Pre-Made Chicken Dinners

Preparing your chicken as soon as you buy it can save a lot of time later in the week. Trimming the fat off and putting single servings portions in zip loc bags and then sticking them in the fridge or freezer for later in the week has been really helpful in cutting down the time it takes to prepare dinner each night.

I've been testing out different homemade marinades since many of the store bought ones have sugar, preservatives or other ingredients that I don't eat anymore. Here are a few of our new favorites.

Stir-Fry Flare

Ingredients:

3 parts GF Soy Sauce
2 parts Ginger
1 part Coriander
Dash of Nutmeg
Chicken breast (diced)

Steps:

1. Mix all dry ingredients in small bowl.
2. Dice chicken breast and place in plastic, sealable bag
3. Add soy sauce to bag, zip sealable bag and shake gently to cover all chicken
4. Add spices and shake to coat.
5. Marinate at least 2 hours or overnight.
6. Prepare in stovetop or in oven or freeze for future preparation.

Pair with rice, salad, vegetables or other menu items.

Mexican Style Chicken

Ingredients:

3 parts hot sauce
1 part chili powder
1 part cayenne pepper
2 parts onion powder
2 parts garlic powder
1 part crushed red pepper
2 parts salt
1 part black pepper
Chicken breasts

Steps:

1. Mix all dry ingredients in small bowl.
2. Place chicken breast in plastic, sealable bag
3. Add hot sauce to bag, zip sealable bag and shake gently to cover all chicken
4. Add spices and shake to coat.
5. Marinate at least 2 hours or overnight.
6. Prepare in oven or freeze for future preparation.

Pair with black beans, tortillas, refried beans, rice, salad, vegetables or other menu items.

Chicken Parmesan Redone

Ingredients:

3 parts spaghetti sauce
1 part rosemary
1 part minced onion
1 part parsley
1 part garlic powder
1 part salt
2 parts parmesan cheese
Chicken breasts (cut into strips)

Steps:

1. Mix all dry ingredients in small bowl.
2. Slice chicken and place chicken breast in plastic, sealable bag
3. Add spaghetti sauce and parmesan to bag, zip sealable bag and shake gently to cover all chicken
4. Add spices and shake to coat.
5. Marinate at least 2 hours or overnight.
6. Bread and prepare in oven or freeze for future preparation.

Pair GF pasta, spaghetti sauce and top with cheese for chicken parmesan.