Crock-Pot Southwest Chicken

When I saw a recipe for "southwest chicken" my mouth started watering. What sweetened the deal even more was that it was only a few ingredients, minimal preparation, and maximum deliciousness! Honestly, this recipe could not get any simpler, and you can adjust it to your own tastes.

This chicken is delicious, simple, full of nutrients, protein, and you can put it in or on whatever suites your fancy. We used this southwest chicken in some romaine heart lettuce cups, and I (of course) drizzled it with some hot sauce, and BAM. Dinner is made.

Here's how to make your own crock-pot southwest chicken! Note that this meal can also be made, put into two gallon zip bloc bags and frozen for later use.

Ingredients

1 16oz jar of salsa of your choice

1 can of corn, drained

1 can of black beans, drained and rinsed

3 to 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1/2 package of cream cheese (could substitute for Greek yogurt as well) ** optional **

Lettuce wraps, brown rice, corn tortillas, or whatever you want to put your chicken in or on

Cheese, hot sauce, Greek yogurt, whatever toppings you want to use

Directions

Put salsa, corn, beans and chicken in the crock-pot on low. Cook for 6 to 7 hours. During the last 30 minutes, if you are adding cream cheese or Greek yogurt, mix in now. Serve over your lettuce wraps, tortillas or brown rice, and top with your favorite toppings! 

If you are looking to add in more veggies, chop up some onion and a bell pepper and add it to the mix! If you want to add some extra heat, try chopping up and mixing in a fresh jalepeno. The possibilities are endless. 

Who is ready to try this super simple crock-pot recipe?? 

Greek Chicken Pasta Salad

As summer comes to a close, I’m getting as much of this “summery” salad as I can, because it’s a great, simple dish, and has all the cool, yummy flavors of summer still bursting on your palate.

This is also a great dish to mix up, you can do all sorts of different varieties by adding in your own favorite veggies, maybe dice up some cucumber or throwing in some corn or black beans. Play around with it and have fun!

Ingredients

-Whole wheat bow tie pasta

-2 to 3 small to medium chicken breasts

-1/2 cup of sliced, pitted kalamata olives (you can add more or less to your own tastes, I love olives so I add a little more)

-1/2 cup of crumbled feta cheese

-2 fresh tomatoes, chopped

-Organic or home made Italian dressing (start with ½ cup and go up from there to your own taste)

-Garlic powder and pepper to taste

Directions

1.     Cook your chicken breasts (either in an oven at 375 for about 25 minutes, or on a grill, however you prefer). Roughly chop, set aside to cool.

2.     Bring a medium pot of water to a rolling boil, cook your pasta all the way through. Drain, set aside to cool.

3.     Chop your tomatoes, place in a large bowl

4.     Add the pasta and chicken, stir to mix.

5.     Add in your olives, feta cheese and dressing, mix until all incorporated.

6.     Season with garlic powder and pepper to taste

7.     Chill for about 30 minutes or until cool (if you want to, this is optional)

8.     ENJOY!

This recipe is so simple and great. Like I said, you can totally add in chopped cucumbers, corn, black beans, broccoli, really whatever you like. Toss it up, and enjoy!

Sesame Chicken

Thailand. The Philippines. Malaysia. Cambodia. China.

Taken in Beijing, China

Five months in five different Asian countries. From November 2011 to the end of March 2012, I spent my time spread across those five Asian countries as part of my World Race route. And let me tell you, I absolutely loved the food.

Me out on the Great Wall of China!

Market in Bangkok, Thailand

I've always loved Asian food, but never cooked much of it. I am completely inspired by the fusion and boldness of the flavors of Asian food. And let me tell you, when I was traveling with the World Race, Asian food was like a gift of heaven. It was full of flavor, which is what I'm all about- bold flavor.

Lately I have been wanting to get into cooking different Asian dishes and try my hand at those unique flavors. So the other night I whipped up and experimented with Sesame Chicken. And let me tell you, it was a winner!

Here's the digs on this delicious recipe inspired by the exotic flavors of Asia!

Sesame Chicken

Ingredients (Makes 4 servings)
3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
5 Tbsp. sesame oil, divided
10 Tbsp. soy sauce, divided
1/4 cup of honey
1/4 cup of corn starch
2 cups of water
2 cloves garlic, minced
To taste: garlic powder, pepper
Optional: ginger and sesame seeds (I did not have either, so I didn't use, but it would compliment the dish well)

Optional:
4 servings of brown rice (about 1 cup uncooked rice cooked in 2 cups of water)
4 servings of cooked snap peas

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375 and place chicken in a baking dish.
2. Mix 2 Tbsp sesame oil, 3 Tbsp soy sauce, and a generous pinch of garlic powder and pepper. Pour over chicken, and bake chicken about 20 minutes until mostly cooked through. Don't overcook because you will be putting the chicken on heat with the sesame sauce.
3. Heat remaining 3 Tbsp of sesame oil in a large skillet (a deeper skillet is best for this), over medium high heat.
4. Mince garlic, lower heat to medium and cook 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.
5. In a separate bowl, mix together soy sauce, water and corn starch until blended, and mix into sesame and garlic mixture. Add honey in right after.
6. Heat through until it starts to thicken a little.
7. Take your chicken out and chop into smaller pieces, then place in the sauce.
8. Note, if the sauce starts getting too thick, you can thin it out with more water.
9. Let the chicken and sauce blend together and cook over medium about 5-10 minutes.
10. Season with garlic powder (I used about 2-3 teaspoons, but I love garlic), and black pepper. You can also add more soy sauce if you like the flavor. If you are using ginger and sesame seeds, add at this point.
11. Serve over a bed of rice with snap peas, and enjoy!

What's your favorite Asian dish? Share below, I love learning new recipes!