Month: April 2023

Antipasto Baked Smothered Chicken

Antipasto Baked Smothered Chicken

by Engineered Mama ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Artichoke, salami, banana pepper, fresh mozzarella, this one has it all! All the flavor is included in this recipe and it is phenomenal! I adapted my recipe based on ingredients I had on hand, but you can check out the original here!

Ingredients

  • 3 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, divided
  • ⅓ cup chopped, marinated artichoke hearts
  • ⅓ cup chopped salami 
  • ¼ cup chopped banana peppers (or pepperoncini if you prefer)
  • 2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar (or red wine vinegar if you prefer)
  • 1 Tbsp chopped fresh oregano, plus more for garnish (can substitute dried oregano)
  • 1 lb chicken cutlets
  • ½ tsp ground black pepper
  • 2 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, thinly sliced (or fresh mozzarella pearls

Directions

  1. Preheat broiler to high (500 degrees F).
  2. Mix 2 Tbsp oil, artichoke hearts, salami, banana pepper, vinegar and oregano in a medium bowl.
  3. Heat the remaining 1 Tbsp oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle chicken with pepper and add to the pan. Cook until starting to brown, about 3 minutes. Turn the chicken over and top each piece with the artichoke mixture and cheese. Transfer the pan to the oven and broil the chicken until the cheese is browned and an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the chicken registers 165 degrees F, 3 to 4 minutes more. Serve the chicken with any pan drippings and oregano, if desired.
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Italian Chicken with Lemony Spaghetti

Italian Chicken with Lemony Spaghetti

by Engineered Mama ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

My sister-in-law was kind enough to share this Hello Fresh recipe with me. It looked so fantastic that I HAD to try it! I tweaked a few things based on ingredients I had in hand and this is definitely a new favorite in our house!

Ingredients

  • 2 zucchini, sliced and quartered
  • 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • zest of 1 lemon
  • 1 lemon, quartered
  • 16 oz whole wheat spaghetti (or any other preferred pasta)
  • 20 oz chicken cutlets
  • 2 Tbsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp chili flakes
  • 3/4 cup chicken stock
  • Extra Virgin olive oil
  • 2 Tbsp butter
  • 3 Tbsp sour cream
  • Salt and ground black pepper, to taste
  • 6 Tbsp Parmesan cheese, shredded

Directions

  1. Bring a pot of water to boil for pasta. While water is reaching boiling, cut zucchini into slices, then into fourths and slice mushrooms. Zest and quarter lemon.
  2. Cook pasta to package instructions, drain, add a small amount of olive oil and set aside in a bowl.
  3. Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a skillet on medium-high heat. Sauté zucchini and mushrooms until golden brown, stirring occasionally (approximately 4-6 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
  4. Place a large drizzle of oil on the zucchini skillet on medium-high. Pat chicken dry, season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning on both sides. Add chicken to skillet and cook until browned and cooked through, 3-5 minutes or until internal temperature reads 165 degrees on an instant read thermometer.
  5. Tuen off what and transfer chicken to a cutting board to rest. Once chicken is cool enough to handle, cut chicken crosswise.
  6. Heat a drizzle of olive oil in the pot used for the pasta on medium-high heat. Add garlic, half the lemon zest, and a pinch of chili flakes to the pot. Stir until fragrant, 20-30 seconds.
  7. Stir in chicken stock and juice from 4 lemon wedges. Stir until thickened, 1-2 minutes. Turn off heat.
  8. Add pasta, zucchini and mushrooms, sour cream, and butter to the pot and toss to coat. Add half of the Parmesan cheese and salt and pepper.
  9. Add pasta to bowls, too with chicken and garnish with remaining Parmesan, lemon zest, and a pinch of chili flakes. Serve with any remaining lemon wedges on the side.
Easy Slow Cooker or Stove Top Italian Wedding Soup

Easy Slow Cooker or Stove Top Italian Wedding Soup

by Engineered Mama ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Wedding soup has everything good: great broth, chicken, meatballs, pasta, and hearty vegetables! This soup can be made in the slow cooker or on the stove, so I’ll provide you with my recipe for both options!

Ingredients

  • 1 cup onion, finely chopped
  • 1 cup carrots, peeled and diced
  • 1 cup celery, diced
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil (for stovetop recipe)
  • 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 8 cups low sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 tsp Italian seasoning
  • Salt, to taste
  • Pepper, to taste
  • 1 pound frozen mini meatballs, precooked (regular size will work fine as well!)
  • 1 cups Acini de pepe pasta, cooked to package instructions
  • Cooked diced/shredded chicken, according to taste (optional)
  • 1-1.5 cups fresh baby spinach, roughly chopped
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated (option for topping)

Stovetop Directions

  1. Add olive oil to a large Dutch oven or stock pot and heat to medium high heat.
  2. Add onion, carrots, and celery to the heated pot and sauté vegetables until soft. Add garlic and sauté another 30 seconds or until fragrant.
  3. Add broth, water, and seasoning to the pot and bring to a low boil. Once the pot has reached a low boil, add frozen meatballs and turn heat to medium-low and allow to simmer covered for an hour or until vegetables are soft and meatballs are heated through.
  4. While ingredients are simmering, cook Acini de pepe according to package directions and set aside.
  5. Once all ingredients have simmered, remove soup pot from heat and add diced or shredded chicken and spinach. Stir until spinach is softened. Serve immediately with shredded mozzarella for topping.

Slow Cooker Directions

  1. Add broth, water, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, and seasoning to a slow cooker. Cook on low 7 hours or high 3 hours.
  2. Add frozen meatballs to the slow cooker and cook another 30 minutes on high or until meatballs are heated through. Cook Acini de pepe according to package instructions and set aside.
  3. Add shredded/diced chicken (optional), pasta, and spinach until spinach is softened. Serve immediately with shredded mozzarella.
Copycat Chick-Fil-A Kale Crunch Salad

Copycat Chick-Fil-A Kale Crunch Salad

by Engineered Mama ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Chick-fil-a’s Kale Crunch salad is one of my favorite salads. I was determined to find a great copycat recipe and this one fits the bill! If you’d like to check out the original, you can find it from State of Dinner.

Ingredients

  • 1 small shallot finely chopped
  • 3 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 2 Tbsp maple syrup
  • 1 Tbsp dijon mustard
  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • Kale Crunch Salad
  • 4 cups curly leaf kale chopped
  • 2 cups green cabbage or Brussels sprouts chopped or shredded
  • ¼ cup almonds sliced or slivered
  • ¼ cup shaved Parmesan (optional)

Directions

  1. Whisk the chopped shallots, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, and dijon mustard in a small bowl or jar. 
  2. Slowly pour the olive oil in with a steady stream while whisking continuously. You can also use an immersion blender to mix the oil into the dressing.
  3. Refrigerate until ready to use.
  4. Toss the chopped kale and cabbage in a large serving bowl. Sprinkle with almonds and Parmesan cheese, if using.
  5. Drizzle with the apple cider-dijon dressing and toss to coat.
  6. Serve immediately.
Set and Forget Slow Cooker Bone Broth

Set and Forget Slow Cooker Bone Broth

by Engineered Mama ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Chicken broth is used in so many recipes I make frequently that I thought I would attempt bone broth after making a whole chicken. This recipe turned out fantastic, so I’ll definitely be making it every time I make a whole chicken from now on!

Ingredients

  • Chicken carcass (this must be a carcass from an already roasted chicken) and any additional pan drippings from roasting or slow cooking
  • 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 medium onion, halved
  • 2 carrots, peeled and halved
  • 2 ribs of celery with leaves, cut into thirds
  • 2 cloves of garlic, smashed
  • 1 bay leaf (optional)
  • 12 cups filtered water (I use distilled water for this recipe)

Directions

  1. Add carcass and any pan juices to the slow cooker. Add all other ingredients and cover with 12 cups of filtered water.
  2. Cook on low for 15 hours.
  3. Remove all solid pieces such as carcass pieces and vegetables.
  4. Using a fine mesh strainer, strain the liquid into a container and allow to reach room temperature. Cover with an air right lid and refrigerate overnight.
  5. Scrape any fat off the top of the liquid after refrigerating or strain again. Refrigerate for up to 4 days or place broth into a freezer container and freeze for up to 3 months. Broth will expand when frozen, so be sure to leave extra space in the container for expansion.
Easy Slow Cooker or Dutch Oven Whole Chicken with Vegetables

Easy Slow Cooker or Dutch Oven Whole Chicken with Vegetables

by Engineered Mama ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

1. This is easy-set and forget in the slow cooker or Dutch Oven in the oven, 2. An entire meal in one pot, 3. Broth may be easily made from the carcass (you can find that recipe here!).

Yes, I know my chicken is upside down-I was experimenting to see if I could make sure the chicken breast didn’t dry out. This one is up to you-it did turn out juicier than normal, but I think I prefer breast side up better still because of the oil and seasoning that cooks into the chicken.

Ingredients

  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped into 1 inch pieces
  • 4 medium carrots, chopped into 1 inch pieces
  • 2 medium Yukon gold or red potatoes, chopped into 1 inch pieces
  • 2 tsp paprika
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • Dried rosemary, to taste
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 4 pound whole chicken
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 lemon (cut in half)
  • Water, to cover bottom of slow cooker/pot

Slow Cooker Directions

  1. Add vegetables to the bottom of a slow cooker in an even, single layer. Add just enough water to almost cover vegetables so they don’t burn during cooking.
  2. Rinse chicken well and remove any giblets or organs that remain inside the chicken. Place half of a lemon inside the chicken. Place the chicken on top of the vegetables and water with the chicken breasts facing up.
  3. Brush olive oil only the chicken and sprinkle all seasonings onto the chicken evenly, coating the entire chicken. Sprinkle fresh or dried rosemary over the chicken according to taste.
  4. Cook on high 5-6 hours or low 8-9 hours or until an instant read meat thermometer reads 165 degrees F.
  5. Remove chicken and vegetables from slow cooker. Reserve carcass to make bone broth if desired.

Dutch Oven Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
  2. Add vegetables to the bottom of a large Dutch oven in an even, single layer. Add just enough water to almost cover vegetables so they don’t burn during cooking.
  3. Rinse chicken well and remove any giblets or organs that remain inside the chicken. Place half of a lemon inside the chicken. Place the chicken on top of the vegetables and water with the chicken breasts facing up.
  4. Brush olive oil only the chicken and sprinkle all seasonings onto the chicken evenly, coating the entire chicken. Sprinkle fresh or dried rosemary over the chicken according to taste.
  5. Cook covered in oven for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Uncover and roast another 30 minutes to brown the skin. Ensure the chicken is thoroughly cooked to 165 degrees F by inserting an instant read meat thermometer.
  6. Remove chicken and vegetables from the Dutch oven. Reserve carcass to make bone broth if desired.