Ranch-Baked Chicken w/ Bacon, Sprouts and Potatoes

4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts

1 lb red potatoes, halved or quartered

1 lb Brussels sprouts, trimmed

Salt & pepper, to taste

½ tsp garlic powder

½ tsp thyme

1 oz pkg Ranch dressing powder

6 slices bacon

Preheat oven to 400⁰. Line baking sheet with foil and spray with cooking spray. Place chicken on baking sheet. Add potatoes and sprouts to baking sheet.  Sprinkle all with salt, pepper, garlic powder and thyme. Pour Ranch dressing powder over all then lay bacon over the top.

Bake until chicken is no longer pink and juices run clear, about 30-35 minutes.

Yield: 4 servings.

Hubby said I can make this again! 🙂 It’s a nice take on tamales.

Chicken Tamale Bake

1 large egg

14 ¾ oz cream style corn

8.5 oz pkg cornbread/muffin mix

4 oz chopped green chilies

1/3 c. skim milk

¼ c. shredded Mexican cheese blend

Topping:

2 c. chopped cooked chicken

10 oz enchilada sauce

1 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp smoked paprika

½ tsp chili powder

¼ c. diced onion

1/3 c. whipped cream cheese

1 c. shredded Mexican cheese blend, divided

Preheat oven to 400⁰. In a large bowl, combine egg, corn, cornbread mix, green chilies, milk and cheese. Spray 13×9 with cooking spray and pour in cornbread mix. Bake until light golden brown and a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 15-18 minutes. In large skillet, combine chicken, enchilada sauce, cumin, paprika, chili powder, onion and whipped cream cheese. When well combined add ½ cup Mexican cheese and cook until melted. Spread over cornbread layer; top with cheese. Bake 10-12 minutes.

Yield: 6 servings.

Another recipe to help me use up some cooked chicken…

Buffalo Chicken Tortellini

2 ½ c. fat free chicken broth

20 oz package refrigerated cheese tortellini

2 c. cooked, diced chicken

½ c. Buffalo wing sauce

¼ c. blue cheese crumbles

½ c. light cream cheese

In medium saucepan, bring broth to a boil. Add tortellini and cook 4 minutes, ensuring tortellini is cooked through. Add chicken, buffalo sauce, blue cheese and cream cheese. Stir to combine and melt cream cheese.

Yield: 3 servings.

So every Sunday my husband smokes a whole chicken. And most weeks I have to come up with some way to use it all, especially if we haven’t eaten a lot of sandwiches. I’m definitely keeping this one in mind to make again. Great comfort food. BTW, I like the pasta at Aldi that has no WW points.

Chicken Pot Pie Noodle Skillet

10 oz whole wheat rotini pasta

1/3 c. diced onion

½ c. sliced celery

2 c. cooked, diced chicken

Dash garlic powder

10 oz frozen peas and carrots

Salt and pepper, to taste

2 TB all-purpose flour

1 c. fat free, low sodium chicken broth

½ c. whipped cream cheese

¼ c. fat free half and half

Boil pasta in salted water; cook al dente. Spray large skillet with cooking spray and cook onion and celery.  When onion is translucent add chicken, garlic powder, peas, carrots, salt and pepper.  Combine well. When peas and carrots are heated through, sprinkle with flour and combine. Add broth, cream cheese and half and half; combine well. Fold in cooked pasta and serve.

Yield: 5 servings.

Husband approved.

Cajun Chicken Alfredo

2 c. diced, cooked chicken

14 oz turkey smoked sausage, chopped

Salt and pepper, to taste

Dash garlic powder

11 oz can tomatoes with green chilies

1 quart fat free, reduced sodium chicken broth

1 lb penne pasta

1 ½ TB cajun seasoning

2 TB parmesan cheese

1/3 c. whipped cream cheese

Add chicken and sausage to large sauce pan. Add salt, pepper, garlic powder and tomatoes. Combine well and add broth, pasta, and Cajun seasoning. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer over low heat 15-20 minutes or until pasta is tender. Add parmesan and cream cheeses.

Yield: 6 servings.

Hubby said I could make this again. But I think in the past 4 years there’s only been once that he HASN’T said that…

Chicken, Bacon & Ranch Pasta

2 c. rotini pasta

4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

2 c. diced, cooked chicken breast

2 c. low sodium chicken broth

2 TB ranch dressing and seasoning mix

4 oz whipped cream cheese

½ c. shredded, reduced fat cheddar cheese (optional)

Cook pasta in boiling water. (I used quinoa pasta from Aldi for zero WW points on purple.) Meanwhile, cook bacon in large skillet. When crisp remove to a paper towel to drain, then chop or crumble. Remove most of the grease from the pan and add the chicken and cooked bacon. Add broth, ranch powder and cream cheese to pan and combine well.  Turn heat to low and simmer until pasta is al dente’. Then drain cooked pasta and add to the skillet. Top with shredded cheese if desired.

Yield: 4 servings.