Recipe Edition

I always love when I find a good recipe or when a good one is recommended to me, so I thought this post could be dedicated to a few good recipes I have made lately.
First- update on Reese. She is still coughing, but her fever broke, so we did not go in for chest x-ray. I was given a steroid prescription for croup, but did not fill it because he cough is getting better, but is not yet gone. Glad the kids are finally on the mend though, that's for sure.

Recipe #1:
Slow Cooker Chicken Fajita Soup- Serves 5
Super easy recipe- and I love anything you can toss in the crock pot and eat anytime you want.
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 4 hours

Ingredients:
1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 avocado
1 can black beans
1/2 tsp of dried cilantro (I did not have this, and it tasted just fine)
2 cups frozen corn
1 green onion
lettuce
tomatoes
2- 10.75oz can cream of chicken soup (I used Campbells Healthy Request)
1 cup salsa
1 tsp. Cumin
Tortilla strips (found by the salad dressing)
1 cup cheddar cheese
Sour cream
1 1/2 cups water

Spray slow cooker with cooking spray. Add chicken to the bottom.
In medium size mixing bowl, mix cream of chicken soup, salsa, corn, black beans, water, cumin, and cilantro. Pour over the top of chicken.
Cook on low 4-6 hours. Remove chicken and shred. Place back into slow cooker and add shredded cheddar cheese. Serve with favorite toppings (sour cream, avocado, tortilla strips, tomatoes, etc.)

Disclaimer- this is Reese's bowl, that's why the portion looks so small :)

Recipe #2 
One Pot Pasta with Spinach & Tomatoes- Serves 4 (we had just enough for us- no leftovers!)
Total time: 29 minutes

1 Tbls. olive oil
1 chopped onion
6 garlic cloves finely chopped
1- 14.5 oz. can petite diced tomatoes
1 1/2 c. chicken broth
1/4 tsp dried oregano
8 oz. spaghetti noodles
1/2 teas. salt
10 oz. fresh spinach
1 oz. grated Parmesan cheese

Heat dutch oven or large saucepan over medium-high heat- add oil. Add onion and garlic to pan, saute 3 minutes or until onion starts to brown.
Add tomatoes, broth, oregano, and pasta- in that order. Bring to a boil. Stir to submerge noodles in liquid.
Cover- reduce heat to medium-low and cook 7 minutes or until pasta is almost done. Uncover, stir in salt.
Add spinach in batches- stirring until it wilts. Remove from heat, let stand 5 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese.

This was really good- but next time I would add more broth as it was a little dry in my opinion. I may also add more tomatoes and spinach!

Recipe #3
Chicken, Broccoli, and Brown Rice Casserole- Serves 4
Total time: 30 minutes

2 (3 1/2 oz) bags boil in bag brown rice- Uncle Bens brand
1 Tbls. olive oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
8 oz. presliced fresh mushrooms
8 oz bonelss skinless chicken breasts
3/4 teas. salt
1/4 teas. ground pepper
1 (12 oz) bag microwave in bag fresh broccoli florets
1 1/2 cups lowfat milk
3 Tbls. flour
3 oz. sharp cheddar cheese- shredded

Preheat saucepan to high with water- Follow directions according to rice package; drain.
While rice cooks, heat large 12 inch skillet over medium high heat. Add oil to the pan, swirl to coat. Add onion, mushrooms, and chicken; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Saute until chicken is cooked.
Cook broccoli in microwave according to package directions. Open and release steam.
Combine milk and flour, stirring with a whisk or fork until smooth.
Stir milk mixture into chicken mixture in skillet. Cook 2 minutes or until thickened and bubbly.
Stir remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, rice, and broccoli. Sprinkle with cheese.
Cook one minute or until cheese melts.

There ya have it- three really easy, pretty healthy, under 30 minute (prep) meals. Enjoy!