Marry Me Chicken features golden chicken breasts simmered in a medley of bold ingredients like bacon, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes and more! This one pan chicken recipe is served smothered in a creamy sauce that’s so good, you may just hear wedding bells.

Enjoy more easy chicken breast recipes like Crockpot Tuscan Chicken, Baked Monterey Chicken and Chicken Caprese Skillet.

Marry me chicken is so worth the hype! This is one of those tried and true chicken recipes that everyone swears by, and there are so many reasons why it’s beloved.

And yes… Just as the name suggests, it’s been said that it’s so good that your meal might just end with a proposal.

It’s easy, creamy, filling, flavorful, and made all in one pan. This marry me chicken recipe checks all of the right boxes!

Why we love it:

• One pan dinner: Easy to make and even easier to clean up. That’s two big wins in my kitchen!
• So creamy: Thanks to the heavy cream that gets stirred in at the end, this chicken recipe is delightfully creamy.
• Flavorful: Oh yes. There are a lot of ingredients that’ll make your mouth water! Garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, bacon and more create a medley of seriously satisfying flavors.
• Versatile: There are quite a few ways to customize this recipe to best fit your tastes. Scroll down to check out some of my recommended variations to try.

Marry Me Chicken Ingredients:

• Chicken Breasts: You can swap these with thighs if you’d like.
• Chicken Broth: I recommend using low-sodium broth and sprinkling in more salt as needed.
• Cream: Heavy cream is recommended for the thickest, creamiest results! A lighter cream may be used but the final results won’t be as creamy.
• Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Make sure to drain them well prior to chopping and using.
• Tomato Paste: This enhances the tomato flavor in a wonderful way!
• Cornstarch: This is used to thicken the sauce.
• Bacon: This adds a great savory and salty flavor to the dish. Feel free to omit or swap with pancetta or turkey bacon if preferred.
• Onion: A white or yellow onion both work very well.
• Garlic: Feel free to measure with your heart!
• Seasonings: Add the best flavor to your marry me chicken with red pepper flakes, salt, parsley, oregano and thyme. Adjust as needed.

How to make Marry Me Chicken:

Here’s a quick look at how to make this marry me chicken recipe! Scroll to the bottom of this page for detailed ingredients and step-by-step instructions.

• Flatten the chicken just enough so that each breast has an even thickness.
• Season and sear the chicken until golden on each side.

• Sauté the bacon and onions.
• Stir in the garlic, herbs and seasonings.

• Stir in the tomato paste and sun-dried tomatoes.
• Stir in the flour (or cornstarch slurry). Whisk in the broth and heavy cream, reduce the heat, and add the chicken back in.
• Cover and cook for about 10-12 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked.

Variations and Substitutions

• Swap the flour. This can easily be swapped with corn starch if that’s what you have on hand. Just whisk it into an equal portion of liquid before stirring it in.
• Use chicken thighs. If you choose to use thighs instead of breasts, just make sure they’re boneless and skinless.
• No bacon? No problem. You can omit this ingredient entirely if you’d like. It adds an amazing flavor, but you don’t need to use it if you don’t want to. Or, swap it with turkey bacon!
• Turn up the heat. I add just enough red pepper flakes to create flavor without making it spicy. Feel free to kick things up a notch by adding more red pepper flakes.

How to Store Marry Me Chicken

If you have any leftovers, you’re in luck! Marry me chicken keeps very well in the fridge for about 3-4 days. Just make sure it’s in an airtight container.

You can reheat your chicken with a splash of broth or water in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time until warmed through. Try to be careful so you don’t scald the creamy sauce.

Can I freeze Marry Me Chicken?

Sure thing! Let the sauce and chicken all fully cool to room temperature prior to storing in an airtight, freezer safe container for up to 3 months. Don’t forget to date and label! Let the chicken slowly thaw in the fridge prior to reheating.

How can I thicken the sauce?

If you notice that your sauce is on the thinner side, have no fear! You can always create a slurry (cornstarch and broth) and stir in a little bit at a time until the desired consistency is reached.

What to serve with Marry Me Chicken:

Serve marry me chicken over something hearty that’ll help you soak up every last drop of that delicious sun-dried tomato cream sauce! Buttered Noodles, Baked Rice, or mashed potatoes are all popular choices. I also like to lighten up my plate with a veggie side dish like air fryer broccoli.

More chicken dinner recipes!

• Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken Breasts — perfect over pasta!
• Baked Tuscan Chicken Breasts — no standing over the oven.
• JUICY Air Fryer Chicken Breast — SO easy and flavorful!
• Creamy Garlic Chicken — totally decadent and garlicky!

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Marry Me Chicken recipe

Marry Me Chicken features golden chicken breasts simmered in a medley of bold ingredients like bacon, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes and more! This one pan chicken recipe is served smothered in a creamy sauce that's so good, you may just hear wedding bells.

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Diet Gluten Free

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes minutes

Total Time 30 minutes minutes

Servings 4 servings

Calories 430cal

Author Ashley Fehr

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon oil
• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (2 lb)
• salt and pepper
• 2 slices thick cut bacon (chopped)
• ½ medium onion (finely chopped)
• 2 cloves garlic (finely minced)
• ½ teaspoon oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• ¼ teaspoon thyme
• 1 pinch red pepper flakes
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup sun dried tomatoes (drained and chopped)
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon flour
• ¾ cup low sodium chicken broth
• ¾ cup heavy cream
• parmesan and fresh parsley for serving (optional)

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the oil.
• Place chicken breasts on a large cutting board, cover with plastic wrap and flatten the thicker end slightly so they are an even width).
• Season chicken lightly with salt and pepper and sear on both sides until light golden, about 3 minutes per side. Remove to a plate and keep warm.
• Add bacon to the pan and cook until starting to brown, about 2-3 minutes. Add the onion and cook until translucent and starting to brown.
• Stir in garlic, oregano, parsley, thyme, red pepper flakes and salt and cook 1 minute. Add sun dried tomatoes and tomato paste and cook 1 more minute.
• Stir in the flour until absorbed. Whisk in broth and cream and reduce heat to medium.
• Add the chicken back in, cover and cook until an internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F, about 10-12 minutes.
• Serve over pasta, rice or mashed potatoes.

Video

Notes

Ingredients and Substitutions:

Chicken: feel free to swap the chicken breasts for boneless, skinless chicken thighs if you prefer. 

Bacon and onion: you can omit one or both of these, but they add significant flavor to the base of our sauce. 

Herbs and seasonings: feel free to experiment with the herbs you have around the house, and swap in fresh herbs if they’re in season. Kick things up a notch by increasing the red chili flakes if that’s your style.

Flour: flour thickens our sauce. If you need a gluten-free alternative, you can whisk together one tablespoon of corn starch and one tablespoon of broth and stir that into the sauce.

Broth: I always choose low sodium broth. If you are using salted broth, you may want to reduce the added salt and season at the end before serving.

Heavy cream: heavy cream thickens and reduces nicely, adding richness to the sauce. If you use a lighter cream, you can expect a thinner sauce.

Nutrition

Serving: 191grams | Calories: 430cal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 135mg | Sodium: 461mg | Potassium: 844mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 836IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 58mg | Iron: 2mg

The post Marry Me Chicken appeared first on The Recipe Rebel.

This Tuscan Chicken Pasta Bake is cheesy, creamy, and so flavorful! Penne pasta is baked in the best homemade sauce and made hearty with bites of chicken spread throughout. Perfect for those crazy weeknights when you need something comforting and easy!

Enjoy more of my favorite pasta recipes like Three Cheese Gnocchi Bake, Creamy Gemelli Pasta and Orecchiette Pasta with Sausage.

As the weather drops, it’s time to whip out all of our favorite comfort food recipes! This creamy chicken pasta bake is stick-to-your-ribs comforting in the very best way.

It checks all the right boxes – creamy, cheesy, chicken-y, and SO easy. There’s a whole lot to love about this Tuscan chicken pasta!

Why we love it:

• Easy-Peasy – Yes! This recipe really simplifies the process of making homemade pasta sauce. Once you’ve got your sauce, noodles and chicken ready, you just toss it all together and let the oven do the rest of the work for you.
• Cheesy and Creamy – Ingredients like parmesan, mozzarella and heavy cream come together to create the best cheesy flavor and creamy consistency.
• Sneaky Spinach – If you have a picky eater seated at the table, have no fear. The spinach in this pasta bake recipe is so sneaky, they might not even notice it in there!
• It’s make-ahead-able! This recipe can be prepped right up to the point of baking, then refrigerated or frozen until you’re ready to bake it. More on this below 😉

Ingredients Needed for Tuscan Chicken Pasta Bake

• Pasta: It’s best to use a short pasta like penne, fusili or something similar so it really grips the sauce.
• Oil: Use a neutral oil like canola, olive or avocado.
• Chicken: As long as it’s boneless and skinless, it’ll work! Feel free to use either breast or thigh meat.
• Salt and Pepper: Just a few shakes of each, to taste.
• Butter: You can use salted or unsalted depending on what you prefer.
• Sun-Dried Tomatoes: This is what really creates that Tuscan flair! Be sure to thoroughly drain them before chopping.
• Garlic: Fresh garlic is preferred over pre-minced.
• Seasonings: You’ll need a simple medley of Italian seasoning, oregano, and crushed red pepper flakes.
• Broth: Low-sodium chicken broth creates great flavor without adding any more salt.
• Heavy Cream: To maintain that thick and creamy consistency, I don’t recommend swapping this ingredient with any other dairy product. If you must, a lighter cream can work (but the sauce will be thinner) or a lactose-free heavy cream will also work.
• Parmesan Cheese: If possible, try to freshly shred your own parmesan right off the block for the best flavor and texture.
• Mozzarella Cheese: This really seals the deal on that cheesy goodness!
• Fresh Spinach: for color and added nutrition!

How to make Tuscan Chicken Pasta Bake

This pasta bake recipe comes together in no time! Here’s a little sneak peek at the process. Scroll down to the recipe card for more info!

Before you get started, make sure you have all of your ingredients prepared and ready. It’s a fast moving recipe.

• Cook pasta to al dente and add to the baking dish.
• Season your chicken with a little salt and pepper, then toss it into a pan over medium heat and cook until lightly browned on all sides. Remove from the pan and set aside.

• In the same pan, melt some butter and add the sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and seasonings. Cook for just a minute or two before stirring in the flour and cooking until absorbed.
• Slowly whisk in the broth and heavy cream. Cook until thickened.

• Stir in the parmesan and spinach
• Combine sauce with pasta and chicken in the baking dish. Top with more cheese and bake!

Variations and Substitutions

• Add more veggies: This recipe is pretty versatile. Dress it up even more with some mushrooms, tomatoes, broccoli, kale, or whatever else your heart desires!
• Change up the chicken: If you have any leftover Instant Pot Chicken Breast or Shredded Chicken, this is a great recipe to use it with.
• Broth: You can use vegetable broth instead if preferred. In fact, you can make the whole recipe vegetarian-friendly by omitting the chicken and swapping the broth.

How to store Tuscan Chicken Pasta Bake

Once it’s totally cooled to room temperature, you can store this chicken pasta bake in an airtight container in the fridge for about 2-3 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time until warmed all the way through.

Can I make this ahead?

You can easily prep it and freeze it to finish making later!

Prep the recipe up to the point of baking, then cover with plastic wrap or tin foil. Refrigerate up to 4 days before baking!

Can I freeze Tuscan Chicken Pasta Bake?

Yes, definitely! High fat dairy always freezes best, so I would avoid freezing this if you swap out the heavy cream.

Assemble the casserole as instructed, but without the cheese topping. Do not bake. Once it’s cooled to room temp, wrap it in plastic wrap and foil. Store in the freezer for 2-3 months. When you’re ready to serve it, add the cheese and let it thaw in the fridge overnight before baking.

Serving suggestions:

Tuscan chicken pasta is pretty heavy, so lighten up your plate with a veggie side dish like Cheesy Baked Asparagus or Air Fryer Green Beans!

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Tuscan Chicken Pasta Bake

This Tuscan Chicken Pasta Bake is cheesy, creamy, and so flavorful! Penne pasta is baked in the best homemade sauce and made hearty with bites of chicken spread throughout. Perfect for those crazy weeknights when you need something comforting and easy!

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Diet Gluten Free

Prep Time 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 50 minutes minutes

Servings 8 servings

Calories 637cal

Author Ashley Fehr

Ingredients

• 5 cups short pasta (340-390 grams) penne, fusili or similar
• 1 tablespoon oil
• 1 lb boneless skinless chicken (about 2-3 breasts or 6 thighs)
• salt and pepper

Pasta Sauce:

• ¼ cup butter
• ¼ cup sun dried tomatoes drained and chopped
• 2-3 cloves garlic minced
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• ⅛ – ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon pepper
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 1 ½ cups low sodium chicken broth
• 1 ½ cups heavy cream
• ¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
• 2 cups chopped fresh spinach

Pasta Bake

• 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

• Lightly grease one 9×13″ baking dish or two 8×8″ baking dishes. Turn the oven to 375 degrees F if cooking right away (instructions for making ahead or freezing below).
• Cook the pasta according to package directions (just to al dente), drain and place in the baking dish.

Make the pasta sauce

• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the oil. Cut chicken into ½ – ¾" pieces.
• Season the chicken lightly with salt and pepper and cook until lightly browned on all sides and cooked through (about 5-6 minutes). Place in the baking dish with the pasta.
• In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat.
• Add the sun dried tomatoes, garlic, Italian seasoning, oregano, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes and cook 1-2 minutes.
• Stir in the flour until absorbed, and cook 1-2 minutes.
• Gradually whisk in the broth and cream until combined and smooth. Cook over medium heat, stirring often, until slightly thickened.
• Stir in the ¼ cup Parmesan cheese and spinach, then pour over the pasta and chicken in the baking dish. Stir to combine.
• Top with mozzarella and 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese.
• Follow directions below to store for later, or cover with foil and bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes until hot and bubbly, then broil to brown the cheese if desired.
• Serve.

Video

Notes

Ingredients and Substitutions:

• Pasta: any variety of pasta will work here, but I find short (but not too small) types work the best. Feel free to swap with gluten-free or whole grain pasta if desired.
• Chicken: we usually use chicken breasts in this recipe, but it’s also a great recipe if you have leftover Baked Chicken Breast or Crockpot Shredded Chicken. Feel free to leave it out for a meatless version or use Italian sausage, cooked bacon, or canned white beans instead.
• Broth: I always choose low sodium broth and adjust the salt as needed. If using salted broth, you may need to adjust the salt content. Feel free to swap for vegetable broth if needed. 
• Cream: heavy cream creates a rich sauce and doesn’t break when cooking. If you want to swap for a lighter sauce, choose evaporated milk instead of regular milk. Regular milk can curdle when cooked. 
• Spinach: fresh spinach adds a great pop of color and nutrition but there are lots of vegetables that work great in here! Tomatoes, mushrooms, kale, broccoli, peppers, and more. Be sure to cook the vegetables first unless they cook in just a couple minutes. 

To make ahead:

1. Refrigerator. Assemble the casserole, but don’t bake. Wrap tightly and store in the fridge for up to 2 days. When you’re ready to serve, just follow the baking instructions. You may need to add a splash of water or broth to thin the sauce.
2. Freezer. Assemble the casserole without the cheese topping, and don’t bake. Cool completely, then wrap in plastic wrap and foil and store in the freezer for 2-3 months. When you’re ready to serve, add the cheese. To reheat, thaw it completely in the fridge overnight for best results, then remove the plastic wrap and follow the baking instructions (recommended for the best texture.) 

 

Nutrition

Serving: 236grams | Calories: 637cal | Carbohydrates: 57g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 18g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 122mg | Sodium: 430mg | Potassium: 633mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1778IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 217mg | Iron: 2mg

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This Pizza Toast is an easy dinner recipe hack made with store-bought garlic bread, pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese and your choice of toppings! An easy meal or snack for busy weeknights!

School is back in session which means we need all the easy recipes! This Pizza Toast is a favorite here — our kids especially love it because they can all make their own and add their own toppings.

One of my favorite hacks is starting out with store bought garlic bread. It makes these pizza toasts super quick and adds lots of flavor to the base!

I also love that these little toasts have it all: carbs, grains, protein, dairy and veggies — if you can convince the kids to put them on there 😉.

They are a complete meal-in-one that’s made with just a few minutes of prep!

Ingredients Needed:

• Store bought garlic bread makes this recipe so simple! You can make your own garlic bread if you prefer, but we love this hack for an easy weeknight meal or after school snack.
• Pizza sauce: choose your favorite!
• Mozzarella and parmesan cheese: mozzarella gives us that traditional stretchy, gooey pizza cheese pull and parmesan adds a nice hit of salty flavor.
• Optional toppings: pepperoni slices are always a favorite here, but you can stick with just cheese or add tomato slices and fresh basil to make a margherita pizza.
• Oregano: this is optional but I like to a sprinkle of oregano with the parmesan for extra flavor.

How to make Pizza Toast:

This recipe is great for kids or adults since it is so simple! It’s the perfect quick meal or snack for a busy day.

1. Toast garlic bread briefly on both sides — this keeps it from getting soggy when you top it.
2. Spread with your favorite pizza sauce.

3. Top with shredded cheese
4. Add your favorite toppings and bake!

Pizza Toast FAQs

Variations on this Pizza Toast recipe:

• Switch up the sauce: try Alfredo sauce from this Chicken Alfredo Pizza, or basil pesto or a spicy Arrabiata!
• Switch up the cheese: try gouda, havarti, monterey jack, brie — get a little crazy if you like!
• Add your favorite toppings: cooked Italian sausage, shredded chicken, crispy bacon, cooked ground beef, peppers, mushrooms, spinach — the options are nearly endless!
• Add a drizzle: balsamic glaze, hot honey or — YES — ranch are always great options!

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Pizza Toast

This Pizza Toast is an easy dinner recipe hack made with store-bought garlic bread, pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese and your choice of toppings! An easy meal or snack for busy weeknights!

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Diet Vegetarian

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 30 minutes minutes

Servings 8 servings

Calories 264cal

Author Ashley Fehr

Ingredients

• 8 slices store bought garlic bread
• 8 tablespoons marinara sauce
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 tablespoon shredded Parmesan cheese
• ¼ teaspoon dried oregano

Optional toppings:

• Sliced tomatoes and fresh basil for a margherita pizza
• Pepperoni slices for a pepperoni pizza toast

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Place 8 slices of garlic bread in a single layer and bake for 10-15 minutes, flipping once, until lightly toasted on both sides.
• Spread one tablespoon sauce on each piece of Texas toast, then sprinkle the mozzarella evenly over all slices.
• Top with your desired toppings: pepperoni slices or thinly sliced tomatoes (leave off the basil for margherita pizza – we’ll add it later).
• Bake for 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.
• Remove from the oven and sprinkle evenly with Parmesan and oregano.
• Return to the oven and broil for 1-2 minutes until edges are golden brown.
• Sprinkle margherita pizza with thinly slices fresh basil leaves. Optional: sprinkle pepperoni pizza with finely chopped fresh parsley for color.
• Let cool on the pan for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 264cal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 23mg | Sodium: 643mg | Potassium: 143mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 261IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 183mg | Iron: 3mg

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This easy Beef Enchiladas recipe is so packed with flavor, it’s always a hit with my family! Made with lean ground beef, onions, peppers, homemade red enchilada sauce, Monterey Jack cheese, and all the classic flavors you love in Mexican food, they’re healthy AND comforting. 

Of course, I love my classic Easy Chicken Enchiladas with shredded chicken. 

For a bit of a change, we make these easy ground beef enchiladas, and they always go so quickly!

The sauce I’ve used is based on my Easy Enchilada Sauce, so check that post out for more info and ideas on how to use it for other things, too. 

These beef enchiladas means dinner for the whole family is ready in just one hour, so it’s great for busy weeknights. 

This easy dinner recipe is also great for making ahead, as you can freeze your enchiladas before or after baking.

If you love Mexican food like we do, check out my Chicken Enchilada Casserole, Slow Cooker Three Bean Beef Chili, and this Mexican Shepherd’s Pie. 

Ingredients Needed:

• Tomatoes: use canned crushed tomatoes with no added salt for the base of the sauce. You want smooth crushed tomatoes — not chunky.
• Seasoning: a combination of garlic powder, cumin, onion powder, dried oregano, salt, and chipotle powder (or smoked paprika) is all you need for this enchilada sauce. 
• Brown Sugar: this helps to balance out the spices.
• Beef: use lean ground beef for the best flavor. You can also sub in ground turkey or chicken.
• Veggies: onions and green bell peppers add a great savory flavor to the meat mixture. Feel free to experiment and add in extra if you prefer!
• Black Beans: adds protein and a great texture to the enchilada filling. 
• Tortillas: use flour or corn tortillas, or gluten-free tortillas if you prefer. If you’re using corn tortillas, you may want to warm them before rolling.
• Cheese: Monterey Jack cheese is great in these enchiladas, but you can use your favorite kind.
• Garnish: pico de gallo salsa, sour cream, cilantro, lime wedges, or chopped green onions for garnish as desired.

How to Make Beef Enchiladas

This recipe is easy to make! Full instructions are included in the recipe card below.

1. Make enchilada sauce: Combine tomatoes, water, garlic, cumin, onion powder, oregano, salt, and chipotle powder. Taste and adjust to your preferences, adding some brown sugar if needed.
2. Cook beef and veg: Cook the ground beef until browned, along with the onion and peppers, until the vegetables have softened.
3. Add sauce and beans: Stir in some of the enchilada sauce and the black beans.
4. Assemble enchiladas: Divide the beef mixture and some of the cheese between the tortillas and roll them up tightly.
5. Put in dish: Spread some sauce onto the bottom of the casserole dish. Place the enchiladas in the dish.
6. Add sauce: Top with sauce and remaining cheese and bake.

Beef Enchiladas FAQs

Tips and Notes

• Cheese. Try buying a block of cheese that you can grate yourself for the best flavor. Pre-shredded cheese tends to be coated in a floury substance and doesn’t melt as well.
• Onions. I tend to use a white onion here, but you can use a red onion for a slightly milder flavor if you prefer. 
• Yield. This recipe will make 8 enchiladas, you can increase the yield by adding veggies, rice, or more proteins into the filling, or you can double up the recipe and bake two batches!

Beef Enchiladas Variations

• Mix up the meat. These enchiladas would be delicious with ground pork, ground turkey, or shredded chicken.
• Add protein. Use more meat for each of the enchiladas to get more protein, or add more beans like pinto beans, refried beans, white beans, or even lentils. 
• Vegetarian. Make vegetarian enchiladas by omitting the meat and just using beans, veggies, and rice for the filling. 
• Rice. Make the beef filling go further by adding some cooked rice to it. 
• Spice it up. Add some more spice by using cayenne pepper, hot sauce, red pepper flakes, or diced jalapenos in the enchiladas.

Serving Suggestions

These Beef Enchiladas are a great one-dish meal, filled with protein, nutrients, and great flavor. 

We always like to have a bit of something extra on the side though, so try my Air Fryer Green Beans, Corn on the Cob, or Air Fryer Broccoli for more color and nutrients. 

Serve some rice on the side, if you haven’t added any to the enchiladas. Any rice will work well, like my Instant Pot Brown Rice, Instant Pot Jasmine Rice, or Mexican rice for more flavor. 

More Mexican-Inspired Recipes to Try

Dinner

Easy Taco Soup recipe

Breakfast

Breakfast Taco Bites

Dinner

Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos Recipe

Dinner

Mango Salsa Chicken and Rice

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Beef Enchiladas recipe

This easy Beef Enchiladas recipe is so packed with flavor, they're always a hit with my family! Made with lean ground beef, onions, peppers, homemade red enchilada sauce, Monterey Jack cheese, and all the classic flavors you love in Mexican food, they're healthy AND comforting. 

Course Main Course

Cuisine American, Mexican

Diet Gluten Free

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 45 minutes minutes

Total Time 1 hour hour

Servings 8 enchiladas

Calories 374cal

Author Ashley Fehr

Ingredients

Enchilada Sauce

• 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes 798 ml, no salt added
• ½ cup water
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon chipotle powder you can substitute smoked paprika
• brown sugar

Beef Enchiladas

• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 1 medium onion (diced)
• 1 green bell pepper (diced)
• 1 cup black beans (rinsed and drained)
• 8 medium flour or corn tortillas ( about 7" in diameter)
• 3 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• pico de gallo salsa, sour cream, cilantro, lime wedges for garnish as desired

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F and lightly grease a 9×13″ baking dish.
• In a medium bowl, stir together all ingredients for enchilada sauce: tomatoes, water, garlic, cumin, onion powder, oregano, salt, and chipotle powder. Taste and adjust to your preferences. Add 1 teaspoon of brown sugar to balance the acidity of the tomatoes if needed.
• Add ground beef, onion and peppers to a large skillet over medium-heat. Cook, stirring often, until beef is browned and vegetables have softened. Stir in ¾ cup enchilada sauce and beans.
• Assemble the enchiladas: Spread 1 cup of sauce at the bottom of the casserole dish.
• Microwave tortillas for 30 seconds or until warm. This makes them more pliable.
• Divide the beef mixture and half of the cheese between 8 tortillas and roll up tightly. Place in prepared pan.
• Top with sauce (you may not use it all — use as much as you like!) and remaining cheese.
• Bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese is melted and sauce is bubbly.
• Top with preferred garnishes and serve.

Notes

Ingredients and Substitutions:

• Enchilada sauce: you can substitute the homemade enchilada sauce with roughly 3-4 cups of store-bought sauce.
• Ground beef: if you use regular ground beef, you may want to use a paper towel to absorb some of the fat in the pan before adding the enchilada sauce. You can also swap the beef for ground pork, chicken or turkey if you prefer. 
• Beans: you can omit the beans if you don’t like them, but I find you don’t really notice them once everything is cooked together, and they add a ton of protein and fibre!
• Tortillas: I use flour tortillas but corn tortillas would make this recipe easily gluten-free. 
• Cheese: I love Monterey Jack in enchiladas but you can also use Mozzarella or Cheddar if that’s what you have on hand.

Storage:

• Store: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven covered in foil or in the microwave.
• Freeze: Freeze beef enchiladas in a freezer bag or a freezer-safe container for up to 1 month. Defrost thoroughly in the refrigerator and heat through in the microwave or oven until piping hot.

 

Nutrition

Calories: 374cal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 73mg | Sodium: 940mg | Potassium: 630mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 639IU | Vitamin C: 22mg | Calcium: 413mg | Iron: 4mg

The post Beef Enchiladas recipe appeared first on The Recipe Rebel.

This Greek Pasta Salad recipe is flavorful and filling, made with the freshest ingredients and a homemade Greek dressing! It’s very quick and easy to make, perfect to serve as a side dish with a hearty main, or as a light dinner on hot summer days.

Greek Pasta Salad is one of my favorite pasta salad dishes, with plenty of fresh veggies, creamy Feta cheese, and an amazing homemade Greek salad dressing!

I LOVE a good easy pasta salad recipe, sometimes you just can’t beat that combination of tender pasta, with crunchy vegetables.

This is the best Greek pasta salad recipe as it’s so easy to make and has a couple of unique additions that we just love. It may not be an authentic Greek salad, but this is my blog and I make the rules. 😉

It comes together in just 20 minutes, so it’s perfect for busy weeknight dinners, or for prepping lunches for the week.

For more great pasta salad recipes, check out my Creamy Ranch Bowtie Pasta Salad Recipe, this Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad, or this BBQ Chicken Pasta Salad with Tomatoes, Zucchini & Corn, or get even more inspiration from my list of 30+ Pasta Salad Recipes!

Ingredients Needed:

Greek Pasta Salad

• Pasta: I like to use Orzo pasta, but any kind of short pasta will work.
• Cucumber: freshly cubed cucumber will give an instantly fresh flavor and great texture to this salad.
• Cheese: get good quality Greek Feta cheese for the best flavor. Opt for PDO labelled Feta (you will see the red and yellow symbol that says Protected Designation of Origin). It is imported from Greece and of the highest quality!
• Olives: kalamata olives add a great salty and savory flavor, classic to Mediterranean cuisine.
• Sun-Dried Tomatoes: they add a rich and tangy flavor to the pasta salad. You can swap for fresh cherry tomatoes if you prefer.
• Fresh herbs: you can use fresh basil or fresh parsley for extra flavor if you wish.
• Pepper: freshly cracked black pepper will add a slight kick to the dish (be sure to add it to your tastes).

Dressing

• Oil: use a good quality extra virgin olive oil for a classic Greek flavor.
• Lemon Juice: fresh lemon juice will work best, so get a fresh lemon and start squeezing!
• Seasoning: use kosher salt, dried oregano, and freshly pressed or minced garlic is all you need for this flavorful dressing.

How to Make Greek Pasta Salad

This recipe couldn’t be easier! Full instructions are included in the recipe card below.

1. Make the dressing: Stir together the oil, lemon juice, salt, oregano, and garlic in a small bowl.
2. Combine ingredients. Mix together the cooked pasta, cucumber, Feta, olives, tomatoes, and chopped fresh basil. Add the dressing and toss well.

Greek Pasta Salad FAQs

Tips and Notes

• Pasta. For the quantities used, this recipe will work best with short cut pasta or small pasta shapes. You can use any kind of pasta for this dish, but if you use a larger size of pasta, the overall texture will be different. Just be sure to cook the pasta al dente for the best results!
• Feta. Whatever you do, choose good (real!) salty Feta cheese. No pre-crumbled Feta cheese here. Buy a good block and crumble or cube some to add in and you won’t regret it.
• Fresh herbs. I love basil in this, but fresh parsley is another great addition. It adds a lovely pop of flavor but isn’t 100% necessary.

Greek Pasta Salad Variations

• Mix up the veggies. You can use your favorite salad veggies here. Some chopped celery, green bell pepper, red onion, or sweetcorn would all add a slightly different flavor and texture to the salad.
• Sun-dried tomatoes. Maybe an unexpected ingredient, but I love the flavor in this dish more than fresh! Feel free to swap with fresh, halved cherry tomatoes if you prefer.
• Olive oil. olive oil adds more flavor than you might think, so use it if you can. If not, you can substitute with another oil, just keep in mind this will be a predominant flavor in the dressing.
• Lemon juice. as much as I feel lemon juice is a must here, you can swap it with red wine vinegar or white vinegar. (Like it tangy? You can even add a bit of both)!
• Dressing. You can swap the homemade dressing recipe for a bottle of store-bought Greek salad dressing in a pinch.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this classic pasta salad as a main dish for a lighter meal, or serve it on the side to make a complete meal of another main course like these Grilled Chicken Thighs, or Slow Cooker Chicken Breast.

In our home, our dinner table is never without a side of bread. Some of our favorites are my Cheesy Garlic Bread, No Knead Artisan Bread, and my Homemade Breadsticks.

More Easy Pasta Recipes to Try

Dinner

Garlic Parmesan Orzo Pasta recipe

Pasta

BEST Hamburger Helper Recipe

Dinner

Easy Lasagna Recipe

Dinner

Pasta Fagioli (Pasta Fazool)

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Greek Pasta Salad

This Greek Pasta Salad recipe is flavorful and filling, made with the freshest ingredients and a homemade Greek dressing! It's very quick and easy to make, perfect to serve as a side dish with a hearty main, or as a light dinner on hot summer days.

Course Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine Greek

Diet Vegetarian

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 20 minutes minutes

Servings 8 servings

Calories 262cal

Author Ashley Fehr

Ingredients

Greek Pasta Salad

• 340 grams short pasta I like to use orzo about 12 oz
• 1 cup cubed cucumber
• ½ cup Feta cheese crumbled or cubed
• ⅓ cup kalamata olives sliced
• ⅓ cup sun-dried tomatoes roughly chopped
• fresh basil or parsley optional
• freshly cracked black pepper

Greek Salad Dressing

• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 clove garlic pressed or minced

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

• Cook pasta according to package directions and drain. Rinse under cold water and set aside.
• Meanwhile, prepare the remaining salad ingredients.
• Add the cooked pasta to a large bowl with the cucumber, Feta, olives, tomatoes, and some roughly chopped fresh basil.
• Stir together dressing ingredients of oil, lemon juice, salt, oregano, and garlic in a small bowl.
• Pour over pasta salad ingredients in a bowl and toss together. Taste and add freshly cracked black pepper or additional lemon or salt according to your tastes.
• Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 4 days.

Notes

Storage: Store this dish in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. It’s best to store the homemade dressing separately and add it before serving so that the salad doesn’t wilt or soften.

Nutrition

Calories: 262cal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 274mg | Potassium: 238mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 99IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 65mg | Iron: 1mg

The post Greek Pasta Salad appeared first on The Recipe Rebel.

This Greek Chicken Marinade is perfectly seasoned with aromatic garlic, warm oregano, and parsley. Packed with so much flavor, this delicious marinade will take your grilled chicken dinners to the next level!

When it’s warm out, grilled chicken is one of our favorite dinners to enjoy (especially if we can eat it outside while the sun is shining!).

This easy Greek chicken marinade recipe is perfect for making a healthy meal for the whole family with minimal fuss.

Made with very simple ingredients, in under an hour, it’s perfect for a busy weeknight dinner! Serve it with some store bought naan, this Greek Pasta Salad or this Instant Pot Jasmine Rice or Greek Pasta Salad with homemade Lemonade.

Because we’re marinating the chicken in yogurt, which is a foolproof method for making it creamy, juicy, and richly flavored, this Greek chicken is juicy and delicious every time.

It’s a great recipe to meal prep for later in the week because you can make extra marinade and store it to use in another meal a few days later (you can even freeze it — more on that later!).

This Greek marinade recipe is versatile, so you can use fresh herbs instead of dried ones, or change them up to suit your preference.

You can also cook your chicken any way you like — on the stove, in the oven, in the slow cooker, but we love it grilled!

For more Greek-inspired meals, check out my Spicy Baked Feta (Mpougiourdi), and this Feta Pasta with Dill. Alternatively, try another of these Grilled Chicken recipes or this Hawaiian Chicken Recipe for more grilled chicken goodness.

Ingredients Needed:

• Oil: since this is my interpretation of a Greek-style marinade, we are definitely using olive oil. Olive oil does add significant flavor, but you can swap this for another oil you have if you need to.
• Yogurt: only plain yogurt will do here, either Greek-style or Natural yogurt, but you can use any fat percentage: from 0% to ultra thick and rich.
• Lemon: use fresh lemon zest and fresh lemon juice for the best flavor. The acidity will help tenderize the meat.
• Seasoning: use classic Greek flavors with fresh garlic, dried oregano, dried parsley, kosher salt, and black pepper.
• Sugar: white granulated sugar will add a bit of sweetness to the marinade, to counteract the acidity.
• Chicken: I tend to use boneless, skinless chicken breasts, but chicken thighs or chicken with the skin on will work too. You can use chicken with the bone in, but the cook time may vary.

How to Make Greek Chicken Marinade

This recipe is simple to make! Full instructions are included in the recipe card below.

1. Make marinade: Combine marinade ingredients in a Ziploc bag or airtight container.
2. Add chicken: Place chicken in the bag or container, seal it, and shake it to coat the chicken.
3. Marinate: Let the chicken marinate in the refrigerator.
4. Cook chicken: Grill or bake the chicken until fully cooked. Let it rest before serving. 

Greek Chicken Marinade FAQs

Tips and Notes

• Type of Oil. It’s best to use an oil that best compliments the type of food you’re making. Olive oil is best for Greek, Italian, and Mediterranean dishes.
• Fresh Herbs: Got fresh herbs? Wonderful! Use 3 times the amount of fresh herbs (finely chopped) than you would dried ones. 
• Double it up: Make a double batch of this marinade, divide it, and store the excess marinade in an airtight container or jar, in the refrigerator, for up to 3 days to use on another meat later in the week!

Greek Chicken Marinade Variations

• Add some heat. Add some red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, or hot sauce to the marinade, or sprinkle some on top before you cook your chicken to add a spicy kick to the meal.
• Chicken. You can use this marinade with any cut of chicken, or even another meat. It’s one of those great recipes you’ll use again and again for all sorts of foods!

Serving Suggestions

Serve this Greek Chicken Marinade dish with your favorite sides to make a complete meal.

It’s perfect for making Greek chicken gyros and wraps, or try it in one of these Pasta Salad Recipes!

If you’re using an outdoor grill to cook your chicken, you may want to pair it with this Southwest Potato Salad with tomatoes and Corn on the Cob, or another one of my BBQ Sides for Summer!

If you’re cooking it in the oven, or fancy something a bit different, try these Air Fryer Green Beans and Air Fryer Broccoli with this Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes recipe.

More Easy Chicken Recipes to Try

Dinner

Chicken Pot Pie Soup

Dinner

15 Chicken Casserole Recipes

Dinner

Marry Me Chicken

Dinner

JUICY Air Fryer Chicken Breast

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Greek Chicken Marinade

This Greek Chicken Marinade dinner is rich, creamy, and perfectly seasoned with aromatic garlic, warm oregano, and parsley. Packed with so much flavor, this delicious marinade will take your grilled chicken dinners to the next level!

Course Main Course

Cuisine Greek

Diet Gluten Free

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Chilling time 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 55 minutes minutes

Servings 4 servings

Calories 356cal

Author Ashley Fehr

Ingredients

• ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
• ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1 lemon (zested and juiced)
• 4 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 2 lbs chicken (I usually use breasts, but thighs or bone-in chicken will work just fine)

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

• Combine all ingredients in a zip-top plastic bag or a container just big enough to hold your chicken and marinade (too big, and the marinade doesn’t surround the chicken).
• Refrigerate for 30-60 minutes (with the pieces of chicken, I don’t like to let it go longer because the acid can break down the meat too much).
• Use your preferred method of cooking the chicken. Grill or bake at 400 degrees F for about 20 minutes, until a meat thermometer reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
• Let the cooked chicken rest, covered, for 10 minutes before serving.

Video

Notes

*The nutrition information is difficult to estimate on this recipe, as most of the marinade will be discarded.

Stovetop: you can cook this chicken on the stove top in a covered skillet over medium-high heat, flipping once. It will take roughly 5-8 minutes per side depending on the thickness of your chicken.

Slow cooker: you can also cook this chicken in the slow cooker on low for 3 hours-4 hours. 

Storage: Store cooked chicken in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days. You can store the uncooked marinade in the fridge for up to 4 days, to use on other meat, providing it has not already touched any raw chicken.

Freezer: you can freeze cooked chicken in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. You can also freeze uncooked chicken right in the marinade for 3 months as well — it will marinate as it thaws!

 

Nutrition

Calories: 356cal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 50g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 146mg | Sodium: 850mg | Potassium: 922mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 98IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 57mg | Iron: 2mg

The post Greek Chicken Marinade appeared first on The Recipe Rebel.

This Easy Chicken Enchiladas recipe is one we’ve used time and time again to make the BEST chicken enchiladas. Made with tender chicken cooked in enchilada sauce with onions and peppers, corn or flour tortillas and plenty of cheese.

These Chicken Enchiladas are a classic Mexican-inspired dish made with shredded chicken and a homemade (no cook!) red enchilada sauce.

This is one of our favorite go-to recipes for an easy weeknight dinner.

You can customize this recipe by spicing it up, with your own meat and vegetable choices, and using any toppings you like. It’s always a hit!

We love Mexican food, and some of our other favorite recipes are this Slow Cooker Three Bean Beef Chili, my Mexican Shepherd’s Pie, and this Dorito Taco Salad. I’ll never claim to recreate authentic Mexican dishes, but I love being inspired by the spices and ingredients and making these dishes my own.

This Chicken Enchilada Casserole is a deconstructed version of these chicken enchiladas you’ll also love! If you prefer beef over chicken, try my Beef Enchiladas recipe.

Check out this list of Easy One Pot Meals You’ll Actually Want To Eat for more weeknight dinner ideas!

Ingredients Needed:

Enchilada Sauce

• Tomatoes: canned crushed tomatoes are perfect for making enchilada sauce, be sure to use ones with no added salt, so you can control the saltiness of the sauce. You’re looking for smooth crushed tomatoes (no chunks) or a plain tomato sauce.
• Seasoning: use garlic powder, cumin, onion powder, dried oregano, kosher salt, and chipotle powder for a flavorful sauce. You can add a pinch of cinnamon if you prefer.
• Sugar: use brown sugar to balance the acidity of the tomatoes in the sauce if needed. You can use honey if you prefer.

Chicken Enchiladas

• Oil: use olive oil, canola oil, or vegetable oil to sauté the vegetables.
• Onion: adds a great savory flavor base for this dish.
• Pepper: a green bell pepper will add some color and a burst of freshness to these enchiladas, but you can use a yellow or red pepper if you prefer.
• Chicken: use boneless chicken breast to make the shredded chicken. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs also work well!
• Tortillas: we normally use flour tortillas because we prefer them, but corn tortillas are a more traditional choice. Make sure they’re about 7″ in diameter, or that they fit well in the pan you are using.
• Cheese: use a block of Monterey Jack cheese that you shred yourself for the best flavor (and stretchy cheese!). You can swap this for Mozzarella in a pinch.
• Garnish: use pico de gallo salsa, sour cream, chopped green onions, fresh cilantro, or freshly cut lime wedges for garnish.

How to Make Chicken Enchiladas

This recipe is quick and easy to make! Full instructions are included in the recipe card below.

1. Sauté: Sauté onion and peppers until softened.
2. Add chicken and sauce: Add chicken breasts and enchilada sauce, and cook.
3. Shred chicken: Remove chicken from pan and shred it, then stir it back into the skillet.
4. Assemble enchiladas: Make up the tortillas with chicken and cheese.
5. Add to dish: Roll the enchiladas up and put them into the dish with sauce at the bottom.
6. Add sauce and cook: Top with sauce and remaining cheese, cook and serve with your favorite toppings!

Chicken Enchilada Recipe FAQs

Tips and Notes

• Tortillas. Yellow corn tortillas or flour tortillas will work great, although corn tortillas tend to be a little more finicky to work with.
• Sauce: This recipe makes 4 cups of enchilada sauce. To save time you can also use about 4 cups of prepared enchilada sauce.

Chicken Enchiladas Variations

• Meat. Try using a different meat for enchiladas, like my Instant Pot Pulled Pork.
• Vegetables. Swap the bell peppers and onions with other vegetables you enjoy, or add to them. Simply saute whatever you would like to use in the pan before adding the sauce and chicken. This is a great time to add beans as well!
• Beans. Refried beans and black beans are a great way to add more protein to these enchiladas.
• Chicken. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work great as well. You can also substitute this for prepared Shredded Chicken or Crockpot Shredded Chicken if you have some on hand!
• Cheese. Use cheddar cheese, Colby Jack, or a Mexican cheese blend for different flavors.
• Add heat. Make these enchiladas to your preferred spice level, by adding in some cayenne pepper, green chilis, jalapenos, red pepper flakes, or hot sauce to the chicken when cooking it, or to the wraps as you assemble them.

Serving Suggestions

These Chicken Enchiladas are filling and delicious all on their own but served with some sides they can go a bit further and add some variety.

Serve with some vegetable side dishes for added nutrients, like Air Fryer Broccoli, Corn on the Cob, or Air Fryer Green Beans.

You can also serve enchiladas with carby sides like Instant Pot Brown Rice, Garlic Bread, or even Homemade Crescent Rolls.

More Mexican-Inspired Dinner Ideas

Dinner

Easy Taco Soup recipe

Dinner

Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos Recipe

Dinner

Mango Salsa Chicken and Rice

Dinner

Taco Casserole — 9 ingredients & 30 minutes!

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Easy Chicken Enchiladas

This Easy Chicken Enchiladas recipe has been a long time coming to this blog, but it's one we've used time and time again to make the BEST chicken enchiladas. Our whole family loves them, we never have leftovers, and they're also super easy to make.

Course Main Course

Cuisine American, Mexican

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 45 minutes minutes

Total Time 1 hour hour

Servings 4 servings

Calories 681cal

Author Ashley Fehr

Ingredients

Enchilada Sauce*

• 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes 798 ml, no salt added
• 1 cup water
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon chipotle powder you can substitute smoked paprika
• brown sugar

Chicken Enchiladas

• 1 tablespoon oil
• 1 medium onion diced
• 1 green bell pepper diced
• 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts about 1 lb
• 8 medium flour or corn tortillas about 7" in diameter
• 3 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• Garnish pico de gallo salsa, sour cream, cilantro, lime wedges

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F and lightly grease a 9×13″ baking dish.
• In a medium bowl, stir together all ingredients for enchilada sauce: tomatoes, water, garlic, cumin, onion powder, oregano, salt, and chipotle powder. Taste and adjust to your preferences add 1 teaspoon of brown sugar to balance the acidity of the tomatoes if needed.
• Heat a little oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat.
• Add onion and peppers and cook, stirring often, until softened. Add chicken breasts and 1 cup of enchilada sauce.
• Cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer until chicken is cooked through, about 10-15 minutes (it should reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F).
• Remove chicken from pan and shred with two forks. Stir the chicken back into the skillet with the vegetables.
• Assemble the enchiladas: Spread 1 cup of sauce at the bottom of the casserole dish.
• Microwave tortillas for 30 seconds or until warm. This makes them more pliable.
• Divide the chicken mixture and half of the cheese between 8 tortillas and roll up tightly. Place in prepared pan.
• Top with sauce (you may not use it all — use as much as you like!) and remaining cheese.
• Bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese is melted and sauce is bubbly.
• Top with preferred garnishes and serve.

Video

Notes

*Sauce: This recipe makes 4 cups of enchilada sauce. To save time you can also use about 4 cups of prepared enchilada sauce.

• Store: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven covered in foil, or in the microwave.
• Freeze: Freeze chicken enchiladas in a freezer bag or a freezer-safe container for up to 1 month. Defrost thoroughly in the refrigerator and heat through in the microwave or oven until piping hot.

 

Nutrition

Serving: 381grams | Calories: 681cal | Carbohydrates: 50g | Protein: 42g | Fat: 36g | Saturated Fat: 19g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 112mg | Sodium: 1869mg | Potassium: 1052mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 1295IU | Vitamin C: 45mg | Calcium: 817mg | Iron: 6mg

The post Easy Chicken Enchiladas appeared first on The Recipe Rebel.

This easy Enchilada Sauce recipe is perfect for last-minute dinner times. It’s a no-cook recipe, so you can mix your ingredients and go! Quickly store a jar of sauce in the refrigerator, or mix it straight into your enchiladas!

This is our favorite homemade enchilada sauce recipe, and it’s way better than the canned stuff!

We make all sorts of enchiladas around here. We love beef enchiladas but sometimes make them with pulled pork or shredded chicken too (like these tasty Easy Chicken Enchiladas!).

Whatever meat or filling you choose, you can’t beat a homemade sauce made with basic pantry staples.

This is a bit different from other from-scratch recipes as there is no cooking involved at all. It’s an easy recipe – simply put all the ingredients in a bowl and stir!

The sauce will cook through when it is heated in the dish, melding the flavors together and saving you time and energy!

If you love Mexican food, try some of our other favorite recipes like this Classic Three Bean Chili, this Easy Taco Soup, and my delicious Sheet Pan Fajitas.

We also like Cordon Bleu Chicken Enchiladas, which are made with Alfredo sauce instead of tomato sauce for a creamy enchilada dinner.

Finish it off with my Strawberry S’mores Enchiladas for dessert!

Ingredients Needed:

• Tomatoes: use canned crushed tomatoes for this sauce, with no added salt. Plain, unseasoned tomato sauce will work as well.
• Water: simply thins out our sauce to our desired consistency. You could swap for chicken or vegetable broth for added flavor.
• Seasonings: garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, and kosher salt will make a flavorful enchilada sauce.
• Spices: use cumin and chipotle powder (or smoked paprika), as well as ground cinnamon for an added warm flavor. Add in some cayenne pepper too for a spicy sauce.
• Sugar: brown sugar will help to balance the acidity of the tomatoes if needed.

How to Make Enchilada Sauce

This easy red enchilada sauce is quick to make. You’ll find the full recipe in the recipe card below.

• Combine ingredients: Add the following ingredients to a bowl and stir: tomatoes, water, garlic, cumin, onion powder, oregano, salt, and chipotle chili powder.
• Add sugar: Add brown sugar to taste. Add additional spices here if wanting.
• Use: Use sauce straight away, or store it for later.

Enchilada Sauce FAQs

Tips and Notes

• Simmer the sauce on the stove to bring the flavors together before using it if you prefer.
• As this sauce doesn’t require any cooking, I tend to make it as and when I need it. It is a super simple recipe to double or triple for a big batch, and it will last up to 2 weeks in the fridge!

Enchilada Sauce Variations

• Make a green enchilada sauce. Use chopped green chilis and jalapeños instead of canned tomatoes as the base and adjust seasonings to taste.
• Spices and seasonings: Make this recipe your own by adjusting the seasonings to your preference. You can taste as you go.
• Add some heat. Adding red pepper flakes, chili powder, or finely chopped jalapeños depending on your desired spice level.
• Fresh ingredients. Use fresh garlic that you have minced yourself if you prefer.
• Tomatoes: canned crushed tomatoes are my shortcut here, as many recipes use a mixture of tomato paste and water thickened with flour. Use 3 tablespoons of tomato puree paste and 2 additional cups of water or low-sodium vegetable broth. Add a cornstarch slurry to the mix, and cook it on the stovetop or in the microwave to thicken it.

Serving Suggestions

Use this red enchilada sauce in your enchilada recipes using any meat. You can also use it in recipes that call for a tomato salsa sauce, like my delicious Stuffed Pepper Casserole, this Chicken Taco Soup, or my Crockpot Salsa Chicken.

More Sauce and Condiment Recipes You’ll Love

Condiments and Sauces

Easy Homemade Cheese Sauce recipe

Condiments and Sauces

Pineapple Brown Sugar BBQ Sauce

Condiments and Sauces

Mango Salsa

Appetizers

Homemade Salsa Recipe

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Easy Enchilada Sauce Recipe

This easy Enchilada Sauce recipe is perfect for last-minute dinner times. It’s a no-cook recipe, so you can mix your ingredients and go! Quickly store a jar of sauce in the refrigerator, or mix it straight into your enchiladas!

Course Sauces and Condiments

Cuisine Mexican

Diet Gluten Free

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 8 servings

Calories 38cal

Author Ashley Fehr

Ingredients

• 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes 798 ml no salt added
• 1 cup water
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon chipotle powder or smoked paprika
• 1 pinch ground cinnamon optional
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper optional – if you prefer it spicy
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar optional – to balance flavors

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

• In a medium bowl, stir together all ingredients for enchilada sauce: tomatoes, water, garlic, cumin, onion powder, oregano, salt, and chipotle powder.
• Taste and adjust to your preferences add 1 teaspoon of brown sugar to balance the acidity of the tomatoes if needed. Feel free to add additional spices to suit your tastes.
• *You can simmer this sauce on the stove on medium heat to bring the flavors together if you prefer — I simply add it to whatever dish I'm cooking and it heats through during the cooking process.

Notes

Ingredient substitutions:

• Tomatoes: canned crushed tomatoes are my shortcut here, as many recipes use a mixture of tomato paste and water thickened with flour. If you don’t have canned crushed tomatoes, you can use 3 tablespoons of tomato paste and 2 additional cups of water or vegetable broth. You will also need to add a cornstarch slurry and cook it on the stovetop or in the microwave to thicken it.
• Spices and seasonings: this recipe is an easy one to make your own! Feel free to adjust the amounts of the seasonings to suit your tastes. You can taste as you go.

Storage:

• Store: Store enchilada sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
• Freeze: Freeze this sauce for up to 6 months in a freezer-safe container. If freezing it in bags, lie the bags flat to save space – it will also thaw quicker this way.

 

Nutrition

Calories: 38cal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 0.4g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 426mg | Potassium: 316mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 263IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 44mg | Iron: 2mg

The post Easy Enchilada Sauce appeared first on The Recipe Rebel.

This One Pot Sausage and Rice dish has a rich and smoky flavor from the fire-roasted tomatoes, onions, bell peppers, garlic, and yummy smoked sausage.

Ready in just over 30 minutes, it’s a hassle-free dinner that is perfect for a busy weeknight dinner for the whole family!

The busy holidays have come and gone, and we’re all exhausted, right?

We’re getting back into the swing of things with school, lessons, and homework, and somehow it seems like we’re doing more than we did last year!

By the end of the day, we are all hungry, and I sometimes just don’t have it in me to cook for hours to prepare a meal for us all.

Well, enter this One Pan Sausage and Rice dish that has comfort food written all over it!

It’s ready in about 30 minutes, and it requires very little effort.

This dish is packed with delicious smoky and savory flavors, and it’s so filling too. We sometimes add bread or Roasted Green Beans on the side, but it is filling enough on its own.

One pot meals are easy to make, have great flavor, and mean fewer dishes to clean up!

If you love this easy One Pot Meal, you’ll love my Italian Sausage Soup, this Lasagna Soup, my Instant Pot Chicken and Rice, and this Chicken Fajita Pasta.

Ingredients Needed:

• Sausages: use any kind of smoked sausages you like, my favorite is pork, but you can use beef, or a mixture of beef, turkey, and pork. You can also swap Italian sausage, but remember that it is not pre-cooked so you’ll want to cook it thoroughly.
• Vegetables: we will use freshly diced onion, green pepper, and red pepper for a fresh and flavorful dish. Feel free to swap these for your favorites!
• Oil: use canola oil or another neutral-flavored oil. You can use olive oil or butter if you prefer, but the flavor will be slightly different.
• Seasoning: this dish uses a flavorful mix of seasonings, with freshly minced garlic, kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, paprika, and oregano.
• Broth: I used a low-sodium chicken broth for this recipe. If you use a regular broth, you may want to add less salt.
• Tomatoes: canned fire-roasted tomatoes will give a rich smoky tomato flavor that works well with
• Rice: I use long grain white rice for this recipe. If you use long grain brown rice, it may need additional cook time but shouldn’t need extra liquid.

How to Make One Pan Sausage and Rice

This recipe is quick and easy to make. Full instructions are included in the recipe card below.

1. Sauté: Sauté the onion, bell peppers, and sliced sausage.
2. Season: Add garlic, salt, oregano, pepper, paprika, and pepper flakes (if using).
3. Add broth and tomatoes. Add the chicken broth and tomatoes and bring to a simmer.
4. Add rice and cook. Stir in rinsed rice, cover, and cook until al dente.

One Pan Sausage and Rice FAQs

Tips and Notes

• Rice. You can use brown rice in this recipe, but it may need longer to cook (an extra 5-10 minutes). You shouldn’t have to adjust the liquid at all. 
• Use fresh vegetables. Pre-chopped veggies tend to get dry and lose their flavor, so using fresh vegetables that you’ve chopped yourself will taste better. Frozen or canned are a great swap for fresh!

One Pot Sausage and Rice Variations

• Meat. Use any type of smoked sausage you like for this dish, whether it’s cajun sausage, normal pork sausage, beef sausage, or mixed meat smoked sausage. You could even try using Italian sausage, ground sausage, or even leftover Baked Chicken Breast in this dish.
• Mix up the veggies. Use seasonal veggies for this one-pot meal. Add mushrooms, zucchini, or green beans to this dish for more nutrients, or any leftover veggies you have in the fridge!
• Turn up the heat. Add some cayenne pepper, or chili powder to the mix while cooking, or add diced jalapenos with your peppers for some extra heat. You could also use canned tomatoes that have green chilis in them.
• Seasoning. Add some cajun seasoning or some of your favorite herbs for a different flavor.
• Tomatoes. Use a different type of canned tomatoes for extra flavor. Diced tomatoes with habaneros or green chilis will add more spice, whereas cans with lime and cilantro will give burst of freshness and citrus to your dish. Add tomato paste for an even richer tomato flavor.
• Fresh herbs. Add some fresh herbs like cilantro or basil when serving.
• Cheese. Serve topped with some cheddar cheese, a Mexican cheese mix, or shredded mozzarella cheese.

Serving Suggestions

This one-pot sausage and rice dish is hearty and filling, but you can make it go further by adding a few side dishes. Add color and nutrients with these Roasted Carrots or these Roasted Vegetables.

Bread is always a great side for the dinner table too. Try this delicious Garlic Bread, or my Garlic & Herb Dinner Rolls, or even these Homemade Breadsticks.

More One Pot Meals To Try

Dinner

Chicken Pot Pie Soup

Dinner

Garlic Parmesan Orzo Pasta recipe

Pasta

BEST Hamburger Helper Recipe

Chicken

Chicken Gnocchi Soup

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One Pan Sausage and Rice

This One Pot Sausage and Rice dish has a rich and smoky flavor from the fire-roasted tomatoes, onions, bell peppers, garlic, and yummy smoked sausage. Ready in just over 30 minutes, it’s a hassle-free dinner that is perfect for a busy weeknight dinner for the whole family!

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Diet Gluten Free

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 22 minutes minutes

Total Time 32 minutes minutes

Servings 4 servings

Calories 480cal

Author Ashley Fehr

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 2 smoked sausages sliced
• 1 onion finely diced
• 1 green pepper finely diced
• 1 red pepper finely diced
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon oregano
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon paprika
• 1 pinch red pepper flakes optional
• 2½ cups low sodium chicken broth
• 398 ml canned fire-roasted tomatoes 14 oz
• 1½ cups long grain white rice (I used Jasmine)

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

• In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat.
• Add sausages, onion, and peppers and cook until starting to brown, about 4-5 minutes.
• Add garlic, salt, oregano, pepper, paprika, and pepper flakes if using. Cook for 1 minute.
• Rinse the uncooked rice well and drain the water.
• Add chicken broth and tomatoes and bring to a simmer. Stir in rinsed rice, cover, and reduce heat to medium-low.
• Cook, stirring occasionally as the rice cooks until it is al dente, about 12-15 minutes.
• Taste and adjust seasonings to your liking. Serve.

Video

Notes

Storage:

• Store: Store leftovers once they have completely cooled. Put them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
• Freeze: Leftover smoked sausage and rice can be frozen for 2-3 months. Simply store it in a freezer-safe container, or in a freezable bag, and pop it in the freezer! To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge then microwave or warm on the stove with a splash of chicken broth until heated through.

Nutrition

Serving: 420grams | Calories: 480cal | Carbohydrates: 69g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 42mg | Sodium: 1137mg | Potassium: 524mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 1596IU | Vitamin C: 68mg | Calcium: 88mg | Iron: 3mg

The post One Pan Sausage and Rice appeared first on The Recipe Rebel.

This easy Alphabet Soup is loaded with vegetables and alphabet noodles in a rich and flavorful tomato broth! It’s perfect for easy lunches for a busy week. Easily made vegetarian and dairy-free.

There is something so undeniably nostalgic about Alphabet Soup.

Sometimes it surprises me how easy it is to put a smile on the kids’ faces at dinner time — and how much some fun alphabet noodles really make their day!

It’s almost enough to make them overlook all the veggies I cram into this hearty soup.

With a rich and flavorful tomato broth, onions, celery, loads of frozen vegetables (use the ones you love!) and plenty of pasta, this easy Alphabet soup is sure to be a hit with the whole family.

I love that I can pack in all kinds of nutritious things in a meal that I know the kids will enjoy — almost as much as I love that I can pack up the leftovers in their lunches through the week!

This homemade soup is easy enough that you can leave that canned soup on the grocery store shelf 😉 (it’s healthier, too!).

Ingredients Needed:

• Oil: any cooking oil will work just fine here — I usually choose olive oil or canola oil.
• Onion and celery: sautéing the onion and celery give our soup a rich flavor base.
• Tomato paste: tomato paste adds a rich tomato flavor to our broth and thickens it slightly.
• Garlic and seasonings: a combination of fresh garlic, Italian seasoning, thyme, oregano, basil, salt, pepper and bay leaf gives our soup loads of flavor. Feel free to customize these seasonings to your tastes.
• Diced tomatoes: diced tomatoes add texture and a bit of sweetness. If you prefer not to have any chunks, you can use crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce instead.
• Frozen vegetables: use any combination you enjoy! I used peas, carrots, corn and green beans.
• Vegetable broth: vegetable broth makes these soup vegetarian, but you can use chicken broth as well. If you are using low sodium broth, you may want to increase the added salt before serving.
• Alphabet pasta: the star of this show! Alphabet noodles are a must if you ask me but can easily be replaced with any small pasta.

How to make easy Alphabet Soup:

Here’s a quick overview so you can see what it looks like at different stages! See the full step-by-step recipe down in the pink recipe card.

1. Saute onion and celery until softened and beginning to brown slightly.
2. Add in tomato paste and seasonings — adding them before the wet ingredients toasts them to bring out their flavor!
3. Add tomatoes, broth, vegetables and pasta and cook just until the pasta is al dente.
4. Taste and serve! Feel free to adjust any seasonings to your tastes.

Alphabet Soup FAQs:

All you need to know about making this simple alphabet soup recipe!

Variations on this soup recipe:

This homemade Alphabet Soup recipe is easy to make your own! Here are a few ideas to get you starteed:

• Swap the veggies: use your favorites instead of the ones listed here. If you don’t want to use frozen vegetables, you can add 1.5-2 cups of fresh, chopped veggies and saute them with the onion and celery. Keep in mind they will take a little longer to cook.
• Add protein: add a can of beans for a vegan protein, or add in some leftover Crockpot Shredded Chicken, Homemade Meatballs, cooked ground beef, or some leftover rotisserie chicken.
• Add some spice: add a ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper or some red pepper flakes to the soup while it simmers.
• Make it creamy: stir in some cream before serving (my kids love doing this because it helps cool off their soup!) or stir in a bit of cream cheese during the cooking process for thickness and a creamy flavor.

More family-friendly soup recipes you’ll love!

• This Lasagna Soup is one of those soups that doesn’t really feel like soup — it’s thick and hearty, like a big bowl of extra saucy lasagna.
• This Ham and Potato Soup is rich and creamy and always a hit with the family!
• Tomato Tortellini Soup is loaded with cheese tortellini and perfect for dunking a grilled cheese sandwich!

Dinner

Chicken Rice Soup (Stove Top or Slow Cooker)

Chicken

Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Dinner

20 Minute Creamy Tomato Soup

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Easy Alphabet Soup recipe

This easy Alphabet Soup is loaded with vegetables and alphabet noodles in a rich and flavorful tomato broth! It's perfect for easy lunches for a busy week. Easily made vegetarian and dairy-free.

Course Main Course, Soup

Cuisine American

Diet Vegetarian

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 30 minutes minutes

Servings 6 servings

Calories 201cal

Author Ashley Fehr

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons oil
• 1 yellow onion diced
• 2 ribs celery diced
• 3 garlic cloves minced
• 2 tablepsoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon dried basil
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 14 ounce can diced tomatoes (398 ml)
• 1½ cups frozen mixed vegetables (carrots, corn, peas, green beans) about 10 ounces or 280 grams
• 6 cups low sodium vegetable broth (or chicken broth)
• 1 cup alphabet pasta (dry)
• 1 bay leaf
• Fresh parsley for serving
• Grated parmesan cheese for serving

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

• Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add onion and celery and sauté for 5 minutes, until softened and beginning to brown.
• Add in garlic, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, thyme, oregano, basil, salt and pepper and stir well. Cook for 2 minutes.
• Pour in the tomatoes, frozen vegetables, vegetable broth, pasta and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then reduce to low and simmer for 8-10 minutes, until pasta is al dente.
• Remove bay leaf before serving. Serve hot with parsley and grated parmesan cheese.

Notes

Ingredients and Substitutions:

Vegetables: feel free to swap the vegetables for others that you prefer, or add in those you have in the fridge that you need to use up! This recipe is easily customizable. If using fresh vegetables, saute them with the onion and celery before continuing with the recipe.

Broth: you can use chicken broth instead of vegetable broth if you are not worried about making the recipe vegetarian. 

Pasta: any pasta shape will work here but I recommend something quite small so that you can get a bite of everything on one spoon!

Storage: 

Refrigerator: If you know you’re going to be storing this recipe for some time, I recommend cooking the pasta separately as mentioned in the FAQs.
This way you can add pasta to each serving as you eat it — which is great if you prefer al dente pasta. If you don’t mind softer pasta, you can cook this soup and refrigerate for up to 5 days.

Freezer: You can cool this soup to room temperature, then store in a freezer-safe container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Keep in mind that the pasta will be softer after freezing. If this bothers you, cook the soup without the pasta and add cooked pasta just before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 201cal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 0.5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Sodium: 316mg | Potassium: 327mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 2413IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 57mg | Iron: 2mg

The post Easy Alphabet Soup appeared first on The Recipe Rebel.