Slow Cooker Chicken Caesar Sandwiches
2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
1/2 to 1 cup of your favorite Caesar dressing (I like Cardini's and Brianna's Asiago Caesar)
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup fresh chopped parsley (if you don't have fresh use around 2 teaspoons of dried parsley)
1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
2 cups shredded romaine lettuce
12 slider buns or 4-6 regular sized hamburger buns
1. Place chicken in a 3-4 quart slow cooker with 1-2 cups of water, cover and cook on low heat for 4-6 hours.
2. Remove chicken from cooker using a slotted spoon and drain the water from the slow cooker. Place chicken on a cutting board and pull chicken into shreds, discarding any fat.
3. Place chicken back in the cooker and pour dressing, Parmesan cheese, parsley, and pepper over the top. I really make sure that I discard any fat pieces so by the time I was done I only used about 1/2 cup of dressing but you make need more if you have more chicken. Stir until mixed evenly. Cover and cook on high heat for 30 minutes or until mixture is hot.
4. Spoon 1/4 cup mixture onto each slider bun if you are making sliders or more for regular sized buns. Top with extra shredded Parmesan cheese and lettuce to serve.
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Easy Chicken Cordon Bleu
Easy Chicken Cordon Bleu
Source: Mel's Kitchen Cafe
For the Cordon Bleu:
3 large, thick boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut in half length-wise (to make two thinner chicken breast cutlets; you will have 6 total thin chicken breasts)
12 slices good quality deli ham
1 cup bread crumbs (preferably fresh)
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 pound (8 ounces) thinly sliced Swiss cheese
For the Parmesan-Dijon Cream Sauce:
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon chicken bouillon granules (or 1 bouillon cube, crushed)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
*Note: Mel saves the heels of her bread and stores them in the freezer until she needs them then grinds them up quickly in a blender or food processor.
Directions:
Lightly grease a 9X13-inch baking dish with cooking spray and preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a bowl, combine the bread crumbs and melted butter. Set aside.
Lay the cut chicken breasts in a single layer in the 9X13-inch dish. Layer each chicken breast with two slices of ham and top with slices of Swiss cheese, layering across the chicken breast to make sure the entire chicken breast is covered with ham and cheese. Sprinkle the bread crumbs over the top of the chicken.
Bake the chicken for 30-35 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through completely, the cheese is bubbling and the bread crumbs are golden.
When the chicken is almost done, in a medium saucepan, melt the 2 tablespoons butter. Stir in the flour, whisking constantly. Cook the flour/butter mixture for 1-2 minutes. Slowly pour in the milk while whisking quickly. Stir in the chicken bouillon granules and salt. Whisk mixture constantly over medium heat until the mixture begins to simmer and thicken, about 3-5 minutes.
Once the sauce has bubbled and thickened, remove from heat and stir in the mustard, Worcestershire sauce and Parmesan cheese. Stir until the cheese is melted. Keep the sauce warm until the chicken is finished baking. If your sauce is too thick, whisk in some more milk. If it's too thin, simmer longer.
Source: Mel's Kitchen Cafe
For the Cordon Bleu:
3 large, thick boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut in half length-wise (to make two thinner chicken breast cutlets; you will have 6 total thin chicken breasts)
12 slices good quality deli ham
1 cup bread crumbs (preferably fresh)
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 pound (8 ounces) thinly sliced Swiss cheese
For the Parmesan-Dijon Cream Sauce:
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon chicken bouillon granules (or 1 bouillon cube, crushed)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
*Note: Mel saves the heels of her bread and stores them in the freezer until she needs them then grinds them up quickly in a blender or food processor.
Directions:
Lightly grease a 9X13-inch baking dish with cooking spray and preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a bowl, combine the bread crumbs and melted butter. Set aside.
Lay the cut chicken breasts in a single layer in the 9X13-inch dish. Layer each chicken breast with two slices of ham and top with slices of Swiss cheese, layering across the chicken breast to make sure the entire chicken breast is covered with ham and cheese. Sprinkle the bread crumbs over the top of the chicken.
Bake the chicken for 30-35 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through completely, the cheese is bubbling and the bread crumbs are golden.
When the chicken is almost done, in a medium saucepan, melt the 2 tablespoons butter. Stir in the flour, whisking constantly. Cook the flour/butter mixture for 1-2 minutes. Slowly pour in the milk while whisking quickly. Stir in the chicken bouillon granules and salt. Whisk mixture constantly over medium heat until the mixture begins to simmer and thicken, about 3-5 minutes.
Once the sauce has bubbled and thickened, remove from heat and stir in the mustard, Worcestershire sauce and Parmesan cheese. Stir until the cheese is melted. Keep the sauce warm until the chicken is finished baking. If your sauce is too thick, whisk in some more milk. If it's too thin, simmer longer.
Serve each chicken cordon bleu portion with warm sauce. Makes 6 servings.
Creamy Sausage and Tomato Pasta
Creamy Sausage and Tomato Pasta
Source: Wylie Tidwell
Makes 4-6 servings
4-5 Italian sausages (about 1 pound) found in the fresh meat department (I used spicy turkey Italian sausage; I really think a spicy sausage adds a lot of flavor)
1 cup chopped onion
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 (16 ounce) can Italian style diced tomatoes
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 cup heavy cream
5-6 big leaves of fresh basil, chopped
12 ounces penne pasta (get a 16 ounce box and use 3/4 of it)
grated Parmesan for topping
Directions:
1) Cook the pasta in salted water al dente, according to package directions.
2) While pasta is cooking, brown the sausages and cut them into slices - little circles (I actually removed the casings and then browned and crumbled the sausages like you would ground beef).
3) Add the onions and garlic to the sausage and saute for a couple of minutes.
4) Pour in the entire can of diced tomatoes and the tomato sauce and heat through.
5) Pour in the cream and heat through. The longer you cook the sauce the thicker it will get so simmer it until it is the consistency you want.
6) Add the fresh basil and let it simmer for a few minutes.
7) Finally, mix the sausage sauce with the pasta and serve. Top each serving with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. Serve with crusty garlic bread.
Source: Wylie Tidwell
Makes 4-6 servings
4-5 Italian sausages (about 1 pound) found in the fresh meat department (I used spicy turkey Italian sausage; I really think a spicy sausage adds a lot of flavor)
1 cup chopped onion
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 (16 ounce) can Italian style diced tomatoes
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 cup heavy cream
5-6 big leaves of fresh basil, chopped
12 ounces penne pasta (get a 16 ounce box and use 3/4 of it)
grated Parmesan for topping
Directions:
1) Cook the pasta in salted water al dente, according to package directions.
2) While pasta is cooking, brown the sausages and cut them into slices - little circles (I actually removed the casings and then browned and crumbled the sausages like you would ground beef).
3) Add the onions and garlic to the sausage and saute for a couple of minutes.
4) Pour in the entire can of diced tomatoes and the tomato sauce and heat through.
5) Pour in the cream and heat through. The longer you cook the sauce the thicker it will get so simmer it until it is the consistency you want.
6) Add the fresh basil and let it simmer for a few minutes.
7) Finally, mix the sausage sauce with the pasta and serve. Top each serving with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. Serve with crusty garlic bread.
Greek Style Pita Sandwiches
So good!
Pitas:
12 oz boneless pork loin chops, or boneless skinless chicken, sliced into 1/4″ slices
1 Tablespoon olive oil
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 1/2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons minced fresh oregano
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 C diced tomato
1/4 C diced cucumber
2 Tablespoons diced red onion
4 Lettuce leaves
4 pita bread halves
2-3 Tbs crumbled Athenos Feta cheese
Combine pork, olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, oregano, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a shallow dish and set aside. Heat a medium skillet to medium high heat. While pan is heating, combine tzatziki sauce and set in fridge to chill. Add pork mixture to pan and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently, until pork is cooked through and then remove from heat. Combine tomato, cucumber, and red onion. Too assemble, place one lettuce leaf in each pita. Divide pork mixture between pitas, add cucumber and tomato mixture and then top with tzatziki sauce and a sprinkle of feta.
Tztatziki sauce:
Pitas:
12 oz boneless pork loin chops, or boneless skinless chicken, sliced into 1/4″ slices
1 Tablespoon olive oil
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 1/2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons minced fresh oregano
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 C diced tomato
1/4 C diced cucumber
2 Tablespoons diced red onion
4 Lettuce leaves
4 pita bread halves
2-3 Tbs crumbled Athenos Feta cheese
Combine pork, olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, oregano, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a shallow dish and set aside. Heat a medium skillet to medium high heat. While pan is heating, combine tzatziki sauce and set in fridge to chill. Add pork mixture to pan and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently, until pork is cooked through and then remove from heat. Combine tomato, cucumber, and red onion. Too assemble, place one lettuce leaf in each pita. Divide pork mixture between pitas, add cucumber and tomato mixture and then top with tzatziki sauce and a sprinkle of feta.
Tztatziki sauce:
1 1/2 c. plain Greek yogurt (that’s 2 6-oz. containers)
1 clove garlic, minced
1-2 tsp. lemon juice
3 green onions, firm ends finely chopped
1 tsp. dry dill weed
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1/2 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded, and thinly sliced
Combine ingredients in a small bowl and season with salt and pepper to taste. Store covered and refrigerated for up to 3 days.
Black Bean Sloppy Joes
ingredients
1 (16 oz) can black beans, drained
1 (15 oz) jar of chunky salsa
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp Worcestershire
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp cumin
1 tsp salt
pepper to taste
Cheddar, provolone or Mozzarella cheese (sliced or shredded)
4 sandwich rolls, sliced in half
instructions
Combine black beans, salsa, brown sugar, Worcestershire, Dijon mustard, cumin, salt and pepper in a medium pot and heat to a simmer.
Assemble sandwiches filling rolls with 1/3 cup black bean mix. Top with a slice of cheese or sprinkle of shredded cheese.
**Optional: Place sandwiches on a baking sheet, open faced with tops of buns facing up as well and broil for a few minutes to toast the rolls and melt cheese.
Chicken in Pepperoni Marinara Sauce
ingredients
1/2 tsp minced garlic
16-20 slices of pepperoni, chopped
1/4 tsp dried oregano
1 1/2 c. of your favorite Marinara Sauce
2 tbsp chopped fresh basil
2 tsp olive oil
1 1/2 pound chicken cutlets (I used chicken tenders--and I've used frozen and thawed, both work)
Salt and Pepper for seasoning
1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
instructions
Preheat broiler to high.
Heat a saucepan over medium-high heat and coat the pan with cooking spray. Add garlic and pepperoni chunks; stirring frequently cook for 2 minutes or until garlic begins to brown.
Stir in oregano and stir for 30 seconds. Add marinara sauce and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in chopped basil. Set sauce aside.
Heat a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat and coat with olive oil. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Place chicken in the skillet and cook for about 5-10 minutes (depending on if you're using frozen or thawed) or until lightly browned turning chicken half-way through.
Spoon sauce over the chicken and sprinkle mozzarella cheese. Place in broiler until cheese melts. Remove and garnish with additional basil leaves (optional)
Bruschetta Chicken
I love summer foods MOSTLY BECAUSE of bruschetta. I can't wait for it to be in season. I really liked this PW bruschetta recipe... we made it over the summer.
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
- 5 cloves Garlic, Finely Minced
- 1 pint Red Grape Tomatoes, Halved Lengthwise
- 1 pint Yellow Grape Tomatoes, Halved Lengthwise
- 1 Tablespoon Balsamic Vinegar
- 16 whole Basil Leaves (chiffonade)
- Salt And Black Pepper To Taste (don't Oversalt)
- 8 whole Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts, Cut In Half To Create Two Thin Breasts
- Salt And Pepper, to taste
- Freshly Grated Or Shaved Parmesan
Preparation Instructions
In a small skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add garlic and stir, lightly frying for about a minute, removing before the garlic gets too brown (it can be golden.) Pour into a mixing bowl and allow to cool slightly.
Add tomatoes, balsamic, basil, and salt and pepper to the bowl. Toss to combine, then taste and add more basil if needed, and more salt if needed (don’t oversalt, though!) Cover and refrigerate for an hour or two if you have the time.
Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then grill or saute them until done in the middle.
To serve, give the tomato mixture a final stir. Arrange chicken breasts on a plate (2 at a time) then spoon a generous amount of bruschetta topping over the top.
Use extra topping on slices of grilled baguette!
Add tomatoes, balsamic, basil, and salt and pepper to the bowl. Toss to combine, then taste and add more basil if needed, and more salt if needed (don’t oversalt, though!) Cover and refrigerate for an hour or two if you have the time.
Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then grill or saute them until done in the middle.
To serve, give the tomato mixture a final stir. Arrange chicken breasts on a plate (2 at a time) then spoon a generous amount of bruschetta topping over the top.
Use extra topping on slices of grilled baguette!
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