Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 (16oz) can chili beans
• 1 (16oz) can black beans
• 1 (15oz) can whole kernel corn, drained
• 1 (8oz) can tomato sauce
• 1 (12 fluid oz) can beer ~or water~
• 2 (10oz) cans diced tomatoes w/green chilies, undrained
• 1 (1.25oz) pkg taco seasoning **
• 3 whole skinless, boneless, chicken breasts
• shredded Cheddar cheese (opt)
• sour cream (opt)
• crushed Tortilla chips (opt)

Directions:

1. Place onion, chili beans, black beans, corn, tomato sauce, beer/water and diced tomatoes in a slow cooker. Add taco seasoning and stir to blend. Lay chicken breasts on top of mixture, pressing down slightly until just covered by the other ingredients. Set slow cooker for Low heat, cover and cook for 5 hours.
2. Remove chicken breasts from the soup, allow to cool and then shred. Stir the shredded chicken back into the soup and continue cooking for 2 hours.
   
3. Serve topped with cheese, sour cream and tortilla chips, if desired.

** Make-Your-Own Taco Seasoning
1 Tb chili powder
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp paprika
1 1/2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp sea salt
1 tsp black pepper

Honey Soy Baked Chicken

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 5 tablespoons honey
• 4 cloves of garlic; minced (or substitute 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder)
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
• 3 pounds (approximately) chicken thighs (or preferred chicken meat)
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
2. Mix first 6 ingredients together in a large plastic zip-top storage bag. Add salt and pepper to taste. Add the chicken to plastic bag making sure to coat each piece.
3. Place chicken in baking dish along with sauce/marinade or leave in large plastic bag to marinate in the refrigerator.
4. When ready to cook, in a baking dish, bake chicken in a 425° oven for 25 minutes with the skin side up. Turn the chicken and cook another 15 minutes. Then turn the chicken again to skin side up and finish cooking for another 10 minutes to crisp up the skin. Cook until internal temperature of chicken reads 165°F.

From TidyMom.net

We love this recipe!

Grilled Chicken and Shells

Ingredients:
Serves 4

Coarse salt and ground pepper
Vegetable oil, for grates
1 1/2 pounds chicken cutlets
8 ounces medium pasta shells
1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
4 ounces fresh mozzarella, cut into 1/4-inch cubes
1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1/4 cup grated Parmesan, plus more for serving
2 tablespoons butter

Directions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for pasta. Meanwhile, heat grill to medium; lightly oil grates. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Grill until cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Remove from grill, and cut into thin strips, halving if long.
Cook pasta until al dente, according to package instructions. Reserve 1 cup pasta water; drain pasta, and return to pot. Add chicken, tomatoes, mozzarella, parsley, Parmesan, and butter. Toss to combine. Add reserved pasta water a little at a time to create a sauce that coats shells (you may not need all the water). Serve with more Parmesan.

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