Blackened Chicken

This is a recipe that I found on AllRecipes and I love it. I make up the seasoning in bulk so that I have it on hand when I want to do chicken. I made this for 120 people and it was great. The chicken is very juicy because you sear the sides before you cook it.

INGREDIENTS
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/8 teaspoon ground white pepper
1/8 teaspoon onion powder
2 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves


DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a baking sheet. Heat a cast iron skillet over high heat for 5 minutes until it is smoking hot.
Mix together the paprika, salt, cayenne, cumin, thyme, white pepper, and onion powder. (I make this up in bulk) Coat the chicken breasts evenly with the spice mixture. (I only do one side)
Place the chicken in the hot pan, and cook for 1 minute. Turn, and cook 1 minute on other side. Place the breasts on the prepared baking sheet.
Bake in the preheated oven until no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, about 10 minutes.

I usually serve this with fettuccine noodles as in the picture above.

Chicken Salad

Ingredients
Dressing
1/2 cup mayo
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon poultry seasoning
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon lemon juice

Salad
3 cups diced cooked chicken
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup chopped green onion
1 1/2 cup diced Swiss cheese
1 1/2 cup halved grapes

Directions
Mix all dressing ingredients together and set aside (you can make this up in advance and store in your fridge)
Toss salad ingredients together and coat with dressing. Chill before serving

This is great on croissants!

Shepard's Pie

Ingredients
1 lb cooked hamburger
1 bag frozen vegetable
2 cups mashed potatoes
1 can cream of chicken
2 cups grated cheese

Directions
Using a 9x9 cooking dish, layer the cooked hamburger (I add half a can of cream of chicken to the meat), then the vegetable (I use peas most, but what ever you have works), then the mashed potatoes (this is where the other half can of cream of chicken goes). Top off with grated cheese and put in the microwave oven for 3 to 5 mins or until cheese is melted.

This is one of those that I don't have a printed recipe and that is why there are no official cooking terms. But it is a basic at my house.

Chicken Enchilads

INGREDIENTS
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
1 cup salsa
2 cups chopped cooked chicken breast meat
6 (6 inch) flour tortillas
2 cups shredded cheese

DIRECTIONS
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the cream cheese and salsa (I blend the salsa as my husband does not like it chunky). Cook, stirring until melted and well blended. Stir in chicken. Fill tortillas with the mixture, roll and place into the prepared baking dish. Spread cheese over the top. Cover with aluminum foil.
Bake for 30 minutes, or until heated through. Garnish with your favorite toppings such as lettuce and tomatoes, or sour cream.

This recipes comes from allrecipes.com and I tweaked it a little.

FYI this is a GREAT freezer item!

And it begins . . . .

I have had a few friends ask about what kind of food I cook at my house. I have decided that this would be the best way to share. I will add my basic recipes first and then when we find a new one that is good I will share. Please feel free to share any of your favorite recipes as well and I always love great tips.