Cheesy Goodness

Who knew that something so easy could be so good? This is the perfect quick meal and the leftovers reheat well. It is originally a Weight Watchers recipe, but the possibilities of modifications are endless. I have heard of people adding broccoli, taking out the chicken all together, etc. We have just made the original recipe, maybe some day I'll get a little more adventurous and creative! I apologize for the poor picture, next time I make these I need to remember to get a good one!



Cheesy Chicken Cups
Source: Weight Watchers
Servings: 10

INGREDIENTS:
1 can buttermilk biscuits (10 biscuits)
1 cooked chicken breast cut into small pieces
1 can Healthy Request cream of chicken soup
3/4 C. fat free shredded cheddar cheese
1 t. dried parsley flakes
1/2 t. black pepper

DIRECTIONS:
-Place each biscuit into a muffin pan.
-Press the biscuits into the holes (and up the sides) to form cups.
-In a bowl, combine chicken, soup, cheese, parsley, and pepper. Mix well.
-Spoon evenly into cups.
-Bake at 400 for 12-15 minutes.

NUTRITION INFO

Calories 121.3
Total Fat 4.1 g
Cholesterol 22.5 mg
Sodium 440.7 mg
Potassium 8.9 mg
Total Carbohydrate 12.1 g
Fiber .2 g
Protein 8.9 g

Calzones

Calzone fillings are never ending; my favorite so far is BBQ chicken! So easy and yummy... how can you not like it?



BBQ Chicken Calzone Filling
Source: MrsAllmyer, the Nest
Servings: 4

INGREDIENTS:

-1/2 a medium onion chopped
-3 slices of bacon (I use turkey bacon)
-5 chicken tenders (or 2 small breasts)
-3/4 cup BBQ sauce
-Handful of cilantro chopped
-1/2 cup shredded cheese (I used cheddar)

DIRECTIONS
-In a large skillet prepare the bacon until crispy then set aside.
-To the skillet add the chopped onion, then the chicken, then half of the BBQ sauce.
-When the chicken is done use a fork to shred.
-Add remaining BBQ sauce, cilantro and crispy bacon (crumbled).
-Lay out the pizza dough and cut in 2.
-Spread the shredded chicken mixture over half of one of the dough pieces.
-Top with shredded cheese then fold the other half of dough over.
-Use a fork to seal edges. Repeat for second calzone.
-Bake at 400 for about 15 minutes.


NUTRITION INFO
(based on modifications, does not include crust)

Calories 230.3
Total Fat 7.2 g
Cholesterol 52.3 mg
Sodium 705.1 mg
Total Carbohydrate 24.1 g
Protein 16.9 g

Chicken Cordon Cassserole

There's one thing I absolutely dislike doing when it comes to chicken: rolling it. There never seems to be a good way to roll it and get all of the ingredients to stay neatly inside. Whoever thought of this idea is brilliant... let's make a casserole out of chicken cordon bleu!

I have made this two ways, once with the cream cheese and once with Laughing Cow Light Garlic and Herb in place of the cream cheese. Both are delicious, but we prefer the Laughing Cow version.



Chicken Cordon Casserole
Source Unknown
Serves 2


INGREDIENTS
8 oz chicken, pounded to about 1/2 inch
2 slices of swiss cheese, cut in half
2 tbsp cream cheese (I use Fat Free)
2 slices lean thin sliced deli ham
1/4 cup seasoned bread crumbs
1/8 cup chicken broth

-Spray a casserole dish with a non stick spray.
-For the first layer lay out half the chicken. Sprinkle with a small amount of breadcrumbs.
-For the next layer spread cream cheese over 2 swiss cheese halves and lay over chicken.
-On top of the swiss cheese lay out ham.
-Next is another layer of chicken, topped with bread crumbs and another slice of swiss cheese.
-Pour a small amount of chicken broth around the edges so they don't dry out.
-Bake at 375 for 25-30 minutes. Check to be sure that the BOTTOM layer of chicken is cooked thoroughly.

NUTRITION INFO
(based on modifications)

Calories 326.8
Total Fat 10.5 g
Cholesterol 99.4 mg
Sodium 1125.7 mg
Potassium 130.7 mg
Total Carbohydrate 12.7 g
Fiber .5 g
Protein 43.8 g

Enchiladas with a Twist

Who doesn't love some good Mexican? Enchiladas are typically a pretty involved meal to make, but I knew when I found this recipe I had to try it. My husband makes this meal each time it's on the menu... it's a little messy but absolutely delicious!



Buffalo Chicken Enchiladas with Creamy Ranch Sauce
Source: Unknown
Serves 12

INGREDIENTS
1 can (10-3/4 oz size) condensed cream of chicken soup (I use Healthy Request)
1 cup sour cream ranch dip (Premade or dry mix with fat free sour cream)
2/3 cup chopped green onions
3 cups chopped cooked chicken
3/4 cup purchased buffalo wing sauce
12 flour tortillas (6" size)
3 cups shredded cheddar cheese

DIRECTIONS

-Heat oven to 350F.
-Spray 13x9" glass baking dish with cooking spray.
-In medium bowl, mix soup, dip and 1/3 cup of the onions.
-In large bowl, mix chicken and buffalo wing sauce until coated.
-Spoon 2 Tbsp soup mixture down center of each tortilla; set remaining mixture aside.
-Reserve 1/2 cup cheese for garnish.
-Top each tortilla with about 1/4 cup chicken mixture and scant 1/4 cup cheese.
-Fold sides of tortillas over filling; place seam side down in baking dish.
-Spoon remaining soup mixture over filled tortillas. (When we make this, some of the chicken mixture goes on top as well)
-Cover tightly with foil.
-Bake 40-45 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
-Remove from oven. Uncover; sprinkle with reserved 1/2 cup cheese and remaining 1/3 cup onions.
-Return to oven; bake uncovered about 5 min longer or until cheese is melted.

NUTRITION INFO
(based on modifications)

Calories 211.9
Total Fat 7 g
Cholesterol 39.8 mg
Sodium 770.9 mg
Potassium 220.5 mg
Total Carbohydrate 19.4 g
Fiber 1.2 g
Protein 17.4 g

Cream Cheese Chicken

Cream cheese and chicken? I made a funny face when I first heard of this, but man is this an easy and delicious meal! This is perfect served with rice and steamed or roasted veggies.

When I brought this in to work the next day, I had 3 people ask me if it came from the back of a Campbell's can. No... sorry! I told them it was as about as easy as opening up that can but tasted much better :)



Cream Cheese Chicken
Source: MaryEllen, The Nest
Serves 3

INGREDIENTS
3 chicken breasts, trimmed and kept whole or cut into strips or chunks
1 can chicken broth, separated
4-8 cloves garlic
red pepper flakes
4 oz cream cheese (I used FF)
1.5 tbs flour
2 tsp white wine

DIRECTIONS
- Put chicken in large pan with a little bit of olive oil
- Add red pepper flakes and pressed garlic (I used minced)
- After 1-2 min, add white wine to deglaze the pan and then add ¾ can chicken broth
- Bring to a boil then simmer 20-25 min until chicken is cooked
- Remove chicken and place in a covered dish; keep warm
- Mix flour with remaining broth and add to pan; mix
- Add cream cheese, mix until thick and bubbly
- Pour sauce over chicken

NUTRITION INFO
(based on modifications)

Calories 172.4
Total Fat .7 g
Cholesterol 61.7 mg
Sodium 932.9 mg
Potassium 39 mg
Total Carbohydrate 7.4 g
Fiber .4 g
Protein 33 g

Chicken Bruschetta

Who doesn't love an easy meal? Chicken, tomatoes, garlic... yum! I love regular bruschetta, so when I came across this recipe courtesy of MrsAllmyer on the Nest I knew I had to try it! I served it over some spaghetti, using the extra tomato mixture for sauce.



Chicken Bruschetta
Courtesy of MrsAllmyer, the Nest
3 servings

INGREDIENTS

12 oz. chicken, pounded out to about 1/4-1/2 inch in thickness
1/4 cup flour
1 egg lightly beaten (I used egg beaters)
1/4 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
1 can petite diced tomatoes (drained with liquid reserved)
handful of fresh basil leaves, chopped
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 tsp olive oil
Salt and pepper
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
3 cups cooked Angel hair pasta

DIRECTIONS

-Bread just the top of the chicken tenders - dredge in flour, dip
in egg, coat with bread crumbs.
-Place the chicken breaded side up in a casserole dish lightly sprayed with olive oil.
-Bake at 375 for 15 minutes.
-Start a pot of boiling water.
-While the chicken is baking, drain the diced tomatoes and set the liquid aside.
-To the tomatoes add the fresh basil, crushed garlic cloves, salt and pepper.
-Drizzle with olive oil and let rest for about 10 minutes (or until chicken is done).
-While the chicken is cooking and the tomatoes are resting, drop the angel hair pasta in boiling water.
-After the first 15 minutes pull the chicken out and sprinkle with half of mozzarella cheese.
-Put back in the oven on broil for 2-3 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and breading is crispy.
-Top the chicken with the tomato mixture and put back in oven until the tomatoes are heated through.
-Serve with angel hair pasta and sauce.
-To make a sauce for the angel hair, put half of the tomato mixture in a
food processor and added the reserved liquid from the can and just heated
through.

NUTRITION INFO
(based on modifications, includes pasta)

Calories 531.1
Total Fat 10.4 g
Cholesterol 77.1 mg
Sodium 858.1 mg
Potassium 163.8 mg
Total Carbohydrate 62.7 g
Fiber 5.1 g
Protein 45 g