Chicken Taco Salad

Waist friendly salad here!  It's not all that pretty to look at so there is no picture, but it is good none the less!

This makes about 4 main meal servings.

Chicken Taco Salad

1 lb. chicken breasts
1 c. salsa, your choice
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
3/4 c. frozen corn, optional

Throw everything in a crockpot.  Cook on low 4-5 hours.
Shred the chicken with 2 forks and return to crockpot.
Keep warm until ready to eat.

Put a good pile of choice of lettuce or greens on a plate.  Add a big scoop of chicken mixture.  Top with cheese and serve with the Avocado Buttermilk Dressing in the previous post.  You will be glad you did.


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lb = pound
c = salsa

Avocado Buttermilk Dressing

I got this recipe from skinnytaste.com and made a slight modification.  Yes, I will be repeating this!   Looking for something to put it on?  Try the chicken taco salad recipe in the next post.

Avocado Buttermilk Dressing

3/4 c. lowfat buttermilk
1 jalapeno pepper, seeds removed, but keep some ribs if you want a bit of a kick
1/4-1/2 c. loosely packed fresh cilantro
1 avocado
1/2 - 3/4 T. minced garlic
1 green onion, chopped
juice of 1 lime
1/8 t. cumin
1/4 t. pepper
1/2 t. salt

Put everything in a blender to combine.

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c = cup
T = tablespoon
t = teaspoon

Taco Salad Pizza

A pizza that is also a salad?!?  Yup.  This is a great way to use up leftovers from taco night and would work with beef or chicken.

Need a good taco seasoning recipe?  Check out the recipe posted on January 23, 2016.

Taco Salad Pizza

All of these amounts are estimates and can be altered based on your preference

Thin pizza crust
1 c. refried beans
1/2 c. salsa
1-2 c. ground beef, cooked and crumbled.
1 1/2 c. shredded mexican cheese
2-3 c. shredded lettuce
1/2 tomato, diced
2-3 green onions sliced thin
Sour cream for garnish, if desired
Guacamole for garnish, if desired

Spread refried beans on pizza crust.
Spread salsa over the bean layer.
Add ground beef (or chicken) all over the pizza.  If beef is not already seasoned with taco seasoning, sprinkle a couple of teaspoons of taco seasoning.
Add shredded cheese all over the pizza.

Bake at 425 for about 8-10 minutes (or according to your pizza crust instructions) until everything is hot and melted.

Top with lettuce, tomato, green onion, sour cream and guacamole.

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I use a store bought, already cooked, ready-to-go, very thin pizza crust
c = cup

Almond Crusted Mahi Mahi

We are trying to eat more fish but we don't want boring fish.  I made this one up and it was a really good meal.  Mahi mahi is a more 'meaty' fish and the mustard coating really gave this some nice flavor.   Gonna make this one again for sure.  This recipe is for 2 filets about 3x3 inches in size.

Almond Crusted Mahi Mahi

1 T. or so spicy or dijon mustard
About 2/3 c. almond flour (I used Trader Joe's)
About 1 t. lemon pepper seasoning
About 1/2 t. dill

Combine the almond flour, lemon pepper and dill in a shallow dish.

Rub the mustard on all sides of the fish.

Coat the mustard covered fish filet on all sides with the almond mixture.  Have extra?  Try to press some more on to the already coated fish filets.

Bake in a 400 degree oven for 6-8 minutes per side or until white and flaky.

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T = tablespoon
c = cup
t = teaspoon

Crockpot Chicken Pepper Jack Chili

Every February, we coordinate a Chili Cook-Off as a fellowship event at our church.  I decided to try something new this year and went with a white chili.  I came in 2nd place only to be outdone by my bro-in-law's turkey chorizo chili.  Maybe next year.....

This makes a huge batch--I'd say 16 servings or so.  You could cut it in 1/2 if you have a smaller crowd.

These are the exact ingredients I used but you can always substitute different brands or flavors.  It is chili, afterall.  Not rocket science.

Crockpot Chicken Pepper Jack Chili

6 cans Trader Joe's White Beans, drained and rinsed
2 cans Trader Joe's Premium chunk white chicken in water, drained
1 jar Trader Joe's Garlic Chipotle Salsa
1 jar Trader Joe's Chunky medium Salsa
1 lb. Kraft Pepper Jack Cheese, medium.  Cubed.
1/2 bag of Trader Joe's Fire Roasted Frozen Corn
1 - 1 1/2 c. chicken broth

Dump all ingredients in a crockpot and cook 4-5 hours until cheese is melted.

Garnish with cilantro, sour cream or avocado if desired.

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c = cup

Taco Seasoning

Why buy an envelope of seasoning when you can make it yourself in bulk and know exactly what is in it?  Make it mild or with a bit of a kick with the substitution of some chipotle chili powder.

Taco Seasoning
1/4 c. chili powder (for more heat use 1-2 t. chipotle powder and regular chili powder to equal 1/4 cup)
2 T. cumin
2 T. paprika
1 T. + 1 t. oregano
1 T. + 1 t. salt
2 t. garlic powder
2 t. onion powder
1 t. cayenne pepper

Use about 2 T. per pound of ground beef.

Brown ground beef, drain.  Add seasoning and about 1/3 c.  water.  Simmer a minute.

You can also use shredded chicken!

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c = cup
T = tablespoon
t = teaspoon

Stuffed Green Peppers

If you want to eat a filling meal but are trying to cut calories, try this one.  It will leave you satisfied.


Stuffed Green Peppers

5 green peppers
1 chopped tomato
1 lb. lean ground beef
1 c. chopped mushrooms
1/2 c. chopped onion
1/2 c. corn
2 small cans tomato sauce
1/2 c. cheese
2 t. taco seasoning
2 t. minced garlic


Slice peppers in halves, top to bottom and trim out stem and white ribs.

Spray a baking dish with oil.  Bake the green pepper halves for 25 minutes at 375 degrees.

Brown the beef.
Sauté the onion, mushrooms and corn.
Add tomato, tomato sauce, cheese, taco seasoning and garlic.

Scoop the mix into the green pepper halves.  Bake for 20 minutes more at 350 degrees.