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Brown Sugar Spiced Chicken

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Brown Sugar Spiced Chicken
Prep Time
3 hrs
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
3 hrs 20 mins
 

This is a prepare ahead to cook later in the day meal. Place all the ingredients into a bag and shake well to mix. Then leave in the refrigerator for at least 1-3 hours, even overnight to absorb the flavor. This is great for moms who work in the day and want an easy to cook dinner.

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: chicken
Servings: 4
Author: Tracy
Ingredients
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 2 Tbsp paprika
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • 1 Tbsp garlic powder
  • salt and pepper, sprinkle over top of chicken
Instructions

  1. Add brown sugar, paprika, oregano, and garlic powder to plastic zippered bag.

  2. Sprinkle salt and pepper lightly over the top and bottom of your chicken breasts and add them to the bag and seal. Shake to coat the chicken.

  3. Leave chicken in the refrigerator for 1-3 hours (even overnight) to allow the chicken to absorb the flavor.

  4. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.

  5. Arrange chicken on lined baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes.

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Crockpot Barbecue Pulled Chicken

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Crockpot Barbecue Pulled Chicken
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
3 hrs
Total Time
3 hrs 10 mins
 

Here’s an easy and tasty crockpot recipe that you can start earlier in the day and have ready to go for dinner.

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 6
Author: Tracy
Ingredients
  • 3 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breast
  • 2 cups barbecue sauce (my favorite is Sweet Baby Ray’s Hickory & Brown Sugar)
  • 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp liquid smoke (hickory flavor)
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper
Instructions

  1. Mix barbecue sauce and brown sugar in your crockpot.

  2. Add olive oil, apple cider vinegar and liquid smoke and stir.

  3. Add garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder and crushed red pepper and stir.

  4. Add chicken on top of sauce mixture. Turn the chicken so that the sauce covers both sides of the chicken.

  5. Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or high 3-4 hours. Chicken is done when it is easily shredded with a pair of forks.

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Spicy Chicken Breast

Spicy Chicken Breast
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Spicy Chicken Breast
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
25 mins
Total Time
35 mins
 
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4 people
Author: Tracy
Ingredients
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 Tbsp brown sugar
  • 2 tsp chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp cumin
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 3/8 tsp salt
  • barbecue sauce
Instructions

  1. Preheat broiler to high.

  2. Mix spices in small bowl.

  3. Rub spices onto chicken breasts.

  4. Cover baking tray with aluminum foil.

  5. Add chicken to tray.

  6. Broil for 6 minutes, turn the chicken over and broil for 6 more minutes until done. Thermometer will read 165 degrees for completely cooked chicken.

  7. Add barbecue sauce to top and broil until sticky (1-2 minutes).

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Chicken Fajita Pasta

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Chicken Fajita Pasta
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
35 mins
 
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: chicken, fajita, pasta
Servings: 4
Author: Tracy
Ingredients
  • 3 chicken breasts, sliced into strips
  • 2 Tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp pepper
  • 1 bell pepper, green or red, diced
  • 1 medium onion, sliced
  • 1 Tbsp chili powder
  • 1 Tbsp cumin
  • 1 Tbsp garlic powder
  • 6 cups milk
  • 4 cups penne pasta
  • 2 cups Mexican cheese, shredded
Instructions

  1. Cut onion and peppers and place in small bowl.

  2. Cut chicken into strips. Season chicken with salt and pepper.

  3. Heat oil in large pot over high heat.

  4. Add chicken and cook until no pink is visible, about 5-6 minutes. Remove chicken.

  5. Add bell pepper and onion. Green peppers give a more traditional taste, while red are sweeter. You can use either for this recipe. Cook until onion is translucent, about 6 minutes.

  6. Return the chicken to the pot and add chili powder, cumin, and garlic powder, stirring until evenly coated, about 30 seconds.

  7. Add the milk and penne, stirring constantly to prevent sticking.

  8. Cook for about 20 minutes until pasta is fully cooked and the milk has reduced to a thick sauce that coats the pasta.

  9. Add shredded cheese and mix until melted.

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Penne Chicken Alfredo Bake

 

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Penne Chicken Alfredo Bake
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
40 mins
 
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Servings: 8
Author: Tracy
Ingredients
  • 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 12 oz. penne pasta (cooked as on package)
  • 3 cups heavy cream (or half-and-half)
  • 4 Tbsp. butter (plus extra for greasing baking dish)
  • 2 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 1 tsp. Italian seasoning
  • salt and pepper (to taste)
  • 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
  • 4 Tbsp. flour
  • 1/2 cup finely grated Parmesean cheese
  • 1 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese
Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

  2. Butter a large casserole dish and set aside.

  3. Cook pasta as directed on the package.

  4. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

  5. Season both sides of chicken breasts with salt and pepper to taste, as well as covering with Italian seasoning.

  6. Place the chicken in the pan and cook until the chicken is cooked through, about four to five minutes per side. Remove chicken and wipe the skillet clean.

  7. Let the chicken rest for five minutes, then slice crosswise on each chicken breast.

  8. Return the skillet to the stove and heat to medium. Sauté until your butter is melted, about 30 seconds. Add garlic powder. 

  9. Whisk the flour into the butter and garlic powder and cook until the mixture is bubbling and golden, about one minute more.

  10. Gradually pour in the heavy cream (or half-and-half), whisking constantly. Bring mixture to a simmer and stir in Parmesan cheese. Let mixture simmer until the sauce thickens, about two to three minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

  11. In a large bowl, combine your cooked pasta, chicken, and sauce. Spread about half of the pasta mixture on the bottom of the casserole dish then sprinkle half of the mozzarella cheese over the top. Add the remaining pasta mixture and cover with your remaining mozzarella.

  12. Bake until bubbly and beginning to brown on top, about 20 minutes.

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Garlic Brown Sugar Crock Pot Chicken

 

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Garlic Brown Sugar Crock Pot Chicken
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
8 hrs
Total Time
8 hrs 5 mins
 

Quick prep on this easy crock pot recipe. I recommend using the longer cook time on low to allow the flavors to fully season this dish, however the shorter cook time on high still produces a tasty dish.

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 3
Author: Tracy
Ingredients
  • 3 chicken breasts
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 4-5 slices bacon
Instructions

  1. Cover the chicken with salt, pepper and garlic powder and place into the slow cooker.

  2. Sprinkle on half of the brown sugar on top of the chicken.

  3. Place the bacon on top of the chicken and sprinkle the remaining brown sugar on top of the bacon.

  4. Cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4 hours. (I recommend the 8 hours on low for better flavor absorption.)

  5. If the bacon is undercooked, you can stick the chicken with the bacon on top in the oven and broil for 1-2 minutes.

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Barbecue Nachos

Barbecue Nachos
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Barbecue Nachos
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
8 mins
Total Time
13 mins
 

Tired of beef nachos, try this spin on a traditional plate of nachos. This recipe is versatile. If you want to change things up, you can also use this chicken as a topping over a baked potato.

Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4
Author: Walter
Ingredients
  • 1 bag Tortilla chips
  • 2 boneless chicken breasts, diced
  • 1 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 tsp. pepper
  • 1 Tbsp. garlic powder
  • 1 Tbsp. chili powder
  • 3/4 cup barbecue sauce
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions

  1. Dice your chicken.

  2. Heat the oil in a pan on high heat.

  3. Season your chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder and chili powder and cook in the hot skillet for two to three minutes.

  4. Add the barbecue sauce and cook until the sauce has been reduced by half, about five minutes.

  5. Remove from heat.

  6. Serve over Tortilla chips. Add the shredded cheese to the top and microwave for 30 seconds to melt the cheese.

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Breaded Barbecue Chicken

 

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Breaded Barbecue Chicken
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
45 mins
Total Time
1 hr
 
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Author: Tracy
Ingredients
  • 2-3 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp pepper
  • 1/2 cup barbecue sauce (choose your favorite)
  • 2 Tbsp honey
Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

  2. Pour buttermilk into medium size shallow dish.

  3. In a large plastic food storage bag, mix flour, salt and pepper.

  4. Dip each chicken piece in buttermilk, then place in the bag with flour mixture. Hold the bag closed and shake until the chicken is coated.

  5. Place the chicken in a ungreased large baking dish. Spray the chicken generously with cooking spray. Turn the chicken over and spray other sides as well.

  6. Bake uncovered 45 to 50 minutes or until chicken is crisp and juice is no longer pink when the center of thickest pieces are cut.

  7. About 5 minutes before the chicken will finish cooking, mix the barbecue sauce and honey in a small bowl. Just before serving, brush the chicken with the sauce mixture.

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Cheesy Chicken Lasagna

 

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Cheesy Chicken Lasagna
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
50 mins
Total Time
1 hr 5 mins
 

If you're looking for a way to make lasagna without the traditional red sauce, then this recipe's for you! This recipe is also good for using up your leftover rotisserie chicken.

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Servings: 12 people
Author: Tracy
Ingredients
  • 12 uncooked lasagna noodles
  • 1 Tbsp butter
  • 3/4 cup chopped onion
  • 1/3 cup milk
  • 2 cans cream of chicken soup
  • 1/4 tsp pepper
  • 12 oz ricotta cheese
  • 3 cups cooked chicken
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (8 oz)
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (4 oz)
  • 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions

  1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 13x9 inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray.

  2. Cook and drain the noodles, as directed on package.

  3. While the noodles are cooking, take a 3-quart saucepan and melt the butter over medium/high heat. Cook the onion in the butter for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat.

  4. Stir in the milk, soup, and pepper.

  5. Place four noodles in the baking dish. Top with about 1 cup of the soup mixture, half of the ricotta cheese, half of the chicken, 2/3 cup mozzarella cheese and 1/3 cup cheddar cheese.

  6. Repeat your layers once, starting with the noodles. Place the remaining four noodles on top. Then top with remaining soup mix, cheeses and sprinkle parmesan cheese over top of everything.

  7. Bake uncovered 50-55 minutes or until hot in center and golden brown. Let stand 15 minutes before cutting.

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Sweet Chicken Bacon Wraps

 

Bacon Chicken Appetizers
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Sweet Chicken Bacon Wraps
Prep Time
25 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
55 mins
 

Here's a delicious appetizer that everyone is sure to enjoy! However the prep for this recipe takes quite a while so make sure to plan ahead.

Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Author: Tracy
Ingredients
  • 4 boneless, skinless, chicken breasts
  • 1 lb sliced bacon
  • 2/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar
  • 12-15 toothpicks
Instructions

  1. Soak toothpicks for 20 minutes.

  2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

  3. Cut the chicken breasts into 1-inch cubes.

  4. Cut each bacon slice into thirds.

  5. Wrap each chicken cube with bacon and insert a wooden pick to hold it together. Roll each wrapped chicken in brown sugar.

  6. Coat a broiler pan with nonstick cooking spray. Place chicken wraps on rack in a broiler pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes or until bacon is crisp.

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