Smoky Orange Chicken

This is a really simple way to prepare chicken and it smells awesome. I am always looking for sauces and marinades that are lower in sodium and ARE NOT BBQ SAUCE! This fit the bill. This recipe makes enough for 3 meals so I often freeze them for a busy night.

10 chicken breasts
1 jar of orange marmalade
2 Tbsp soy sauce
2 Tbsp liquid smoke

Combine orange marmalade, soy sauce, and liquid smoke. Season chicken with pepper and a teeny pinch of salt. Brown chicken in a large skillet in batches til brown on both sides but raw in the middle. Place all the chicken in the skillet and top with sauce. Cover and simmer 20-25 minutes until chicken is cooked through.

Sweet and Sour Citrus Chicken

This is a great change from plain old BBQ chicken.

2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
juice of 1/2 lime
juice of 1/2 lemon
1/3 c brown sugar
2 tbsp dijon mustard
1/3 c honey
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
4 tbsp olive oil
4 chicken breasts

Whisk together all ingredients except olive oil and chicken. Slowly add olive oil. Reserve some sauce for dipping. Add chicken and marinade for at least 2 hours. Grill.

Sonora Chicken Casserole

So many of my friends hate casseroles. I love 'em. Easy and cheap. Warm and filling. This one is like a cheesy chicken burrito.

3 c cooked shredded chicken
10 tortillas, corn or flour
15 oz can chili
can of cream of chicken
can of cream of mushroom
1/2 c salsa
1/3 c milk
1/3 c onion
8 oz cheddar jack cheese

Preheat oven to 350. Layer 1/2 chicken and 1/2 tortilla pieces. Combine chili, soups, salsa, milk and onion. Spoon 1/2 sauce over tortillas. Sprinkle with cheese. Repeat layers ending with cheese. Bake 40-45 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Herbed Chicken and Mushroom

If you love fungus as much as we do, this recipe is for you!

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
8-10 oz sliced mushrooms
1/4 c white wine
1/4 c chicken broth
1/4 tsp thyme
1/4 tsp tarragon
1/4 tsp marjoram
1/2 tsp garlic powder

Saute chicken with in butter or olive oil. Set aside. Add more butter to skillet and saute mushrooms. Add wine, broth, and spices. Simmer 3-5 minutes. Add chicken and simmer another 5-10 minutes.

Creamy Chicken Burritos

Do you ever pull recipes out of magazines at the doctor's office? Do you ask the receptionist if it's OK? Yes to both. This is one I pulled from Midwest Living at one of my zillion OB appts. in the past 9 years. I added the roasted red peppers for zip.

2 c cooked, chopped chicken
8 oz Mexican blend cheese
15 oz cream corn
15 oz refried beans
chili powder
tortillas
12 oz roasted red peppers

Combine chicken, cheese, corn, and chili powder. Spread beans into tortillas and top with chicken mixture. Roll up and place in 13x9 pan. Top with drained peppers. Cover and bake 40-50 minutes at 350.

Chicken Breasts with Iowa Stuffing

I should probably call this "white meat chicken with Iowa stuffing" since my sister in law would not allow us to say "breast" for fear one of her sons would pick up on that word. We said it constantly to drive her nuts. We also enjoyed asking her to "please pass us a chicken boob."

This is also a low points meal. 4 points per serving. It freezes well and is easily doubled.

1 c chopped celery
1/2 c chopped onion
1 can Healthy Request Cream of Chicken
3/4 c frozen corn
1 1/2 c seasoned dry stuffing mix
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Preheat oven to 350. Saute onions and celery in 1 Tbsp olive oil. Stir in soup, corn, and stuffing mix. Spread into 8x8 pan sprayed with Pam. In same skillet brown chicken breasts 3 minutes per side. Evenly arrange chicken on top of stuffing mixture. Cover and bake 25 minutes. Uncover and continue baking 10 minutes or until chicken is cooked through. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.