Chicken Pesto Panini

Oh, how I love a good sandwich, and I REALLY loved this one!!!  The original recipe from Damn Delicious was for a Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Pesto Panini.  I've said it before and I'll say it again...I love anything with Peso.  So, I thought I'd give this sandwich a try, but I substituted the turkey for baked chicken breast and it turned out AMAZING!!  I didn't even get to add the avocado to mine (it was bad when I cut into it..boo!) and it was still amazing.  So, if you love a good sandwich and you love pesto, you will LOVE this!

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Chicken Pesto Panini

1 Tbsp olive oil

1 loaf of French bread cut into 4 equal pieces

1/2 cup pesto

4-8 ounces mozzarella, sliced

2 cups sliced baked chicken

2 roma tomatoes, sliced

1 avocado, sliced

Heat olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat.  Spread pesto over each side of French bread.  Top with mozzarella, chicken, tomatoes, avocado, and top half of bread.  Repeat for remaining sandwiches.  Add sandwich to a pan and grill until bread is golden and the cheese is melted, about 2-3 minutes per side.

This really is amazing!!  Enjoy!  :)

Fruit Flowers...a Spring Snack!

My son came to me this morning with a picture of a "recipe" out of his Humpty Dumpty kids magazine.  He really wanted to make these "flowers" and I couldn't resist his request!  So, if you need a little Spring treat for your little one, or just a healthy snack for yourself, whip these up today!  :)

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Fruit Flowers

Graham Crackers

Peanut Butter

Raisins

Apple slices (thinly sliced)

Grapes (halved)

Banana slices

Spread peanut butter on the top of a graham cracker and let your little one build their own "flower" to eat!  You could even slice a bell pepper or use a stick of celery as a stem.  :)

Enjoy!  :)

Chicken Fajita Sizzling Salad with Cilantro-Lime Vinaigrette

I love a great salad.  I love ordering salads at restaurants.  It is actually one of my favorite things to eat.  But...I never seem to make great salads.  They just never have the wow that I taste when I order them out.  Until now!  I got this from Iowa Girl Eats and oh my it is good!!  If you love a great salad too, then give this one a try!!  Don't let the ingredient list or steps scare you...it isn't bad!

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Chicken Fajita Sizzling Salad with Cilantro-Lime Vinaigrette

For the marinade:

Juice of 1/2 a lime

1-1/2 tbsp olive oil

1 garlic clove, crushed

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp cumin

1/4 tsp chili powder

1/2 jalapeno, seeded and chopped

2 tbsp chopped cilantro

Combine marinade ingredients in a large bowl, then add two sliced chicken breasts and toss to coat.  Cover then let sit and marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes.

 For the Cilantro-Lime Vinaigrette
Juice of 1/2 lime
1/4 cup cilantro
2 tbsp canola or vegetable oil
1 tbsp red wine vinegar
1 garlic clove
salt and pepper

Combine ingredients in a food processor or blender and process until smooth. Set aside.

 For salad:

2 chicken breasts, sliced

1/2 onion, thinly sliced

1 zucchini, but into sticks

1 tbsp canola or vegetable oil, divided

6 cups chopped romaine lettuce

1 tomato, cut into wedges

1/2 avocado, chopped (I used a whole avocado!)

Divide lettuce, tomatoes, and avocado between two plates.

 Heat 1/2 tbsp oil in a large skillet.  Remove garlic clove from chicken then carefully add in one layer on the bottom and cook for 1 minute undisturbed.  Stir then saute until cooked through, about a minute or two.  Remove chicken to a plate and set aside.

 Heat remaining 1/2 tbsp oil in skillet and add onions and zucchini.  Cook for 1 minute undisturbed, then stir and saute until tender, about another minute.  Add chicken back into the pot and stir to combine.

 Top salad with cooked chicken mixture and drizzle with Cilantro-Lime Vinaigrette.  

This is so delicious!!!!  The dressing is amazing as is the marinade.  Enjoy!  :)

Balsamic Chicken with Asparagus

I pinned this recipe from Maggie's Bites and oh my goodness, it was GOOD!!!  It is so light, but full of flavor at the same time.  Her website says this dish only has 335 calories, so if you are watching your calorie intake, and want a seriously yummy dinner, try this!!  

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Balsamic Chicken with Asparagus

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts

1 bunch fresh asparagus

1 pint grape tomatoes

4 ounces mozzarella cheese

1/2 cup, plus 2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar

1/4 cup, plus 1 tsp olive oil

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/4 tsp pepper

Combine 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar, 1/4 cup olive oil, garlic powder and pepper in a ziploc bag.  Add in chicken breasts and marinate for 30 minutes to overnight.  After marinating, grill chicken.  

Preheat oven to 400.  Line a cookie sheet with foil, wash and break off rough ends of asparagus and place on cookie sheet. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt, and bake for 8-10 minutes until tender.

In a pan, place sliced grape tomatoes with 1 tsp olive oil and 2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar.  Cook for a few minutes until the tomatoes start to get soft.

Place chicken and asparagus on a dish, top with tomatoes and mozzarella, and drizzle with the extra balsamic mixture from the tomatoes. Look how good this looks:

Seriously, delicious!  So light and fresh and full of flavor!!  Enjoy!  :)