A Few Short Cuts » dinner http://afewshortcuts.com Couponing, Recipes, & Shortcuts to Save you Money Wed, 08 Feb 2012 23:00:34 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Weekly Meal Deal: Penne with Chicken & Asparagus http://afewshortcuts.com/2011/11/weekly-meal-deal-penne-with-chicken-asparagus/ http://afewshortcuts.com/2011/11/weekly-meal-deal-penne-with-chicken-asparagus/#comments Thu, 10 Nov 2011 03:25:56 +0000 Amanda @ A Few Short Cuts http://afewshortcuts.com/?p=38994

I feel like a mess lately!  There just aren’t enough hours in the day to do it all.  I think I am running in so many directions that I just don’t have time to focus my energy on one thing for long.  So when I find a recipe for a quick, nutritious meal that I think my family will eat (or atleast pick apart and eat pieces) I am all over it.

This great Penne with Chicken & Asparagus can be thrown together practically at any time.  Most of the ingredients come right out of your stockpile and make you life a little easier!  Try this one out! It is fabulous!

Weekly Meal Deal: Penne with Chicken & Asparagus
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Type: Dinner
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
Serves: 8
Ingredients
  • 1 (16 ounce) package dried penne pasta
  • 5 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 2 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves – cut into cubes
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • garlic powder to taste
  • 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 bunch slender asparagus spears, trimmed, cut on diagonal into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 clove garlic, thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
Directions
  1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to boil. Add pasta, and cook until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain, and set aside.
  2. Warm 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Stir in chicken, and season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Cook until chicken is cooked through and browned, about 5 minutes. Remove chicken to paper towels.
  3. Pour chicken broth into the skillet. Then stir in asparagus, garlic, and a pinch more garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Cover, and steam until the asparagus is just tender, about 5 to 10 minutes. Return chicken to the skillet, and warm through.
  4. Stir chicken mixture into pasta, and mix well. Let sit about 5 minutes. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil, stir again, then sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
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Try these other easy delicious dinner recipes!

]]> http://afewshortcuts.com/2011/11/weekly-meal-deal-penne-with-chicken-asparagus/feed/ 0 Weekly Meal Deal: Honey & Hot Sauce Chicken Strips http://afewshortcuts.com/2011/10/weekly-meal-deal-honey-hot-sauce-chicken-strips/ http://afewshortcuts.com/2011/10/weekly-meal-deal-honey-hot-sauce-chicken-strips/#comments Thu, 13 Oct 2011 00:56:10 +0000 Amanda @ A Few Short Cuts http://afewshortcuts.com/?p=35994

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I am always looking for kid friendly meals that will please the whole family.  Let’s admit, there are only so many times a year you can eat chicken nuggets without turning into one.   So I figured I would experiment in the kitchen this afternoon.   I started pulling out some easy ingredients for a chicken dressing that was so good, the little ones asked for seconds, and so did the hubby.

This meal is super easy, and affordable which helps it earn 5 stars in my book.  Plus, dinner was on the table in 30 minutes or less. Gotta love it!

Weekly Meal Deal: Honey & Hot Sauce Chicken Strips
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Type: Dinner
By: Amanda@AFewShortCuts.com
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 20 mins
Serves: 6-8
Ingredients
  • 2 lbs Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast Tenders, or sliced Chicken Breasts
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 8 tablespoons honey
  • Sprinkle of dried cilantro (cause I wanted to be fancy)
  • 2 teaspoons hot pepper sauce, such as Tabasco or Crystal brand
  • 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice, or to taste (optional)
Directions
  1. Salt and Pepper the chicken tenders. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat the oil. Add the chicken and cook, turning as necessary, until cooked through, about 5 minutes per side, depending on the thickness.
  2. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the honey, hot red pepper sauce, cilantro, and lemon juice. Taste and adjust the ingredients as needed. You may want to use less hot sauce and add it to taste. If you use too much hot sauce right off the bat, you can add more honey and lemon juice to cut the spice.
  3. As you remove the chicken from the skillet dip it in the sauce before plating. You can also serve some of the sauce on the side for dipping.
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]]> http://afewshortcuts.com/2011/10/weekly-meal-deal-honey-hot-sauce-chicken-strips/feed/ 3 Weekly Meal Deal: Chicken Arroz Con Queso http://afewshortcuts.com/2011/10/weekly-meal-deal-chicken-arroz-con-queso/ http://afewshortcuts.com/2011/10/weekly-meal-deal-chicken-arroz-con-queso/#comments Thu, 06 Oct 2011 02:53:28 +0000 Amanda @ A Few Short Cuts http://afewshortcuts.com/?p=35641

I originally posted this recipe as a side dish on Moms With Crockpots the other day.  The thing is, I wanted to turn it into a meal.  It was so good as a side dish I knew it could be easily transformed into a dinner.  I added 2 cups of cooked diced chicken breasts, but you could add 1 lb of cooked ground beef (drained).  Either way it turns this crockpot side dish into an amazing crockpot meal.

My crockpot has been such a big time saver for me lately.  Between running people to and from school, homework, and the blog I just don’t have a ton of time to spend in the kitchen. If you are like me running in 10 different directions, try this dinner. It is a winner at my house!

Chicken Arroz Con Queso
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Type: dinner
By: Amanda @MomsWithCrockpots.com
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 9 hours
Total Time: 9 hours 5 mins
Serves: 8-10
Ingredients
  • 2 cups cooked diced chicken
  • 1 can (16oz) Whole Tomatoes crushed
  • 1 can (15 oz) Black Beans rinsed and drained
  • 1 1/2 cup uncooked long grain rice
  • 1 onion chopped
  • 1 cup cottage cheese
  • 1 can (4 oz) chopped green chilies
  • 2 tbsps vegetable oil
  • 3 tsps minced garlic
  • 2 cups Grated Monterrey Jack Cheese divided or Cheddar Cheese
Directions
  1. Combine chicken, tomatoes, beans, rice, onion, cottage cheese, chilies, oil, garlic, and 2 cup chees in slow cooker, mix thoroughly.
  2. Cover and cook on low 6-9 hours or until liquid is absorbed. Sprinkle with remaining cheese before serving.
Notes

Instead of chicken mix in 1 cup of cooked drained ground beef.

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]]> http://afewshortcuts.com/2011/10/weekly-meal-deal-chicken-arroz-con-queso/feed/ 4 Weekly Meal Deal: Taco Pockets http://afewshortcuts.com/2011/09/weekly-meal-deal-taco-pockets/ http://afewshortcuts.com/2011/09/weekly-meal-deal-taco-pockets/#comments Thu, 29 Sep 2011 00:55:13 +0000 Amanda @ A Few Short Cuts http://afewshortcuts.com/?p=35095

taco pockets

I am always looking for kid friendly recipes.  My children are my biggest food critics.  I can make the fanciest dinner and be so proud…just to hear, “Do we have any chicken nuggets? I don’t like this.” ~sigh~ This is one of the hardest tasks a mom faces. Finding a meal that the whole crew will eat.

Well here is a twist on basic tacos that is sure to please! Pillsbury refrigerated rolls are on sale everywhere right now making this a very affordable and convenient meal.  You can make a couple batches ahead and freeze for a quick dinner or easy hot lunches!

Taco Pockets
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Type: dinner
By: Amanda @AFewShortCuts.com
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 45 mins
Serves: 12
Ingredients
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup salsa
  • 1/2 can (2 ounces) chopped green chilies
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 3 tubes (8 ounces each) refrigerated crescent rolls
Directions
  1. In a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in the cheese, salsa, chilies, garlic powder, hot pepper sauce, salt and cumin.
  2. Unroll crescent roll dough and separate into 12 rectangles. Place on ungreased baking sheets; press perforations to seal. Place 1/2 cup meat mixture in the center of each rectangle. Bring four corners to the center and twist; pinch to seal.
  3. Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. You can freeze baked Taco Twists for up to 3 months in a heavy-duty resealable plastic bag.
  4. To use frozen Taco Twists: Bake frozen twists on an ungreased baking sheet at 350° for 20 to 25 minutes or until heated through. Yield: 12 servings.
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