Honey Chicken

Do you ever get into things thinking, wow this is a great idea then quickly realizing you are freaking crazy? Well, hopefully i'm not alone on this, but I am at that point. I'm getting married in April so I am in pretty deep with wedding planning, I started this blog, and I also signed up for a Personal Training Certification class. I had been thinking about doing this for a while and the second 2015 hit, I figured, there is no better time than now! Right, well I must have drank 4 or 5 glasses of wine when I made that decision. It is A LOT of work, and doing it while wedding planning, and working, and living...OY I'm breaking a sweat just thinking about it. But hey! I'll be happy when I reach my goal! Speaking of, any local FLIPADELPHIANS wanna get in shape? Lemme know, I'd love to train you!

My time is so precious that I haven't even had the time to get a Mani and Pedi. My dogs are in need of a pedi, and my engagement ring has been crying every time I try and put it on in the morning. It says, "hell you think I'm going on that finger without fresh polish and those heinous cuticles...you gotta be kidding me!" Also, being this busy has caused me to think that my engagement ring is talking to me. UGH!

Anyway, enough complaining. This house betch is so excited for all that 2015 has to offer. Life is so precious. It is important to take advantage and live out every moment. So that is exactly what I'm doing. 

OK enough with the deep thinking and words of wisdom, do you want some dinner? DUH! My family surprised me during my bridal shower back in October with an amazing cook book that has all of my family and friends favorite recipes. One of my main motivations for starting this blog was to share some of these amazing recipes (not the secret ones). My past Jewish Great Grandparents would roll over in their grave if I gave away that brisket recipe! One of the recipes in the book is Honey Chicken. This was given to me by my wonder future mother in law, Marci! It is such an easy week night dinner. Perfect for people who are going crazy with a million things to do. I can even imagine what it's going to be like with Kids running around my house...House betch goals.

Honey Chicken

What you'll need:

Boneless/Skinless Chicken Breasts (however many you want to cook. This can be for one person or a whole family!)

Paprika

Garlic Powder

Honey

Pepper and Salt

Olive Oil

*Optional: Crushed Red Pepper*

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees
2. Take your chicken out and place the breasts on a cutting board. Cover them in saran wrap. Get out a mallet and begin pounding your chicken. Really take your stress and frustration from your day out on these babies. This will ensure that your chicken cooks evenly and you don't have to keep throwing it back in the oven for raw pieces.
3. Place your chicken breast in a Pyrex dish or any over safe/non-stick dish.
4. Drizzle Olive Oil over your chicken and season with a pinch or two of salt and a pinch or two of pepper
5. Take your garlic powder and shake it over your chicken. I guess it equates to about a tablespoon, maybe less of garlic powder.
6. Take your paprika and just go to town on that chicken. Don't be shy! Make sure your chicken is basically red, covered in paprika.
7. Next comes the honey. Squeeze the honey over your chicken. Again, however much you want.
8. Now, flip your chicken over in the dish and repeat steps 4-7.
9. If you want to add a little spice, take some crushed red pepper flakes and sprinkle a few over the chicken.
10. Place the chicken in the oven for 35-40ish minutes.

This is an easy weeknight dinner that you can throw together rather quickly, put in the oven and multitask with the million other things you've got going on in your life, while it cooks! Enjoy with some kind of rice, asparagus, green beans or steamed broccoli. Simplicity is key!

Healthy Chicken Salad

Yes, you read that right. HEALTHY. CHICKEN. SALAD. I know what you are thinking, "I can't eat chicken salad without the globs of mayo appearing on my ass and thighs." Well unfortunately, with this chicken salad, I can't make any promises, but it's mayo-less, so that is a start.

As I'm sure you are well aware, we are all going through this crazy flu season right now. But not this girl. Thank goodness corporate america gives us those free flu vaccines in the fall so we don't get sick and ever miss work. *remind me to make out with a flu infested person so I can have an excuse to lay in bed and binge watch the walking dead.* But really, do you ever think about it? The fact your company gives you those free flu shots is so you don't get sick and miss work. What if I'm trying to get a little under the weather and snuggle with my dogs all day? But truthfully, I am very thankful, because I don't want that! Maybe just a stomach virus so I can get to my goal weight for the wedding. JK...kinda. But anyway, back to the purpose of this post, before my internal dialogue went all nuts...With it being flu season and unbearably cold, now is a great time to make soup! Specifically chicken soup. Do you know what the best part of chicken soup is? THE SOUP CHICKEN! I know, everyone, please contain your excitement. There is SO much you can do with soup chicken.

In comes the next character I'd like to introduce you to in my life story, he is pretty important and sexy, my future hubby, Scott. We will refer to him as Mr. Wonderful (he picked his own nickname). I would have preferred Chicken Man, but whatever. (here is a picture of my chicken man, I mean, Mr. Wonderful)

He was annoyed because I kept making him pose to take pictures while he was sleeping. GOSH I'M SO ANNOYING!

RELATIONSHIP ADVICE #1: Pick and choose your battles.

Mr. Wonderful has this amazing recipe for chicken soup, but sadly, he isn't ready to reveal his genius to you yet as he is still fine tuning. I told him I expect nothing but perfection for this House Betch In Training Blog so I have him locked in the basement perfecting the recipe. Just kidding. Not really. Or am I??? ANYWHO, last week we had chicken soup for dinner and I decided I wanted to make chicken salad with the left over soup chicken that wasn't being used to go in the soup. Here goes:

Shopping List:
Non-fat plain Greek Yogurt (whatever brand you want)
Apple - green or red
Grapes
Slivered Almonds
Salt and Pepper
Rye Bread - if you want to make a sammy

Directions:
I basically eye ball this recipe and leave this up to your own discretion.  It all depends on how you like your chicken salad.

1. Take your shredded chicken and put it in a mixing bowl (however much you want to eat) I use about a handful, plus a little more because I have infant hands.
2. Using a big spoon, spoon out some of the greek yogurt into the mixing bowl with the chicken. Mix it around until the chicken is coated. Keep adding more chicken or more greek yogurt depending on how you like your chicken salad.
3. Slice up some apple slivers into smaller chopped pieces and cut your grapes in half. Again, use your judgement of however much you want to use. I use my apple slicer and end up using about 1 1/2 spears and about a handful of grapes.
4. After you have chopped your apple and cut your grapes in half, combine it with the chicken and yogurt mixture. Make sure everything is evenly coated.
5. Add some slivered almonds to your liking.
6. Add salt and pepper to taste.
7. Mix it all together! and BABAM! CHICKEN SALAD!

Really simple! I also recommend making this ahead of time and letting it sit in the refrigerator for some time to soak up all the yummy ingredients. Toast some rye bread, put it in a whole wheat wrap, or just eat it with a fork! ENJOY your non-cellulite inducing chicken salad!

Slow Cooker Quinoa Chicken Chili

Slow Cooker Quinoa Chicken Chili

This house betch in training LOVES a delicious slow cooker meal. Why? Because until I can become a full time House Betch, I am a slave to my paycheck and company and don't always have time to come home and spend hours on a healthy and delicious meal. CUE slow cooker! They are gods greatest inventions for people like me. Throw it all in a pot and hope that it's the best damn thing you've ever eaten...if not, take out sushi is always good.

I had my bridal shower back in October and received the mother of all crockpots. An All-Clad crockpot. If you want to be a House Betch, BUY ONE! Especially from Bed Bath and Beyond. That way you can return it whenever it breaks and you can use a coupon. Bed Bath and Beyond takes anything back...trust me...no box needed! But anywho, I try and cook in my crockpot at least once a week. I normally make enough for an army, although I'm only cooking for two. Enough about the amazing crockpot, here is the recipe.

Take out your crockpot and add in the following ingredients:

• Quinoa
• Diced Tomatoes
• Diced Tomatoes with green chiles
• Black beans (drained)
• Can of Corn
• Chicken Stock
• 2 Large Chicken Breasts
• Garlic Powder
• Crushed Red Pepper
• Cumin
• Chili Powder

 (Yes, I realize this doesn't look appetizing, but you try and make a crockpot meal and raw chicken look good...I dare ya!)

Now that everything but the kitchen sink is in your crockpot, turn it on low and cook for 6-8 hours. After the timer goes off remove the chicken to shred. I always feared shredding chicken. Turns out, it's super easy! Just put your chicken on the plate and take two forks and just pull apart. See, that wasn't so bad, was it??

Add your shredded chicken back in the crockpot, mixing all of the ingredients together.

If you want to add deliciousness, who doesn't, put a dollop of sour cream or a skinny version (greek yogurt) and shredded cheese.

(There was a little kick to this chili, so if you can't take the spice, try eliminating the Chili Powder and Crushed Red Pepper)

Your shopping list:

1. 1 cup of quinoa, rinsed
2. 1   28 oz can diced tomatoes
3. 1   14 oz can of diced tomatoes with green chiles
4. 2   16 oz cans of Black beans (drained)
5. 1   15 oz can of Corn, rinsed
6. 3 cups chicken stock
7. 2 Large Chicken Breasts
8. 1 tsp Garlic Powder
9. 1 tsp Crushed Red Pepper
10. 2 tsp Cumin
11. 2 tsp Chili Powder

Instructions: 

Cook on low for 6-8 hours. Remove chicken and shred. Add back to pot and mix together. Serve with shredded chicken and a dollop of sour cream or non-fat plain greek yogurt.