Jodi’s Mediterranean Crockpot Chicken

Jodis Meditteranean Crockpot Chicken 1

I love chicken, and I love easy crockpot recipes – especially for days you know you are going to be busy, but want a nice, healthy meal at the end of the day.

Crockpot recipes are often thought more about in the winter and often with heavier, creamier sauces, but I love how light and healthy this recipe turned out that was born out of simply searching the pantry one morning last week for what to throw together.

Jodis Meditteranean Crockpot Chicken

I daresay this is good enough for company, yet simple enough for any ole’ weeknight dinner.

Best of all, you can throw it together in about 10 minutes in the morning and forget about it until dinnertime.

Hope you give it a try and enjoy!

Jodi's Mediterranean Crockpot Chicken

Ingredients:Jodis Meditteranean Crockpot Chicken 1

  • 6 frozen chicken breasts (or your favorite cuts – thighs, legs, whole cut up parts)
  • 1 12 oz. jar Marinated & Quartered Artichoke Hearts ( I used DeLallo)
  • 1 12 oz. jar Sweet Roasted Red Peppers (I used Mancini)
  • 3 oz. (1/4 cup) Capers (I used Roland Capers in Sherry Vinegar)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 Tbsp Italian Seasoning (oregano, basil, parsley, thyme blend)
  • 1/2 cup white wine (I used a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc that was open, but any kind would do, or you could substitute chicken broth)

Directions:

Layer all ingredients in crockpot in order listed above.  Cook on low for 6-8 hours.  Serve alone or over pasta, rice or with a side of new boiled potatoes. Garnish with some fresh basil leaves minced and freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

Easy – Right?!

Delicious?  You’re going to love it!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Chicken Caprese Pizza

chicken caprese pizza 2

A fun, fresh, delicious way to use a rotisserie chicken is to make it into a pizza!

Chicken Caprese Pizza.

chicken caprese pizza

A tube of Pillsbury Pizza Crust, some red, ripe campari tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil, garlic and balsamic vinegar, along with the chicken make an amazing quick and easy weekday or weekend dinner.

chicken caprese pizza 1

Served with a fresh green salad, and you are ready to rock in 30 minutes or less.

We made this last night for dinner and absolutely loved it!

What is your favorite way to use a rotisserie chicken?

Chicken Caprese Pizza

Ingredients:chicken caprese pizza 2

  • 1/2 rotisserie chicken, diced
  • 1 Pillsbury pizza crust or your favorite
  • 1 lb fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
  • 3-4 campari tomatoes, sliced
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped

Directions:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.  Spread pizza crust out on baking stone or cookie sheet.  Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with minced garlic.  Bake for 5 min.

Remove pizza crust from oven and spread chopped rotisserie chicken evenly on top.  Layer sliced campari tomatoes, followed by sliced mozzarella cheese and chopped basil on top.  Drizzle with balsamic vinegar.  Return to oven, and bake an additional 10-15 minutes until cheese is melted and beginning to brown and crust is golden brown.

I hope you will enjoy this yummy pizza as much as we did!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

 

Almost-Homemade Easy Crockpot General Tso’s Chicken

Almost Homemade Easy Crockpot General Tso's Chicken

Gotta love “almost-homemade” recipes – right?

And what is better than a crockpot recipe for those busy days when we need it?!

And WHO does not love General Tso’s Chicken?  Please don’t tell me if you don’t?!  It will shock me beyond belief.

Almost Homemade Easy Crockpot General Tso's Chicken 2

This recipe turned out so yummy that I have to call it yet another……

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!

A winner because it is YUMMY…

and a winner because it is EASY!

Here is how I made it.

Almost-Homemade Easy Crockpot General Tso's Chicken

Ingredients:Almost Homemade Easy Crockpot General Tso's Chicken

  • 2 1/2 lbs fresh or frozen boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bit-sized pieces
  • 2 cups corn starch
  • 1 tsp. coarsely ground black pepper
  • 2 tsp. salt
  • 1 15-oz bottle Iron Chef General Tso’s Sauce and Glaze (this yummy sauce is what makes it “almost” homemade and VERY easy!)
  • 1/4  cup oil
  • 1/2 cup chopped green onions

Directions:

  • Mix corn starch, salt, and pepper in a gallon-sized Ziploc Bag
  • Add chicken to corn starch mixture and shake to coat well.
  • Heat oil in a stir-fry skillet.
  • Add corn starch coated chicken, and fry 3-4 minutes until lightly browned and crisp.
  • Pour entire contents of skillet into crockpot.
  • Add bottle of sauce.
  • Cook on LOW for 4 hours
  • Add green onions
  • Serve with steamed Jasmine rice

Enjoy!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Crockpot Chicken Philly Cheesesteak Sandwiches

chicken philly cheesesteak 2

Last week, I made some yummy chicken sandwiches: Chicken Philly Cheese Steaks, which were easy peasy and full of flavor.

Just imagine juicy, shredded chicken with ooey gooey melted cheese and sweet caramelized onions and peppers on a buttery, toasted bun.  Sound like heaven?

Crockpot meal to the rescue!

If you’re looking for an easy, satisfying dinner, lunch, picnic or party pleaser, look no further, and enjoy these yummy sammies.

I know we did!  We enjoyed ours with some fresh garlic green beans and a vinaigrette-based light cole slaw.  Do I have you hungry yet?

I found a recipe I tweaked every so slightly from CinnamonSpiceandEverythingNice.com.

chicken philly cheesesteak

Crockpot Chicken Philly Cheesesteak Sandwiches


Ingredients:chicken philly cheesesteak 2

  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 tsp chili powder
  • 1/4 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp each onion and garlic powder
  • Olive oil for sauteing
  • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
  • 2 large sweet onions, sliced
  • 2 large red or orange or yellow bell peppers sliced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 8 buns
  • 8 slices Mozzarella or Provolone cheese (or your fave)
  • Pickled Jalapeno or Banana Peppers or Pickles to garnish
  • Hot sauce if you want to “zip” it up some more

Directions

Add the broth, mustard, Worcestershire, chili powder, cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, salt and black pepper to a crockpot set on high and whisk together.

Season the chicken with salt and pepper and place on top of sauce in the crockpot.

In a skillet, saute the onion, peppers and garlic in olive oil. Season with salt and pepper, cook, stirring occasionally for 5 – 7 minutes. Remove half the mixture and place on top of chicken in the crockpot and save the other half for serving.  You can store it in a small covered container in the refrigerator.

Cook the chicken mixture on low for 6 – 8 hours.

During the last hour shred the chicken with 2 forks right in the crockpot and let cook in the juice.

Reheat the onion, pepper and garlic mixture you set aside earlier.

Butter the insides of the buns and toast on a hot skillet until golden brown. Lay your choice of cheese down then top with chicken, some of the onion mixture and pickles or pickled peppers and hot sauce if you like.

Enjoy!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Beer Chicken in the Crockpot

beer chicken 2

Are you looking for a super simple chicken dinner you can throw in the crockpot in the morning, forget about, and arrive home at dinner time to a taste-like-you-slaved-all-day meal?

I adore cooking and baking, but many (really most) days don’t allow me the luxury to spend the time I’d like in the kitchen, so this recipe is just the ticket.  It is full of flavor, tender, and moist.

Beer Chicken in Crockpot 2

And it’s EASY!  Besides the chicken, there are only FOUR ingredients:  a bottle of your favorite beer, a tablespoon or two of seasoning (I used Montreal Steak Seasoning – yep STEAK seasoning), 2 Tablespoons of fresh herbs (I used rosemary), and 2 large cloves of garlic.

Beer Chicken in Crockpot

You can use a whole chicken or chicken parts, or boneless chicken breasts like I did.  Put it all in the crockpot on low for 8 hours or high for 4-5 hours.

beer chicken

The sauce can be made into a beautiful gravy, and I served it with mashed potatoes and steamed broccoli.

SCORE!

The chicken tastes almost like those moist, tender rotisseries chickens you get at Costco or your local grocery, but even better!

Add this to your collection of winner winner chicken dinners!  You won’t be sorry!

Beer Chicken in the Crockpot

Ingredients

  • 4 chicken breasts or a whole chicken or your favorite chicken pieces
  • 1 bottle of your favorite beer
  • 2 Tbsp Montreal steak seasoning (or your favorite blend)
  • 2 Tbsp fresh Rosemary (or your favorite herb)
  • 2 large garlic cloves, minced

Directions

  • Place all in crockpot and cook for on high for 4-5 hours or low for 8 hours.

Cheers & Hugs,

Jodi

Copycat Chick-Fil-A Chicken Sandwich

copycat chick-fil-a chicken sandwich.1jpg

Are you ready for another AMAZING Chicken Recipe?!?!

(My youngest son recently commented:  “too much painting – not enough cooking on the blog!”)

So… since he and I LOVE chicken for dinner….

and he requested this…

and our oldest son and our daughter-in-law were coming over last evening….

It was time to break down and make this YUMMY recipe!

If you love Chick-Fil-A Chicken Sandwiches…  I promise – all your dreams have just come true!

I very rarely eat fast food.

But when I do…  a Chick-Fil-A Chicken Sandwich is my go-to FAVE!

And I am super excited to share that I discovered a recipe that totally replicates this best of best chicken sandwich thanks to one of my favorite food bloggers Damn Delicious!

And if you don’t have a Chick-Fil-A near you – or have never tried – this is so easy and perfectly replicates the original, you need look no further.

Are you ready for the most juicy, flavorful, amazing chicken sandwich possible?

Here is the recipe shared by Chungah at Damn Delicious.  (Of course, I doubled the recipe, and have lots of yummy leftovers!)

Copycat Chick-Fil-A Chicken Sandwich

Ingredients:copycat chick-fil-a chicken sandwich.1jpg

  • 4 hamburger buns
  • 1 head green leaf lettuce, leaves separated
  • 1 tomato, sliced
  • 20 dill pickle slices
Chicken:
  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 cup dill pickle juice
  • 1 1/2 cups milk, divided
  • 1 cup peanut oil
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon confectioners’ sugar
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions:

  • Place a chicken breast on a cutting board. With your hand flat on top of it, carefully slice the chicken in half horizontally. Trim excess fat as needed.
  • In a large shallow baking dish, combine chicken, pickle juice and 1/2 cup milk; marinate for at least 30 minutes. (I marinated for 8 hours in the refrigerator) Drain well.
  • Heat peanut oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.
  • In another large shallow baking dish, whisk together remaining 1 cup milk and egg. Stir in chicken to coat and drain excess milk mixture.
  • In a gallon size Ziploc bag or large bowl, combine chicken, flour and confectioners’ sugar; season with salt and pepper, to taste.
  • Working in batches, add chicken to the skillet and cook until evenly golden and crispy, about 4-5 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
  • Serve chicken immediately on burger buns with green leaf lettuce, tomato and pickle.  (I added a splash of Yum Yum Sauce, which I think closely resembles Chick-Fil-A sauce for the little extra YUM!)

ENJOY!

Cheers & Hugs,

Jodi

Balsamic Grilled Peaches & Chicken Salad Dinner

balsamic grilled peaches and chicken 3

Oh Friends… you know how much I love chicken and discovering new and different ways to prepare it.

Well this week I discovered another Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!

It’s simple, it’s fast, it’s healthy, and it’s YUMMY!

balsamic grilled peaches and chicken 2

I have seen and heard about grilling peaches, and I was intrigued.

Having some ripe peaches in the fridge that weren’t getting eaten, now was the time to try it!

grilled peaches

It was so easy, and they were DELISH! 

Balsamic Grilled Peaches and Chicken

If you are looking for another light and simple, but full-flavored summer chicken dinner, look no further!

And remember, like I always say, if you don’t like a particular ingredient, switch it up!  Substitute goat cheese or feta or even shredded cheddar for the blue cheese if you are not a blue cheese fan (but BOO to you because it is DIVINE!).  Change up the greens to ones you prefer.  I used Spring Mix, but it would be awesome with Spinach or Arugula or Kale too!

Be creative.

Have fun!

Make dinner a celebration.

Create art on a plate.

You won’t be sorry about this one!

Balsamic Grilled Peaches & Chicken Salad

Ingredientsbalsamic grilled peaches and chicken 2

  • 4 chicken breast halves
  • 4-6 cups Spring Mix Salad Greens
  • 2 large sweet Vidalia onions, sliced into 1/2 thick slices
  • 4-6 ripe peaches – cut in half and pitted
  • 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
  • 1 Bottle Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing (I used Ken’s Light version)
  • Olive Oil
  • Balsamic Vinegar
  • Salt & Pepper to taste

Directions

  • Marinade chicken breasts in 1/2 bottle balsamic vinagrette for at least 4 hours.
  • Grill chicken when ready to serve.
  • Place Onion Slices in a grill basket (or foil).  Sprinkle with olive oil, salt and pepper.  Grill until translucent and char-grilled.  Place on one side of grill while chicken is grilling on the other side.  These two take about the same amount of time – approximately 20 minutes.
  • Once chicken is done, remove from grill, and set aside.
  • Sprinkle peach halves with olive oil, salt, and balsamic vinegar.  Place cut side done on grill, and grill for about 5-7 minutes until soft and char-grilled.  When done, remove from grill and slice peach halves into three or four pieces.
  • To plate, place a cup of greens on plate, top with grilled onions, peach slices and crumbled blue cheese.  Add chicken to side or slice and mix in with chicken.
  • ENJOY!

Cheers & Hugs,

Jodi

Chicken Caprese Penne Pasta

chicken caprese penne pasta

I had a rotisserie chicken in the refrigerator that I purchased grocery shopping a day or two earlier.  I knew it would be good to have on hand for picking at or making a quick dinner.

foodie dice chicken caprese penne pasta

Looking for some inspiration, I thought I’d bring out the Foodie Dice and see what creativity I could stimulate for dinner.

fresh chopped tomatoes

I have to admit I cheated and made the chicken dice happen.  But when I rolled, tomatoes, garlic, basil, and pasta….

fresh basil

Caprese came to mind and came to dinner plate.

goat cheese

I didn’t have any fresh mozzarella on hand, but I did have some yummy goat cheese that makes a glorious quick and easy creamy pasta sauce.

rotisserie chicken

And the rotisserie chicken became the star of the evening.

chicken caprese penne pasta
This was so quick and easy, but SO SO SO SO SO to die for delicious.  I have to admit I sort of moaned (and bragged!) while eating it….

Though quick and easy, I must say this dish could be served for company – and I just may do that.

If you don’t have a rotisserie chicken on hand or available, you could simply roast a chicken or saute some chicken breasts and/or thighs to use.

Thanks to the roll of the Foodie Dice for this yummy dinner.

Chicken Caprese Penne Pasta

Ingredients:chicken caprese penne pasta

  • 1 rotisserie chicken, skinned and chopped
  • 1 lb penne pasta
  • 5-6 campari tomatoes, diced
  • 1 cup fresh basil, chopped
  • 4 large cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 Tbsp olive oil
  • 8 oz. goat cheese, crumbled
  • 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

  • Cook penne pasta in salted water for 8-10 minutes.  Drain, reserving 1 cup of water.
  • Saute garlic in olive oil, then stir in chicken.
  • To drained pasta, add crumbled goat cheese and reserved cup of pasta water.  Stir to incorporate and melt cheese.
  • Add chicken and garlic, fresh tomatoes, and basil.  Toss to combine.
  • Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, and salt and pepper to taste. 

Enjoy!

Cheers & Hugs,

Jodi

Chicken Caprese Lasagna

Chicken Caprese Lasagna

Are you like me?  Always looking for new ways to prepare chicken?  I could eat it every night!  It is so versatile.  There are so many different ways you can prepare it.

And this one……. A HUGE WINNER!

I have to admit… I kinda moaned when I ate this.

Chicken Caprese Lasagna pan

And I’m so glad it turned out good, because I made it for dinner the other night when my McSister came to stay.

After allowing Kelly to munch down a Fresh Raspberry Chocolate Chip Cookie,

Fresh Raspberry Chocolate Chip Cookies Plated

settle into her room, and get into some comfies, we enjoyed an extra dry dirty martini, and then settled in for a fresh salad and this YUMMY creamy white chicken caprese lasagna.

Chicken Caprese Lasagna 2

Thumbs up all around on this amazing recipe that I originally discovered and tweaked a bit from Becky at TheCookieRookie.

Becky used sun dried tomatoes, but I decided to go with thinly sliced fresh tomatoes.  Then there is this issue I have with MORE cheese and MORE garlic…

I definitely recommend trying this awesome recipe for a special occasion (and when calories don’t matter!)

Chicken Caprese Lasagne

INGREDIENTSChicken Caprese Lasagna
  • 3 cups cooked and chopped chicken (I used a rotisserie chicken)
  • 1 can (14 oz.) artichoke hearts, drained, chopped
  • 1 1/2 lbs. fresh mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan Cheese
  • 3 ripe tomatoes, thinly sliced
  • 1-1/2 pkg. low fat cream cheese
  • 1 cup Half & Half
  • 4 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • 1/3 cup fresh basil, chopped
  • 1 box lasagna noodles, cooked
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
  2. Combine chicken, artichokes, 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese shredded, the grated Parmesan, and half of the basil in a bowl.
  3. In a separate bowl using an electric mixer, beat cream cheese and garlic until well combined.  Add Half and Half, and beat until creamy. Gently stir in half the basil. Set half of the cream cheese mixture aside and stir the remaining half into the chicken mixture.
  4. Spread half of the cream cheese mixture in the bottom of a 13 x 9 baking dish.
  5. Layer 4 noodles on top.
  6. Top with one third of the chicken mixture.
  7. Place one layer of thinly sliced tomatoes.
  8. Repeat the noodles, chicken  mixture and tomatoes two more times, ending with a noodle layer.
  9. Top with the other half of the cream cheese mixture.
  10. Place slices of fresh mozzarella slices on top.
  11. Top with a little more fresh basil if desired.
  12. Bake 45 min. or until heated through and bubbly on top.
  13. Get ready to moan!

 

Cheers & Hugs,

Jodi

 

Best Ever Grilled Chicken Fajitas

chicken fajita

So I don’t know about you, but I make something with chicken at least once… often twice… and sometimes three times a week (if I can get away with it!).  I love how versatile chicken is, and I challenge myself to find a new recipe to try with chicken every week.

Chicken Fajitas are a family favorite, and I have made them a variety of ways throughout the years.  Yesterday, however, I created this FREAKIN’ FABULOUS version that is my absolute favorite to date!

lime cilantro marinade for chicken fajitas

I started with a fresh lime and cilantro marinade…

lime cilantro marinade for chicken fajitas 1

adding some spicy chili powder, cumin, and garlic salt.

chicken fajita 1

I put half the marinade on the chicken and half on the sliced veggies.

chicken fajita 2

After allowing everything to marinate most of the day, we grilled the chicken and veggies.

Wow!  The smell…  the taste…  So Dang DELISH!

chicken fajita

Add some fresh homemade guacamole, shredded cheddar cheese, fresh greens, and WOWSERS!  Best meal in a wrap!  Add a tossed green salad, and you have an amazing weeknight dinner.

Here’s my recipe.  You HAVE TO try this!  I swear it is the best chicken fajita I’ve EVER had.

Jodi's Best Ever Lime Cilantro Marinated Grilled Chicken Fajitas

  • Servings: Approx. 8 Fajitas
  • Print

Ingredients:

Marinade:
1 large ripe lime, juiced (approx 4 tsp juice)
1 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 cup olive oil
2 tsp. chili powder
3 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. garlic salt (I use the kind with parsley in, but not necessary)

3 large chicken breasts, sliced into three thin slices each, to make 9 pieces.
1 large vidala onion, sliced
2 cups sliced sweet red, yellow, orange peppers
8 Large Flour Tortilla Wraps (wrapped in foil and placed on grill for a few minutes to warm)

Toppings:
Jodi’s Fresh Homemade Guacamole
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Mixed Fresh Greens (spinach, arugula, romaine)
Sour Cream (optional)

Directions:
Prepare marinade by whisking together all ingredients.
Pour half on chicken in a glass baking dish. Cover with saran wrap and refrigerate.
Pour other half on sliced onions and peppers in another glass baking dish.  Cover with saran wrap and refrigerate.
Marinade 4-8 hours.

When ready to prepare, grill chicken and veggies (we used a wire grill basket for the veggies).
When done, slice chicken into strips.
Assemble fajitas by spreading about a tablespoon of guacamole onto the warmed tortilla, top with chicken strips, grilled onion and pepper strips, cheddar cheese, and fresh greens.  Wrap and ENJOY!
Serve with a fresh salad, mexican rice, or refried beans.

You are going to love these!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi