Chicken Primavera

I found this yummy recipes from Kraft foods. I made it last night and Jonny gave it a two thumbs up.



Prep Time: 10 Minutes Cook Time: 30 Minutes Servings: 6, 1-1/3c. servings

What You'll Need


3 cups penne pasta, uncooked
2 Tbsp. KRAFT Light Zesty Italian Dressing
1-1/2 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch chunks
2 zucchini, cut into chunks
1-1/2 cups cut-up fresh asparagus (1-inch lengths)
1 red pepper, chopped
1 cup fat-free reduced-sodium chicken broth
4 oz. (1/2 of 8-oz. pkg.) PHILADELPHIA 1/3 Less Fat Cream Cheese, cubed
1 cup KRAFT Grated Parmesan Cheese


COOK pasta as directed on package.

MEANWHILE, heat dressing in large skillet on medium heat. Add chicken and vegetables; cook 10 to 12 min. or until chicken is cooked through, stirring frequently. Add broth and cream cheese; cook 1 min. or until cheese is melted, stirring constantly. Add Parmesan cheese; mix well.

DRAIN pasta; return to pot. Add chicken and vegetable mixture; toss lightly. Cook 1 min. or until heated through. (Sauce will thicken upon standing.)

Shredded BBQ Chicken (Crockpot)

6 Frozen chicken breasts (4 large breasts, 6 small filets)
1 large bottle BBQ Sauce (Famous Dave's Rich and Sassy 29 oz)
1/3 cup Brown Sugar
2 1/2 Tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
1/2 cup Italian Salad Dressing
2 tsp Garlic (optional)
Dash Onion powder, or you can use about 1/4 cup dried onions


Place chicken in a slow cooker. In a bowl, mix the barbeque sauce, Italian salad dressing, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce, and if using, also add garlic and onion. Pour over chicken.

Cover, and cook 3 to 4 hours on High or 6 to 8 hours on Low.

Shred chicken with forks either halfway through or when done. Serve on hamburger buns or just eat alone.

*** This makes quite a bit, so its good for leftovers or a bigger group. If you only need it for a few people, cut recipe in half.

Mystery Rolls

These rolls are super quick and super delicious. You can use different cheese if you don't like blue cheese. I also make a version with Parmesan cheese and a little bit of garlic salt.

Mystery Rolls

2 sticks butter
4 to 6 ounces crumbled blue cheese
2 cans flaky biscuits

Combine butter and cheese on baking pan. Place into 350 oven for a couple of minutes, or until butter is melted. Remove from oven and stir. Cut biscuits into fourths, then toss in butter mixture. Bake on same pan (or different, if you prefer) for 8 to 12 minutes, or until golden. Eat warm.

Creamy Mashed Potatoes

5 pounds of Russet Potatoes
1 1/2 sticks of butter
1 8 oz. package of cream cheese
1/2 to 3/4 cups of half and half
Salt and Pepper to taste

Peel and cut potatoes into fourths. Bring a large pot of water to a simmer and add the potatoes. Simmer the potatoes for 30-35 minutes. Simmer them until the are fork tender but not falling apart.

Drain the potatoes into a large colander. When they have finished draining. Add them back into the pot and put it back on the stove over low heat. Mash the potatoes over low, this will allow all of the steam to escape, making your mashed potatoes smooth and not grainy.

Turn off the heat and add all of the ingredients and mash until your preferred consistency.

I usually modify this recipes because it makes a lot. If I am cooking for two I use only a few potatoes, and just cut back the ingredients and usually don't measure. Just add to your taste!

Pasta Chicken Salad

Pasta Chicken Salad

6 chicken breasts, cooked & cubed
12 oz. pkg. curly pasta
1 bag seedless red grapes
20 oz. can pineapple tidbits, optional
2-3 stalks celery, chopped
1 bunch green onions, sliced
3/4 c. slivered almonds

dressing:
1 pint sour cream
1 pint mayonnaise
2 T. sugar
1 t. salt


Cook and drain pasta. Toss with chicken, grapes, pineapple, celery, and onions. Mix together dressing ingredients and toss with salad. Refrigerate several hours and add almonds just before serving.

* I made this for a Bridal Shower at my work and everyone loved it!

Toffee Dip with Apples

Toffee Dip with Apples

3/4 c. packed brown sugar
1/2 c. powdered sugar
1 t. vanilla
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
3/4 c. toffee bits
1 c. pineapple juice
6 Red Delicious apples
6 Granny Smith apples,
cut into wedges

Combine sugars, cream cheese, and vanilla in a bowl. Beat at medium speed until smooth. Stir in toffee bits; mix well. Cover and chill.

Combine juice and apples in a bowl; toss well. Drain apples. Place in an airtight container and chill. Serve dip with apples.

Cafe Rio Recipes!

Café Rio Chicken
5 lbs chicken breasts
1 small bottle Kraft Italian dressing
1 T. Chili powder
1 T. Cumin
3 cloves garlic-minced
Cook all together in crock pot on high for 4 hours. Shred meat. Cook 1 more hour.

Sweet Pork
3-4 lb roast (pork shoulder or loin - don’t trim the fat. Salt and pepper and brown each side in a pan.)
Fill crock pot ½ way with water. Add roast.
Cook on high 5 hours. Drain water - cut into 4 large pieces.
Add:
16 oz salsa
1 can coke
2 c. sugar
cook 3 more hours on high - shred.


Café Rio Dressing
1 buttermilk ranch packet (make as per recipe)
2 tomatillos
½ bunch cliantro
1 clove garlic
1 lime, juiced
1 jalepeno
Use food processor or blender to blend well.
Refrigerate

Black Beans
2 Tbsp. olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp. ground cumin
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can corn, drained.
2/3 c. tomato juice
1 1/2 tsp. salt
In a nonstick skillet, cook garlic and cumin in olive oil over medium heat until you can smell it. Add beans, corn, tomato juice, and salt. Continually stir until heated through.

Café Rio Rice
Blend the following in food processor or blender
½ bunch cilantro
1 can green chilies
½ onion
Add the following:
4 cloves garlic minced
4 tsp chicken bullion
3/4 tsp. Salt
1 T. Butter
Juice from one lime

Bring to boil the amount of water. Rice directions call for when using 3 c. uncooked rice. When water boils add all the ingredients and rice. Stir to combine - simmer covered for 30 minutes. If you use bullion cubes stir until they dissolve before you cover and simmer.

When I make these recipes I usually just go to Cafe Rio and buy the tortillas rather than make my own or use store bought!