Here's a fun new post if you are in a dinner rut and short on time!
It's July!
The rush, rush, rush of June is gone {sports are finally chilling and taking a backseat this month} and now we are smack dab in the middle of Summer. I'm trying to soak it all in and not even think about how school starts up towards the end of August.
Right now is all about lazy mornings {kids sleeping in, a peaceful cup of coffee} and spur-of-the-moment afternoons. Want to head to the pool? Sure! Pack and lunch and run some errands? Sure! Call the neighbors and let the kids run around like wild animals? Sure!
Basically what is NOT allowed during the school year, somehow becomes kosher during the Summer. All and everyone are a bit more laid back and I love it. Including meals. I love to cook but I do not love cooking when everyone else is outside enjoying the beautiful weather and here I hover over the stove.
No ma'am.
A few weeks ago during all the craziness of ball games I was getting groceries and rather spontanously {for me, anyway} I snagged a $5 rotisserie chicken and thought to myself, "not sure what I'll do with this, but it looks delicious and my kids love chicken".
The end.
What later happened was this....
It become 3 different meals and it required little work for me. All of this got me thinking. 1) I need to buy rotisserie chickens more often and 2) I bet other busy Moms are missing out on this revelation. Being a food blogger I naturally wrote this post.
I hope you enjoy!
1) Get that baby home and shred it to pieces. It takes only 5 minutes and once it's done the rest is easy. Keep some aside for a simple, traditional dinner that night {think roasted potatoes, shredded chicken and a veggie}and set the rest aside.
2) Always and forever make these Shredded Rotisserie Chicken Nachos. What kid doesn't love nachos? I like to get out a big sheet pan, line it with foil {easy clean up} and layer all my favorites on. Lots of cheese, black beans, pickled jalapenos, etc. and then once out of the oven top with shredded lettuce, tomato and sour cream.
3) Like I said prior, most good-sized rotisserie chickens can be split into 3 different meals. Once we eat that first "third", I like to take another third, place it in a sealed container and keep it ready to go in the fridge. I used this chicken to top salads or make a quick sandwich {try sliced avocado, shredded chicken, tomato, bacon and mayo on toasted bread, it's insanely delicious}. Sometimes my kids just grab that container and eat a few pieces of cold chicken for a snack!
4) Always, always make a casserole. A few of our favorites are my Basil Pesto Baked Chicken and my Salsa Verde Chicken Tortilla Casserole. They are easy to prep and can be kept in the fridge for a couple of days {the taste only gets better}. Use your prepped-ahead casserole for those busy nights when you only have enough time to pre-heat the oven. Dinner is done!
5) If time is limited FREEZE a third of that shredded chicken. Don't let this good, juicy chicken get shoved to the back of the fridge and forgotten. Put some in a freezer safe baggie, label it with the date and write down on a piece of paper kept on the fridge that it's in there. Keeping that freezer inventory will help you to remember what is in your freezer. Pull out this baggie of chicken when you need a quick meal.
6) Put that shredded chicken on a pizza. Stat. Everyone loves pizza and so many combinations can be made with a bit of imagination. Friday night is usually pizza night at our house and we can no longer get away with just ONE pizza, it is most defintely TWO. If I'm not throwing in a frozen pizza, I'll often buy the pre-made crusts and then top them two different ways. Some ideas include: barbecue chicken {bbq sauce, chicken, red onion, mozzarella}, chicken, bacon and ranch or this Roasted Garlic Chicken Pizza, which is high on my list to make.
7) Make a soup, always make a soup. Even if it isn't soup weather. Soups freeze great and when that first chill hits the air you'll be happy you have a meal waiting for you in your freezer. We love my Buffalo Chicken Soup and my Spicy Taco Soup {just swap the beef for the chicken}.
8) Make a batch of chicken salad. Chicken salad is great for summer! I make a batch at least once a month and we eat it as sandwiches, grilled sandwiches {cook just like a grilled cheese}, with crackers or just eaten plain. My go to ratio is as follows: 2 cups shredded chicken, 1/2 cup mayo, 1/8 cup yellow mustard, 1/8 cup dill pickle juice, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
9) For the love, make a Mexican dish. Be it tacos, enchiladas or just a simple taco salad, bring out all the fixings {sour cream, guacamole, chopped tomatoes, lettuce, pickled jalapenos and more}. We love these popular chicken enchiladas and these baked ranch chicken tacos.
10) When in doubt, add some sauce and make hot sandwiches. Be it barbecue, buffalo, teriyaki or ranch any good sauce can take chicken to a complete new flavor. Stuff it in between hoagie buns, add cheese, get it all melty and gooey in the oven and dinner is set! These below Baked Barbecue Chicken Sandwiches would definitely be a huge hit in our house.
So who is going to buy a rotisserie chicken the next time they are at the grocery store? I hope you are silently raising your hand. If life is busy takes these 5 recipes and 5 tips and pound out three meals!
Share this with your friends and family and let's all get organized together. If you share this post on social media please be sure to tag me {@sweetsavoryeats}, once I see the notification I'll be share to the love!
