Monday Meals: Chicken Rice Bake

INGREDIENTS:

*2 - 4 large chicken breasts (depending on how many you are preparing for), boneless and skinless

*1 1/2 cups uncooked rice

*1 can 18 oz Progresso creamy mushroom soup (yup, it's GF!)

*1 cup water

*paprika, poultry seasoning, garlic salt to taste

DIRECTIONS:

Mix soup and water in a glass 9 x 13 in. baking dish. Add rice evenly to dish. Place chicken breasts on top of liquid-covered rice. Sprinkle chicken breasts with seasoning. Cover dish with aluminum foil. Bake at 350 for 45 - 50 minutes or until rice is fully cooked.

*Delicious with fresh, steamed green vegetables.
**I sprinkle my chicken with lemon-pepper seasoning before serving for extra flavor.

Monday Meals: Orange Chicken Marinade

Ingredients:

*2 large chicken breasts, boneless and skinless

*2-3 Tablespoons orange juice

*1 Tablespoon brown sugar

*1 teaspoon lemon juice

*1 teaspoon orange zest

*1/2 teaspoon rosemary

*dash mint

*gallon size ziplock bag

*2 Tablespoons oil

Directions:

Combine orange juice, brown sugar, lemon juice, orange zest, and herbs in a small bowl. Mix until brown sugar dissolves. Put chicken breasts into ziplock bag. Pour in marinade. Let sit for 2-4 hours. When ready to cook, place oil in large skillet. Add chicken. Cover and brown for 10 minutes on medium-low heat. Flip chicken breasts. Cover and let other side brown for 8-9 minutes. Serve.

*Serve with garlic rosemary fried potatoes and fresh vegetables.

Monday Meals: Chicken Enchiladas

Ingredients:

*1 large boneless skinless chicken breast, chopped and cooked

*1 can 20 oz enchilada sauce (we use Rosarita's)

*1 can 12 oz evaporated milk

*12-16 small corn tortillas

*2-3 cups shredded cheese (I prefer a LOT of cheese)

*1/4 cup black olives, diced (optional)

*green onions, diced (optional)

Directions:

Cover 9 x 13 glass pan with thin layer of enchilada sauce. Begin layering pan with tortillas, cheese, chicken, and black olives. Tortillas can be torn and added along with cheese, chicken, and olives (casserole method) OR cheese, chicken, and olives can be rolled in tortillas (standard method). If using casserole method, add portion of enchilada sauce and evaporated milk between layers. If using standard method, pour all enchilada sauce and evaporated milk evenly over tortillas. Top with green onions. Bake uncovered for in oven preheated to 350 for 35 minutes.

*There are SO many ways to prepare enchiladas; this recipe is similar to the mr.'s mother's recipe. Green chili sauce, pork, beef... the possibilities are endless.

**Great with refried beans or corn.

Pictured without green onions.

Monday Meals: Chicken Tomato Alfredo

Ingredients:

*1 large boneless, skinless chicken breast, chopped into 1in pieces

*1 stick butter, softened

*1 pack 8 oz cream cheese, softened

*3/4 cup milk

*1-2 medium tomatoes (I prefer a lot), finely chopped

*Herbs and spices for seasoning

*1 pack Trader Joe's GF Brown Rice Pasta Fusilli

Directions:

In a larger skillet, cook chicken pieces. Once chicken is fully cooked, drain. Return skillet to heat and add softened butter cream cheese. When butter and cream cheese are melted, add milk, tomatoes, and seasonings of choice (basil, garlic salt, and black pepper are a good match). Stir, cover, and keep over low heat. In a large pot, bring water to a boil. Add pasta fusilli noodles. STIR CONTINUOUSLY.GF noodles WILL stick and glue together if not constantly moving. Cook time on package does not necessarily reflect real cook time (I find that noodles are perfect if cooked one to two minutes AFTER water has turned cloudy white AND a film appears along the sides of the pot above the water line). Taste test to know if right for you. Strain WELL; do not rinse (rinsing the noodles causes sauce not to adhere to noodles). Add to skillet and use pasta spoon to stir into sauce.

Serves: 4 - 6

*Season a couple pieces of your favorite GF bread with butter, garlic salt, and basil. Place in oven at 325 for 3-4 minutes for delicious garlic bread.

Pictured with broccoli in place of tomato, equally as scrumptious!