Crockpot Chicken Tacos

Crockpot Chicken Tacos

Okay, ready for a great busy day meal?!?! Stay tuned for this! 

I seriously LOVE using my crockpot to cook anythingggg.  If I know I am going to have a busy day, this recipe is my go to.  Crockpot meals are honestly something I love -- just so nice to come home and not have to think about making dinner, right?  This one is a house favorite and so easy.

There are so many options for this yummy recipe that I tried in my first challenge group.  

These are great served as a regular taco on either a soft whole wheat tortilla shell or even on a hard shell taco. They are great made into a quesadilla and it tastes wonderful served over a bed of lettuce! You can have some leftovers for lunch the next day.  Put it on a salad, sandwich, or use it as a dip with some chips!  Whatever way you decide to make it, you won't be disappointed!

Here it goes: 

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. chicken breasts (I use boneless, skinless)
• 1 can of organic black beans
• 1 container of fresh salsa
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 1/3 cup water (only use water if chicken is thawed)
• 1/3 brick of cream cheese

Directions: 

1. Put all ingredients except cream cheese in the crockpot 
2. Cook on low for 5 - 6 hours or high for 3- 4 hours 
3. You can use frozen or fresh chicken breasts. But remember, if you are using frozen, omit the water :) It makes it really runny if you use the water with the frozen chicken.
4. *Shred the chicken before serving 
5. 20 minutes before serving stir in the cream cheese until melted
6.  Top with greek yogurt in place of sour cream, cheese, lettuce, or your favorite Mexican toppings
7. ENJOY with tortilla shells or over tortilla chips

*I shred my chicken quickly and easily using two forks --- pulling the chicken apart. 

--> Picture coming soon <-- 
~we gobbled this up so quickly I forgot to snap a picture~

Hope you love this recipe as much as we do at my house! 
Let me know your thoughts! :) 

21 Day Fix Extreme Recipe: Chicken Fajitas

21 Day Fix Extreme Recipe: Chicken Fajitas 

I have been rocking Autumn Calabrese's new program, the 21 Day Fix Extreme, for few weeks now!  It has been great.  Now.....am I smiling my way through each and every workout?! --- NO.  Those workouts are tough and they kick my butt.  I am sweaty, sore, and gross by the end --- but I LOVE it. The good news is anytime your body is sore from a workout it means that it's challenging your body in a whole new way. 

One of the great things that comes with each fitness program is a nutrition guide.  This guide was full of some great recipes that I was ready to try!! Sometimes you just need a new one to throw into the rotation.  

If you are looking for a delicious new recipe --> look no further! Try this one out. I doubt you will be disappointed.   You can even save some that will make great leftovers too!

If you have non clean eaters in your family you can still do the chicken fajitas but just give everyone else shells to use instead of lettuce! 

This recipe makes 4 servings and 2 fajitas each 

Ingredients: 

• 1 tsp chili powder 
• 1/2 tsp sea salt 
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin 
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder 
• 1/2 tsp olive oil, divided
• 4 (5-6 oz) raw chicken breast, boneless, skinless, cut into 1/2 in strips 
• 1 medium red or green red bell pepper, cut into thin strips 
• 1 medium onion, thinly sliced 
• 1 tbsp fresh lime juice 
• 8 large romaine (or butter) lettuce leaves 
• 1/2 medium avocado, thinly sliced 
• 1 cup fresh salsa 
• lime wedge for garnish optional 

Directions: 

1. Combine chili powder, salt, cumin, garlic powder, and 1 tsp oil in large resealable plastic bag. 
2. Add chicken, bell pepper, and onion; mix gently to coat. Refrigerate for 15 minutes.
3. Heat remaining 1 tsp. oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. 
4. Empty contents of bag into skilled; cook stirring frequently, for 5 to 6 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through. Remove from heat. Add lime juice.
5. Evenly top lettuce leaves with chicken mixture, avocado and salsa. 
6. Garnish with lime wedges if desired. 

Notes: 21 Day Fix Extreme Containers --> 2 Green, 1/2 purple, 1 red, 1/2 blue 

You gotta try this! Let me know your thoughts!! 

Spicy Baked Chicken Tenders

Spicy Baked Chicken Tenders

Are you in the mood for some delicious and healthy chicken tenders?! --- then you must try these, they are DELICIOUS.  This former picky eater was in chicken heaven when these made their way onto my plate! 

Check them out, you wont be disappointed, I'm sure of it.

Ingredients:

• 2 large chicken breasts cut into tenders (about 3 oz each)
• 1/4 cup whole wheat flour 
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons onion powder
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 2 egg whites **
• 2 tablespoons hot sauce (I use Sriracha)
• 1/4 cup whole wheat bread crumbs

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375. 
2. Spray cooking spray on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or tin foil.
3. Place flour, garlic powder, onion powder and chili powder on a plate and mix well
4. Add egg whites and sriracha to another plate and mix well
5. Pour bread crumbs into a third plate
6. Dip the chicken in the flour, shake excess off. 
7. Dip in egg white/hot sauce mixture. 
8. Roll into bread crumbs. 
9. Place on cookie sheet.
10. When all the tenders are on the baking sheet, spray lightly with cooking spray 
11. Place in the oven for about 25-30 minutes. 
12. Optional: Turn the broiler on in on your oven for 1-2 minutes to get the tops browned before removing.

**The first time I made this recipe I was out of eggs, so I used a Vegan approved subsititon for eggs as follows: 1 tablespoon of milled flax seed with 3 tablespoons of water for each egg white you need

Enjoy!!! Let me know yours thoughts!!

Also for my 21 Day Fix-ers, this would count as 1 red and 1 yellow! :)