Italian Green Beans and Chicken Bake!

italian-green-bean-and-chicken-bake

I’m always on the look-out for family friendly, quick and easy recipes to add to our monthly menu rotation. I have had this recipe pinned on Pinterest for quite some time now, and finally got around to making it! It was SUPER easy to throw together and my kids and my husband loved it. The chicken was so tender and everything had great flavor!  Plus, I love that it’s basically an all inclusive meal!  It was deemed a “keeper” for us!

NOTE:  To lighten this up, use Kraft Fat Free Zesty Italian Salad Dressing instead of the butter and dressing mix.  My family actually likes it better this way!

See more of my favorite recipes here–> Melissa’s Bargains Favorite Recipes on Pinterest

5.0 from 2 reviews

Italian Green Beans and Chicken Bake!
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Serves: 4-6
 

Ingredients
  • 4-6 chicken breasts
  • 4-6 red potatoes (cut into quarter-size pieces)
  • 1 can green beans, drained (or fresh if you prefer)
  • 1 stick butter or margarine, melted
  • 1 packet Italian dressing mix

Instructions
  1. Place the chicken breasts across the center of a 9X13 baking dish.
  2. Layer the red potatoes along one edge of the baking dish.
  3. Layer the green beans along the opposite edge of the baking desk.
  4. Sprinkle the Italian dressing mix over the top of everything.
  5. Pour a stick of melted margarine or butter over everything.
  6. Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

DISCLAIMER:  I found this image and basic direction as a pinned image on Pinterest.  Although I have searched, I was unable to locate the original post to provide credit.  The recipe listed above is my interpretation and all images are mine.

Lemon Chicken Saute Recipe

lemon-chicken-saute

One of the perks that came with my marriage was a whole lot of yummy new recipes!  We affectionately refer to this Lemon Chicken Saute recipe as “Grandma’s Chicken” at my house because it is a recipe that originally came from my husband’s grandmother who is an awesome cook!  The sauce for this recipe is SO good and the chicken is so tender that you can “cut” it using your fork, which is a plus if you’ve got kids.  In case you’re wondering, it’s kid friendly, too!  My kids love it!

Looking for other great chicken recipes?  Here are a few favorites:

If you’re a pinner, make sure you check out my Favorite Recipes board on Pinterest–> Melissa’s Bargains Favorite Recipes on Pinterest

Lemon Chicken Saute Recipe
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Serves: 4
 

Kid friendly, yummy lemon chicken saute recipe
Ingredients
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (this is what we need for our family, adjust accordingly for yours)
  • 3 T all purpose flour
  • PAM no-stick cooking spray
  • ⅓ cup butter or margarine (we use I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter)
  • ⅓ cup teriyaki sauce
  • 3 T lemon juice
  • 1 tsp minced garlic
  • ½ tsp sugar

Instructions
  1. Roll chicken in flour to coat.
  2. Spray large skillet with Pam or other cooking spray. Add butter and melt over medium heat.
  3. Add chicken breast and saute till lightly browned on one side. Turn and brown on second side, 5-7 minutes, or until lightly browned.
  4. Remove chicken and set aside.
  5. Stir teriyaki sauce, lemon juice, garlic and sugar into skillet.
  6. Return chicken to pan and simmer 3 minutes. Turn chicken over, and continue cooking until fork tender (2-3 minutes)

See more of my recipe posts here–> Recipes

 

Bacon…it’s what’s for dessert?!

bacon-love

Image Credit: Ember

As I’m writing this, I’m cringing inwardly and laughing at the same time.  You have to understand that I’m not a bacon lover.  In fact, my children had bacon for the first time when we went to IHOP for breakfast one day.  I’ve been known to use bacon bits from time to time in recipes that call for bacon because I can’t bring myself to actually cook it, but that’s pretty much as far as it goes.

bacon-sundae

I experienced a mixture of horror and shock when I encountered this display on my table at Burger King last summer.  Bacon Sundae?!  Are they serious?

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Then, while perusing the list of shakes available for the Sonic Summer of Shakes promotion, I noticed this gem and had to do a double take!  Bacon and chocolate, perhaps I guess?  Bacon and caramel, maybe??  But PEANUT BUTTER AND BACON?  I’m completely lost.  Do people actually order this??

After doing a bit of browsing online, I discovered that this bacon dessert craze is apparently more serious than I thought.  I actually discovered an entire BLOG devoted to bacon dessert recipes that includes treats such as chocolate covered bacon, bacon cookies, and even bacon ice cream.  If you’re a bacon lover (or you just can’t help yourself and want to check it out), you can see it here–> Bacon dessert recipes

Foodgawker has an entire BOARD devoted to bacon dessert recipes including bacon caramel popcorn and bacon pecan pie.  Check it out if you dare here–> Foodgawker Bacon Desserts

I even discovered entire Pinterest boards devoted to bacon desserts?  Someone help me understand, please?!

Here were some of the highlights:

chocolate-bacon-cupcakes

Image Credit: Grab Your Fork

Chocolate Bacon Cupcakes

Mini Bacon Cheesecake (this one is from The Food Network!)

Pancakes and Bacon Cake with Maple Buttercream (do you know anyone with a birthday coming up?)

Peanut Butter-Maple Bacon Fudge

Candied Bacon Fudge

Are you a bacon lover?  Have you tried bacon for dessert yet?  What did you think?

10 Tasty Cinco de Mayo Recipes!

Cinco-de-mayo-recipesI LOVE Mexican food, and any excuse to eat Mexican food works for me, so I’m a fan of Cinco de Mayo!  Here’s a round up of 10 of my favorite Cinco de Mayo recipes!  All of these are kid friendly and quick and easy to throw together!

If you’re a pinner, make sure you check out my Favorite Recipes board on Pinterest–> Melissa’s Bargains Favorite Recipes on Pinterest

tomatillo-salsa

Image Credit: What’s on My Menu

1.  Tomatillo Salsa  – My friend Kim introduced me to this recipe several years ago and it is AWESOME and perfect for sharing at get togethers!

stacked-green-chicken-enchiladas

2.  Slow Cooker Stacked Green Chicken Enchiladas – My dad has been making a stacked green enchiladas recipe for years.  I took it and simplified it because you make the bulk of it in the slow cooker!

black-bean-chicken-burritos

3.  Slow Cooker Black Bean & Chicken Burritos – This is my knock of version of the burritos they serve at Cafe Rio because we LOVE their food and don’t have one anywhere near us unfortunately!  These are so easy to make because you basically just dump all of these ingredients in your slow cooker and let them cook all day!  It’s also great to serve if you’re having a get together!

tasty-baked-tacos

4.  Tasty Baked Tacos  – I originally found this idea on Pinterest and adapted it for my family. It has become a favorite and I love it because it’s easy to throw together on nights when I don’t really feel like cooking!

Chicken-ranch-tacos

5.  Chicken Ranch Tacos – This is another recipe I originally discovered on Pinterest.  It’s great when you need a Mexican food “fix” but don’t have much time to cook because you just dump everything in the slow cooker!  Plus, the leftover shredded chicken makes a great filler for enchiladas or chimichangas!

chicken-tortilla-soup

6.  Slow Cooker Chicken tortilla soup – My kids LOVE this recipe and love being able to add their own “extras” to it before eating!  This is another recipe that’s fun and easy to serve if you’re having a group of people over!

a-mazing-chicken-avocado-enchiladas-2

7.  A-Mazing Chicken Avocado Enchiladas – I can’t say enough great things about this yummy recipe!  If you love avocados and love enchiladas, you’ll be licking your plate clean!

easy-chicken-enchilada-casserole

8.  Easy Chicken Enchilada Casserole  – My sister introduced me to this recipe several years ago.  It’s easy to throw together if you’re craving enchiladas, but don’t have a lot of time to make them and it’s kid friendly, too!

chile-colorado-burritos

9.  Slow Cooker Chile Colorado Burritos – The picture does NOT do this justice.  These burritos are seriously SOO yummy!

sweet-potato-foil-pack-tacos

10.  Sweet Potato Foil Pack Tacos – I know it sounds a bit strange, but these are seriously SO yummy!  Even my picky eaters love them, and it’s a great way to get your kids to eat sweet potatoes!

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please refer to my disclosure policy for more information

Menu Planning Monday: My Menu Plan for the week of 4/21

This week is going to be crazy busy, so I’m hoping if I plan ahead that I’ll be able to pull off cooking all week!  This week’s menu includes several quick fix and slow cooker tried and true recipes and a few new recipes, too!

If you’re new to menu planning or would like tips for getting started, check out this post here–> Tips for menu planning

See my menu plans from previous weeks here–> Menu Planning Monday

Share your favorite recipes and you could win CASH PRIZES!  Enter to win here-> Mom’s Recipes
You can also view hundreds of meal plans each week at Orgjunkie.com

SUNDAY:  Bourbon Chicken – I discovered this recipe a few years ago and it’s still a hit every time I make it!

MONDAY:  French dip sandwiches (slow cooker) – This is a super easy, tried and true recipe that my family LOVES!!!

TUESDAY:  It’s my mom’s birthday and we’re having a family dinner!

easy-chicken-enchilada-casserole

WEDNESDAY:  Easy Chicken Enchilada Casserole – My sister came up with this recipe a few years ago.  It’s super easy to throw together!

cowboy-casserole

THURSDAY:  Cowboy Casserole – This is how we use our leftover meat from french dip sandwiches!  It’s easy to throw together and as an added bonus, the kids like it!

FRIDAY:  Chicken & dumplings (slow cooker)

Ingredients:
4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
2-3 carrots, sliced
2-3 celery stalks, sliced
1 onion, diced
1 can chicken broth
1 can cream of chicken soup (I use 98% fat free)
1 tsp salt, optional
1 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp pepper
paprika
2 pkg refrigerated biscuit dough, torn in pieces (I only use one)Place chicken, vegetables, soups & seasonings in crockpot and fill with enough water to cover.  Cover with lid and cook on low 5-6 hours.  About 30 minutes before serving, place the torn biscuit dough into the crockpot.  Cook until the dough is no longer raw in the center. NOTE:  If I don’t have time for the biscuits to cook in the slow cooker, I just cook them in the oven and then tear up the biscuits and add them.

SATURDAY:  Baked chicken chimichangas – This is a new recipe for us.  I didn’t get a chance to make them last weekend, but I can’t wait to try them!

See my menu plans from previous weeks here–> Menu Planning Monday

Looking for more quick fix menu ideas? Sign up for Ready, Set, Eat by clicking on the image below! It’s completely free and you’ll get recipe ideas delivered to you by e-mail!

ReadySetEat

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please refer to my disclosure policy for more information.