Menu to start off 2019!

New Year's Day Food:
Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin
Instant Pot Collard Greens
Crock Pot Black Eyes Peas
Corn Bread

Recipes for the week:
Chicken Zucchini Casserole
 Ingredients

• 3-4 boneless, skinless, chicken breasts (about 2 lbs)
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1 medium zucchini
• 1 medium yellow squash
• 1/2 medium sweet yellow onion
• 1/2 cup pesto, prepared
• 4 oz parmesan cheese
• 4 oz mozzarella

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375˚F.
2. Chop the zucchini, squash, and onion and combine.
3. In a large casserole dish, lay the chicken in a flat single layer and season it with the salt, pepper and garlic powder.  Next layer the veggies on and then dollop the pesto over the veggies, then top with the cheeses.
4. Bake on the middle rack for 35-45 minutes or until chicken is cooked through, 165˚F internal temp. If it starts to brown more than desired, loosely cover with foil until it is done cooking.
5. Serve hot and enjoy!

Sesame Chicken Chopped Salad
Ingredients

For the Dressing:

• 1/3 cup coconut aminos
• 1/4 cup red wine vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
• 3 tablespoons avocado oil
• 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons minced ginger
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper

For the Salad:

• 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 4 diced green onions (can sub for 1/2 red onion finely diced)
• 1/2 large green cabbage, thinly sliced, or one whole green cabbage if it’s small
• 1/2 red cabbage, thinly sliced
• 2 cups shredded or matchstick carrots
• 1 cup sliced almonds
• 1 can Mandarin oranges (no sugar/syrup – check labels!)
• 1/2 cup chopped and loosely packed cilantro
• 1 tablespoon black sesame seeds
• 1 tablespoon white sesame seeds

Instructions

1. Combine all the ingredients for the dressing in a bowl
2. In a plastic baggie, add about 3-4 tablespoons of dressing with the chicken
3. Allow to marinate for at least a half hour
4. Add chicken with the dressing into a large skillet and cook over medium heat for 6-8 minutes on each side or until cooked thoroughly or grill
5. Allow to cool to room temperature before chopping and adding to the salad
6. Combine all other salad ingredients besides dressing and chicken in a large bowl
7. When chicken is cool, add to the salad
8. Stir in dressing well and enjoy!

Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Chicken with cauliflower rice 
Ingredients

• 24 ounces salsa, whatever type you like
• 1 package reduced sodium taco seasoning
• 1 lime juiced and zested
• 1/4 cup water or stock
• 1 can reduced sodium black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 jalapeno, seeded and diced
• 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
• handful fresh cilantro, chopped

Instructions

1. Using at least a 6qt instant pot, add all ingredients for the chicken into the pot, except the cilantro. Close the lid, seal the pressure valve, then set on manual/high for 15 minutes.
2. Once the time is up, allow the pressure to naturally release for 10 minutes (don't touch it), then manually release the rest of the pressure (by flipping the valve). Remove lid.
3. Shred the chicken breast (either remove and shred or shred in pot using 2 forks); then add the cilantro into the pot. Stir everything together to coat.
4. Serve as desired, top with desired garnishes.

Keto Korean Beef Bowl

Instant Pot Pesto Chicken (super easy, super good)

  

Instant Pot White Chicken Chili 

• 2 large chicken breasts
• 15 oz can black beans drained and rinsed
• 15 oz can white beans drained
• 1 medium onion chopped
• 15 oz can corn with juice
• 10 oz can Rotel diced tomatoes with green chili with juice
• 1/2 cup chicken broth or stock
• 1 tsp chili powder or to taste
• 1 tsp cumin powder
• 0.4 oz packet ranch dip or dressing mix*
• 8 oz package cream cheese cut into 6 pieces

Instructions

1. Place all of your ingredients into your instant pot bowl in the following order: 2 chicken breasts, drained black and white beans, chopped onion, corn with juice, tomatoes with juice, and 1/2 cup chicken broth.
2. Add 1/2 to 1 tsp chili powder (use 1/2 tsp to make it kid friendly), 1 tsp cumin, ranch packet. Stir everything to combine, getting some of the juice under the chicken to keep it from scorching.
3. Cut cream cheese into 6 pieces and place over the top of chili. Cover and seal with lid, switch the valve to the "sealing" position and cook for 20 min on manual high pressure. Once it is done cooking, let it naturally depressurize for 10 min then switch the valve to the "venting" position to completely release steam before opening lid.**
4. Remove the chicken breasts to a plate and shred apart with 2 forks. Stir everything together in the pot to melt the cream cheese into the chili then return the shredded chicken and stir to combine. Serve garnished with avocado and cilantro if desired.

Baked Chicken Fajitas (this is easy to make into a freezer meal)

Ingredients:

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
2 Tbsp vegetable oil
2 tsp chili powder
1 1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp seasoned salt
1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chilies (Rotel)
1 medium onion, sliced
1/2 red bell pepper, cut into strips
1/2 green bell pepper, cut into strips

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Place chicken strips in a greased 13×9 baking dish.
In a small bowl combine the oil, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, dried oregano, and salt.
Drizzle the spice mixture over the chicken and stir to coat.
Next add the tomatoes, peppers, and onions to the dish and stir to combine.
Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.