Smoky Roasted Chicken

Here's a quick and easy dry rub to add some zing to your roasted chicken.

Ingredients

• Chicken wings or drumsticks (bone in, skin on)
• 2 Tablespoons coconut oil
• 1 Tablespoon chili powder
• 1 Tablespoon paprika
• 1 Tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 Tablespoon cinnamon
• 1/2 Tablespoon sea salt
• 1/2 Tablespoon pepper
• 
  

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees
2. Toss chicken in melted coconut oil
3. Mix spices in a ziploc bag. Add chicken to bag and shake until coated.
4. Place on baking sheet and bake for 30-45 minutes, turning once after 20 minutes

My rating: ★★★★

This is an excellent rub. I usually like my roasted chicken with lemon and garlic, but this was a very good alternative.  I served this chicken with a Baked Sweet Potato with Feta and Honey.

Chicken Fried Rice

Chicken Fried Rice


This is a pretty good recipe. It's pretty general as far as chicken fried rice. I picked this one from SkinnyMom. 

Ingredients

• 2 cups reduced-sodium chicken stock
• 1 cup water
• ¾ lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cooked + chopped into bite-sized pieces
• 2 Tbsp sesame oil
• 1 cup onion, chopped
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 1 cup frozen carrots
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 eggs
• 4 cups of brown rice (cooked)
• 1/2 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
• 20 scallion stalks, chopped + divided (about 1 cup)

Instructions

1. In a stockpot, add chicken stock, water and chicken. Bring to boil on medium-high heat. Cover and lower heat to medium-low. Allow chicken breasts to simmer for 10-12 minutes or until no longer pink in the middle (170 degrees F). Turn off heat.
2. Remove chicken breast from stock and set on plate to slightly cool. When chicken is cool enough to touch, dice into ½-inch cubes and set aside.
3. Cook rice.
4. Heat sesame oil in a large skillet on medium heat. Add onion, peas and carrots, garlic, ½ cup of the scallions and "stir fry" until tender, about 3-5 minutes. Push mixture to outside of skillet to open up the center. Crack eggs into skillet and scramble. Mix with vegetables.
5. Add the stir fry mixture, chicken and soy sauce to the bowl of brown rice. Mix well. Top with remaining scallions.

My review:  ★★★
It was fairly easy, but lacked a certain pizzazz. We ended up adding hot sauce and soy sauce and then it tasted better. But I guess that's the risk with trying a "skinny" recipe. 

Creamy Black Bean Salsa Chicken

Creamy Black Bean Salsa Chicken

This recipe has definitely been around the block. There are many sites to find this recipe, and they are all very similar. Here's the site I used The Well Fed Newlyweds.

Photo credit: The Well Fed Newlyweds

Ingredients 
1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts (fresh or frozen)
1 cup low sodium chicken broth
1 jar salsa
15 oz can black beans, rinsed and drained
15 oz can corn, drained
8 oz block of cream cheese
Taco seasoning
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese


Directions
Grease a slow cooker with non-stick spray and place the chicken inside.
Add the chicken broth, salsa, black beans, corn, cream cheese and taco seasoning. Cover and cook for 6-8 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high.
Remove chicken and shred with forks.
Add cheese to sauce and stir. Return chicken and stir.
Serve with hot rice or tortillas

My review: ★★★★
I give this recipe a 4 star rating. It's definitely an easy meal to prepare and is quite delicious for how little effort is put into it. We usually just use tortillas, because it's easier. You can add anything that'd like. Avocado, more cheese, fresh tomatoes, lettuce, etc.

Greek Chicken Gyros

Greek Chicken Gyros

One of my favorite meals ever! I have done this recipe a few times now and it's absolutely amazing. I give all credit to Half Baked Harvest for their Greek Chicken Gyros.

Photo credit: Half Baked Harvest

Ingredients

For the chicken

• 4 cloves of garlic, minced
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 3 teaspoons of red wine (or red wine vinegar if you prefer)
• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 3 tablespoons plain greek yogurt (I used nonfat and it was just fine)
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon dried dill
• salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 1/2 pounds boneless chicken, cut into thick strips

For the tzatziki sauce

• 16 ounces plain greek yogurt (again, nonfat. But any kind will do)
• 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon white wine (or white wine vinegar)
• 1 teaspoon, dried dill
• 1 teaspoon, dried oregano
• half a fresh lemon, juiced
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

Serve with:

• 6-8 Pita breads
• fresh cherry tomatoes
• your favorite hummus
• tapenade (you can buy this at the store or find awesome recipes to make it at home)
• feta cheese ( <---- my favorite part!)

Instructions

1. Prepare the chicken by combining all ingredients, except chicken in a medium bowl. Whisk together until mixed well. Add in the chicken pieces to the bowl and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
2. To prepare the tzatziki sauce, mix together the greek yogurt, diced cucumber, garlic, white wine, dill, oregano, salt and pepper to taste, and lemon juice. Drizzle with olive oil. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
3. To cook the chicken preheat your broiler. Place the chicken, including marinade on a baking pan and broil the chicken for 5-7 minutes until cooked through.
4. Heat pitas. Top with chicken, tzatziki sauce, sliced tomatoes, feta cheese, tapenade and anything else you'd like on your gyros. Serve immediately.

My review: ★★★★★  

I definitely give this meal a 5 star rating! It's so easy and unbelievably delicious. It WILL be going back on the menu for another night.