Pinterest Favorites: Easy Dinners

So I have to say, Pinterest is one of the best inventions out there (at least for this mom). I know that it can be a waste of times, as much of what is pinned is not ever really utilized. And with that thought, I decided (for the most part) I wanted to Pin ideas that would inspire me or that I would be able to use. So I think I will do a series on some of our favorites. I typically try 1-2 new recipes, all of which are inspired through the ease of Pinterest. The first in the series will be easy dinner ideas.

The first few are some of our new favorites. What I consider 'easy' is something that takes me about less then 30 minutes to prepare or make, typically with ingredients I readily have in my home.

Here is the link to the first pick: http://brunchtimebaker.com/2014/02/12/buffalo-chicken-quesadillas/
These are really yummy, and like I said, ingredients I typically have in the house. Pinterest has introduced me to buffalo wing sauce, something which adds the right amount of spice, (but not too much). Of course the Buffalo Chicken Quesadillas would not be the same without the delicious Frank's Sauce. So here is the recipe.

Ingredients
2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
½ cup buffalo wing sauce
2 tablespoons ranch dressing
2 teaspoons canola oil
⅛ cup cilantro (optional)
¼ teaspoon salt
⅛ teaspoon pepper
4 flour tortillas (10 inches)
2 cups (8 ounces) shredded Mexican cheese blend
¼ sour cream for dipping
Instructions
Heat skillet to medium heat, In a small bowl, toss chicken, buffalo sauce, ranch, cheese, salt & pepper, and cilantro.
Lightly grease pan with olive, Place tortilla on pan, top with ¼ of chicken mixture and fold in half. Allow to cook for 2 minutes and flip for 2 minutes on the other side. Remove from heat and repeat the process for all four tortillas. Cut each quesadillas into 4 portions, makes 16 slices.
In a small bowl, mix sour cream, garnish with cilantro and serve with the quesadillas as a dip.
Enjoy!

This next one is Mike's favorite pick, and great for when you will not be home. Mike honestly asks for this one almost every week: http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2013/11/slow-cooker-creamy-chicken-fajita-soup.html

I just throw everything in the crockpot, and let it cook. When I get home, I shred up the chicken, and you have a delicious dinner that everyone will love. My 3 and 5 year old love it, we have already established Mike loves it, and it is a really good lunch for the next day. We serve it with some cheese, sour cream, avocado, and tortilla chips. Also, I add some pinto beans too, with even an extra can of black beans too. Here it is:

Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken Fajita Soup
Ingredients:
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 cans condensed cream of chicken soup (or this Homemade Cream of Chicken Soup recipe)
1 cup salsa
2 cups frozen corn
1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 1/2 cups water
1 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon dried cilantro (optional)
1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
favorite toppings

Directions:
Spray slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray. Place chicken into slow cooker.
In a bowl, mix together cream of chicken soup, salsa, corn, black beans, water, cumin, and cilantro. Pour over chicken in slow cooker. Cook on low for 4-6 hours (or high for 2-3 hours). Remove chicken and shred using 2 forks. Put chicken back into slow cooker, add cheese, and let cook for 15 more minutes. Serve with your favorite fajita toppings (tomato, shredded cheese, avocado, sour cream, crushed tortilla chips, etc).

The last one I wanted to share is yet another chicken recipe (I am kind of funny about meat) but is so easy and so delicious. Here is the link: http://www.plainchicken.com/2013/05/chicken-lazone.html#_a5y_p=1164632

This chicken lazone is delicious and easy (so very easy) although my boys do not always want this, but for the most part are pretty good about eating it.

1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp chili powder
1 1/2 tsp onion powder
2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
2 lb chicken tenders
1/4 cup butter, divided
2 cups heavy cream

Combine salt, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper.  Sprinkle over both sides of chicken tenders.

In large saute pan, melt half of the butter over medium-high heat.  Cook the chicken tenders until done, about 8 minutes.

Pour the cream and remaining butter into the skillet.  Lower heat and simmer until the sauce thickens, about 5-7 minutes.  Serve chicken and sauce over pasta or mashed potatoes, if desired.

Hope this brings some new ideas to your kitchen, and gets you excited about dinner. Something we strive for every night is to sit down and eat dinner together as a family. It allows us to talk with our boys and hear what they have done with their day (my boys both are in preschool). Happy dinner!!!