Super Fast Chicken Freezer Meals

http://www.overthebigmoon.com/super-fast-chicken-freezer-meals/

Super Fast Chicken Freezer Meals

By Pam Dana on February 4, 2013.

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I decided to do a round of Freezer Meals this last week!  Originally, Jessica from Pretty Providence and I were going to do them together again, but I had a sick 2 year old and with her having a newborn baby girl, we decided not to risk it.  RSV is popping up all over the place right now in babies… and I didn’t want to chance her Nora getting sick.
All of these meals were pretty much a chicken and a sauce, so they were SO fast to put together.  These are all the type of meals that I will serve with Rice and a quick veggie.  I made 5 new recipes, plus 2 recipes from Freezer Meals from Round #1!  And, I made 2 of each recipe!  So, I ended up with 14 freezer meals in about 1 1/2 hours!  Can I hear a WOO WOO!!
All the recipes are ingredients for ONE Freezer Meal.  So, if you’re doing two, then you’ll need double what the typed recipe reads!

Recipe #1: French Chicken

I got this recipe from my sister, who got it from a friend.  I have made it a ton of times, but this was my first time putting it together for a Freezer meal!  It’ll be nice to have it all ready!  I generally just serve it with Rice!

4-6 Chicken Breasts (I use the Costco Pouches and generally 3 to 4 breasts is PLENTY for my family of 4)
1 can of Cranberry Sauce (I like Whole Berry best for this recipe)
8 oz of French Dressing
1 packet of Lipton Onion Soup Mix
Mix Chicken, Cranberry Sauce, French Dressing and Lipton Onion Soup Mix in a Gallon Freezer Ziplock Bag.  After closing, take your hands and smash all the ingredients to combine.
To cook: Take the Freezer Meal out of the Freezer and hour before starting or run it under some room temperature water for about 30 seconds.  Dump meal in the a Crockpot and cook on Low for 4-6 hours!

Recipe #2: Teriyaki Chicken

This recipe is from my mother-in-law!  It’s a recipe that I generally bake, but have made using a crockpot before.  It’s one of my families favorites!

6-8 Bonesless, Skinless Chicken Thighs
1 Cup Teriyaki Sauce
1 Cup Water
2/3 Cup Brown Sugar
3 Cloves Garlic
A few slices of of Ginger
Add all ingredients to a Freezer Gallon Ziplock Bag!  Don’t stres about trimming up the Chicken Thighs too much, it’s really not needed!  One of the reasons I love crockpotting Chicken Thighs is because the fat melts and only adds to the taste!!  Once bag is closed with all the air out use your hands to mix all the ingredients and make sure the Thighs are sitting in a good sauce!!
To cook: Take the Freezer Meal out of the Freezer and hour before starting OR run it under some room temperature water for about 30 seconds.  Dump meal in the a Crockpot and cook on Low for 4-6 hours!

Recipe #3: Sweet BBQ Chicken

I adapted this recipe from one that a friend shared with me from Just a Pinch Recipes.  If you decide to use a Sweet BBQ Sauce, then you’ll want to reduce the amount of Brown Sugar you use.

4-6 Chicken Breasts

12 oz bottle of BBQ Sauce

1/2 Cup Brown Sugar (I like mine really sweet, so I’ll usually do a little bit more then this)

1/4 Cup Vinegar

1/8 teaspoon of Cayenne Pepper

1 tsp Garlic Powder

Once the chicken is cleaned, I like to rub it with the Cayenne Pepper.  But, if you’re in a hurry you can just add the Chicken to a Freezer Gallon Ziplock Bag and then add the rest of the ingredients.  Once bag is closed, use your hands to mash all the ingredients together!

To cook: Take the Freezer Meal out of the Freezer and hour before starting OR run it under some room temperature water for about 30 seconds.  Dump meal in the a Crockpot and cook on Low for 4-6 hours!

Recipe #4: Creamy Chicken Italian-O

I got this recipe from Lisa actually!  It’s a yummy one! Enjoy!

4-6 Chicken Breasts

8 oz Cream Cheese

1 Can of Cream of Chicken

1 Dry Packet of Italian Seasoning

Take softened Cream Cheese, Cream of Chicken and Italian Seasoning and mix together in a bowl.  Take cleaned chicken and place in a Freezer Gallon Ziplock Bag and top with the mixture.  After Ziplock bag is closed, take your hands and push wet mixture to cover chicken.

To cook: Take the Freezer Meal out of the Freezer and hour before starting OR run it under some room temperature water for about 30 seconds.  Dump meal in the a Crockpot and cook on Low for 4-6 hours!

Recipe #5: Cafe Rio Crockpot Chicken

I got this recipe from Chef in Training!

4-6 Chicken Breasts

1/2 a small bottle of Zesty Italian Dressing

1 Packet of Dry Ranch Dressing (3 TB)

1/2 Cup Water

1/2 TB of Minced Garlic

1/2 TB Chili Powder

1/2 TB Ground Cumin

Combine all ingredients in a Freezer Gallon Ziplock Bag.  Once ziplock bag is closed, take your hands and combine all ingredients together well.

To cook: Take the Freezer Meal out of the Freezer and hour before starting OR run it under some room temperature water for about 30 seconds.  Dump meal in the a Crockpot and cook on Low for 4-6 hours!

I also made a couple of the Freezer Meal Recipes from Round #1.  I made a couple Worlds Best Chicken Freezer Meals and a couple Garlic Lime Chicken Freezer Meals.  My husband really enjoyed both of those last time!

Recipe #6: Garlic Lime Chicken

Recipe #7: Worlds Best Chicken

It feels so good to have my Deep Freezer FULL!  WooWoo!!  I hope these recipes are ones that you and your family enjoy!  Good luck filling up your freezers!

German Pancakes II

Original recipe makes 6 servings Change Servings

• 1/4 cup butter
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup milk

• 6 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1/8 teaspoon salt

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Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Melt butter in a medium baking dish.
2. In a medium bowl, mix flour, milk, eggs and salt. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish.
3. Bake on center rack in the preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes, until golden brown.

Creamy Pesto Chicken over Bow Tie Pasta

 

This recipe is shamefully simple, yet delicious. All the best flavors of Italian pesto including basil, garlic and Parmesan are harmoniously coupled together with tender morsels of chicken in a creamy sauce over bow tie pasta, cooked Al dente'.
While this isn't a true pesto sauce (as I've omitted pine nuts), it's a great example of a throw together meal, full of flavor and dirt cheap to make.

2 tsp olive oil
1 pound boneless chicken, diced
1 (1lb) box Bow tie Pasta

1 can Cream of chicken soup (or mix)
1/2 c. Milk

3 T. Olive Oil
1/3 c. Parmesan Cheese (grated)
1 1/2 tsp. Dried Basil
1 1/2 tsp Minced garlic

Bring a large pot of water to boil with 1/2 tsp salt in it. Once boiling, add the bow tie pasta and continue to cook until it reaches desired tenderness.

In the meantime, place 2 tsp of olive oil in a large skillet and heat, add diced raw chicken and cook over medium heat until lightly browned on all sides.

While the chicken is cooking, in a small bowl mix 3 T. olive oil, Parmesan cheese, minced garlic and dried basil until well combined.

Once the chicken is nearly cooked all the way through, reduce the heat to low, add 1 can cream of chicken soup mix (condensed), 1/2 c. milk and the pesto mix of olive oil, parm cheese, garlic and basil. Simmer 5 minutes or so until the sauce thickens and is smooth.

Drain the pasta, rinse in HOT water to remove an excess starches. Pour the Hot Pasta into the skillet and fold until all the pasta is coated in the creamy sauce. Serve with toasted garlic bread and salad!

This easily serves 6 people, plus enough leftovers for at least 2 people the next day.

The GroceryBudget101 Breakdown:

1 box bow tie pasta - $1.00 (walmart)
Minced Garlic- negligible .01
Basil- negligible .02
1 pound Boneless skinless chicken breast $1.57
parm cheese .06
milk - .10
Cream of Chicken Soup Mix .14
==========================
Total Cost of Recipe: $2.90 Total or .48 per person (feeding 6 people)

Read more: GroceryBudget101.com- - Creamy Pesto Chicken over Bow Tie Pasta | Dirt Cheap Recipes http://www.grocerybudget101.com/content.php/302-Creamy-Pesto-Chicken-over-Bow-Tie-Pasta#ixzz1tgMFjZ8V

Easy Parmesan Knots

These are easy to make because they start off with a can of refrigerated biscuit dough.  However, they look fancy because you shape the dough in a knot.  Pretty, yummy and easy.  What more could you want?  You could do the same thing with your favorite roll recipe too.  Just shape the same, bake according to your roll recipe and brush with the oil mixture.

Easy Parmesan Knots

• 1 tube (12 ounces) refrigerated buttermilk biscuits ( I used Pillsbury Golden Layers Refrigerated Buttermilk Biscuits)
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese (I did use the green can stuff)
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes

1. Roll each biscuit into a 12-in. rope and tie into a knot; tuck ends under. Place 2 in. apart on a greased baking sheet. Bake at 400° for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown.
2. In a large bowl, combine the remaining ingredients; brush the warm knots with the mixture. Yield:10 knots. 

http://realmomkitchen.com/609/easy-parmesan-knots/

Chicken & Spinach Pasta Bake

If you are here from Pinterest, please follow my boards here–would love to share with you on my latest addiction!!
I must tell you, this is one of my favorite dishes to make when we’re having company over.  It’s tried & true and from the kitchen of my blog partner, Jessica, of course.  I love this dish for company because you can cook & chop the chicken as well as cutting up several other ingredients in advance plus it has beautiful presentation.  Added bonus: I frequently get asked for the recipe.  Hope you all enjoy this dish, too!

Chicken & Spinach Pasta Bake

• 8 oz uncooked rigatoni
• 1 T olive oil
• 1 c chopped onion
• 1 (10 oz) pack frozen spinach, thawed
• 3 c cubed, cooked chicken breasts
• 1 (14 oz) can Italian-style diced tomatoes, drained
• 1 (8 oz) container Philadelphia chive & onion cream cheese
• ½ t salt, ½ t pepper
• 1½ c shredded mozzarella cheese

Prepare rigatoni according to pkg directions.  Spread oil on bottom of 11×17 in baking dish; add onion in a single layer.  Bake at 375 for 15 minutes or just until tender.  Transfer onion to large bowl, set aside.
Drain chopped spinach well, pressing between paper towels.  Stir in rigatoni, spinach, chicken, & next 4 ingredients into onion in bowl.  Spoon mixture into dish & sprinkle evenly with shredded mozzarella cheese.  Bake covered at 375 for 30 minutes; uncover & bake 15 more minutes or until bubbly.

Cheesy Chicken Ranch Lasagna

Next time I make this I'll used cooked penne pasta (not the full box) and do a casserole with it. I served this with Garlic Knots (Pinterest also, and with those next time I'd use my own roll dough recipe, and for the topping use melted butter, garlic and parsley) and green beans.

Cheesy Chicken Ranch Lasagna
Adapted from Real Mom Kitchen

2 (12 oz) cans evaporated milk
1 (1 oz) pkg. Hidden Valley dry Salad Dressing & Seasoning Mix (not the dip blend)
3 C. cubed, cooked, chicken
1/8 tsp pepper
1 (16oz) lasagna noodles, cooked (I used 9 noodles)
1 1/2 to 2 C cheddar cheese, grated
1 1/2 to 2 C mozzarella cheese, grated

Combine evaporated milk and Ranch dressing and pepper in a 3 quart heavy saucepan. Heat over low heat, stirring frequently until dry ingredients are dissolved. Simmer, uncovered, 25 minutes, stirring frequently. Sauce will thicken slightly.  Layer half of lasagna noodles, chicken, sauce, and cheese in well-greased 9×13 pan. Repeat layers again. Bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Let rest 10 minutes before serving.

This sauce may curdle on you when heating it, it's OK. Mine did not, because I kept it at a low heat after I let it come to just a boil, and stirred, stirred, stirred. You may not need the full 25 minutes, so when you can tell it's starting to thicken, it's OK to add to the dish. It may curdle after it's baked, but again, it's OK.

 FOR A GLUTEN FREE CASSEROLE STYLE:
(for non GF, use regular pasta)

2 (12 oz) cans evaporated milk
1 (1 oz) pkg. Any Gluten Free Dry Ranch Salad Dressing (not the dip blend)
3 C. cubed, cooked, chicken (about 2 large chicken breasts)
1/8 tsp pepper
2-3 C. uncooked gluten free penne pasta
1 C cheddar cheese, grated
1 C mozzarella cheese, grated

Spray a 9x13 baking dish. Cook pasta until about 2 minutes under regular cook time (probably about 5-6 minutes). Drain, add to prepared dish.
Combine evaporated milk and Ranch dressing and pepper in a 3 quart heavy saucepan. Heat just to a boil then lower heat, stirring frequently until dry ingredients are dissolved. Simmer, uncovered, 25 minutes, stirring frequently. Sauce will thicken slightly.
Layer pasta, chicken, sauce, and cheese into dish.  Bake uncovered at 350' for 25 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
Let rest 10 minutes before serving.

Chicken Parmesan Wraps

Egg roll and wanton wrappers are unbelievably versatile. From buffalo chicken rolls, to petite lasagnas to pastry puffs, the list goes on and on!  I don’t know about you, but I always seem to draw a blank when it comes to new and different appetizers, so this week, I’ve discovered an amazing recipe for Chicken Parmesan Wraps on Can You Stay For Dinner-who doesn’t like chicken parmesan?  Best part about this recipe, it’s a total crowd pleaser, and most importantly, it’s so simple!

Chicken Parmesan Wraps

Gather Up:

8 oz raw chicken breast

1 cup marinara sauce, plus more for serving

6 egg roll wrappers (each 7 inches squared)

1 cup baby spinach leaves

1/2 cup mozzarella cheese

1/4 cup Parmesan cheese

Instructions:

Place the chicken breast in a small pot and fill with enough water just to cover. Bring to a boil on your stove top, reduce the heat slightly, then simmer for about 12 minutes, or until cooked through. Drain and let cool before shredding with two forks, pulling against the grain of the meat. Mix the meat with the marinara sauce in a small bowl.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Lay the egg roll wrappers on a clean work surface. Layer each with a few leaves of spinach, then chicken, followed by mozzarella and Parmesan.

Lightly brush two adjacent sides of the wrapper with water and fold the upper left corner downward, covering the filling, and press to seal on the bottom right corner. Press to seal each of the sides. Repeat with remaining wraps.

Place all 6 filled wraps on a greased wire rack set over a cookie sheet, coat each in cooking spray or a light brushing of olive oil, and bake for about 12 minutes, or until the edges begin to turn a golden brown.

Serve with warmed marinara sauce for dipping.

http://www.picklee.com/category/food/appetizers/#.T43IPo6LMy5