Posts Tagged ‘cheddar’
Guacamole Tortilla Chip-Crusted Nacho Chicken
May 2, 2013 | 
Author Prepare yourself, for an awesomely different looking chicken dish – it’s GREEN!! This is not Dr. Seuss’s green eggs and ham, we’re talking about Cinco de Mayo food!
In addition to the delicious strawberry margarita mix from On The Border, which I used to make the cupcakes I shared yesterday, I also received their Monterey Jack Queso, Medium Salsa, and Guac Blast Tortilla Chips. Did I get your attention with that last item? Because it surely caught my eye when I first saw them. They really are very green and since they taste like guacamole you almost don’t need to dip them in anything. But that didn’t stop me from dipping them into the Monterey Jack Queso… MmMmm.
I decided to have some fun with these products and used the chips as the breading for an oven-fried chicken. It resulted in a fabulously green and festive exterior, which was packed with flavor and crunch to boot. The queso was mixed up with some Greek yogurt (my favorite sour cream substitute), to then be dolloped on top of the cooked chicken along with some salsa and cheese. It’s a full blown Mexican fiesta all on one piece of chicken!
One year ago: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Brownies
Two years ago: Butterscotch Truffles
GUACAMOLE TORTILLA CHIP-CRUSTED NACHO CHICKEN
Serves 4
Ingredients:
1/4 cup buttermilk
4-4 oz. chicken breasts
1/2 cup finely ground On The Border Guac Blast Tortilla Chips
Cooking spray
1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt (or sour cream) (I used 0% plain Chobani)
1/4 cup On The Border Monterey Jack Queso
1/2 cup On The Border Medium Salsa
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Arrange a wire rack on a large baking sheet; coat rack with cooking spray. Set aside.
- Place buttermilk in a shallow dish. Add chicken to buttermilk, turning to coat.
- Place ground chips in another shallow dish. Remove chicken from buttermilk mixture; discard buttermilk mixture. Dredge chicken in ground chips, pressing slightly and turning to coat.
- Arrange chicken on rack; coat chicken with cooking spray. Bake for 13 minutes or until chicken is done.
- While the chicken cooks, combine the Greek yogurt and Monterey jack Queso in a small bowl. When the chicken is done, top with queso mixture, followed by salsa and shredded cheese. Put back in the oven until the cheese starts to melt; about 1-2 minutes.
Source: Adapted from The New Way to Cook Light and Kraft.
Disclosure: I was provided with complimentary On The Border products by Truco Enterprises. I was not compensated for this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Posted in Chicken, Cinco de Mayo, Entree, Holidays | 
Tags: buttermilk, cheddar, chicken, Greek yogurt, monterey jack, salsa | 
8 Comments »
Pass the Cook Book Club: Jenny Flake’s Chicken Mango Quesadillas
Welcome to April’s edition of Pass the Cook Book Club, hosted by Kita of Pass the Sushi and Girl Carnivore (her newest brainchild)! This month we cooked from The Picky Palate Cookbook, written by Jenny Flake herself. I was super excited to dig into these recipes because her blog was one of the first food blogs I started reading back in the day.
Originally I had planned on making the mini peanut butter and jelly pies, but decided that I had to try out the quesdillas using mango because I was curious about the flavors. Unfortunately the recipe called for shrimp (being a non-seafood eater), but was an easy fix by substituting with chicken and was overjoyed with the results! Enveloping the chicken was a cream cheese mixture that was exceptionally creamy, while the mangoes added sweetness. You must make these, because every day that goes by without them is a missed opportunity for deliciousness.
One year ago: Chicken & Spinach Alfredo Pizza
Two years ago: Cake Batter Fruit Dip
CHICKEN MANGO QUESADILLAS
Serves 4
Ingredients:
2 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 lb. chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
3/4 tsp salt, divided
1/2 tsp black pepper, divided
6 oz. reduced fat cream cheese, softened
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
4 Tbsp unsalted butter, softened, divided
1 cup chopped mango, divided (I used thawed, frozen mango)
4 whole wheat tortillas
Directions:
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken, 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper and cook, stirring for 5 minutes or until no longer pink. Remove from the heat.
- In a medium bowl, add the cream cheese, cheddar, cilantro, and remaining salt and pepper and stir until well combined.
- Heat a separate large skillet over medium heat. Spread 1/4 cup of the cheese spread over the top of the tortilla. Top with 1/4 cup cooked chicken and 1/4 cup chopped mango over half of the tortilla. Melt 1 tablespoon of the butter in the skillet and place the tortilla in the skillet.
- With a spatula, fold the tortilla in half, cooking until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes on each side. Remove from the skillet and cut the quesadilla into wedges to serve. Repeat with remaining ingredients.
Source: Adapted slightly from The Picky Palate Cookbook, page 123.
Slow Cooker Chicken Nachos
After 6 years of grad school you would think I would be completely dependent upon my slow cooker to provide sustenance. Somehow I’ve only started utilizing it frequently over the past year (and also maintained my blog without depending on it to do the cooking for me) and have discovered a whole new world of slow cooking that I never knew existed. I used to think slow cookers were only for stew-type meals, and a few years ago would’ve never dreamed of being able to cook oatmeal, dessert, or Asian cuisine in it. Most recently I enjoyed slow cooked chicken for tacos, which then lead me to try the same process for nachos.
Although my slow cooker is a bit temperamental and had to cook this on low for only 3 hours instead of the directed 6, at least I know my slow cooker well enough to do so. Since I do not have a slow cooker with a timer on it – just on, warm, low and high – I now use a plug timer. Before I used this method I could only use my slow cooker on the weekends, and that kind of defeats the purpose. Now I set it up right before I leave in the morning with the plug timer turning on a few hours after I leave so that it just finishes cooking when I get home. And what a great meal to come home to! Once it was all prepared with the toppings it was actually hard to believe it came from something as simple as a slow cooker.
One year ago: Cheesy Potato Casserole
SLOW COOKER CHICKEN NACHOS
Serves 4
Ingredients:
2 chicken breasts
1 jarred whole roasted red pepper
1/2 cup salsa
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp chili powder
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 large pinch salt and pepper
1 (14.5 oz) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 bag favorite tortilla chips
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/4 cup sour cream (I used 0% plain Chobani instead)
1/2 cup chopped cilantro leaves
1 scallion, finely sliced
1 avocado, diced
1 lime, for the juice
Directions:
- In a slow cooker, place the chicken, roasted red pepper, salsa, cumin, chili powder, garlic, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook on high for three hours (or low for six)*.
- Once the chicken is cooked, take two forks and shred the chicken and pepper right in the cooker. Add the pinto beans, toss to combine and cook an additional 30 minutes.
- Arrange the chips on a large platter. Spoon the chicken and bean mixture over the chips. Sprinkle the cheese over the chicken. Pop the platter under the broiler for a couple of minutes to the get the cheese all browned and bubbly.
- Remove the platter from the oven and top with Greek yogurt, chopped cilantro, scallions and diced avocado. Squeeze of lime juice over the whole thing and enjoy!
*Cooking times may vary. My slow cooker cooks hot so it only took about 3 hours on low.
Source: Adapted slightly from Bev Cooks.
Posted in Appetizers & Snacks, Chicken, Cinco de Mayo, Entree, Holidays, Slow Cooker, Sports Events | Tags: cheddar, chicken, cilantro, Mexican, red bell pepper, salsa | 9 Comments »
Baked Eggs with Crispy Hash Brown Crust
After two days staying home sick I am finally out of the house again. No I am not feeling all that much better, but I don’t think I am contagious anymore and I was getting pretty bored at home (did I mention I don’t have cable or internet or smart phone?). I brought data results and research papers home with me to work on my own, but I find I am more in the mind-set to write sciencey things when I am at my desk at lab. So even though I do not have any bench work to do, I am at lab to get those nerd-brain-juices flowing.
The one benefit to staying home was cooking breakfast for myself (at noon when I finally dragged myself out of my sick bed). You should start one of your mornings this week/weekend with this fun breakfast because it has a crispy hash brown crust topped with eggs and cheese. It’s like a breakfast skillet pie! This recipe can also easily be doubled or tripled for a family-sized breakfast, just remember to use a bigger skillet.
One year ago: Cheesy Cat Treats
Two years ago: Funfetti Cake Batter Smoothie
BAKED EGGS WITH CRISPY HASH BROWN CRUST
Serves 1-2
Ingredients:
1/2 cups shredded potatoes (I used frozen, and thawed)
Salt and pepper
2 eggs
1/4 cup shredded cheese (I used sharp cheddar)
2 Tbsp olive oil for cast iron skillet
Chopped green onions (optional)
Directions:
- Press potatoes firmly between two dish towels or a few layers of paper towels. The goal is to get as much moisture out of the potatoes as possible so they’ll brown up nice and crisp.
- Heat a 6-inch cast iron skillet with the olive oil over medium high heat. Add the potatoes and use the back of a large spoon to spread them evenly and then press them down firmly into a flat pancake. Let them sit and brown, undisturbed, for about 3-4 minutes. Make sure your heat isn’t so high that it burns the potatoes – you want them to get golden brown but not burn. You can use your spoon to lift up an edge and take a peek to monitor progress.
- When the first side is brown, use a large spatula to flip the whole thing over. They shredded browned potatoes should be intertwined with each other enough that this isn’t too difficult to do. Let the 2nd side brown for an additional 4 minutes.
- When both sides of the crust are browned, remove from heat and crack the 2 eggs evenly over the top. Season with a little salt and pepper if desired, then sprinkle the 1/4 cup of shredded cheese over the eggs.
- Pop in the oven on broil for 5-7 minutes, depending on whether you like your eggs to be soft or hard. Top with green onions, slice, serve, and enjoy!
Source: Down-sized from Two Tarts.
Kale Quiche
When I saw baby kale at my grocery store right next to the baby spinach I could not resist. Especially since I am making efforts to incorporate more vegetables into my diet (said while I munch on baby carrots). And what better time to add more greens than right before St. Patrick’s Day? With breakfast being the most important meal of the day I decided to start there by making a quiche with the baby kale. This quiche would’ve been even healthier if made crustless, but the crust is my favorite part of a quiche! I would not have been satisfied without it’s presence.
KALE QUICHE
Serves 6
Ingredients:
9-inch refrigerated pie crust, uncooked
1 Tbsp olive oil oil
1/4 cup diced white onion
2 cups fresh baby kale (or regular kale torn from the stems)
1/2 large red bell pepper, diced
1 turkey breakfast sausage, cooked and diced
3 egg whites, beaten
2 eggs
1-1/2 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese
3/4 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
4 tsp ground black pepper
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350. Fit pie crust into a 9-inch pie pan.
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, kale and red bell pepper; cook, stirring occasionally, until kale is wilted and onion and pepper is softened. Stir in sausage. Let mixture cool slightly.
- In a large bowl, combine eggs, cheese and pepper. Add kale mixture and stir to blend. Scoop into prepared pie pan. Bake in preheated oven until eggs have set, about 30 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.
Source: Adapted from Ingredients, Inc.
Cheesy Chicken Quesadilla Pie
I thoroughly enjoy cooking with others, but I don’t do it much living by myself. Thankfully my friend Maggie has gotten more into cooking lately and we’ve had a few dinner-made-at-home dates. Most recently we made this quesadilla pie and while making it I showed her a trick for her to use with her new Kitchenaid standmixer (she has the green 6 quart one and I’m jealous – don’t tell my 5 quart). After you cook your chicken (or pluck all the meat off a rotisserie), plop into the bowl of your standmixer, fitted with the paddle, and stir on low. Proceed to watch as it magically shreds it, perfectly!
With that little trick, this recipe becomes super easy prepare. Everything gets mixed together, with a little cheese reserved for the topping, and then goes on its merry way into the oven. I thought it was perfection, but at the same time might add a little jalapeno next time to add a little spice. Maggie’s boyfriend Will thought it was a bit heavy on the cilantro but I didn’t mind. However, some people are more sensitive to it’s flavors so adjust accordingly.
One year ago: Chicken Caesar Salad Pizza
Two years ago: Apple Harvest Oatmeal
CHEESY CHICKEN QUESADILLA PIE
Serves 6
Ingredients:
4 (10-inch) flour tortillas, white or wheat
Nonstick cooking spray
3 cups cooked, shredded chicken
8 oz. (2 cups) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1/3 cup minced fresh cilantro
Salt and pepper
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
Sour cream, optional
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees, making sure an oven rack is in the middle position. Grease a 9-inch deep dish pie plate with cooking spray. Overlap and layer the four tortillas (kind of in a cloverleaf pattern), pressing them into the dish, so that the bottom and sides of the pie plate are evenly covered with tortilla. In a medium bowl, toss the shredded chicken with 1 cup of the cheese, cilantro, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Spread the mixture into the pie plate.
- In the same bowl that the chicken mixture was in (no need to wash it), whisk together the eggs, milk, flour, baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt until smooth. Slowly pour this liquid mixture into the pie plate covering the chicken evenly. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese. Bake for 25 minutes, until the surface is golden brown. Let the casserole rest 5-10 minutes before serving, topped with a dollop of sour cream.
Source: Adapted slightly from Mel’s Kitchen Cafe
Posted in Chicken, Cinco de Mayo, Entree, Holidays | Tags: cheddar, chicken, cilantro, Mexican, tortillas | 4 Comments »
Pass the Cook Book Club: Pioneer Woman’s Perfect Potatoes Au Gratin
Welcome to the first month of Pass the Cook Book Club, hosted by Kita of Pass the Sushi. This club strives to dust off those unused cookbooks as once a month we post and share recipes from a randomly selected book. Don’t own the cookbook selected? No worries! Kita sends out three recipes to choose from to cook and share. For more info on how you can join the fun, check out the club’s Facebook page.
To kick off PCBC, we cooked from The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Food From My Frontier. I chose the perfect potato au gratin and served it with oven-fried chicken. These potatoes were incredibly easy to prepare. For some reason I was convinced I would have to use my mandoline to slice the potatoes, but was relieved to find out all I needed to use (and clean up) was a knife and cutting board. The ease of creation means these already irresistibly creamy and cheesy potatoes are even more dangerous. Good luck only eating one serving.
One year ago: Homemade Almond Butter
Two years ago: Over Easy Breakfast Bagel Sandwich
PERFECT POTATOES AU GRATIN
Serves 8
Ingredients:
2 Tbsp unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
4 large russet potatoes, scrubbed clean
1/2 cup whole milk (I used 2%)
1-1/2 cup heavy cream
2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp salt
Pepper, to taste
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar
2 scallions, thinly sliced
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Slice the potatoes into sticks, then dice. Place in a large baking dish. Combine the milk and cream in a bowl. Add the flour, garlic, salt and pepper and whisk. Pour over potatoes and dot the top with small pieces of butter.
- Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and and bake for another 20 minutes. Just before serving, sprinkle with cheese and bake for another 3-5 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Sprinkle on the green onions and serve hot.
Source: The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Food From My Frontier, page 226.
Bacon-Cheddar Cauliflower Chowder
I’m not sure what has changed in my schedule these days, but lately feel as though I have a lot less time than before. Yes, I come into lab late at night sometimes and on weekends for various experiments, but that’s nothing out of the ordinary. Even more strange is that I feel like I spend less time cooking/baking than I used to, and have missed a day or two here and there at the gym (which is so not like me). Where has all the time gone??
With this mysterious change in time, recipes that require less time are even more enticing than usual. Enter this quick and healthy chowder. Chowders are definitely comfort food, and they become even more comforting when they are healthified! This recipe caught my attention because of my my happy experience with cauliflower pizza crust. It’s made with cauliflower and milk instead of potatoes and heavy cream, which magically tastes almost like the real thing but with less carbs.
BACON-CHEDDAR CAULIFLOWER CHOWDER
Serves 8
Ingredients:
8 slices center-cut bacon, chopped (half used for garnish)
1/2 small onion, chopped
1 celery stalk, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
Salt & pepper
4 cups shredded or grated cauliflower (1/2 large head)
2 Tbsp water
2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
2 cups reduced sodium chicken broth, divided
2 cups 2% milk
3-4 dashes hot sauce
2-1/2 cups (12oz) shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
2 green onions, chopped (optional)
Directions:
- Whisk together flour and 1/4 cup chicken broth in a small bowl then set aside.
- Saute bacon in a large soup pot over medium heat until crisp. Using a slotted spoon, transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate then remove all but 1 Tablespoon drippings from the pot. Add chopped onion, celery, and garlic to the pot then season with salt and pepper and saute until vegetables are tender, about 4-5 minutes.
- Add cauliflower to the pot then stir to combine. Add water then place a lid on top and steam cauliflower until tender, stirring a couple times, about 5-7 minutes. Add remaining chicken broth and milk then turn up heat and bring to a boil.
- Slowly whisk in flour/chicken broth mixture while stirring, then turn down heat and simmer for 3-4 minutes, or until chowder has thickened (if desired, puree half the soup with a blender or immersion blender). Turn off heat then stir in 2 cups cheddar cheese until smooth, then stir in half the cooked bacon. Taste and adjust salt, pepper, and/or hot sauce if necessary. Serve topped with remaining shredded cheese, cooked bacon, and green onions, if desired.
Source: Iowa Girl Eats
Posted in Entree, Soup Stew Chili | Tags: bacon, cauliflower, celery, cheddar, green onions, onions | 7 Comments »
Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos
After having highs in the 70s over the weekend, the weather here in Memphis has drastically changed. Two days in a row we have had wintry mix with highs of 32. The warmth we recently had means everything hitting the ground melts and then later turns into ice. Since I grew up in upstate NY none of the wintry weather here phases me, however I do have to drive more cautiously due to the drivers around me and the inefficient systems set up to handle this sort of weather (since it’s not a common occurrence). The university closed at noon yesterday and even though I make jokes about it, I am really pulling for it to be closed at least until 1 pm today so I can get out of doing a journal club presentation. Although I have to go in to do lab work regardless. Priorities.
In other news, I think my slow cooker is incapable of actually cooking things slowly when it is not filled to maximum capacity. When I make corned beef and cabbage, for example, it is nearly overflowing and cooks perfectly on low for extended hours. But whenever I cook a small amount of chicken, fully covered in liquid but only filling the bowl 1//3 of the way, it cooks in about 2.5 hours on low instead of 5-7. I’m starting to think I need to invest in a smaller crock pot for such recipes because the whole point of the crock pot is to SLOW cook.
Nonetheless, the chicken for these tacos came out wonderful since I made them over the weekend and was able to check on the doneness. Unfortunately, it was done much too soon for dinner but just turned it to the warm function. I added more taco seasoning than the original recipe called because my sister-in-law made them and told me she would’ve preferred more seasoning – a wise move.
One year ago: Carrot Cake Oatmeal
SLOW COOKER CHICKEN TACOS
Serves 4-6
Ingredients:
1-1/2 lb boneless skinless chicken (breasts or thighs, whichever you prefer)
10 oz. can enchilada sauce
3 Tbsp taco seasoning
A few dashes of tabasco sauce
1/8 tsp ground black pepper
2 oz. cream cheese
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Whole wheat soft taco shells
TOPPINGS
Cilantro
Black beans
Salsa
Green pepper, diced
Red onion, diced
Guacamole (or avocado)
Sour cream (I used Greek yogurt)
Directions:
- Toss chicken in slow cooker with enchilada sauce, taco seasoning, tabasco sauce, and pepper. Cook on low for 5-7 hours (cooking times may vary), until chicken is easily shredded with two forks. After shredding, stir in cream cheese and cheddar until melted.
- Serve with soft shell tacos and desired toppings.
Source: Adapted slightly from Pass the Sushi.
Posted in Chicken, Cinco de Mayo, Entree, Holidays, Slow Cooker | Tags: cheddar, chicken, cream cheese, Mexican, whole wheat | 6 Comments »
Stovetop Cajun Chicken Mac and Cheese
One cajun mac and cheese has been seen on here already, and despite being incredibly similar to the one today I had to post it as well because it was good enough to not care. Besides, this one is made with chicken instead of sausage!
Stovetop mac and cheese is my favorite kind because it is always extra creamy compared to the baked versions I have had. I once even made one so creamy it should’ve been illegal. But I do appreciate the crunchy tops they tend to get after being baked. I suppose a little trip under a broiler with a crumb topping would give me the best of both worlds, but that little idea will be saved for another day because it did not occur to me until just now while writing this post.
One year ago: Pumpkin Biscoff Cream Cheese Bread
STOVETOP CAJUN CHICKEN MAC AND CHEESE
Serves 4
Ingredients:
8 oz. dry penne or macaroni pasta
1 cup shredded or chopped cooked chicken
2-1/2 tsp Cajun seasoning
1-1/2 Tbsp unsalted butter
1 green bell pepper, small diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1-1/2 Tbsp flour
2 cups milk
8 oz. freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese
2 oz. freshly shredded monterey jack cheese
1/2 tsp dry mustard
Directions:
- Cook the pasta in boiling salted water according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- Toss the cooked chicken with 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning. Set aside.
- Melt the butter in a large sauce pot over medium high heat. Add the green bell pepper and garlic and saute briefly—about two minutes. Add the flour and stir constantly until it starts to turn a dark golden color. This will take about three minutes or so.
- When the roux starts to turn brown, add the milk and keep stirring. Cook, while stirring, for about five minutes or until the sauce starts to get thick. Add the cheeses and mix to melt.
- Add the remaining teaspoon and a half of Cajun seasoning, as well as the dry mustard, to the cheese sauce and mix well. Then, add the chicken and cooked noodles. Toss to coat and serve.
Source: Adapted slightly from Eat, Live, Run
Posted in Chicken, Entree, Pasta | Tags: Cajun seasoning, cheddar, chicken, green peppers, milk, monterey jack | 5 Comments »
