Salsa Chicken Casserole

When trying to eat healthy - I usually try to steer clear of the word "casserole." With it usually comes loads of calories and fat - usually. But this particular casserole doesn't have loads of those things in it - just loads of awesome! I pinned this recipe years ago - saving it... and then forgetting about it. But after making it last weekend (and then again last night for dinner!), I'm pretty sure it is going to become a regular in our household.

I made it a little differently than the original recipe does because I wanted shredded chicken instead of the whole chicken option - but either way it worked, and tasted awesome!

Salsa Chicken Casserole
6 SERVINGS 
PREP: 30 minutes           COOK: 30 minutes            READY IN: 60 minutes

SIMPLE	HEALTHY	YUM

INGREDIENTS

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• 2 chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
• 1 cup rice, cooked
• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can corn, drained
• 1 cup salsa
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon oregano
• 1/2 cup shredded Monterey cheddar
• 1/4 cup light sour cream 
• 1/4 cup cilantro

DIRECTIONS

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1. Preheat oven to 375º.
2. In 8 x 8-inch pan, mix together shredded chicken, rice, black beans, corn, salsa, and chicken broth.
3. Add in spices and mix thoroughly. 
4. Cover pan and bake for 30 minutes (or until liquid is absorbed)
5. Take rice out of oven and mix in cheese and sour cream.
6. If desired, bake for additional 5 minutes.
7. Serve topped with cilantro.

NUTRITION FACTS

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    1 serving    406 calories   9.6 g fat  54 g carbs    27 g protein    3 g sugar   

Enjoy!
Recipe adapted from Baking with Blondie

Chicken & Spinach Quesadilla

Everyone knows the basic quesadilla recipe - a tortilla and some cheese. Pretty basic, but always seems to satisfy the little ones. Well, the following recipe is a simple way to "spice" things up a bit. Throw some chicken and spinach in with your cheese and you have this gourmet chicken and spinach quesadilla.

One thing we discovered is if you can "crease" the edges of the tortilla, the chicken stays in a lot better - making it easier to dip and easier to eat... perfect for those little hands!

*** One simple way to mix the recipe up even more is to dip the quesadilla in our Family Favorite Guacamole recipe.

Chicken & Spinach Quesadilla
4 SERVINGS 
PREP: 20 minutes           COOK: 10 minutes            READY IN: 30 minutes

SIMPLE	HEALTHY	YUM

INGREDIENTS

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• 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, shredded
• 1 cup spinach, broken up into pieces
• 1 1/2 cup monterey jack cheese, shredded
• 4 large flour tortillas
• 1 avocado, diced
• 1/2 cup salsa, homemade or store-bought
• 1/4 cup low fat sour cream

DIRECTIONS

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1. In medium bowl, mix shredded chicken, spinach, and cheese.
2. On griddle (or large skillet), place tortilla with chicken mixture spread over half of the tortilla. Fold over the tortilla and "crease" the edges by pressing a spatula into them. 
3. Cook each side of tortilla for 3 - 4 minutes, or until cheese has melted and tortilla is crispy.
4. Serve with avocado, salsa, and sour cream - as desired.

NUTRITION FACTS

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    1 serving    581 calories   33.2 g fat   33.5 g carbs    36.2 g protein    3.5 g sugar   

Enjoy!
Recipe adapted from Real Simple

Family Favorite Guacamole

You know those people who are pretty much magicians in the kitchen? They walk in, throw a few things together, and something delicious and a little bit magical is born? Well my dad is one of those people. For my whole life he has been the "head chef" at our house, always throwing the most random things together - and always creating the best tasting meals!

This guacamole recipe is one of those concoctions. It's not your average just plain smashed avocado guacamole - because for my dad that is just a little too boring. So when you add a little salsa (homemade or store-bought), sour cream, and taco seasoning - it's pretty much a party in your mouth! Pair it with your favorite corn chips and you'll be ready for your next get-together or party.

Family Favorite Guacamole
4 SERVINGS 
PREP: 10 minutes           COOK: 0 minutes            READY IN: 10 minutes

SIMPLE	HEALTHY	YUM

INGREDIENTS

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• 3-4 avocados 
• 1/2 cup salsa
• 1/4 cup low-fat sour cream
• 1 tablespoon taco seasoning

DIRECTIONS

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1. Peel and scoop out the avocado. Smash with a fork until desired consistency.
2. Add salsa, sour cream, and taco seasoning. Continue to smash until mixed thoroughly. 

NUTRITION FACTS

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    3/4 cup serving    365 calories   33.5 g fat  16.9 g carbs    4.8 g protein    1.8 g sugar   

Enjoy!

Creamy Black Bean Chicken Soup

Growing up, my dad was the cook. He is amazing at mixing this and that, not measuring a thing, and having a beyond awesome dinner ready - usually in 30 minutes or less. My mom on the other hand, made the grilled cheese, macaroni-and-cheese with hot dogs, and hot dog potato boats. (Never had one?? First, I'm terribly sorry. Second, here is the recipe so go make one!) Funny thing is - my siblings and I always looked forward to those simple, "mom-made" meals. One of my favorites she would make is this Creamy Black Bean Chicken Soup. All you do is throw your ingredients in the crock pot, go to work/school/church, come home and voila - one of the easiest and tastiest soups I've found yet!

Creamy Black Bean Chicken Soup
4 SERVINGS 
PREP: 10 minutes           COOK: 3 hours            READY IN: 3 hours 10 minutes

SIMPLE	HEALTHY	YUM

INGREDIENTS

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• 2 chicken breasts
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can corn, drained
• 1 cup salsa
• 1 package taco seasoning
• 1/2 cup sour cream (optional)
• 1/2 cup cheddar cheese (optional)
• Tortilla chips 

DIRECTIONS

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1. Place chicken in crock pot. Pour broth, beans, corn, salsa, and taco seasoning over chicken. 
2. Cook on low for 6 hours (or high for 3 hours). 
3. Remove chicken and shred. Re-add chicken.
4. If desired, add sour cream and cheese to crock pot. Stir until smooth. (Or add desired amount to individual servings)
5. Serve with tortilla chips.

NUTRITION FACTS

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    1 cup serving (with sour cream and cheese)    568 calories   22.4 g fat   50.1 g carbs    43.5 g protein    4.5 g sugar        

Enjoy!