The BEST Chicken Dinner Recipes - Family Dinners

Buffalo Chicken Dip Crockpot Recipe

Andrea + Stef — Sat, 07 Jan 2023 14:39:44 +0000

Crockpot buffalo chicken dip is a great appetizer or party food, that can be served at dinner parties, family gatherings, or game days. It only uses 6 simple ingredients and can be prepared up to 2 days ahead of time. This scrumptious combination of juicy chicken, zingy ranch dressing, hot buffalo sauce and cheese is everyone’s favorite. You can even make this crowd-pleasing party snack in the oven, if you prefer. This is the best buffalo chicken dip crockpot recipe and you can serve it with chips, crackers, veggies or toasted white bread at your next party.

What is Buffalo Chicken Dip?

This game day and super bowl party staple is a creamy mixture of cream cheese, ranch dressing, shredded chicken, buffalo hot sauce, green onions and cheese. It is basically the dip version of buffalo chicken wings. Crockpot buffalo chicken dip pairs well with corn chips, crackers, toasted white bread and fresh veggie sticks.

Why You’ll Love This

Notable: creamy and spicy chicken dip that can be served as an appetizer or party food, all the flavor of buffalo chicken wings without the mess

Main Ingredients: cream cheese, cheddar cheese, spicy buffalo sauce, ranch dressing, chicken breasts, green onions, blue cheese crumbles (optional)

Cooking Method: Crockpot (slow cooker)

Cooking Time: prep time 10 minutes, cook time 90 minutes

Pairs well with: tortilla chips, pita chips, toasted white bread, bell peppers, celery sticks, carrot sticks

Diets: keto friendly, gluten free

Special Equipment Needed: slow cooker, cooking spoon or spatula

Ingredients

You may have all of these ingredients for this crockpot buffalo chicken dip in your refrigerator or pantry and not need to make a trip to the grocery store! If this is your first time making this buffalo chicken dip recipe you might want to read the possible variations before deciding on your ingredients.

Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Dip Ingredients

8 oz cream cheese (cut into pieces)
3 cups grated cheddar cheese (divided)
¾ cup buffalo sauce
1 cup ranch dressing
3 cups cooked shredded chicken breast
½ cup chopped green onions

Optional Garnish

blue cheese crumbles, sliced green onions

Variations and Substitutions

Cheese: Substitute shredded cheddar with Monterrey Jack or mozzarella cheese, if you like. We do recommend shredding your own cheese instead of using pre-shredded cheese.

Cooked Chicken: You can use oven baked chicken breasts, meat from a rotisserie chicken or even canned chicken for this delicious dip.

Hot Sauce: Use your favorite brand of buffalo sauce, such as Frank’s or Texas Pete, for example.

Adjust Spiciness: In case you like your dip a bit more on the milder side, reduce the amount of hot sauce by a ¼ cup and add a ¼ cup more ranch dressing or sour cream. You can also add buffalo sauce by ¼ cups full until you find your right amount of spice.

Blue Cheese: You can leave out the blue cheese completely, if you prefer. A great way to dial up the blue cheese flavor is by substituting a ¼ cup of ranch with blue cheese dressing. Moreover you can add some extra blue cheese crumbs directly into the dip.

WHAT TO MAKE NEXT: If you love this buffalo chicken dip crockpot recipe, try our Easy Homemade Ranch Dip Recipe. You’ll love it because this cool, creamy and zingy dip pairs perfectly with spicy chicken dip.

Andrea says….

If you are looking for a scrumptious vegetarian game day dip, try my Easy Cheesy Jalapeño Dip. Fresh jalapenos and cheese dip? That’s a winning combination! It’s like a jalapeno popper dip.

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Crockpot — This recipe requires a slow cooker. We use a 6 qt. basic Crockpot brand slow cooker. It works wonderfully. If you’re planning to take your Crockpot to potlucks you’ll want to check out this one that has a locking lid. A slow cooker has an inner pot called the crock. Neither the crock nor the lid are oven safe on most machines. Do not put them in the oven.

Instructions

This section shows how to cook the best buffalo chicken dip in the slow cooker, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique. For full step-by-step instructions, photos and nutritional information see the recipe in the recipe card below.

COMBINE INGREDIENTS: Firstly combine cream cheese, 2 cups of cheddar cheese, buffalo sauce, ranch dressing, and the chicken breast in the bowl of a quart crock pot. Then stir until blended thoroughly.

COOK: Cook on high heat for 1-2 hours, or until heated through. Afterwards stir well before topping with the remaining cheese. Put the lid back on the pot, then cook for an additional 10-15 minutes, until cheese is fully melted.

ADD CHEESE AND SERVE: Finally, garnish with blue cheese crumbles and green onions. Then serve with chips, toasted baguette, or raw vegetables.

WHAT TO MAKE NEXT: If you love spicy chicken appetizers then you’ll love our Air Fryer Chipotle Chicken Wings. Bursting with flavor, these spicy chicken wings are not only a perfect appetizer but can also be served as a great weeknight meal.

Make Ahead

You can assemble this crockpot hot dip recipe up to 2 days ahead of time. Make sure to cover tightly with cling wrap and keep in the refrigerator until ready to cook.

Oven Baked Buffalo Wings Dip

You can also cook this perfect appetizer in the oven if you prefer. Blend all the dip ingredients in a mixing bowl and then transfer the dip to a shallow baking dish. Make sure to soften the cream cheese first, in order for it to blend properly with the other ingredients. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top and bake for 25-30 minutes at 375ºF. Top with blue cheese crumbles if desired and serve.

Stef says….

Buffalo chicken dip is our go-to appetizer during football season. However, if I want to mix it up a little I make these delicious and easy recipes for Buffalo Chicken Meatballs or Buffalo Chicken Fries.

Recipe Tips

Follow these tips to make the best crock pot buffalo chicken dip.

Tip: For best results use freshly cooked chicken breast.
Tip: Grate your own cheese. Pre-grated cheese contains additives and therefore does not provide the same amazing flavor as freshly grated cheese.
Tip: Taste your dip mixture before cooking, to adjust spiciness. Add more hot sauce for a spicier version, or dial down the heat by adding some sour cream, mayonnaise or more ranch dressing.

More Delicious Warm Dip Recipes

If you love this buffalo dip recipe, then you’ll enjoy our 7 layer dip or nacho cheese dip as well as these delicious homemade dip recipes:

More Crockpot Recipes

Have you tried any of our other scrumptious slow cooker recipes? They are perfect if you love easy and flavorful recipes, that require a minimum of hands-on preparation.

How To Store

Refrigerate: Store leftover dip in an airtight container, ziploc bag, or bowl covered in plastic wrap or aluminum foil in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Freeze: Transfer your leftover slow cooker buffalo chicken dip to a freezer-safe container or ziploc freezer bag and then freeze for up to 3 months.

Defrosting: A great way to thaw easy crockpot buffalo chicken dip leftovers is overnight in the fridge.

How To Reheat

Reheat buffalo chicken wings dip leftovers in a microwave safe dish in the microwave or in a baking dish in the oven, until heated through and bubbly.

Common Questions

What is the best type of cooked chicken meat to use for this easy buffalo chicken dip?

As a matter of fact you can pretty much use any kind of cooked chicken. It all comes down to personal preference. We love using cooked chicken breast. Simply season boneless, skinless chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then cook in the oven at 400ºF for 25 minutes or until they reach 165ºF at the thickest part. Then shred or cut into small pieces. Additionally, you can use the breast meat of a rotisserie chicken or canned chicken breast is another great option.

What is the best brand of hot sauce for this crockpot buffalo chicken dip recipe?

We love using Frank’s Red Hot Wing Sauce for this cheesy dip. However, you can also try other hot wing sauces such as Texas Pete, Crystal, or Anchor Bar.

What do I serve this spicy and creamy dip with?

The best part about this amazing super bowl buffalo chicken dip: it goes with almost everything. Serve this delicious appetizer with freshly cut veggies, such as celery sticks, baby carrots, cucumber slices or bell pepper sticks, for example. There are also lots of choices when it comes to chips and crackers. This delicious blend of chicken, cheese and hot sauce tastes great with tortilla chips, tostadas, salty crackers, pita chips or toasted French bread slices.

How do I serve spicy chicken dip?

Our favorite way to serve this dip is directly in the slow cooker. If you have an outlet close to your serving table, keep the crockpot plugged in and on the warm setting. This keeps your dip warm and melty for everyone to enjoy. If not, simply leaving the dip in the warm crockpot insert should keep it warm and gooey, as well.

Buffalo Chicken Dip Crockpot Recipe

Creamy mix of cheese, chicken and hot sauce, that makes the perfect game day party snack. This buffalo chicken dip can be cooked and kept warm in a slow cooker.

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American, keto

Diet Gluten Free

Keyword buffalo chicken dip in the slow cooker, crockpot buffalo chicken dip, spicy chicken dip, superbowl buffalo chicken dip recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 1 30

Total Time 1 40

Servings servings

Calories 280kcal

Author Andrea + Stef

Equipment

slow cooker
cooking spoon or spatula

Ingredients

8 oz cream cheese cut into pieces
3 cups cheddar cheese grated and divided
¾ cup buffalo sauce
1 cup ranch dressing
3 cups cooked chicken breast shredded
½ cup green onions chopped
blue cheese crumbles optional

Instructions

In the bowl of a crockpot, combine cream cheese, 2 cups of cheddar cheese, buffalo sauce, ranch dressing, and the chicken breast.
Stir ingredients together until well blended.
Cook on high heat for 60-90 minutes, or until heated through and bubbly.
After a good stir, top with remaining cheddar cheese and put the lid back on the pot. Cook for an additional 10-15 minutes, until cheese is fully melted.
Finally, garnish with blue cheese crumbles and green onions. Serve with chips, toasted baguette, or raw vegetables.

Notes

Serving Suggestions:

Fresh chopped vegetables: cut up carrots, bell peppers or celery
Chips: tortilla chips or pita chips
Bread: crusty bread, baguette

Tips

For best results use freshly cooked chicken breast.

Grate your own cheese. Pre-grated cheese contains additives and therefore does not provide the same amazing flavor as freshly grated cheese.

Taste your dip mixture before cooking, to adjust spiciness. Add more hot sauce for a spicier version, or dial down the heat by adding some sour cream, mayonnaise or more ranch dressing.

Nutrition

The post Buffalo Chicken Dip Crockpot Recipe appeared first on Family Dinners.

Chicken in White Wine Sauce

Andrea + Stef — Fri, 06 Jan 2023 15:59:00 +0000

If you’re looking for a chicken in a skillet meal the whole family will love then try chicken in white wine sauce. Whether you love chicken and mushrooms or not you’ll love this. This is so savory and delicious and is always a crowd pleaser.

Chicken in white wine sauce from start to finish.

There are many variations of this recipe but this is the one you should try first because it’s the best. The combination of the chicken in a skillet with white wine, butter and seasonings create the perfect combination and taste.

One of the best things about cooking this dish is that you can make it all in one pan and have less dishes to wash after dinner! That’s always a selling point for me.

What is Chicken in White Wine Sauce?

Wine sauces are traditionally associated with French cuisine. Many different types of wines can be used and the sauce may also include stock (we’re using chicken stock), mushrooms, onion, garlic, butter, vinegar, shallot and various spices. In this sauce we use all of the above except shallots and vinegar. We also add corn starch to help thicken the sauce a little.

Why You’ll Love This

Notable: incredibly flavorful and tender chicken with delicious sauce, true comfort food the whole family loves
Main Ingredients: boneless skinless chicken breast, flour, salted butter, olive oil, yellow onions, baby bella mushrooms, garlic, fresh thyme, white wine, chicken broth, cornstarch and spices
Cooking Method: stovetop
Cooking Time: 10 minutes prep time, 40 minutes cook time
Pairs well with: mashed potatoes, egg noodles, crusty bread, wild rice
Special Equipment Needed: cast iron skillet or large ovenproof skillet, instant read thermometer, wooden spoon or silicone spatula

Ingredients

You may have all of these ingredients for this chicken in white wine sauce in your refrigerator or pantry and not need to make a trip to the grocery store! If this is your first time making this creamy chicken recipe you might want to read the possible variations before deciding on your ingredients.

Chicken in White Wine Ingredients

6 thin-cut boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut on the diagonal into “cutlets”)
½ cup all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon sea salt
4 tablespoons salted butter (divided)
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper plus more for serving
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
⅓ cup yellow onions (finely diced)
8 oz. baby bella mushrooms (wiped/rinsed clean and sliced thick)
1-2 teaspoons garlic cloves (minced)
3-4 sprigs fresh thyme
¾ cup dry white wine
1 cup chicken broth or chicken stock
1-2 tablespoons cornstarch

Optional Garnish

Fresh thyme, fresh parsley, grated parmesan cheese

Variations and Substitutions

White Wine: Any dry white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio works well. In case you don’t want to use wine in your sauce, substitute lemon juice for the acidity in the sauce. Start by adding 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, then add more to taste.

Heavy Cream: If you want to make your sauce a bit more creamy and decadent, add a tiny bit of heavy cream.

Chicken in white wine sauce ingredients.

WHAT TO MAKE NEXT: If you loved this chicken and mushroom recipe, try our Instant Pot Beef Tips. The beef in this comfort food dinner falls apart in your mouth and the rich brown gravy with mushrooms and onions is the perfect pairing.

Recommended Tools

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Cast Iron Skillet — You can use a cast iron pan or any large skillet you prefer. I find a heavy pan works best when cooking sauces but any pan you have in your kitchen will work.

Instructions

This section shows how to cook chicken in white wine sauce on the stovetop, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique. For full step-by-step instructions, photos and nutritional information see the recipe in the recipe card below.

PREPARE: Firstly, slice chicken breasts into smaller “cutlets” or pound out thicker chicken breasts so that they will cook more quickly. Rinse each piece of chicken and pat dry with a paper towel. Then heat 2 tablespoons of butter and 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until sizzling.

BROWN CHICKEN: Mix together flour, salt, and pepper in a shallow bowl. Then dredge each piece of chicken on both sides with flour mixture and set aside. Afterwards, place chicken breasts into the skillet in a single layer. Brown on each side (about 5 minutes per side). Cook the chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding in the pan. When chicken is golden brown on each side, remove to a plate/bowl, cover in aluminum foil and keep warm.

COOK MUSHROOMS: Add two remaining tablespoons of butter to the skillet. When melted, add the mushrooms. Then cook without disturbing for 3-4 minutes or until mushrooms are dark on one side. Afterward, stir mushrooms and continue cooking over medium heat until any liquid has been reabsorbed. The mushrooms should be browned on both sides.

MAKE SAUCE: Add minced garlic to the mushrooms and sauté 1-2 minutes longer until garlic begins to brown. Be careful not to burn. Then pour wine into pan and stir to scrape all of the browned bits off the bottom of the pan to deglaze. Simmer 1-2 minutes. Add chicken broth and thyme sprigs to the pan and bring to a boil. Simmer over medium heat for about 5 minutes.

THICKEN SAUCE: Whisk cornstarch into a few tablespoons of water until dissolved. While stirring the sauce in the skillet, drizzle the cornstarch “slurry” into the sauce and continue stirring to distribute evenly.

FINISH: Return chicken to the skillet, spoon sauce over the meat and simmer for 3-4 minutes longer, until chicken has warmed through and sauce thickens. The longer you keep the sauce over heat the thicker the sauce will be. Then garnish with additional fresh thyme, salt, and freshly ground pepper.

SERVE: Finally, serve with mashed potatoes, over noodles or rice, or with parmesan french bread to soak up all that yummy sauce.

WHAT TO MAKE NEXT: If you are looking for the perfect dessert to serve with chicken in white wine sauce then you’ll love our Blackberry Dump Cake. It only takes 10 minutes to make this scrumptious dessert everyone loves.

Stef says….

I love serving a refreshing fruity Blackberry Cocktail with this yummy dinner. Make this non-alcoholic or alcoholic. It’s so good!

Can I Make This Ahead?

This dish is best eaten right from the stove. However, you can make it up to 2 days ahead and reheat to serve. Chicken and mushroom sauce is never quite as good reheated but you can do it. Make sure to check the internal temperature of the chicken when reheating.

Recipe Tips

Follow these tips to make the best chicken in creamy white wine sauce.

Tip: Do not crowd the pan when browning the chicken. If you add all the chicken at once, the meat steams rather than sears.
Tip: Deglaze your pan properly. This step determines the quality of your sauce, because the brown bits from the bottom of the pan add all the delicious flavor.
Tip: Don’t forget to simmer your sauce for a couple of minutes after returning the meat. This allows the chicken to heat through and the flavors to blend.

What To Serve With Chicken in White Wine Sauce

We love to eat this chicken and white wine sauce recipe all by itself. But sometimes you need to serve it as a meal. Try one of these delicious recipes:

Sides: Traditionally, chicken with mushroom sauce is served with Creamy Mashed Potatoes or Pasta. It would taste great with Instant Pot Brown Rice or Instant Pot Jasmine Rice as well.

Additionally we love serving some roasted vegetables, such as Broccoli, Carrots, Asparagus or Green Beans with this main dish.

Bread: Serve chicken in mushroom sauce with crusty bread or soft dinner rolls. Garlic French Bread is made with fresh parmesan cheese and store-bought french bread. If you have extra time make Pizza Dough Garlic Knots. These delicious garlic knots are brushed with butter, seasoning and parmesan.

Salad: Pair chicken with white wine pan sauce with a fresh salad. A green salad like our fabulous Italian Salad or Asparagus Salad with Walnuts. Or even a Caprese Salad with tomatoes, mozzarella and basil.

More Chicken Recipes

In case you are looking for more good chicken recipes, here are some more good ideas on how to turn chicken thighs and chicken breasts into scrumptious dinners:

How To Store

Refrigerate: Skillet chicken and white wine sauce leftovers should be cooled to room temperature. Then store them in an airtight container or ziploc bag in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Freeze: Firstly, let the chicken cool completely. Then transfer chicken in white wine sauce leftovers to an airtight container or freezer bag. In case you are using a ziploc freezer bag, remove as much air as possible as you close the bag. Lay flat in the freezer to store.

Defrosting: The best way to thaw leftover chicken is in the refrigerator overnight.

How To Reheat

Reheat chicken and mushroom in the microwave in a microwave safe dish with a lid. Additionally, you can reheat leftovers in a saucepan on the stove over medium-high heat until the chicken’s internal temperature is 165 degrees..

Andrea says….

My favorite side dish with this rich and flavorful chicken recipe is Rice Pilaf.

Common Questions

What is white wine sauce made from?

This amazing sauce is made from dry white wine, butter, chicken broth and spice. In addition, a little bit of corn starch gives this great recipe its velvety texture.

How do you thicken a white wine sauce?

The best way to thicken the white wine sauce is with a little cornstarch. Additionally, you can also use a flour slurry. But over time as you cook the sauce it will thicken naturally as well.

How can I make chicken in white wine sauce gluten free?

This crowd pleaser is easy to make gluten free. Use your favorite gluten free flour mix (I prefer King Arthur’s Gluten Free Flour) in place of the wheat flour. You will need to also check your corn starch to make sure it is gluten free. You won’t notice any difference in taste because the other flavors are so strong.

Can I make this easy chicken recipe without mushrooms?

Yes! You can make this chicken with creamy sauce without mushrooms because it’s delicious either way. Whether you’re just out of mushrooms or you don’t like them, this easy recipe can be made without them. The sauce will still be tasty though I do prefer it with the mushrooms.

How do I serve chicken with white wine sauce?

If you’re in a rush or want less dishes to clean then serve this dish in the pan it was cooked in. If you have more time or want to make it a bit fancier transfer it to a serving dish. You can serve the chicken and sauce over rice or noodles if you prefer. I would include roasted vegetables or a side salad because you need some to balance out the protein. We made a french bread that paired perfectly with the chicken. And don’t forget the dessert and a fun cocktail because everything is better with dessert!

garlic, mushrooms, one pot meal, skillet, white wine

Chicken with White Wine Sauce Recipe

The combination of the white wine, baby bella mushrooms, butter and seasonings create the perfect savory chicken dish rich in flavor.

Course dinner, Main Dish

Cuisine American, french

Keyword chicken and mushrooms, chicken with white wine sauce, easy chicken recipe, white wine sauce recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 40

Total Time 50

Servings

Calories 320kcal

Author Andrea + Stef

Equipment

Cast Iron Skillet or large skillet
meat thermometer
wooden spoon or silicone spatula

Ingredients

6 thin-cut boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut on the diagonal into "cutlets"
½ cup all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon sea salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper plus more for serving
4 tablespoons salted butter, divided
2 tablespoons olive oil extra virgin
⅓ cup finely diced yellow onions
8 oz. baby bella mushrooms wiped/rinsed clean and sliced thick
1-2 teaspoons minced garlic
3-4 sprigs fresh thyme
¾ cup dry white wine Sauvignon Blanc, etc.
1 cup chicken broth
1-2 tablespoons cornstarch

Instructions

Slice chicken breasts into smaller "cutlets" or pound out thicker chicken breasts so that they will cook more quickly. Rinse and pat dry with paper towels.
In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of butter and 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high heat until sizzling.
Mix together flour, salt, and pepper in a shallow bowl. Dredge each piece of chicken on both sides with flour mixture and set aside.
Place floured chicken into the skillet in a single layer. Brown on each side (about 5 minutes per side). Cook the chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding in the pan. When chicken has browned on each side, remove to a plate/bowl and keep warm.
Add two remaining tablespoons of butter to the skillet. When melted, add the mushrooms and onions. Cook without disturbing for 3-4 minutes or until mushrooms are dark on one side.
Stir mushrooms and continue cooking over medium heat until any liquid has been absorbed/evaporated and the mushrooms are browned on both sides.
Add minced garlic to the mushrooms and saute 1-2 minutes longer until garlic begins to brown, but not burn.
Pour wine into pan and stir to scrape all of the brown bits off the bottom of the pan to deglaze. Simmer 1-2 minutes.
Add chicken broth and thyme sprigs to the pan and bring to a boil. Simmer over medium heat for about 5 minutes.
Whisk cornstarch into a few tablespoons of water until dissolved. While stirring the sauce in the skillet, drizzle the cornstarch "slurry" into the sauce and continue stirring to distribute evenly.
Return chicken to the skillet and simmer for 3-4 minutes longer, until chicken has warmed through and sauce thickens.
Garnish with additional fresh thyme, salt, and freshly ground pepper.
Serve with mashed potatoes, over noodles or rice, or with parmesan french bread to soak up all that yummy sauce.

Nutrition

The post Chicken in White Wine Sauce appeared first on Family Dinners.

The Best Crispy Chicken Legs Recipe in the Air Fryer

Andrea + Stef — Mon, 14 Nov 2022 21:05:53 +0000

This air fryer chicken legs recipe is an easy recipe for busy weeknights. It only uses simple ingredients and the best part, it only needs 5 minutes of prep time. Even though it is a simple recipe, it cooks to perfection in the air fryer. Extra crispy chicken skin on the outside, with tender and juicy meat on the inside. This is one of the best chicken recipes you will ever eat and the whole family will love it.

Why You’ll Love This

Notable: tender meat marinated in a delicious blend of spices with extra crunchy skin
Main Ingredients: chicken legs, brown sugar, canola oil, salt, pepper and spices
Cooking Method: air fryer
Nutrients: good source of protein with 21g per serving
Cooking Time: 5 minutes prep time, 1 hour marinating time, 20 minutes cooking time
Pairs well with: potato sides, rice, roasted vegetables, salads
Diets: keto friendly, gluten free, dairy free
Special Equipment Needed: air fryer, ziploc bag, kitchen tongs, instant read thermometer

Ingredients

You may have all of these ingredients for this crispy chicken drumsticks recipe in your refrigerator or pantry and not need to make a trip to the grocery store! If this is your first time making this juicy chicken drumsticks recipe you might want to read the possible variations before deciding on your ingredients.

Air Fryer Chicken Legs Ingredients

6 chicken legs
3 tablespoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon sea salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon ground mustard
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon canola oil

Variations and Substitutions

Chicken: You can also make air fryer chicken wings, or substitute chicken breasts or other chicken parts for the drumsticks. However, cooking times may vary.

Oil: Substitute avocado oil for the canola oil.

WHAT TO MAKE NEXT: If you loved this air fry chicken legs recipe, try Stef’s Southern Fried Chicken. You’ll love it because it comes out juicy and crispy and it only needs a few easy steps and ingredients.

Recommended Tools

Links to our favorite tools are affiliate links. If you purchase something through the link we may get a tiny portion of the sale.

Air Fryer – This recipe requires an air fryer. We have both this Cosori air fryer, which is wonderful, and this Cuisinart Air Fryer, which we also love. The Cuisinart also has convection oven and toaster oven capacity. You can buy an air fryer with a basket with high sides that food goes into or a tray type of machine. The trays are shallow but are usually longer and can accomodate more food in a single layer.

Instructions

This section shows how to cook juicy chicken legs in the air fryer, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique. For full step-by-step instructions, photos and nutritional information see the recipe in the recipe card below.

PREPARE: Firstly, rinse drumsticks under some cold water and pat them dry with a paper towel.

MARINATE: Then add all dry ingredients to a large zip top bag and shake to mix well. Add raw chicken and oil to the spice mixture and shake until the whole chicken is coated. Afterwards, let chicken marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, or up to 24 hours. Alternatively, you can use a large bowl to marinate the chicken as well.

COOK: Spray air fryer basket with non-stick cooking spray. Then, add chicken to the air fryer in a single layer and cook at 380°F for 20-25 minutes, turning chicken halfway through.

SERVE: Using a digital meat thermometer, make sure the internal temperature of these crispy chicken legs has reached at least 165 degrees F before serving.

WHAT TO MAKE NEXT: In case your children don’t like eating drumsticks, combine this easy weeknight meal with a batch of Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets. They are crispy and golden brown on the outside and tender on the inside.

Make Ahead

You can in fact prepare the marinade and coat the chicken up to 24 hours before cooking. The meat will be even more delicious with a couple of extra hours in the marinade. However, we do not recommend cooking the drumsticks ahead of time. They are best with extra crispy skin right out of the air fryer.

Oven Baked Chicken Legs

In case you do not own an air fryer you can also make this scrumptious and easy dinner recipe in the oven. Simply preheat the oven to 400ºF. Then place the marinated chicken legs on a lined baking sheet and cook for 40-45 minutes in the oven. Make sure they reach a minimum internal temperature of 165ºF before serving.

Recipe Tips

Follow these tips to make the best chicken drumsticks in air fryer.

Tip: Let the chicken legs marinate for at least 1 hour. However, the longer they marinate the more flavorful they will be. You can leave them for up to 24 hours.
Tip: Do not crowd the air fryer. Drumsticks should cook in a single layer without touching each other. That way the hot air can circulate properly.
Tip: Make sure the internal temperature has reached 165ºF at the thickest part. Even though chicken might look cooked on the outside, it might still be underdone in the middle.

What To Serve With Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks

We love to eat this air fryer chicken drumsticks recipe all by itself. But sometimes you need to serve it as a meal. Try one of these delicious recipes:

Bread: Serve this easy chicken recipe with Garlic French Bread, Pizza Dough Garlic Knots, or homemade Cornbread Muffins. Additionally, Andrea’s Copycat Lion House Rolls also go perfectly with this dish.

Salad: Pair this air fryer chicken legs recipe with a fresh salad. A green salad like our amazing Italian Salad or Strawberry Avocado Salad. Or even a Caprese Salad with tomatoes, mozzarella and basil or Tortellini Pasta Salad.

Sides: Traditionally, air fryer drumsticks are served with Creamy Mashed Potatoes or French Fries. They would taste great with Instant Pot Broccoli, Air Fryer Pineapple or Instant Pot Jasmine Rice as well.

Low Carb: If you are looking to combine these crispy drumsticks with more low-carb dishes try our Cheesy Cauliflower Breadsticks, Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus and Fall Fruit Salad.

More Air Fryer Chicken Recipes

We love delicious air fryer recipes for chicken, because they take less time and produce the crispiest skin and juiciest meat you have ever tasted.

How To Store

Refrigerate: Store air fryer chicken leg leftovers in an airtight container or ziploc bag in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Freeze: Air fry chicken drumsticks are best eaten fresh. However, you can freeze them in an airtight and freezer-safe container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. We do recommend freezing uncooked chicken legs rather than cooked ones.

Defrosting: A great way to defrost is in the refrigerator overnight.

Andrea says….

The air fryer is our favorite way to cook chicken drumsticks. We usually use our Chipotle Chicken Marinade on our drumsticks.

How To Reheat

You can reheat leftover air fryer drumsticks in the microwave or in the air fryer.

Common Questions

How can I add extra flavor to these crispy air fryer drumsticks?

A great way to add more flavor to meat is by topping it with compound butter. We love our Cilantro Lime Butter and Lemon Butter. Moreover, you can serve a dipping sauce alongside your chicken, such as buffalo sauce or bbq sauce, for example.

Is it Ok to freeze uncooked marinated chicken?

Yes. We actually recommend freezing the chicken raw rather than cooked. When you are ready to cook the meat, let it defrost in the refrigerator overnight and then cook following the recipe instructions.

The Best Crispy Chicken Legs Recipe in the Air Fryer

Amazingly flavorful chicken marinated in a perfect blend of spices. It combines crunchy skin and juicy meat and goes with all your favorite sides.

Course Appetizer, Main Dish

Cuisine American

Diet Gluten Free, Low Lactose

Keyword air fryer chicken, air fryer drumsticks, cooking chicken legs in air fryer, crispy air fried chicken legs, crispy chicken drumsticks

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 20

Marinade Time 1

Total Time 1 25

Servings sevings

Calories 325kcal

Author Andrea + Stef

Equipment

Air Fryer
kitchen tongs
instant read thermometer

Ingredients

6 chicken legs
3 tablespoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon sea salt
½ tsp ground black pepper
1 teaspoon ground mustard
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
¼ tsp cayenne pepper
1 tbsp canola oil

Instructions

Rinse drumsticks under some cold water and pat dry with paper towel.
Add all dry ingredients to a large zip top bag and shake to mix well. Add chicken to bag with oil and shake until all the chicken is coated.
Let chicken marinate in refrigerator for at least 1 hour, up to 24 hours.
Spray air fryer with non-stick cooking spray. Add chicken to the air fryer and cook at 380°F for 20-22 minutes, turning chicken halfway through.
Make sure the internal temperature of the chicken has reached at least 165°F before serving.

Notes

How To Store

Refrigerate: Store air fryer chicken leg leftovers in an airtight container or ziploc bag in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Defrosting: A great way to defrost is in the refrigerator overnight.

How To Reheat

You can reheat leftover air fryer drumsticks in the microwave or in the air fryer.

More Chicken Recipes

Nutrition

The post The Best Crispy Chicken Legs Recipe in the Air Fryer appeared first on Family Dinners.

Hawaiian Roll Meatball Sliders

Andrea + Stef — Tue, 08 Nov 2022 00:31:00 +0000

These Hawaiian roll meatball sliders taste just like the real thing, except no fork needed! Similar to a meatball sub, but less messy. Meatball and cheese sliders make the perfect game day snack, party snack or fun main course meal.

If you have a soft spot for the classic chicken parmesan, these oven baked Hawaiian roll sliders are going to blow you away. Not only are they packed with flavor, but you will only need simple ingredients, which you probably already have at home.

Why You’ll Love This

Notable: Sweet Hawaiian buns, melted cheese, savory meatballs and parmesan topping make the most amazing pull apart meatball sliders. These mini meatball subs are easy to make and can feed a crowd.
Main Ingredients: slider rolls, mozzarella cheese, chicken meatballs, parmesan cheese, butter, marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder
Cooking Method: oven baked
Cooking Time: 10 minutes prep time, 25 minutes cooking time
Pairs well with: fresh green salad, pasta salad, antipasto salad, wedges and fries
Special Equipment Needed: 9×13-inch baking dish, measuring spoons and cups, cutting board and knife

Ingredients

You may have all of these ingredients for this Hawaiian roll meatball sliders recipe in your refrigerator or pantry and not need to make a trip to the grocery store! If this is your first time making these cheesy Italian meatball sliders you might want to read the possible variations before deciding on your ingredients.

Slider Sandwiches Ingredients

12 Hawaiian sweet rolls, dinner rolls or slider buns
12 slices of fresh mozzarella cheese
24 cooked meatballs (We made our own chicken meatballs but you can make your own or buy from the grocery store and cook them in the air fryer.)
5 tablespoons unsalted butter
¼ cup marinara sauce (plus more for dipping)
- ⅓ cup grated parmesan cheese (plus 2 tablespoon for sprinkling on top)
½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
⅛ teaspoon garlic powder

Variations and Substitutions

Cheese: You can substitute the fresh mozzarella slices for other types of cheese like provolone, pepper jack, Monterey jack or shredded mozzarella.

Marinara: Try the best homemade marinara sauce, it’s delicious! As a quick and easy option you can purchase a jar from the store, like Rao’s.

Chicken Meatballs: We love using our favorite chicken parmesan meatball recipe, however, you can grab some from the frozen section as well. You can also use cooked breaded chicken breast pieces in this recipe.

Instead of using chicken meatballs, make chicken breast in the Instant Pot and dice or shred it for the sliders.

Stuffed Meatball Sliders: Use our mozzarella stuffed meatballs to make these even cheesier.

Italian Meatball Sliders: For a traditional meatball sub feel, use Stef’s famous Italian meatballs.

Turkey Meatball Sliders: Stuffed with spinach and cheese, turkey meatballs can easily be turned into sliders.

Air Fryer meatball Sliders: An easier way than using the oven is making air fried meatballs.

WHAT TO MAKE NEXT: If you loved this easy meatball sliders recipe, try our amazing Meatball Calzones. You’ll love these because they are so easy to make, you can fill them with chicken parmesan meatballs and they taste even better than take-out.

Recommended Tools

Links to our favorite tools are affiliate links. If you purchase something through the link we may get a small commission for the sale.

Casserole Dish — We love using this glass baking dish as it cooks food evenly, you can easily see the food while it cooks and it also looks good as a serving dish.

Instructions

This section shows how to cook Hawaiian roll sliders in the oven, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique. For full step-by-step instructions, photos and nutritional information see the recipe in the recipe card below.

PREHEAT OVEN AND PREP DISH: Grease a 9×13 baking dish and preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

SLICE SLIDER ROLLS: Cut the slider rolls and place the bottom halves in the baking dish.

BRUSH ON BUTTER: Melt a tablespoon of butter in a small bowl and brush it on the bottom half of the rolls.

ADD MARINARA: Spread the marinara sauce on top of the sliders. If you add extra sauce to your slider rolls before cooking they may become soggy. If you like more sauce, consider putting a layer of cheese on the bread then sauce.

PLACE THE MEATBALLS: Put two chicken meatballs on top of each roll.

ADD THE CHEESE: Top all the individual sandwiches with a slice of mozzarella, followed by the parmesan cheese.

ADD THE TOP BUNS: Place the top rolls on the cheese.

BASTE WITH BUTTER: Brush the sliders with melted butter. If you like your sliders extra buttery, add more melted butter before baking. Then baste the top layer of bread with delicious butter when you remove from the oven.

ADD SPICES: Sprinkle the tops of the rolls with black pepper and Italian seasoning.

COOKING TIME: Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.

UNCOVER: After 20 minutes, uncover the sliders and continue cooking for another 3 to 5 minutes. Garnish the top of the buns with fresh basil if you like, then serve and eat.

WHAT TO MAKE NEXT: If you love meatball sandwiches then you’ll love our Meatball Sub Bombs. They are easy to make and the best appetizer for parties and game days. Served with a salad, they are also an easy weeknight dinner idea.

Andrea says….

This is a fun way to make meatball sandwiches. It’s great with any type of leftover meatballs or just cook up some frozen meatballs just for these.

Recipe Tips

Follow these tips to make the best cheesy meatball sliders recipe.

Tip: Use sweet King’s Hawaiian rolls, as they have just the right flavor to complement the meatballs and marinara sauce.
Tip: For best results, use homemade marinara sauce. In case you are in a hurry, use your favorite sauce from the store.
Tip: Do not add too much sauce to the slider rolls, or they might get soggy. Rather serve some sauce on the side for dipping.
Tip: Don’t be shy with the butter, because it adds immense flavor to your sliders. Have you tried using garlic butter to add even more flavor?

What To Serve With Hawaiian Roll Meatball Sliders

We love to eat chicken parm sliders all by themselves. But sometimes you need to serve them as a meal. Try one of these delicious recipes:

Sauce: Serve Hawaiian roll sliders with homemade pasta sauce, such as our best Marinara Sauce with Red Wine.

Salad: Pair these cheesy chicken meatball sliders with a fresh salad. A green salad like our amazing Italian Salad or Strawberry Avocado Salad. Or even a Caprese Salad with tomatoes, mozzarella and basil or Antipasto Salad.

Sides: Traditionally, meatball sliders are served with Fries or Potato Wedges. It would also taste great with a fruit salad, like Stef’s Peach Burrata Salad.

Homemade Meatball Recipes

You can make all kinds of different flavored meatball sliders by using a different meatball recipe each time. We love using all of these juicy meatballs to make Hawaiian roll sliders:

How To Store

Refrigerate: Keep leftover sliders in the fridge in an air tight container or ziploc bag up to 3 days.

Freeze: We don’t recommend freezing chicken parm sliders because of the sauce. Once it’s thawed, the rolls may become soggy.

How To Reheat

Reheat Hawaiian roll meatball slider leftovers in the oven at 350ºF until heated through. We recommend keeping them covered with aluminum foil while reheating. In case it has to go quick, you can also reheat them in the microwave for a few seconds. However, be careful, because the rolls will get squishy when microwaved for too long. Additionally, you can reheat them in the air fryer at 350 degrees for a few minutes.

Common Questions

How long to bake meatball sliders?

Because our meatballs are already cooked, you only need about 25 minutes to bake, just so the cheese melts and the tops are toasted.

Is it better to use my own homemade meatballs or frozen meatballs for this recipe?

As a matter of fact you can use any kind of meatball you like. We love using one of our easy recipes for chicken, turkey or ground beef meatballs. The only thing you need to be careful about is using cooked meatballs.

When should I serve Hawaiian roll sliders?

Slider recipes are very versatile and can be served as a perfect party appetizer, delicious snack on super bowl Sunday as well as a fun main course with a crunchy salad and some potato wedges.

Hawaiian Roll Meatball Sliders

These chicken meatball sliders are great for game day appetizers or a quick and easy weeknight dinner.

Course Appetizer, Main Dish

Cuisine American

Keyword chicken meatball parm, chicken parm sliders, hawaiian roll meatball sliders, hawaiian roll sliders, meatball sliders

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 25

Servings

Calories 226kcal

Author Andrea + Stef

Ingredients

12 slider rolls
12 slices fresh mozzarella cheese
24 cooked chicken meatballs
5 tablespoons unsalted butter
¼ cup marinara sauce plus more for dipping
⅓ cup grated parmesan cheese plus 2 tablespoons for sprinkling on top
½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
⅛ teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400°F. Grease a 9×13 baking dish.
Slice slider rolls in half. Put the bottom half in the baking dish.
Brush 1 tablespoon of melted butter on the rolls.
Spread ⅓ cup marinara sauce over bottom of rolls.
Place 2 meatballs on each roll.
Top each roll with a slice of mozzarella.
Sprinkle ⅓ cup parmesan cheese on top of mozzarella.
Place the slider roll tops on top of the cheese. Baste with 3 tablespoons of melted butter. Sprinkle top with Italian seasoning and garlic powder.
Bake covered for 20 minutes. Uncover and cook for 3-5 minutes.
Serve and eat.

Notes

If you like your sliders extra buttery, add more melted butter before baking. Then baste the tops with butter when you remove from the oven.
You can substitute the fresh mozzarella slices for other types of cheese like provolone or shredded mozzarella.
If you add extra sauce to your slider rolls before cooking they may become soggy. If you like more sauce, consider putting a layer of cheese on the bread then sauce.

Nutrition

The post Hawaiian Roll Meatball Sliders appeared first on Family Dinners.

Chicken Parmesan Meatballs

Andrea + Stef — Mon, 24 Oct 2022 23:15:00 +0000

This chicken parmesan meatballs recipe is great when you are looking for an easy dinner recipe, especially if you are short on time, because they are ready from start to finish in just 35 minutes. Use these tasty chicken parm meatballs in meatball sub sandwiches, casseroles, meatball pizza, spaghetti and more. Oven-baked meatballs also make a fantastic appetizer or game day snack.

You are going to love these healthy meatballs and all of the ways to serve them. Plus they go great with just about any side dish and make meal prepping really easy. One of our favorite variations is turning them into buffalo chicken meatballs.

Why You’ll Love This

Notable: juicy meatballs with a ton of flavor, perfect for any meatball recipe
Main Ingredients: ground chicken, egg, bread crumbs, grated parmesan, oil, fresh garlic and spices
Cooking Method: oven baked
Nutrients: low calorie food, higher protein content with less fat compared to beef meatballs
Cooking Time: 20 minutes prep time, 15 minutes cooking time
Pairs Well With: homemade marinara, pasta, rice, Italian salad, garlic bread
Special Equipment Needed: large mixing bowl, sheet pan

Ingredients

You may have all of these ingredients for these cheesy chicken meatballs in your refrigerator or pantry and not need to make a trip to the grocery store! In case this is your first time making this baked chicken meatball recipe you might want to read the possible variations before deciding on your ingredients.

Meatball Ingredients

1 pound ground chicken
1 large egg
½ cup bread crumbs
½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
2 tablespoon olive oil
5 cloves garlic, minced
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper

Variations and Substitutions

Italian Meatballs: These Italian meatballs are another good appetizer recipe and go great with spaghetti.

Air Fryer Meatballs: When you don’t feel like messing with the oven, make meatballs in the air fryer instead!

Turkey Meatballs: Swap the chicken out for ground turkey or make these delicious ground turkey and spinach meatballs.

Cheese Stuffed Meatballs: If you want something different or are a cheese lover go for these mozzarella stuffed meatballs.

WHAT TO MAKE NEXT: If you loved this baked chicken meatball recipe, try our amazing Meatball Calzones. You’ll love these because they are so easy to make, you can fill them with these chicken parmesan meatballs and they taste even better than take-out.

Recommended Tools

Baking Sheet — We recommend lining the baking sheet with parchment paper, that way the meatballs do not stick to the pan and clean up is quick and easy.

Instructions

This section shows how to cook chicken parmesan meatballs in the oven, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique. For full step-by-step instructions, photos and nutritional information see the recipe in the recipe card below.

PREHEAT OVEN AND PREP BAKING SHEET: Firstly, line a baking sheet with parchment paper and preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

COMBINE INGREDIENTS: Then add all of the chicken meatballs ingredients to a large bowl and mix together by hand. The ground chicken mixture will be sticky. Wear gloves or slightly oil your hands to prevent the meat mixture from sticking to your hands while you roll your meatballs.

ROLL OUT MEATBALLS: Make 24 meatballs by rolling them between your hands so they are about the same size, and place them on the lined baking sheet in a single layer.

Tip: Use a cookie scoop to help form the meatballs so they are the same size.

COOKING TIME: Cook for 15 minutes, then turn the oven to broil until the meatballs are golden brown. If you make larger meatballs you will need to extend the cooking time.

SERVE: Once the meatballs have an internal temperature of 165 degrees they are safe to serve with your favorite side dishes!

WHAT TO MAKE NEXT: If you love easy comfort food for the whole family then you’ll love our Easy Dump and Bake Meatball Pasta Casserole. It is an easy to make one dish dinner that combines noodles, marinara, meatballs and mozzarella cheese.

Recipe Tips

Follow these tips to make the best chicken parmesan meatballs.

Tip: Make sure your ground chicken is fully defrosted before mixing with the other ingredients. Do not overmix!
Tip: The ground chicken mixture will be sticky. Wear gloves or slightly oil your hands to prevent the meat mixture from sticking to your hands while you roll your meatballs.
Tip: Use freshly grated parmesan cheese, not pre-grated.
Tip: Make sure your meatballs are all approximately the same size. This ensures even cooking.

What To Serve With Chicken Parmesan Meatballs

We love to eat chicken parm meatballs all by themselves. But sometimes you need to serve it as a meal. Try one of these delicious recipes:

Bread: Serve this delicious dinner with crusty bread or soft dinner rolls. Garlic French Bread is made with fresh parmesan cheese and store-bought french bread. If you have extra time make Pizza Dough Garlic Knots.

Salad: Pair these classic chicken parm meatballs with a fresh salad. A green salad like our amazing Italian Salad or Strawberry Avocado Salad. Or even a Caprese Salad with tomatoes, mozzarella and basil.

Sides: Traditionally, chicken meatballs are served on a bed of pasta (or zucchini noodles) with pasta sauce. It would taste great with homemade marinara.

How To Use Meatballs

Add some meatballs to our Easy Lasagna recipe, Dump and Bake Meatball Pasta Casserole, or this Creamy Meatball Fettuccine. Use these delicious meatballs in one of these yummy recipes.

How To Store

Refrigerate: You can keep leftover meatballs in an airtight container or plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

Freeze: These easy meatballs can be frozen before or after they are cooked. Transfer to a freezer-safe container or freezer bags and freeze for up to 2 months.

Defrosting: Allow the meatballs to thaw overnight in the fridge before cooking or reheating.

How To Reheat

Reheat chicken parmesan meatball leftovers in the microwave, air fryer, oven or on the stovetop with sauce.

Common Questions

Why are my chicken meatballs tough?

Meatballs can be tough if the ingredients aren’t measured correctly, if they are overmixed before baking, or if they are not the same size. The smaller ones will be overcooked while the larger ones will need more time.

Are chicken meatballs healthy?

By using lean ground chicken, chicken meatballs have a higher protein content with less fat and calories when compared to beef meatballs.

Can you make chicken meatballs gluten free?

This meatball recipe is automatically gluten-free as long as you use gluten-free breadcrumbs.

How to freeze chicken parmesan meatballs?

To freeze raw chicken meatballs, after they have been rolled out place them on a baking sheet in the freezer for 30 minutes. Then transfer to a freezer bag and store for up to 2 months. To freeze cooked chicken meatballs, allow them to cool completely, then place them in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 2 months and thaw overnight before serving.

Is it possible to cook these Italian classics on the stovetop?

Yes! You can heat a large skillet or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Then, add 1 tablespoon of oil before adding the meatballs. Afterwards reduce to medium heat and keep turning the meatballs until they are browned on all sides and cooked trough. Finally, using a meat thermometer, make sure the internal temperature has reached 165ºF.

More Meatball Recipes

Try one of our other meatball recipes!

Chicken Parmesan Meatballs Recipe

These easy, healthy chicken meatballs make for a quick dinner idea or party appetizer. Use the yummy chicken parmesan meatballs with spaghetti and marinara or in any recipe that requires meatballs.

Course Appetizer, Main Dish

Cuisine American

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 15

Servings

Calories 59kcal

Author Andrea + Stef

Ingredients

1 pound ground chicken
1 egg
½ cup bread crumbs
½ cup grated parmesan
2 tablespoons oil
5 garlic cloves minced
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Place parchment paper on your baking sheet.
Add all the ingredients to a medium sized bowl.
Mix ingredients together with your hands.
Grease your hands. Form 24 equal size meatballs, rolling them so they are round. Place on your baking sheet.
Cook for 15 minutes. Turn oven to broil and cook on the top rack until meatballs are golden brown. Check to make sure they have an internal temperature of 165°F.
Remove from the oven and enjoy.

Notes

The chicken mixture will be sticky. Wear gloves or slightly oil your hands to prevent the meat from sticking to your hands while you roll your meatballs.
You can refrigerate meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
If you make larger meatballs you will need to extend the cooking time.

Nutrition

The post Chicken Parmesan Meatballs appeared first on Family Dinners.

Crockpot Olive Garden Chicken Pasta (Viral TikTok Recipe)

Andrea + Stef — Mon, 24 Oct 2022 20:11:34 +0000

If you are a fan of chicken Alfredo or creamy pasta, then you’ll love this super delicious crockpot Olive Garden chicken pasta. This easy slow cooker recipe only needs 5 minutes of hands on prepping and then cooks to tender perfection all by itself. It is a great set-it-and-forget-it meal! Using only simple ingredients, Italian chicken and pasta is creamy, comforting and bursting with flavor. So if you are looking for a new easy weeknight dinner that the whole family will enjoy, then this is the recipe for you. It is the best copycat Olive Garden pasta ever! It even went viral on social media!

What is Crockpot Olive Garden Chicken Pasta?

This viral TikTok chicken pasta dish is a combination of fork tender and juicy chicken with a creamy white sauce made from Italian dressing, chicken broth, parmesan and cream cheese. It is cooked to perfection in the slow cooker and then mixed with al dente pasta.

Why You’ll Love This

Notable: perfectly cooked pasta with creamy, cheesy white sauce and tender chicken
Main Ingredients: Olive Garden Italian dressing, chicken broth, parmesan cheese, black pepper, cream cheese, chicken breast, pasta
Cooking Method: Crockpot
Nutrients: great source of protein with 39g per serving
Cooking Time: prep time 5 minutes, cooking time 3-8 hours
Pairs well with: Italian Salad, Caprese Salad, crispy Garlic Bread
Special Equipment Needed: slow cooker, instant read thermometer

Ingredients

You may have all of these ingredients for this chicken and cream cheese crockpot recipe in your refrigerator or pantry and not need to make a trip to the grocery store! If this is your first time making this TikTok recipe you might want to read the possible variations before deciding on your ingredients.

Ingredients

1 cup Olive Garden Italian dressing
1 cup chicken broth
¼ cup of parmesan cheese, freshly grated
¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
8 oz. block of cream cheese
2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, thawed (3-4 skinless chicken breasts)
8 oz cooked penne pasta

Optional Garnish

Fresh parsley
Parmesan cheese, grated

Variations and Substitutions

Italian Dressing: Substitute creamy Olive Garden dressing for any creamy Italian salad dressing.

Chicken: Substitute boneless skinless chicken breasts for boneless skinless chicken thighs.

Noodles: Use any type of pasta you prefer. Cook separately before adding to the chicken and sauce.

WHAT TO MAKE NEXT: If you loved this Italian dressing chicken pasta recipe, try our Easy Dump and Bake Meatball Pasta Casserole. You’ll love it because it is a quick and delicious one dish meal that the whole family will enjoy.

Recommended Tools

Links to our favorite tools are affiliate links. If you purchase something through the link we may get a tiny portion of the sale.

Instructions

This section shows how to cook Olive Garden chicken pasta in the slow cooker, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique. For full step-by-step instructions, photos and nutritional information see the recipe in the recipe card below.

COOK THE CHICKEN: Firstly, spray the crockpot with nonstick cooking spray. Trim the excess fat off the chicken breasts and place them at the bottom of the slow cooker. Next, pour 1 cup of Olive Garden salad dressing and 1 cup chicken broth over the top of the chicken. Then, sprinkle ¼ cup parmesan cheese and black pepper over the chicken and dressing mixture. Afterwards, cut cream cheese into cubes and add to crockpot. Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on low for 5-6 hours or high for 3-4 hours.

Andrea says….

This viral TikTok recipe is usually made with 2 cups of salad dressing and no chicken broth. We found that created a final pasta dish that tasted like it was smothered in salad dressing.

FINISH THE SAUCE: The chicken is done when an instant-read meat thermometer inserted at the thickest part reads an internal temperature of 165°F. Afterwards shred chicken with two forks or a meat shredder. Combine chicken, dressing, and cream cheese well. Let the chicken sit in the sauce for 10 minutes to absorb the flavor.

TOSS WITH PASTA AND SERVE: Finally, add the cooked pasta to the slow cooker. Toss to combine. Sprinkle with parsley and parmesan cheese before serving.

WHAT TO MAKE NEXT: If you love easy and healthy pasta dishes then you’ll love our Fettuccine Pesto. Fettuccine pesto pasta is a crowd pleasing meal with homemade pesto. Make it and toss with your favorite noodles and meat.

Recipe Tips

Follow these tips to make the best crockpot Olive Garden chicken pasta.

Tip: Trim the fat or any grisly parts off the chicken before cooking.
Tip: Let shredded chicken sit in the sauce in the warm slow cooker for 10 minutes to soak up more of the sauce into the parts of the chicken that had not previously touched the sauce. This will make the chicken juicier.
Tip: Cook the pasta al dente. Then gently stir cooked pasta into the chicken and cream cheese sauce.
Tip: Before serving, sprinkle the top of the finished creamy chicken pasta with chopped fresh parsley and more freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

What To Serve With Crockpot Chicken Pasta

We love to eat crockpot chicken pasta all by itself. But sometimes you need to serve it as a complete meal. Try one of these delicious recipes:

Bread: Serve creamy chicken pasta with crusty bread or soft dinner rolls. Garlic French Bread is made with fresh parmesan cheese and store-bought french bread. If you have extra time make Pizza Dough Garlic Knots. These delicious garlic knots are brushed with butter, seasoning and parmesan.

Salad: Pair this Olive Garden crock pot chicken with a fresh salad. A green salad like our fabulous Italian Salad or Antipasto Tortellini Salad. Or even a Caprese Salad with tomatoes, mozzarella and basil. If you are serving this yummy pasta dish during summer, serve it with Stef’s incredible Peach Burrata Salad.

Italian Inspired Dessert: Serve a slice of Limoncello Loaf Cake for dessert. This sweet lemon quick bread is moist and fluffy and topped with a boozy limoncello glaze. It tastes even better topped with a scoop of Andrea’s Strawberry Sorbet.

Stef says….

I love this super yummy pasta dish, because it is very easy to fix and forget! You can cook for just 3 hours of on low for 8 hours while you work.

How To Store

Refrigerate: Let the creamy chicken pasta cool completely before transfering into an airtight container or ziploc bag. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Freeze: Crockpot Olive Garden chicken pasta leftovers can be frozen in a freezer safe container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Divide the pasta leftovers into individual servings before freezing, for easy portion control when defrosting.

Defrosting: Thaw in the fridge overnight.

More Pasta Recipes

Italian pasta dishes are always huge crowd pleasers in our family and they never get boring. Not only can you vary the pasta shape, but you can get super creative with sauces and what kind of meat or seafood you want to add. Some of our absolute favorites are Shrimp Fettuccine, Baked Ravioli and of course Lasagna.

How To Reheat

Reheat slow cooker chicken pasta leftovers in the microwave or in a pot on the stovetop.

Common Questions

Is there a low carb version of this dish?

In fact, you can easily turn this scrumptious dish into a low carb meal by serving it over spaghetti squash or zoodles (zucchini noodles) instead of regular pasta. Moreover, you can serve creamy Olive Garden chicken over steamed or stir fried vegetables.

What kind of pasta works best for this slow cooker Olive Garden chicken pasta recipe?

As a matter of fact you can use pretty much any pasta shape you prefer. This amazing sauce works well with penne, bow-tie or ziti pasta, for example. However, you can use long pasta, such as spaghetti, fettuccine or linguine as well.

Are there any tasty add ins for this creamy slow cooker dinner?

In case you want to add some extra flavor to you creamy pasta dish, we recommend adding some Italian seasoning, chopped garlic or chili flakes, for example. Moreover, you can boost the flavor of your sauce with chopped sun dried tomatoes, sliced black olives or sliced and sautéed mushrooms.

Crockpot Olive Garden Chicken Pasta (Viral TikTok Recipe)

This creamy chicken pasta recipe is a mouthwatering combination of Italian flavors, cream cheese, chicken and pasta. It is prepped in only 5 minutes and cooks hands off in the crockpot.

Course Main Dish

Cuisine American, Italian

Keyword creamy chicken pasta, crockpot chicken alfredo, Olive Garden crockpot chicken pasta, slow cooker creamy chicken pasta, viral tiktok pasta chips

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 3

Total Time 3 5

Servings servings

Calories 596kcal

Author Andrea + Stef

Equipment

slow cooker
forks
cooking spoon or spatula

Ingredients

1 cup Olive Garden Italian dressing or any creamy Italian dressing
1 cup chicken broth
¼ cup parmesan cheese freshly grated
¼ teaspoon black pepper freshly cracked
8 oz cream cheese
2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast thawed, 3-4 breasts
8 oz cooked pasta

Instructions

Spray the crockpot with nonstick cooking spray.
Trim the fat off the chicken breasts and place chicken into the crockpot.
Pour 1 cup of Olive Garden Italian dressing and 1 cup chicken broth over the top of the chicken.
Sprinkle ¼ cup parmesan cheese over the top. Then top evenly with black pepper.
Cut cream cheese into cubes. Add to crockpot.
Place lid on slow cooker and cook on low for 5-6 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
Chicken is done when an instant-read meat thermometer reads 165°F.
Shred chicken with two forks or a meat shredder.
Mix together shredded chicken, dressing, and cream cheese well. Let chicken sit in the sauce for 10 minutes to absorb the sauce.
Add cooked pasta to the slow cooker. Toss to combine.
Serve.

Notes

Substitute Olive Garden dressing for any creamy Italian salad dressing.
Substitute boneless skinless chicken breasts for boneless skinless chicken thighs.
Use any type of pasta you prefer. Cook separately before adding to the chicken and sauce.
Keep the lid on and turn to the warm setting if you aren’t ready to serve yet.
Serve the chicken pasta in the crockpot or transfer to a serving bowl.

Nutrition

The post Crockpot Olive Garden Chicken Pasta (Viral TikTok Recipe) appeared first on Family Dinners.

Chicken Injection Recipe

Andrea + Stef — Sat, 10 Sep 2022 11:11:00 +0000

This quick and easy to make chicken injection recipe adds incredible flavor to a whole roast chicken and makes the meat moist and tender. It is as easy as whisking together melted butter, fresh lemon juice, chicken broth and spices. Inject the flavorful marinade all over the chicken, let rest for 30 minutes and roast in the oven until cooked through. Using this simple but rewarding injection technique, you can turn every roast chicken into an incredible meal that your family will love.

What is Chicken Injection Marinade?

Chicken injection marinade is usually a butter based mixture that can also contain chicken broth, lemon juice, garlic powder, pepper or other seasonings. Using a meat injector (syringe), the marinade is directly injected into the meat to add flavor and keep the meat juicy and moist during cooking. It is especially helpful to keep breast meat of whole chickens and turkeys from drying out while roasting. Use as a chicken injection for rotisserie chicken or a chicken injection for oven roasted chicken or even a chicken injection for smoked chicken.

Why You’ll Love This

Notable: chicken meat turns out moist and tender with a yummy lemon and garlic flavor
Main Ingredients: low sodium chicken broth, unsalted butter, lemon juice, garlic powder and black pepper
Cooking Method: no bake
Cooking Time: 5 minutes prep time and 10 minutes rest time
Pairs well with: whole roast chicken
Diets: keto friendly, gluten free
Special Equipment Needed: mixing bowl, whisk, meat injector syringe

Ingredients

You may have all of these chicken injection ingredients in your refrigerator or pantry and not need to make a trip to the grocery store. See recipe card below for ingredient amounts and print the recipe.

Pantry Ingredients: low sodium chicken broth
Refrigerated/Frozen Ingredients: unsalted butter
Produce Ingredients: fresh lemon juice
Spices: garlic powder, black pepper

WHAT TO MAKE NEXT: If you love roasting whole chickens then you’ll love Stef’s Herb Roasted Chicken Recipe. This flavor-bursting one-dish meal will fill your home with the most delicious aroma and is a must have for your recipe box.

Instructions

This section shows how to make a chicken injection mixture, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique. For full step-by-step instructions, photos and nutritional information see the recipe in the recipe card below. You can print the recipe with or without photos.

PREPARE THE MARINADE: Firstly, whisk together the melted butter, lemon juice and chicken broth in a small bowl. Next, add garlic powder and black pepper and stir. Then let rest for 10 minutes. Before using, whisk thoroughly once more.

INJECT THE CHICKEN: Prepare the chicken by patting it dry with paper towels. Then load marinade into the meat injector, and slowly inject into multiple spots in the chicken. We gently lifted the chicken skin so we didn’t have to pierce the skin. Be sure to really work the breast meat. Discard any leftover marinade.

CHILL: Cover the injected chicken with plastic wrap and refrigerate. Marinate chicken in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or up to 6 hours.

WHAT TO MAKE NEXT: Combine this flavor boosting injection technic with our delicious Convection Oven Roast Chicken recipe. Inject the whole chicken with the lemon butter blend, then season with a homemade spice rub to produce the most delicious roast chicken dinner.

Recommended Tools

Meat Injector Syringe – This recipe requires a meat injector. We used a stainless steel injector as it is easy to use and comes apart for quick and thorough clean up.

Make Ahead

You can make the marinade and inject it into your chicken up to 6 hours ahead of time. Make sure you cover the chicken tightly with plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator until ready to use.

Stef says….

I love roasting whole chickens, because they are easy to make and taste wonderful. But even after the yummy meat is eaten you can still make the most flavorful Homemade Chicken Stock using the leftover bones.

Andrea says….

This simple injection technique makes a huge difference in how juicy the meat of a roast chicken turns out. But not only does it add moisture, it also adds just the right hint of lemon flavor to the chicken. It really turns a plain roast chicken into a spectacular meal!

Recipe Tips

Follow these tips to make the best chicken injection recipe.

Tip: Use fresh lemon juice. We prefer freshly squeezed lemon juice, because it adds a more intense flavor and tastes fresher than bottled lemon juice.
Tip: Make sure the marinade is smooth. If the butter is not completely melted or there are any larger bits of spices in the marinade the injector needle might clog.
Tip: Inject the marinade into the breast meat multiple times. Breast meat has a tendency of drying out during cooking, injecting marinade helps prevent that.
Tip: Allow more resting time. The chicken absorbs more of the marinade when it rests a bit longer. (up to 6 hours)

How To Store

We recommend preparing this chicken injection recipe fresh, right before using. It is not suitable for storage. Do not safe any leftover injection mix.

Common Questions

Can I save any leftover marinade for a later use?

Unfortunately that is not possible. While injecting the chicken with marinade the injector needle touches raw chicken and therefore comes in direct contact with unsafe bacteria, like salmonella for example. The bacteria is then transfered from the poultry to the marinade when you reload your meat injector. It is therefore very important to discard any leftovers.

What other spices can I add to the marinade?

You can also try adding paprika, smoked paprika, onion powder, or for a spicy twist, add some chili powder or cajun seasoning. Additionally you can try Worcestershire sauce or finely ground dried herbs such as thyme, rosemary, basil or oregano. Make sure there are no large bits though, as they might clog the needle of your flavor injector.

How long does an injected chicken need to rest before roasting in the oven?

We recommend letting the chicken chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes or up to 6 hours.

Lemon Butter Chicken Injection Recipe

Flavorful blend of melted butter, lemon juice, chicken broth and spices bring the juiciness of roast chicken to another level.

Course Main Dish

Cuisine American

Diet Gluten Free

Keyword chicken injection recipe, how to make chicken injection marinade

Prep Time 20

Chill time 30

Total Time 50

Servings chicken

Calories 877kcal

Author Andrea + Stef

Equipment

mixing bowl
whisk
meat injection syringe

Ingredients

1 cup low sodium chicken broth
½ cup unsalted butter melted
1 lemon juiced
2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

In a small bowl, whisk together melted butter, lemon juice and chicken broth.
Add garlic powder and black pepper and stir. Let stand for 10 minutes, and stir through once more before using.
Prepare the chicken by patting dry with paper towels. Load marinade into the meat injector, and slowly inject into multiple spots in the chicken. We gently lifted the chicken skin so we didn’t have to pierce the skin. Be sure to really work the breast meat. Discard extra.
Cover and refrigerate. Marinate chicken in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to 6 hours.

Nutrition

The post Chicken Injection Recipe appeared first on Family Dinners.

Easy Creamy Chicken Bake Recipe With Cream Of Chicken Soup

Andrea + Stef — Sat, 10 Sep 2022 01:40:16 +0000

If you are looking for a new recipe using chicken breast, then this delicious cream of mushroom and chicken breast bake is perfect for you. It combines cream of chicken soup with parmesan, Italian herbs, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes and spices for a creamy sauce that goes well with noodles, rice or potatoes. This convenient one dish meal is ready in only 35 minutes and therefore makes for an ideal weeknight dinner that the whole family will love.

What is Baked Chicken Breast with Cream of Chicken?

This is an easy one pan chicken dish that combines tender chicken breasts with a creamy sauce of condensed cream of chicken, parmesan, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic and spices. All ingredient are added to the baking dish at once and then baked to perfection in the oven. If you love easy chicken recipes with cream you’ll enjoy this easy recipe.

Why You’ll Love This

Notable: moist and tender chicken breast with creamy garlic sauce
Main Ingredients: boneless skinless chicken breasts, olive oil, condensed cream of chicken soup, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, parmesan cheese and spices
Cooking Method: oven baked
Nutrients: good source of protein, 31g per serving
Cooking Time: 10 minutes prep time and 25 minutes cooking time
Pairs well with: rice, noodles, mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables
Special Equipment Needed: meat tenderizer or rolling pin, mixing bowl and whisk, instant read thermometer, 9×13-inch baking dish

Ingredients

You may have all of these cream of chicken and chicken breast bake ingredients in your refrigerator or pantry and not need to make a trip to the grocery store. See recipe card below for ingredient amounts and print the recipe.

Pantry Ingredients: olive oil, condensed cream of chicken soup, sun-dried tomatoes
Refrigerated/Frozen Ingredients: Parmesan cheese
Produce Ingredients: garlic
Meat Ingredients: boneless chicken breasts
Spices: salt, Italian seasoning, paprika, black pepper

Possible Substitutions:

Substitute ¼ teaspoon dried basil, ¼ teaspoon dried oregano, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon dried thyme and a pinch of onion powder for 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning.

You may substitute cream of mushroom soup for cream of chicken soup.

Substitute boneless skinless chicken thighs for chicken breasts.

Substitute freshly grated cheddar cheese for Parmesan cheese if you prefer.

To omit the cream of chicken soup, make the recipe as planned without the cream of mushroom soup. After it’s cooked, add in ¼ cup of heavy cream and whisk into the sauce.

WHAT TO MAKE NEXT: We love turning boneless skinless chicken breasts into flavorful dishes with creamy sauce. One of our favorite recipes is Chicken in White Wine Sauce with Mushrooms. This is so savory and delicious and always a crowd pleaser.

Instructions

This section shows how to cook baked chicken breast with cream of chicken soup in the oven, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique. For full step-by-step instructions, photos and nutritional information see the recipe in the recipe card below. You can print the recipe with or without photos.

PREPARE: Firstly, preheat the oven to 425°F. Then, flatten chicken breasts if they’re more than ¾” thick by pounding with a meat tenderizer or rolling pin. Afterwards, place chicken in a 9×13” baking dish, leaving a little room between each breast.

SEASON AND COMBINE: Next, combine salt, Italian seasoning, paprika, and pepper in a small bowl. Rub the chicken with the olive oil and the seasoning blend on all sides. Then add sun-dried tomatoes and garlic to the baking dish around the chicken. Blend ¼ cup of parmesan with the cream of chicken soup and pour around chicken in the baking dish. This will cook and make a creamy gravy. Finally, sprinkle 2 tablespoons of cheese over the whole dish.

COOK: Bake for 25-30 minutes until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Then, remove from the oven and immediately add chopped spinach to the cream sauce. It will wilt as it sits. Finish by garnishing with fresh parsley and (optional) red pepper flakes.

SERVE: Serve this easy meal with white rice, brown rice, cauliflower rice, zucchini noodles, steamed green beans, or crusty bread.

WHAT TO MAKE NEXT: If you love saucy chicken recipes then you’ll love Andrea’s Best Chicken Enchilada Recipe. Using red sauce made from scratch makes these enchiladas so much more delicious than enchiladas using canned red enchilada sauce.

Recommended Tools

Baking Dish – This recipe requires a 9x13inch baking dish. We love this glass baking dish as it evenly conducts heat, does not absorb odors and makes it possible to easily check on food while cooking in the oven.

Stef says….

This delicious Italian inspired chicken dinner is an absolute crowd pleaser. I especially love how moist and tender the meat is and that you can serve it over egg noodles, rice and even potatoes. A true family favorite in our house!

Recipe Tips

Follow these tips to make the best cream of chicken and chicken breast bake.

Tip: Make sure the chicken breasts are evenly thick. This ensures even cooking, so you don’t end up with dry meat or raw parts.
Tip: Use good sun-dried tomatoes and fresh parmesan cheese. Using quality ingredients creates amazing flavor in the finished dish.
Tip: Check internal temperature with a meat thermometer. Take the chicken out of the oven when it reaches 165ºF. Over baked chicken becomes dry and rubbery.

How To Store

Refrigerate: Let chicken leftovers cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container or ziploc bag. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Freeze: You can freeze leftover creamy garlic chicken breast with sun-dried tomatoes in a freezer safe container or freezer bag for up to 3 months.

Defrosting: Thaw creamy chicken in the fridge overnight. Reheat in the microwave.

Andrea says….

I love cooking with chicken breasts, because they are super versatile and can be turned into a variety of flavorful dishes. If you are looking for a new chicken breast recipe for busy weeknights, take a look at my list of 21 Whole Chicken Breast Recipes.

Common Questions

How do I keep my chicken breasts from drying out?

Above all, it is very important to start checking the internal temperature of chicken breasts after about 25 minutes in the oven. As soon as the chicken breasts reach an internal temperature of 165ºF at the thickest part, take them out of the oven because they are done. Make sure to test the biggest/thickest chicken breast for doneness. If the biggest one is done, so are all the smaller/thinner ones. Moreover, the addition of the cream of chicken soup will help keep the chicken moist during the cooking process. If your chicken breast gets over cooked, check the internal temperature earlier the next time you cook your chicken.

Are there any other add-ins that taste good with this dish?

You could also add some sliced fresh mushrooms or drained canned mushrooms to the baking dish before cooking. If you like to taste a bit of a tangy flavor, add a splash of white wine to the cream of chicken and parmesan mixture before pouring it over the chicken breasts. You can also add some additional flavor by sprinkling cooked crumbled up bacon over the baked creamy garlic chicken.

Easy Creamy Chicken Bake Recipe With Cream Of Chicken

Delicious easy creamy chicken bake recipe with condensed cream of chicken soup is simple and tasty.

Course Main Dish

Cuisine American, Italian

Keyword baked chicken breast with cream of chicken soup, cream of chicken and chicken breast recipe, creamy chicken breast recipe, creamy garlic chicken with sun-dried tomatoes

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 25

Total Time 35

Servings servings

Calories 351kcal

Author Andrea + Stef

Equipment

9x13inch baking dish
meat tenderizer or rolling pin
small mixing bowl
whisk

Ingredients

3 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 6-8 oz each)
1 tablespoon olive oil
¼ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon black pepper
1½ cups condensed cream of chicken soup
⅓ cup sun-dried tomatoes drained and chopped
2 teaspoon garlic minced
¼ cup shredded parmesan cheese + 2 tablespoons for topping

Garnish:

½ cup fresh spinach chopped
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped

Instructions

Preheat oven to 425°F.
Flatten chicken breasts if they’re more than ¾” thick by pounding with a meat tenderizer or rolling pin.
Place chicken in a 9×13” baking dish, leaving a little room between each breast and rub with olive oil.
Combine salt, Italian seasoning, paprika, and pepper. Then rub chicken with the seasoning mixture.
Add sun-dried tomatoes and garlic to the baking dish around the chicken.
Stir ¼ cup of parmesan cheese together with the cream of chicken soup. Whisk until well combined.
Pour cream of chicken mixture around chicken in the baking dish.
Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of cheese over the whole dish.
Bake for 25-30 minutes until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
Remove from the oven. Add chopped spinach to the cream sauce. It will wilt as it sits.
Garnish with fresh parsley and (optional) red pepper flakes. Serve

Notes

If you prefer, whisk together ½ cup of condensed cream of chicken soup and a ½ cup of water or milk to make the soup thinner.
If your chicken breasts are especially large, you can cut them in half so you have 2 thin chicken breasts.

Nutrition

The post Easy Creamy Chicken Bake Recipe With Cream Of Chicken Soup appeared first on Family Dinners.

Convection Oven Roast Chicken

Andrea + Stef — Wed, 07 Sep 2022 18:39:30 +0000

We enjoy cooking convection oven roast chicken, because it is easy to make, bursting with flavor, and incredibly juicy. Roast chicken only needs 5 minutes of prep time and then cooks completely hands off. While this flavorful chicken with crispy skin goes well with almost all sides, we love serving it with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables and crusty white bread. This amazing roast chicken convection oven recipe will soon be a staple in your dinner rotation.

Benefits Of A Convection Oven

The primary difference between a convection oven and a conventional oven is the way the heat is distributed. A general rule of thumb for convection cooking is to cook your food 25°F less than the recipe calls for in a traditional oven. You will also need to adjust cook time because cooking is generally quicker.

The circulating air helps dishes cook evenly, even on multiple racks.
You should not have to rotate dishes between racks if you are cooking multiple things.
The movement of the air promotes browning and crisping.
The circulating hot air can accelerate baking and roasting times.
Great for cooking a variety of dishes all at once. You can cook your roast chicken and roast your potatoes and even add another tray on another rack.

Why You’ll Love This

Notable: Juicy roast chicken with crispy skin that is tender and full of flavor
Main Ingredients: whole chicken, olive oil, and spices
Cooking Method: oven baked
Nutrients: 18g of protein per serving
Cooking Time: 5 minutes of prep time and 60-80 minutes of cooking time
Pairs well with: roasted vegetables, potatoes, rice, crusty white bread
Diets: keto friendly, gluten free, dairy free
Special Equipment Needed: instant read thermometer, sheet pan

Ingredients

You may have all of these convection oven roast chicken ingredients in your refrigerator or pantry and not need to make a trip to the grocery store. See recipe card below for ingredient amounts and print the recipe.

Pantry Ingredients: olive oil
Meat Ingredients: whole chicken
Spices: black pepper, sea salt, dried parsley, dried thyme, smoked paprika, garlic salt, onion powder

WHAT TO MAKE NEXT: We recommend serving this scrumptious and juicy roast chicken with a healthy side dish such as Air Fryer Roasted Vegetables. We also love our flavorful Air Fryer Broccoli and Green Beans with this chicken.

Instructions

This section shows how to cook roast chicken in the convection oven, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique. For full step-by-step instructions, photos and nutritional information see the recipe in the recipe card below. You can print the recipe with or without photos.

PREPARE: Firstly, preheat the convection oven to 350°F, rinse and pat the chicken dry with a paper towel.

SEASON THE CHICKEN: Rub olive oil all over the chicken. Then combine all the spices in a small bowl. Next, gently rub the spice mixture all over the chicken.

COOK: Place the chicken onto a baking rack over a roasting pan or baking sheet. Place into the center of the convection oven and bake for 1 hour. Check the internal temperature of the chicken. It should reach 165°F. It should take about 60-80 minutes to fully cook the chicken. Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Stef says….

Recommended Tools

Sheet pan or roasting pan with a baking rack – We recommend using a baking rack rather than setting the chicken right on the pan as it allows the heat to circulate under the chicken ensuring even cooking. Additionally, it helps crisp up the skin all around the chicken.

Recipe Tips

Follow these tips to make the best convection oven roast chicken.

Tip: Pat the chicken dry thoroughly. Only dry chicken skin absorbs the seasonings properly and turns nice and crispy during cooking.
Tip: Truss the chicken. Tying the drum sticks together with some kitchen twine ensures even cooking and a well shaped cooked chicken.
Tip: Make sure the skin of the chicken doesn’t burn. Loosely tent the chicken with aluminum foil if it browns too quickly.
Tip: Don’t skip the resting time. A 5-10 minute rest will seal in the juices and make the chicken extra juicy.

How To Store

Refrigerate: Store leftover baked chicken in an airtight container or ziploc bag in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Freeze: You can freeze leftover oven-roasted chicken in an airtight and freezer safe container or ziploc freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months.

Defrosting: A great way to defrost is in the refrigerator overnight.

Andrea says….

Sometimes there is not enough time to roast a whole chicken. Then I usually opt for one of my favorite 21 Whole Chicken Breast Recipes. Take a look if you are looking for boneless skinless chicken breast recipes that are all flavorful, moist and full of juices.

Common Questions

Do I have to truss a chicken before roasting?

While this is of course optional, we recommend at least tying the drumsticks together. This helps the chicken to cook evenly and keep a nice shape during the cooking process.

Is it very important to let the chicken rest after cooking?

YES. We highly recommend letting the whole chicken rest for 5-15 minutes after taking it out of the oven. This will help conclude the cooking process and give the juices time to redistribute themselves, ensuring a moist and juicy chicken.

How do I carve a chicken?

A popular way to carve a chicken is to cut off the entire chicken thighs first. Then cut the drumsticks of the thigh pieces. Next, carve off the breast pieces, by finding the chicken’s breastbone and cutting in a downward motion on each side. Finally cut the wings off the chicken. Arrange the pieces on a platter and serve.

How long to cook a 5 pound chicken in convection oven?

We like to cook our chicken at 350°F in the convection oven. The amount of time it takes varies slightly depending on the size of the chicken and the internal temperature of the chicken before you begin cooking. A 5 pound chicken should take about 60-80 minutes in the convection oven.

Convection Oven Roast Chicken Recipe

Juicy and flavorful roast chicken, seasoned with a homemade spice rub and cooked to perfection in the convection oven.

Course Main Dish

Cuisine American

Diet Gluten Free, Low Lactose

Keyword convection oven roast chicken recipe, how to cook a chicken in a convection oven, roast chicken convection oven recipe, whole roast chicken

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 1 20

Total Time 1 25

Servings servings

Calories 237kcal

Author Andrea + Stef

Equipment

baking sheet or roasting pan with a baking rack
small mixing bowl

Ingredients

1 whole chicken
2 tbsp olive oil
½ teaspoon coarse black pepper
½ teaspoon sea salt
½ teaspoon dried parsley
½ teaspoon dried thyme
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon garlic salt
½ teaspoon onion powder

Instructions

Preheat convection oven to 350°F.
Rinse and pat chicken dry with a paper towel.
Rub olive oil all over the chicken.
In a small bowl, combine all the spices. Then, gently rub the spices all over the chicken.
Place the chicken into a roasting pan or baking sheet with a baking rack on it. Place into the center of the convection oven.
Bake for 1 hour. Check the internal temperature of the chicken. It should reach 165°F.
Cook until chicken is fully cooked. It should take about 60-80 minutes. Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

If your chicken begins to brown too much, gently tent it with aluminum foil to prevent the skin from burning.
Cooking times will vary depending on the size of the chicken.
For more flavorful chicken meat, gently lift the chicken skin up and rub the spices under the skin on the chicken breast.
Cooking the chicken at a higher temperature will result in a dryer chicken meat.

Nutrition

The post Convection Oven Roast Chicken appeared first on Family Dinners.

Instant Pot White Chicken Chili

Andrea + Stef — Sat, 20 Aug 2022 18:07:29 +0000

Instant Pot white chicken chili is a hearty and satisfying soup packed with tender chicken, beans, corn and peppers. It is quick and easy to make in the Instant Pot, so you are ready to enjoy your chili in only 35 minutes.

You can garnish this gluten free and keto friendly chicken soup with cilantro, queso fresco, jalapeños, tortilla strips and sour cream to make it even more delicious. Serve with crusty white bread or cheesy rolls for an amazing lunch or dinner.

What Is Instant Pot Chicken Chili?

White chicken chili is an easy to make chicken soup bursting with shredded chicken and vegetables like beans, corn, bell pepper and chilies. It is a hearty and flavorful soup seasoned with fresh lime juice, cumin, chili powder, and cayenne pepper. It can be prepared in the Instant Pot or on the stovetop and tastes absolutely amazing garnished with tortilla strips, jalapeños, sour cream, queso fresco and cilantro.

Why You’ll Love This

Main Ingredients: onion, garlic, chicken, chicken broth, beans, corn, bell pepper, green chilies, spices
Cooking Method: Instant Pot
Nutrients: great source of protein, 34g per serving
Cooking Time: 15 minutes (plus 10 minutes natural release time)
Pairs well with: grilled meats, fish and seafood
Diets: keto friendly, gluten free, dairy free (without sour cream or cheese garnishes)
Special Equipment Needed: Instant Pot, food processor or blender

Ingredients

You may have all of these Instant Pot chicken soup ingredients in your refrigerator or pantry and not need to make a trip to the grocery store. See recipe card below for ingredient amounts and print the recipe.

Pantry Ingredients: olive oil, chicken broth, Great Northern beans, yellow corn, chopped green chilies
Produce Ingredients: onion, garlic, red bell pepper, lime
Meat Ingredients: chicken breasts
Spices: cumin, chili powder, salt, cayenne pepper
Optional garnishes: Jalapeño, sour cream, tortilla chips, queso fresco cheese crumbles, cilantro

WHAT TO MAKE NEXT: If you love making soup in the Instant Pot then you’ll love our Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup.

INSTRUCTIONS

This section shows how to cook easy white chicken chili in the Instant Pot, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique. For full step-by-step instructions, photos and nutritional information see the recipe in the recipe card below. You can print the recipe with or without photos.

PREPARE: First, blend one can of rinsed beans, if using. Then sauté diced onion and garlic for 5 minutes using the sauté setting of your Instant Pot. After turning off the Instant Pot, add chicken breasts, chicken broth, beans, corn, bell pepper, green chilies and spices. Stir to combine.

COOK: Lock the lid, set the release valve to closed and set the Instant Pot to pressure cook for 15 minutes. Afterwards allow a 10 minute natural release, before carefully opening the pressure valve to release the pressure.

FINISH: Remove the chicken, shred it and return it to the soup. Finally, season with lime juice, salt and pepper to taste.

GARNISH: We recommend garnishing the finished chili with tortilla strips, sour cream, jalapeño slices, queso fresco crumbles and cilantro.

WHAT TO MAKE NEXT: If you love chili then you’ll love our Easy Chili recipe with beef and sausage.

Recommended Tools

Instant Pot– This recipe requires an Instant Pot or other electric pressure cooker. Andrea has this Instant Pot. It isn’t the fanciest but we love it and it will work for most people’s needs. If you’re looking for one with all the bells and whistles, Stef has this 10-in-1 Instant Pot.

HOW TO MAKE AHEAD

Instant Pot white chicken chili can easily be made completely ahead of time. Prepare this hearty and delicious chicken chili up to two days before serving. Store in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to serve. You might find that the chili tastes even better after allowing the flavors to blend for a day or two.

HOW TO COOK ON THE STOVETOP

Sauté the oil, onion, and garlic over medium heat in a dutch oven or heavy bottom stock pot.
Add the chicken broth, beans, chicken breasts, corn, bell pepper, green chilies and spices. Stir.
Cover and simmer until the chicken is cooked through. Remove the chicken and shred then return it to the pot.
Add salt, pepper, and lime juice to taste.
Garnish and serve.

HOW TO STORE

Refrigerate: Store leftover chicken chili in an airtight container or ziploc bag in the fridge for up to 3 days if you can’t eat it the next day.

Freeze: Store in an airtight, freezer safe container. If you’re storing in a zip top plastic bag, try to get as much air out as possible. Freeze for up to 3 months.

Defrosting: A great way to defrost your Instant Pot chicken soup is in the refrigerator overnight.

Recipe Tips

Follow these tips to make the best easy chicken chili.

Don’t skip the sauté step. Sauteing your onions and garlic will improve the flavor and texture.
Use 3 cans of any types of beans. If you want to add kidney beans or pinto beans that works as well.
Taste the soup before you season with salt and pepper. You may want to add more lime juice or not want to add any salt, depending on the sodium content of your chicken stock.
Don’t forget to garnish. The soup is delicious on it’s own but try it with cilantro, queso fresco, jalapenos, tortilla strips and sour cream to kick it up a notch!

We love serving a simple side of crusty white bread with Instant Pot chicken soup. Crispy garlic French bread, air fryer 3 cheese bombs or easy cheesy garlic rolls are other great sides to serve with this mouthwatering soup. If you want to keep the meal low carb and keto friendly, cheesy cauliflower breadsticks are an amazing side dish choice.

Common Questions

For perfect results every time, here are answers to the most common questions about cooking Instant Pot chicken soup.

Is white chicken chili healthy?

Instant Pot chicken soup is a healthy, low calorie and low carb meal choice. Above all, it only has 404 calories per bowl but provides 34g of protein. Additionally, chicken soup is gluten free, keto friendly and dairy free if eaten without sour cream and queso fresco crumbles.

What type of bean is best for chili?

We used great northern beans for this recipe but you can choose whichever kind you prefer. You could also try using black, pinto or kidney beans, for example.

Should white chicken chili be thickened?

This type of chicken soup is usually kept at a thinner consistency. Blending one can of beans before adding it to the soup, will thicken it slightly. Additionally, if you add a little cream when the soup has finished cooking it will become creamier. It will, however, no longer be dairy free.

Instant Pot White Chicken Chili Recipe

Quick and easy to make Instant Pot white chicken chili is full of flavor and warms you with a slight kick of spice. Made with chicken, canned beans, vegetables and spices, this chili cooks up in the pressure cooker in 15 minutes.

Course dinner, Main Dish, soup

Cuisine American, keto, Mexican

Keyword easy chicken chili, Instant Pot chicken soup, Instant Pot white chicken chili, white chicken chili

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 15

Natural Release Time: 10

Total Time 35

Servings servings

Calories 404kcal

Author Andrea + Stef

Equipment

Blender or Food Processor
Instant Pot
cooking spoon or spatula
meat shredder or two forks

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 yellow onion diced
4 cloves of garlic minced
1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts
3 cups chicken broth
3 cans Great Northern Beans drained and rinsed
1 can yellow corn drained
1 red bell pepper diced
1 can chopped green chilies (4.5 oz)
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 lime juiced

Optional Garnish:

jalapeño sliced
sour cream
tortilla strips
queso fresco cheese crumbles
cilantro chopped

Instructions

Blend one rinsed can of beans plus 1 tablespoon of water in a blender. Set aside.
Heat Instant Pot on saute setting.
Add oil to pot once it’s hot. Saute onion in the oil for 5 minutes. Stirring frequently.
Add the garlic for 1 minute. Stir continually so it doesn’t burn.
Add the rest of the ingredients, including blended beans. Stir.
Close and lock the lid. Set vent to sealed.
Pressure cook on high for 15 minutes. Natural release 10 minutes.
Carefully switch vent to open to release remaining steam. Once steam is released, unlock and remove the lid.
Remove chicken, shred. Return to pot.
Add juice of 1 lime, and salt and pepper to taste.
Serve with cilantro, queso fresco, jalapeños, tortilla strips and sour cream, if desired.

Notes

If you prefer, skip blending one can of beans and add those beans whole to the soup. The blended beans thicken the soup slightly and add protein to the broth.
You can also use frozen corn if you prefer.

Nutrition

The post Instant Pot White Chicken Chili appeared first on Family Dinners.