopped arugula or spinach
2 (10 or 11") flour tortillas (spinach flavored are good with this)
1/4(ish) c. fresh cilantro

Preheat oven to 350*. Spread the walnuts on a baking sheet and bake for about 10 minutes, or until they are shiny and aromatic. Remove from the oven and let cool. Cook the chicken in heated olive oil in a skillet, and add salt and pepper to taste. (about 1/2 tsp of each.) Cook until chicken is cooked through. Let cool. Mix together the cheese, dressing, cherries/craisins, and celery. Add the chicken. Toss the arugula/spinach, cilantro and walnuts into the chicken mixture. Divide among the tortillas and wrap.

Quick Chicken Enchiladas

12 tortillas
3 c. cooked chicken, chopped or shredded
1 can (7 oz) diced green chilies, drained (I use salsa)
1 tbsp. dried cilantro
1/4 tsp ground cumin
1/4 tsp allspice
1 c. jack cheese, grated
2 c. enchilada sauce
2 c. lettuce, shredded

Combine chicken, chilies, cilantro, cumin, allspice and half of the cheese. Toss gently. Distribute equally among the tortillas. Roll the tortillas and place seam side down in a large baking dish. Pour 1 cup of the enchilada sauce over them and bake in a 400* oven for 10 min. Remove from oven, sprinkle with remaining cheese, and bake 5 min. more. Top with shredded lettuce and serve with the remaining sauce for those that want more.

Chicken Puffs

I actually made these this week, so we've got pictures! :) This is an easy dish that gives off a gourmet look. Great with mashed potatoes and chicken gravy and green salad.

3-4 (1 lb) chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
1 pkg. refrigerated crescent rolls (the kind that's "50% bigger", it's easier to use)
6 oz. softened cream cheese
2 Tbsp butter
seasonings - lemon pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, seasoned salt
bread crumbs (I prefer Italian seasoned, just to add that extra flavor)


Mix butter and cream cheese. Add shredded chicken. Use seasonings in filling to taste.

Separate the crescents into triangle. Drop filling on triangles, roll up into rolls.

Roll in bread crumbs. (The crescents are sticky enough to get a good covering, however you can rub a little water or olive oil on prior to rolling in bread crumbs)

Bake at 350*F for 20-25 minutes, or until lightly browned.

Impossible Chicken Pot Pie

Melanie, here is your long-lost college recipe. :)

2 c. cut up cooked chicken
1 1/2 c. frozen peas and carrots, thawed and drained
1/4 c. chopped mushrooms
1/4 c. chopped onion
1 1/3 c. milk
4 eggs
3/4 c. Bisquick
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper

Heat oven to 350*, grease pie plate (10x1 1/2). Mix chicken, peas and carrots, mushrooms, and onion in pie plate. Beat remaining ingredients until smooth (15 seconds in blender on high or 1 min. with hand beater.) Pour into pie plate over chicken and vegetables. Bake 45-60 min. until knife inserted in center comes out clean. (Add or subtract veggies to suit your own taste.)

Makes 6-8 servings.