Roasted Chicken and Vegetables

On my new findings in the blog world I have come across some amazing blogs that talk about eating nourishing foods.  When I come across a new find it is hard to break me away from it.  I love to learn about new things and find some new recipes to try.  Whether it be reminding me of something I already knew or giving me a whole new look on foods I get excited and am ready to be in the kitchen.

One of my new finds was the recipe for Roasted Chicken and Vegetables from Nourishing Days.

I, of course, changed things around for what we had on hand and our preferences.  I like to refer to my version as, Roasted Vegetables and Chicken -we only had two chicken breasts therefore the Vegetable to Chicken ratio was much higher.  The main thing I got from this was the spice rub for the chicken.

Chicken Spice Rub:

1/2 tsp. black pepper
1 tsp. dried thyme (I had a poultry seasoning that had thyme in it so that is what I used)
1/8 tsp. cayenne
1/2 tsp. paprika

-Mix
I had leftovers and have just stored it in a container with my other spices.  This would be worth mixing a few batches and having on hand.

I put two chicken breasts in my crock-pot with a little bit of chicken broth.  I rubbed 2 T. of melted butter (I don't think there really was a need for this since I did it in the crock-pot I just tried to follow the original recipe) on the chicken then rubbed in the spice mixture.  Due to lack of time I started the chicken on my high for 6 hours setting.  I started to prepare the vegetables- cut carrots, red potatoes, onion, and a few cloves of minced garlic.  I eventually added the vegetables with some more chicken broth and water to get a good covering over everything. 

Our house smelled amazing and oddly enough the 2 chicken breasts and lots of veggies filled all 5 of our bellies- little fella doesn't eat chicken and didn't take to the veggies till after a plate of cottage cheese.

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free dinner nights

My husband works at a golf course and about 3 times a week he closes.  Which, in the summer time, means he isn't home till about 8:30-9 p.m.  I have considered these nights to be free dinner nights for the kids and me.  My kids are easy to please and we have some standard and easy dinners for these free nights.

1. Nachos- my oldest could eat these every meal.
Spread tortilla chips, cheese, and black beans on a baking pan and cook at 350 for about 10 minutes.  We add pico-de-gallo, avocado, sour cream, black olives, and sometimes cilantro- if we have it on hand.

2. Quinoa pasta with marinara and steamed broccoli- I don't know what it is about this pasta but my 5 year old can never get enough of it.
Cook pasta according to directions.  Warm up marinara -I blend mine a bit before cooking because we have some with texture issues. This would also be a good time to add some pureed veggies.- Serve with a side of steamed broccoli or simple salad.

3. Quesadillas
Whole wheat tortillas and any kind of cheese.  Warm up tortilla sprinkle on cheese.  Fold over and cook till cheese is melted.  Sides are the same as the Nachos

4. Eggs
Anyway you like them- they make a great fast dinner and eggs are just plain good for you.  We try to eat them everyday.

5. Black beans and cottage cheese
Just that simple- messy, but easy and it is a favorite for my kids since they were all babies.  You can add some cooked rice to- for more mess and nutrition. :)  We usually will have a side of fruit with this.