Eat.........Eat.......Eat.

Daycare closed five minutes ago, I am stuck at a red light praying that I don't run out of gas, and realized I forgot my phone at work.  I finally arrive at daycare and reluctantly pay the $10 dollar late fee, and am told that Cooper fell down and knocked his head.  Just as I am about to cry, Cooper runs in yelling “Mommy” and gives me a hug and a kiss.  WHEW….that day is over, now I can relax, put on my pajamas, grab a  glass of wine, and play quietly with Cooper.  Wrong!  The second we walk through the door, I instantaneously start hearing "Eat.....Eat......Eat". 

To solve my dilemma, I have discovered the next best thing to the Crock-pot dinner (No worries you will be sure to see more on crock-pot dinners later).  A staple in our house is a precooked rotisserie chicken.  I have tried and created several dinner ideas from a original flavored, $5, Meijer Brand precooked rotisserie chicken.  So I want to share with you what has saved me lots of time and energy,  and has allowed me the quality play time with Coop I ache for.  It also guarantees a nutritious dinner and definitely gives me something to bawk about (ha ha).  Of course if you want the added stress of cooking the chicken...have at it, the results would be the same I'm sure.  

I also have to add that the chicken itself makes a great meal for a toddler who's learning to eat whole foods. (just chop into small pieces and serve)

I can get two meals out of using the white meat only.  Enjoy!

 White Chicken Chili

1/2 precooked rotisserie chicken (white meat only)

1/2 can of chicken broth

1 small jar of salsa

half a block of yellow cheese

half a block of pepper jack cheese

1 large jar of Randall White Beans

Add all the ingredients into crock-pot and heat until all cheeses have melted.  Serve hot with tortilla chips.  If you prefer a thinner soup, add the whole can of chicken broth.

 Shredded Chicken Quesadillas (makes a least 4 quesadillas)

1/2 rotisserie chicken (I prefer the white meat only) 

8 large flour tortilla shells

2 cups of yellow shredded cheese (I also use Feta cheese)

1 can of black beans

1 avocado (chopped)

1 tomato (chopped)

1/2 onion (chopped)

We have a quesidilla maker (recommended highly), but if you don't have one; heat a large frying pan with small amount of butter.  Lay one tortilla shell in frying pan.  Add cheese and remaining ingredients.  Continue by layring another shell on top.  Keep temperature on low and brown shells on both sides.

Add sour cream/ salsa on top.

Chicken and Artichoke Pizza

1 large prebaked pizza crust

1 cup of pizza sauce

1/2 white meat from chicken

1 tsp. dried Italian herb seasoning

2 cups of mozzarella cheese

1 cup of artichoke hearts (drained and chopped)

1/2 cup of roasted red peppers (sliced)

Place crust on baking sheet, and cover with pizza sauce.  In small bowl, mix chicken with herb seasoning.  Place chicken evenly over pizza.  Add cheese, artichoke, and peppers over entire pizza.

Cook in preheated (400 degree) oven for about 8 minutes, or until cheese is melted.

Chicken Omelet

1/2 package of frozen green and red pepper strips

1 small onion

1/2 cup precooked chicken

2 Tlb canola oil

1 tsp of taco seasoning mix

4 eggs (lightly beaten)

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

1/2 cup Montery Jack cheese

Saute in large pan: 1 Tlb oil, peppers, onion, and chicken.  Add seasoning and saute for 2 minutes.  Set mixture aside and wipe out pan.  Heat remaining oil until it sizzles.  Add eggs, salt and pepper.  Let egg form shape of pan.  Cook on medium heat.  Sprinkle with cheese, and put filling on half of egg.  Fold over, press lightly, and cook one additional minute or until done.  Serve with salsa/sour cream.

~Whimsical Woman