Chicken Casserole

We have been wanting to make healthy Chicken Pot Pie recipe.  That is coming someday.  In the meanwhile, I wanted to make a lighter version of the Steak Tips with Mushroom Gravy.  So this is kinda a second generation recipe from Cooking Light!  This new dish, called Chicken Casserole, is pretty healthy and is really quite good over noodles.  We definitely liked it - a great comfort food for a cold day.  I figure it will reheat very well for lunch.  This was definitely a very good meal and we will try it again.  It is a nice healthy alternative to the Cream of Mushroom based casseroles for sure.

Ingredients (Makes around 4 servings - perfectly served over noodles, rice or with mashed potatoes).

2 tbsp Olive oil, divided
2 Chicken breasts, trimmed of fat and cut into think strips
1/2 tsp black pepper, divided
1/2 tsp Kosher salt, divided
1 Onion (small), finely chopped
1 (8-ounce) package White or Baby Bella mushrooms, sliced
2 cups Frozen peas and carrots (or mixed frozen vegetables)
2 tsp Garlic, chopped
2 tbsp Cooking sherry
4 tbsp Flour (all-purpose)
1/2 tsp Thyme (dried)
1/2 tsp Celery seeds
1 1/2 cups Beef broth

Directions (you are on your own for noodles, rice or potatoes)

1. Season the chicken with 1/4 tsp kosher salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
2. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray and add steak. Sauté for around 7 minutes until it is browned on both sides. Remove chicken (with any juices) from pan and cover with foil to keep warm.
3. Heat remaining olive oil in the same pan over medium-high heat. Add chopped onions, mushrooms , and frozen peas and carrots (or vegetables) and sauté for 4-5 minutes.
4. Add garlic and cooking sherry and sauté for around 30 seconds (until mixed).
5. Sprinkle flour, thyme, celery seeds, and both the remaining pepper & kosher salt over mushroom mixture and cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Then gradually add the chicken broth, stirring constantly. Bring the mushroom mix to a boil and cook 2-3 minutes or until thickened. Return chicken to pan and cook 1 minute longer.

Serve over noodles, rice or potatoes.

Enjoy!

Roasted Tilapia with Potatoes and Carrots

I have been playing with different Tilapia recipes at home.  I decided to go this route when I looked at what I could make without buying anything new.  I wanted to try something a bit different - and we love the way that the carrots taste when cooked.  This is a variation - but the carrots really give it a great taste.

Ingredients (Serves 4):
1 1/2 lbs Red-skinned potatoes, quartered
3/4 lbs Carrots, baby-cut, larger ones sliced in half lengthwise
1 lemon, thickly sliced
1 tsp Thyme leaves, dried
1/2 tsp Dill weed
3 tbsp Olive oil
1/2 tsp Kosher salt (or to taste), divided
1/2 tsp Black pepper (or to taste), divided
1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted
4 Skinless tilapia fillets (about 1 lbs)
1/2 tsp Paprika


Directions:
1. Heat oven to 400° F.
2. On a large rimmed baking sheet, toss the potatoes, carrots, lemon, thyme, 1/2 tsp dill weed, 3 tablespoons oil, and 1/4 tsp each of kosher salt and black pepper. Arrange in a single layer.
3. Roast for 20 minutes, stirring after 10 minutes.
4. Then toss the olives with the potato mixture and move to the outside of the pan. Place the tilapia fillets in the center. Season the fish with the paprika and the remaining 1/4 tsp of kosher salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
5. Continue to roast for around 14 to 16 minutes - the fish will be opaque throughout.

Enjoy!