Grilled Chicken Sandwich

 Needed a healthy and filling dinner to fuel B after his swim meet this weekend, so this was it!!  He paired it with edamane and some french fries - we did a side salad!!  It was DELICIOUS!!!  New family fav!!

Serves 4

Ingredients:

2 large chicken breasts (or 4 thin cutlets)

2T olive oil

1t garlic powder

1t paprika

1t italian dressing

1/2t salt

1/2t pepper

For sandwiches:

4 buns (ciabatta works great!)

Lettuce

Tomato slices

Cheese (cheddar, provolone, swiss)

Mayo, Mustard, or Aioli

Prep the chicken - slide in half horizontally to make thinner pieces.

Drizzle olive oil over chicken - then season with garlic powder, paprika, italian seasoning, Salt, pepper.  Let sit 10-20 minutes 

Heat grill to medium-high heat.  Cook chicken 4-6 minutes per side. Internal temp should be 165.

Add cheese last minute - close lid to melt.

Lightly toast buns on grill for 1-2 minutes

Assemble - layer:

Bun

Sauce

Chicken

Lettuce

Tomato

Cheese

Top Bun

(We added avocado, bacon, and even some pesto!)

BBQ Chicken Sliders

 This is super easy for busy week night AND it works great for leftovers the next day for school lunch!!  WIN WIN!!

Ingredients:

2c rotisserie chicken

Hawaiian Breads

BBQ sauce

Red onion, chopped in slices

Sandwich cheese

2T butter

Onion powder

garlic powder

Shred rotisserie chicken - mix with BBQ sauce

Cut Hawaiian bread in half - place the rolls on a baking sheet.  Top with chicken, red onion, cheese slices.

Then melt butter and mix in onion and garlic powder.  Brush on top of the Hawaiian bread.

Cover with foil - bake in 350 degree oven for 15 minutes.  Then uncover and bake for 5 more minutes.

Serve with pickles, salad, chips -- yummy!!

Chicken Quesadillas

Easy and yummy lunch idea!!  Made these up the night before and then just throw in air fryer in morning and back in the lunch box!!  Super yummy and filling!!

Ingredients:

Tortillas

Rotisserie Chicken

Black Beans

Shredded cheese

Salsa

Sour Cream

On a baking sheet - place tortilla, layer with rotisserie chicken, shredded cheese, black beans.  Then top with another tortilla.  Brush with butter to make crispy.

Bake in 350 degree for 8-10 minutes.

Serve with salsa and sour cream

Southwestern Bfast Sandwiches

Our weekend mornings are EARLY and we need something filling and quick to eat -- these sammies worked great for that!!!

Recipe from: Makayla Thomas Fit - Makes 6 sandwiches

Ingredients:

Low cal English muffin, toasted

1 cup egg whites (or real eggs)

Pico / veggies

Fajita seasoning / S&P

Thin slice of cheese

bacon, cooked

avocado

BW3 Southwestern Ranch

Toast the English muffin

Pour 1 cup eggs into 9x13 pan -- top with pico (or veggies) and fajita seasoning.  Bake at 400 degrees for 10-12 minutes.

Use glass to "cut" circle of eggs to fit on english muffins -- put on top of muffins!!  (Use scraps morning of to eat!)

Then top with piece sliced cheese, cooked bacon, avocado, and drizzle SW Ranch on top.

Cover with parchment paper till ready to eat - stores in fridge easily!!

To reheat, put in microwave for 1-2 minutes!!

Skinny Chicken Salad

 This is our favorite on-the-go lunch ever!!  We all like it and it's easy to make!!!

Ingredients

• 4 ounces shredded or diced cooked boneless, skinless, chicken breast (abt 1 cup)
• 1/4 cup diced celery
• 2 tablespoons sliced green onion
• 1/4 cup diced sweet crisp apple
• 1 tablespoon light mayo
• 1 tablespoon light sour cream or Greek yogurt
• optional: 1/2-1 Tablespoon chopped fresh parsley or cilantro
• 1/8 teaspoon curry powder
• 1/4 teaspoon red wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon toasted sliced almonds
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

• Combine all ingredients except almonds and stir to combine. If possible, chill for an hour or so before eating.
• Before serving, mix in almonds.
• Eat in a lettuce wrap, on whole grain bread, in a wrap, or in a pita.

Ham Salad

B doesn't like many sandwiches so I have been looking for something else he would like....this was it!!  He LOVED it!!!  AND it is high in protein!!  You can eat with crackers or pretzels too -- pretty yummy!!!  Great way to use leftover ham too!!

Ingredients

• 24 oz. cooked ham I bought ham steak
• 6 tablespoons light mayonnaise 90g
• 1/2 cup low fat cottage cheese 110g
• 1/2 cup celery diced (100g)
• 1/2 cup pickles diced (60g)
• 2 tablespoons diced onion 30g
• 3 hardboiled eggs diced
• 2 teaspoons Dijon

Instructions

• In a food processor pulse/dice up the ham really well. Transfer to a mixing bowl.
• In the food processor blend up the cottage cheese and mayo. Transfer to the mixing bowl.
• Add all remaining ingredients and stir well.
• Serve with crackers, cucumbers, celery sticks, or on a slice of bread.

Notes

• This is a great one for using up leftover ham!
• Meal prep snack idea: pack 150g with crackers, veggies, fruit, or cheese!

Grilled Mozzarella Sandwich

B an is sick of the same old lunches when we are home on the weekends, so trying to find some new alternatives to mix it.  This was DELICIOUS!!!  and it's super quick and easy!!!

Ingredients:

4 slices sourdough bread

Pesto

4oz mozzarella cheese, sliced

1 large tomato, sliced

2oz roasted red peppers, jarred

Spread the pesto equally on the 4 slices of bread and place two slices of bread on the panini maker or in a toaster oven for 2 minutes.

Then place the mozzarella cheese, tomatoes and roasted red peppers on top of two bread slices and allow the cheese to melt and the veggies to soften, keeping the panini maker open.

Once the cheese starts to melt, add the second slices on top to close the sandwiches, then close the panini maker for 2-3 minutes. Remove, slice in half and serve immediately

Blackberry Bacon Grilled Cheese

I'm on the hunt for something for weekend lunches (outside of the normal meat/cheese sandwich) for B Man, so he helped me pick out this recipe.  We all LOVED it!!  It was super yummy :)

Ingredients:

• 1 Tablespoon butter
• 2 pieces sourdough bread
• 4 slices Swiss cheese
• 4 pieces bacon, cooked
• 1/2 jalapeno, sliced (*for less spice, remove seeds)
• 3 Tablespoons blackberry jam

Butter one side of each slice of bread.  Place bread, butter side down, in skillet

Top one piece of bread with cheese, bacon, and jalapenos

Top the other piece of bread with blackberry jam.

Put sandwich together; grill over medium heat, flipping after 4-5 minutes.

Grill until both sides are golden brown and cheese is melted

Chicken Shawarma pita wraps

This was SUPER quick and DELICOUS!!!!  I love myself a great, healthy meal!!!

Makes 4 servings

Ingredients:

White Rice

Shawarma chicken thighs (from Trader Joes OR make you own seasoning below)

Pita Wraps (or use GF pita/tortillas)

Mini Cucumbers

Shredded Lettuce

Tomato

Green Onions

Feta Cheese

Lemon

Cook white rice and chicken (according to package) - then slice chicken.

Cut up:

*mini cucs

*shredded lettuce

*tomato

*green onions

Top pita with rice, chicken, toppings and add feta cheese and lemon!!

Ingredients for Shawarma Seasoning:

• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground paprika (preferably smoked paprika for extra flavor)
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
• Optional: 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom for an extra aromatic depth

Instructions:

1. Combine Spices: In a small bowl, combine all the spices together.

2. Marinate the Chicken:

   • Take bone-in, skinless chicken thighs (or boneless if preferred) and coat them evenly with the shawarma spice mix.
   • Add 2 tablespoons olive oil and juice of 1 lemon to the chicken and mix it all together to coat the chicken evenly. The oil helps the spices stick, and the lemon adds a nice tang.
   • Marinate the chicken for at least 1 hour, or preferably overnight in the fridge to allow the flavors to meld.

Honey Chicken Salad Cups

I had some friends over for Friendsgiving today and wanted to do a fun and new fall menu -- this was delicious and a twist on your typical chicken salad!!!  I put them on croissants, but this would be a great appetizer idea too!! So yummy!!!

Celebrations at Home - Yield: 30 appetizers or 6 croissant sandwiches

Ingredients

2 cups chopped cooked chicken

3/4 cup diced celery (about 2 celery ribs)

1/2 cup dried cranberries or Craisins

1/2 cup chopped pecans, lightly toasted

3/4 cup mayonnaise

5 Tablespoons honey

1/8 tsp salt

1/8 tsp pepper

2 Packages frozen Filo Shells or pastry shells

Combine chicken, celery, cranberries and pecans together in a medium size bowl.

Whisk or mix the mayonnaise, honey, salt and pepper together in a smaller bowl, then pour over chicken mixture and combine well.

Cover and chill for 2 or more hours. 

Follow the package directions to heat phyllo shells just to crisp up. About 5 minutes.

When ready to serve, fill shells with chicken salad. 

Roast Beef Tortilla Roll Up

I was looking for new recipes to bring on the boat, since picking up sandwiches gets kinda old....these roll ups were DELICIOUS!!  So easy too and all of my boys will eat it :)  Do it up!!!

24 servings

Ingredients

• 1 8oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup diced green onions
• 1 1/2 teaspoons horseradish
• 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
• 1 cup colby jack shredded cheese
• 1/2 pound shaved or thinly sliced deli roast beef
• 3 burrito size flour tortillas
• 

Instructions

• In a small bowl, mix together cream cheese, sour cream, green onion, horseradish, mustard and cheese.
• Spread 1/3 of cream cheese mixture on one tortilla.
• Place 1/3 of roast beef on top of cream cheese layer. 
• Roll tortilla very tight into a log and then wrap in cling wrap.
• Repeat process with other two tortillas.
• Chill in refrigerator for at least one hour before slicing.
• Slice into 1 inch pieces with serrated knife.

Smoked Chicken Salad

This was the best chicken salad I've ever had -- I love the smoky taste!!!  It was a huge hit at LEaster too!!  (ladies Easter)  So easy and even tastes better leftover!!!

6 servings

Ingredients:

4 cups chopped smoked chicken

1/2 cup mayo

2 teaspoon Dijon mustard

1 tablespoon lemon juice

2 teaspoons sugar

1/2 cup finely diced celery

1/4 cup sliced scallions

2 teaspoons chopped fresh dill

Toppings: slice avocado, lettuce, tomato

In a large bowl, combine the chopped chicken, mayo, mustard, lemon juice, sugar, celery, scallions and dill, stirring until well combined.

Take and season the turkey salad with salt and pepper.  Serve immediately or refrigerate, covered, until ready to serve.

Smoked Egg Salad

Need something to do with all those hard boiled eggs -- this is perfect!!  It is SO delicious!!!!  I made this for my ladies Easter (LEaster hahaha) and it was a HUGE hit!!!  SO yummy!!  Might be the only way I'll eat egg salad from now on!!

Ingredients:
5 Smoked eggs (hardboiled and smoked - see recipe below for smoking eggs)
1/2 cup mayo or sour cream
1 stalk celery, finely diced
2 teaspoons fresh dill, finely chopped
1 teaspoon mustard powder
1 tablespoons chives, finely chopped
salt and pepper

Smoked eggs:

First hard boil eggs.  Preheat smoker to 250 degrees.

Peel hard boiled eggs.  Place eggs in smoker for about 45 minutes, or until eggs are a light golden brown.

Remove and refrigerate until cooled.

Egg Salad

Cut smoked eggs in half.  Remove yolks and mix well with sour cream and mustard powder.

Dice up egg whites and add to the creamy yolk mixture.

Stir in chives and celery and mix well.

Serve on a croissant, bread, or lettuce wraps

Notes

Keep smoked egg salad in an airtight container for up to 3 days. 

Lemon-Dill Tuna Salad Lettuce Cups

Skipped the lettuce cups portion but this was delicious twist to tuna salad!!

Recipe by Our Best Bites – serves 1 

Ingredients:

2.6-ounce pouch chunk white tuna
2 green onions, chopped
1 teaspoon chopped fresh dill (reduce to 1/2 teaspoon if using dry dill)
1 clove garlic, minced
Zest of 1 lemon
2 tablespoons light mayonnaise
1/2 teaspoon white wine vinegar
Salt and pepper to taste
3 mild, foldable lettuce leaves (like butter or Boston bibb lettuce)
1/2 cup cucumber, peeled and sliced (baby cucumbers don’t have to be peeled unless you want to)
1 tablespoon sliced almonds

Instructions:

Combine the tuna, green onions, dill, garlic, and lemon zest in a small bowl. Add the mayonnaise, white wine vinegar, and salt and pepper to taste. Divide evenly among the lettuce leaves, then top with cucumbers, sliced almonds, and additional thinly sliced green onion tops (if desired).

Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich

Rossy made this up for a quick lunch this weekend, and it was YUMMY!!  So easy too :)

1 Red, 1 yellow, 1 green, and 1 blue

Ingredients

10 pieces of roast beef trimmed of fat and chopped

2 green container of peppers, onions, and mushrooms (can mix and match to your liking)

2 blue container of monterey jack cheese (or cheese of your choice)

4 small corn tortilla shells (or 1- 6" whole wheat)

In a medium skillet saute your peppers, onions, and mushrooms. Once you have your peppers, onions, and mushrooms heat up to the consistency you like ad in the roast beef.

As the roast beef is heating up in a small skillet spray with cooking spray and start to toast your tortilla shell(s). 

When the first shell is toasted place it off to the side and then place your other shell in the skilled to toast and top with your peppers, onions, mushrooms, roast beef, cheese and the first shell that was toasted. The cheese should be melted about the time the second shell is toasted.

Honey-Mustard Chicken Sandwiches

This was so so so simple to make - and so so so yummy!!  Perfect for dindin after work and then lunch during the week!!!

Ingredients:

4  boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1/4 cup whole grain mustard

2-3 Tbsp. coconut aminos (soy sauce substitute)

1 Tbsp. local, organic honey 

1 cup low-sodium chicken stock

1/4 tsp. garlic powder

1/2 tsp. paprika

Freshly ground black pepper and salt to taste

Put all ingredients into crock pot, and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 8 hours. Shred chicken to serve.  Enjoy on your choice of bread or wrap.

Buffalo CHicken Wrap

Rossy loves his buffalo chicken, so I found something CLEAN for his craving!  Yummy :)

Servings: 1 yellow, 1 red, 1 blue

 

Ingredients:

1 large wrap or 2 small

1 chicken breast

Franks Red hot Sauce

1/3 cup cheese

1 tomato

Spinach

 

Cook chicken – shred or cut it up

 

Mix chicken and red hot together.  Fill up wrap with spinach, tomato, chicken, and cheese

Greek Chicken Wrap

Makes 1 serving  (2 yellow, 1 red, 1/2 blue, 1.5 green)

Ingredients:
1 Ezckiel wrap (whole wheat basically) (2 yellow)
8oz Deli oven roasted chicken (1 red)
Hummus (1/2 blue)
Spinach (1 green)
Tomato (1/2 green)
Cucumber (1/2 green)

Spread wrap with hummus - then put down chicken, spinach, tomato, cucumber and roll together!

Turkey Cranberry Sandwich

Makes 1 serving  (1 yellow, 1 red, 1 purple, 1 green)

Ingredients:
1 Ezckiel wrap (whole wheat basically) (1 yellow)
2 Tablespoons greek non fat plain yogurt (1/2 red)
2 tablespoons dried cranberries (1 purple)

4oz nitrate free turkey breast (1/2 red)

Spinach leaves (1 green)

In a small bowl, mix yogurt and cranberries. Spread on 1 slice of bread (or wrap). Add turkey slices, then spinach.

Turkey Roll Up

Sorry didn't take a pic :)  It basically just looked like a wrap :)

Ingredients:
4oz nitrate free deli turkey (1 red)
1 piece high quality cheese (1 blue)
Romaine lettuce (1 green)
brown mustard (free!)
1 whole wheat wrap (1 yellow)