1 Chicken, 3 great meals!

I hate cooking!! Sometimes I like to bake, but cooking is my enemy! I envy women who like to cook. I’ve tried to like it, but I can’t! (Which is what my 3 yr old says about yogurt with fruit in it, “I just can’t like it mom!”) So one of my lovely shortcuts is to roast a chicken (or if I’m feeling even lazier than usual, I just buy one from the Wal-Mart deli!) and use it to make several different meals. Here are my 3 favorites! And you can make them all, and more, with one single chicken.

Zucchini Soup (this is based on a recipe from my mom for Mexican Chicken Soup, but my sister and I have tweaked it a bit…)

1 or 2 zucchini, sliced

2 cups chopped or pulled chicken

1 can stewed tomatoes, Italian seasoned

1 cup peas

Chicken stock

Carrots, chopped

Celery, chopped

Avocados

Cheddar or Colby Cheese (I use Colby Longhorn)

Pour chicken stock, veggies and chicken in crock pot. Cook on high for 2 hours or low for 4 hours. (Just watch the zucchini to see when it looks cooked) Top with avocado and cheese.

Awesome Quesadillas

1 can black beans

1 can corn

1 can diced tomatoes

1 cup chicken, chopped or pulled

Taco seasoning

Corn Tortillas

Cheese, shredded

Small corn tortillas

Avocados

Sour Cream

Salsa or taco sauce

 

Mix together beans, corn, tomatoes, and chicken. Add taco seasoning to taste (I put in about 2 tbsp).  Butter tortillas; place one on heated skillet, layer cheese, mix, cheese and top with another tortilla. Serve with avocados, sour cream and salsa or taco sauce.

Hawaiian Haystacks

1 can cream of chicken soup

Water

1 cup chopped chicken

2 cups cooked rice

1 Bag Crunchy Chow mien noodles

1 can Olives, sliced

1 tomato, chopped

1 bag Slivered Almonds

2 cups Cheddar or Colby Cheese, shredded

1 can Pineapple, chopped

1 bag Coconut

2 Green onions, chopped

1 Green pepper, chopped

3 Celery stalks, chopped

 

Pour soup in heated sauce pan; add enough water to make it the consistency of gravy. Add chicken. Put everything else in separate bowls for serving. Everyone grabs their plate and layers rice, noodles, sauce and whichever toppings they like! It makes such an easy meal that is tailored to individual appetites!  Enjoy!