Two Great Recipes in One Post

Here are two very easy and simple recipes that can either be made separately or done together.  The first is a basic & easy way to cook chicken breast in the crock-pot.  I used my small 1.5 quart sized crock-pot which was perfect for the size of chicken breast I was cooking (just enough for Aaron and I). The chicken will be really moist and somewhat healthy, since it was cooked in it's own natural juices. 

You could actually just make "Ranchy Chicken" at anytime when you have a different recipe that calls for cooked shredded chicken.  Make it ahead in batches and throw it in the fridge or freezer till your ready for your next meal. Than pull it out, let it thaw out (if you froze it) and bam...you just skipped a few steps and your chicken will have an extra bit of flavor (than if you were to use plain chicken breast).

RANCHY CHICKEN:
1# chicken breast (boneless and thawed)
Dry ranch package

Rub chicken breast in about half of the dry mix, making sure to coat both sides. Let set for several hours, remember the longer you let set, the fuller the flavor.  [Mine set in the fridge for 2 hours.]

Cook in crock-pot with no other ingredients for 3 hours on LOW (or until fully cooked).  Let cool for 30 minutes in it's own broth before shredding the chicken with a knife.  [Mine literally fell apart without really cutting into it.]

Now the simple way to turn the "Ranchy Chicken" into "Buffalo Ranch Chicken" is by adding two little but very powerful ingredients:

1/2 cup Hot Wing sauce
1/4 cup Ranch dressing

Mix together with chicken until evenly coated, place back into crock-pot and cook on LOW for approx. 2-3 hours (depending on how intense you want the flavor to be; the longer it's cook, the bolder the flavor).

Serve as pulled chicken sandwiches, in tortilla or pita roll-ups, as a pizza toppings, mix in with mac 'n cheese, etc....the list of ways to eat this is ENDLESS!


REVIEW:
Now this is just my own personal way of cooking and making Buffalo Chicken, on a weekday for Aaron and I.  According to Aaron he said, "It's got just enough spice, which is nice"; meaning it's not too spicy and is really creamy with the addition of the ranch being added in.  If you prefer more kick from the hot wing sauce, add more of it or if you like less spice, add more ranch dressing.  This recipe is all about what your preferences are and when your cooking for yourself and one other person, you have more freedom to do that.  This is why this is sort of the ideal cooking for 2 recipe and depending on how you serve the shredded chicken, you may have enough for leftovers later in the week.  Try it as something different when you eat the second time and you'll never run out of recipes!

Enjoy!!

~ Kellie Anne











P.S - this recipe is the first of many that will be shot with my new DSL camera that Aaron got me for Christmas.  It took me a while (with the help of my sister), to figure out the settings on the camera and now I can't wait to shoot all my blog photos with it.  I just think it make the food turn out better and look more appetizing than when I took shots with my camera phone.

Mexican Chicken Bake

Are you craving chicken?
Maybe something, spicy?
And how about simple & easy? 

Then this is the recipe for you!

Ingredients & Directions:  
I took two thawed out chicken breast and seasoned both (top and bottom) with 1 tablespoon of black pepper, Greek seasoning and red pepper flakes.  I then placed them in a greased cooking dish and covered them with TOSTITOS® Monterey Jack Queso cheese sauce (about half a cup).  Place inside an oven that is set to 350 and bake for 45 minutes (uncovered).

That's it!

You can tweak the recipe to your liking.  For example, if you have more than two people, than you'll need more chicken breast (obviously) and if you want to add more spice, throw some salsa in with the cheese. 

I've seen all over the internet and on Pinterest how easy and simple chicken bake recipes can be and this one totally was. I think now I could easily switch out the ingredients and make it more Italian inspired or even Asian infused.

Hope you like it! :)
~Kellie Anne