Heat-Jacked Chicken Tortilla Soup

Heat-Jacked Chicken Tortilla Soup

One more soup recipe for the season before the spring weather arrives and we all start thinking about salads and grilled meat. That and I’ve been having serious cravings for hot spicy food lately.

I decided to switch the heat source this week to jalapeño peppers since my family has mentioned several times they’re concerned about my supposed Sriracha “addiction.” (This is not a cry for help, by the way. No way am I giving up my Sriracha!)

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Involtini di Pollo

Involtini di Pollo

I cook with chicken a lot and have found my family prefers the boneless, skinless chicken thighs over the breast meat. I know some folks will argue the thigh meat doesn’t have the same lean qualities as the breast meat, however when you’re preparing a meal for both children and adults, sometimes you have to compromise a little.

Besides, once you taste these Involtini di Pollo, also known as chicken wrapped in pancetta, you may end up conceding your argument.  The flavor of the darker meat is so juicy and tender, much more so than the white meat could accomplish.   The crispy coating of the browned pancetta wrapped around the chicken locks in the flavors of the toasted garlic and fresh sage nestled inside, resulting in a rich and almost buttery taste.

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Roasted Red Pepper Soup with Chicken and Brown Rice

Roasted Red Pepper Soup with Chicken and Brown Rice

This recipe is another great use for the roasted red peppers I mentioned in my blog post on September 6, 2015. It’s also the perfect opportunity to use some of that leftover rotisserie chicken in your fridge and a quick, healthy, lunch on a cold day.

The primary ingredients are already prepared so all you have to do is incorporate them together into a soup pot, heat them up and it’s ready!

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Pineapple-Hoisin Glazed Chicken Kabobs with Purple Cabbage Slaw

Pineapple and Hoisin Glazed Chicken Kabobs

I’ve previously mentioned how much I don’t like heavy sauces so this would be another example where traditional bottled glazes tend to have too much sugar and are what I call ‘sticky sweet’.

This home-made version takes away most of that sugary taste and artificial preservatives, allowing the natural sweetness from the honey and pineapple juice to shine through. Couple that with the caramel hints on the broiled pineapple and the tangy hoisin sauce and you’ll be reaching for seconds.

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Crispy Baked Chicken with Chipotle-Cherry BBQ Sauce

Crispy Baked Chicken with Chipotle-Cherry BBQ Sauce

I started out using this chipotle-cherry BBQ sauce for a smoked pork roast, but I decided I really didn’t like the flavor with the pork. So I had this big jar of sauce staring at me and I thought, “Well what am I going to do with this now?”

Then I had an epiphany. It would be great on chicken! Boy, am I glad I had that thought. It turned out even better than I expected. You can see from the picture that the sauce created a beautiful color on the crispy chicken skin, and the sweet/spicy flavor in the sauce was amazing!

The meal received an enthusiastic two thumbs up from the family so this one is definitely getting added to our favorites list!

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Tandoori Chicken with Cilantro-Lime Brown Rice

Tandoori Chicken with Cilantro Lime Brown Rice

Tandoori Chicken is a delicacy that originated in the Punjab region of India.  The term ‘tandoor’ refers to a cylindrical clay or metal oven, fueled by wood or charcoal that cooks the food by using hot air and smoke.

If you don’t happen to have a tandoor at home, don’t worry.  You can still achieve the deeply flavored authentic Tandoori flavor using a grill or convectional oven.

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Thai Chicken Meatballs with Dipping Sauce

Thai Chicken Meatballs with Dipping Sauce

These meatballs are just the right appetizer when you want to serve something a little different and healthier than the usual cheese, sausage and crackers; yet more substantial than just raw veggies and dip.   The fresh ginger and green onions in the meatballs flavor the chicken with a nice savory element, and the chilies in the dipping sauce add just the right amount of heat.

Open a bottle of chilled Riesling or Pinot Grigio and you’re all set!

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Tuscan Chicken with Orzo Soup

Tuscan Chicken Soup

Have you ever found yourself standing in front of the open refrigerator, scanning the contents of your shelves, rejecting the lunchmeat and the salad, wishing you had something substantial enough to satisfying your craving for a lunch that’s both tasty and healthy?  If you just said yes, here’s your answer.  And the reason that I can say that is because I’ve found myself doing the exact same thing!

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Arroz con Pollo

Arroz con Pollo

Arroz con pollo, translated as chicken with rice, is a classic dish of Spain and Latin America.

This is another company friendly dish that you can prepare in advance before your guests show up, allowing you to have time to relax and serve a round of appetizers and drinks while it bakes in the oven.

It may seem odd to add both beer and wine to a recipe, however once you taste the rice, you’ll understand why.  The luxurious thickness and dark malts from the beer and the oakiness from the wine, add a deep earthy flavor to the rice.  And don’t be shy when adding a generous pinch (about 20 threads) of the saffron.  The distinctive flavor and color really sets the tone for the dish.

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Grilled Chicken Salad with Sweet Chipotle Dressing

Grilled Chicken Salad with Sweet Chipotle Dressing

Salads are one of those dishes that are so wonderfully versatile.  You can either make them an enhancement to your main course or have them as the main course themselves.  Wash up some fresh greens, grill a couple of chicken breasts and you’ll have the start of a delicious and healthy meal.

But just about everyone can make a salad, right?  I agree. It’s not always about the things you add to the salad; often times it’s the dressing that makes the difference.  That’s why the star of this dish is the dressing.  It has a little bit of heat, a little bit of natural sweetness from the honey, and a lot of fresh flavorful ingredients.  Once you try it, you’ll think twice about picking up that bottled, preservative-filled dressing the next time you’re at the market!

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