Easy Dinners

Name: Dutch Oven Chicken Pot Pie
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 Tablespoon, olive oil; 1 clove garlic, minced; 1/2 onion, chopped; 3/4 cup, milk; 1/4 cup, flour; 2 cans, cream of chicken soup; 1 potato, chopped; 16 oz, frozen vegetables (corn and carrots variety); 2 cups, rotisserie chicken, shredded; 1 sheet of frozen puff pastry dough

December 2, 2018 Dinner

Dutch Oven Chicken Pot Pie

You’ll love this Dutch Oven Chicken Pot Pie for an easy dinner that feeds a crowd! Use puff pastry, rotisserie chicken, and frozen vegetables as recipe shortcuts to a delicious, home-cooked meal.

Dutch Oven Pot Pie

Love chicken pot pie but think it’s too much of a hassle? I’m right there with you! This recipe comes together in minutes and bakes up quickly enough to serve on a weeknight. Awesome, right? Use shredded rotisserie chicken, frozen vegetables, and soup for the base, then top it off with puff pastry.

INGREDIENTS

olive oil
garlic
onion
milk
flour
cream of chicken soup
potato
frozen vegetables (corn and carrots variety)
rotisserie chicken
puff pastry dough

HOW DO I MAKE A PUFF PASTRY TOPPED CHICKEN POT PIE?

With a couple short cuts, this recipe comes together in no time at all. Prepare the filling, top with the puff pastry and then bake it. This is a dish that can be served to impress guests or prepared as an easy weeknight meal. Use one of these beautiful, colored dutch ovens and you will even impress with your serving dish.

Yep, this gorgeously golden chicken pot pie can be on your family’s table in about 40 minutes, with only 10 minutes of hands-on time. Check it out!

What are the best things to serve with a dutch oven chicken pot pie?

I really like to let this dish shine on its own, so I serve it with a simple garden salad and a great french bread. With your meat and potatoes all in one dish, this is literally all you need. You don’t really need to serve with bread, because of the pastry topping, but carbs really are great (aren’t they)?!?

What other dutch oven chicken recipes should you be trying?

You can make many things in a dutch oven, including soups, stews, rice dishes, and even risotto. This site has 18 delicious dutch oven chicken dishes recipes that will all impress! I cannot wait to try the Creamy Chicken Risotto and the Lemon Butter Chicken.

Yield: 8 servings

Dutch Oven Chicken Pot Pie

You'll love this Dutch Oven Chicken Pot Pie for an easy dinner that feeds a crowd! Use puff pastry, rotisserie chicken, and frozen vegetables as recipe shortcuts to a delicious, home-cooked meal.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Additional Time 5 minutes

Total Time 45 minutes

Ingredients

1 Tablespoon, olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 onion, chopped
3/4 cup, milk
1/4 cup, flour
2 cans, cream of chicken soup
1 potato, chopped
16 oz, frozen vegetables (corn and carrots variety)
2 cups, rotisserie chicken, shredded
1 sheet of frozen puff pastry dough

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Heat a dutch oven to medium, add olive oil.
Remove puff pastry from freezer, allow to thaw to room temperature. (this makes it easier to handle)
Add onions and garlic to the pot, stirring frequently, for about 5 minutes, or until softened.
Whisk together milk and flour, and add to pot. I am loving these silicone whisks so I don't have to fret about scraping my pans.
Add all other ingredients, except chicken and pastry dough.
Simmer until potatoes are cooked through.
Add chicken to pot, stir to combine.
Unfold puff pastry and using the dutch oven lid as a guide, trim the corners of the rectangular dough to fit the inside of the dutch oven. A rough cut is fine.
Place puff pastry on top of soup mixture in dutch oven and bake pot pie for 30 minutes or until top is golden brown and soup bubbles up around the edges.
Rest for 5 minutes and serve!

Notes

***If you're short on time, eliminate the potatoes. Just heat up the other ingredients- which takes about 5 minutes- then bake in oven as usual.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8 servings
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 410

If you love the Dutch Oven Chicken Pot Pie, then you must try this Loaded Pizza Pasta Casserole!

June 11, 2018 Easy Dinners

Loaded Macaroni and Hot Dogs

Celebrate the season by serving this classic BBQ side dish, boosted with flavor. You’ll love this Loaded Macaroni and Hot Dogs, with all the flavors of summer.

Mac and Cheese Hot Dog Casserole

As a Midwest girl, I can’t wait for the weather to warm up each year. My family loves to spend all day outdoors, especially on the weekends. Our neighborhood is full of kids, and we love to do impromptu BBQs and outdoor get togethers with our friends.

This Loaded Macaroni and Hot Dogs is a hit at BBQs, and for a few good reasons–classic Kraft Mac & Cheese with hot dogs and bacon, plus plenty of hot dog-inspired toppings. You’ll love this new classic.

INGREDIENTS

Kraft mac and cheese
bacon
hot dogs
ketchup
mustard
relish

HOW TO MAKE MAC AND CHEESE WITH HOT DOGS?

This one is quite easy! Prepare mac and cheese, hot dogs and bacon, separately. Once they are ready, mix all ingredients together.

This yummy side dish goes well with any classic BBQ food, which is why it’s become a go-to for us! The kids love it, and it’s perfect for summer! To make this flavorful side dish, start by cooking up a double batch of classic Kraft Macaroni & Cheese.

In the meantime, cook up 4 Oscar Mayer Wieners and the whole pack of Oscar Mayer Bacon.

Once everything is cooked, cut up the meat, add it to the Kraft Macaroni & Cheese, and mix together. Add in 1/2 cup each – Heinz Tomato Ketchup, Heinz Yellow Mustard, and Heinz Dill Relish. Stir until mixed together. And it’s ready to serve!

WHAT GOES WELL WITH MACARONI AND HOT DOGS?

My family usually has this with some great barbecue in the summer. It is great for the kids if they don’t like the other meat option you are preparing! You can also just grill some veggies and pair it with this dish for a well rounded, easy dinner!

Need some additional pasta casseroles to add to your recipe list?

Loaded Pizza Pasta Casserole
Lighter Chili Mac Casserole

Yield: 6 servings

Loaded Macaroni and Hot Dogs

Celebrate the season by serving this classic BBQ side dish, boosted with flavor. You'll love this Loaded Macaroni and Hot Dogs, with all the flavors of summer.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Total Time 25 minutes

Ingredients

2 boxes Kraft Original Flavor Macaroni & Cheese Dinner 5-7.25 oz. Boxes
1 pack Oscar Mayer Bacon 16 oz. Package
4 Wieners Oscar Mayer Classic Wieners 10 ct Pack
1/2 cup Heinz Tomato Ketchup 38 oz. Bottle
1/2 cup Heinz Yellow Mustard 20 oz. Bottle
1/2 cup Heinz Dill Relish 12.7 fl. oz. Bottle

Instructions

Start by cooking up a double batch of classic Kraft Macaroni & Cheese. These pots are great and nonstick.
In the meantime, cook up 4 Oscar Mayer Wieners and the whole pack of Oscar Mayer Bacon.
Once everything is cooked, cut up the meat, add it to the Kraft Macaroni & Cheese, and mix together. These glass, nesting bowls are always my go to!
Add in 1/2 cup each - Heinz Tomato Ketchup, Heinz Yellow Mustard, and Heinz Dill Relish. Stir until mixed together. And it's ready to serve!

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 405

September 13, 2017 Dinner

Easy Baked Potato Bar

Try this super simple loaded baked potato bar for a fun family dinner tonight. Filling, fresh, and yummy– add any toppings your family loves!

Want to make a fabulous BAKED POTATO BAR? Check out the complete guide.

Baked Potato Bar Ideas

This is one of those dinner ideas to have up your sleeve for busy weeknights. It’s an easy, quick prep, kid-approved meal that gets everyone excited.

Why? Everybody gets to choose their own toppings. It’s completely customizable for even the pickiest of eaters. Which means ~~less~~ no whining at the dinner table. Yes!

Use that trusted, perfectly sized cookie scoop to make your potato into a boat, fill with your toppings, and enjoy!

INGREDIENTS

potatoes
desired toppings
- sour cream
- cheese
- bacon
- salsa
- guacamole
- chili
- onions
- tortilla chips

And any way you dress the potato, it’s delicious. Russet potatoes are so versatile. They can go Southwest, with taco-inspired toppings.

Or extra-hearty with a good dollop of chili and tortilla chips.

Or classic for the traditional palettes. That’s my favorite.

Tip! Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream for an extra boost of protein.

WHAT CAN I SERVE WITH MY BAKED POTATO BAR?

My family usually likes to balance it out with an easy salad. We tend to go caesar or just a garden salad. Sometimes, in the fall/winter, we like to pair it with some soup. Simple tomato or chicken noodle soup will do.

We love potatoes in our house because they taste great with every type of cuisine. In fact, they’re a key staple in cuisines all around the world. Makes sense to me, since they compliment any flavors you add to them.

I rely on potatoes every week for creating simple meals that everybody loves. They’re base ingredient for so many dishes. It’s convenient to keep some in my pantry to bake, boil, or even fry.

To prep for our loaded baked potato bar, I stocked up on some of our favorite toppings. If you can’t get to the store, you could totally use any veggies, sauces, or other ingredients you have in the fridge. Add whichever toppings your family likes!

We like a bit of Mexican flavor with our potatoes, so I served fresh pico de gallo, shredded cheese, and our favorite guacamole. I was able to bake the potatoes ahead of time, and the kids absolutely loved adding their favorite toppings to their potatoes.

Want to make a fabulous BAKED POTATO BAR? Check out the complete guide.

Yield: 4 people

Easy Baked Potato Bar

Try this super simple loaded baked potato bar for a fun family dinner tonight. Filling, fresh, and yummy-- add any toppings your family loves!

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 1 hour

Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes

Ingredients

4 potatoes, baked
1/2 cup sour cream, or try plain Greek yogurt for a protein boost
1/2 cup pico de gallo
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup chili beans
1 cup tortilla chips, slightly broken into small pieces
1/3 cup bacon bits
1/2 cup guacamole
2 chopped green onions , optional, for topping

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees, clean potatoes and poke with a fork to release steam while baking.
Bake potatoes until soft when pierced with a fork, about 1 hour.
Allow potatoes to slightly cool, cut off tops, scoop out some insides, and add desired ingredients. Use a sharp, serated knife to "saw" off the tops of the potatoes and you will thank me!
Add cheese, chili, and tortilla chips OR guacamole, sour cream, and salsa OR classic with cheese and bacon bits.

Notes

*If you are serving this for guests you can use these perfectly potato sized ramekins to serve them in. They are so colorful and fun!

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 330

WONDERING IF THIS WILL TRANSFER TO A PARTY AND WHAT TO SERVE WITH A BAKED POTATO BAR?

Since the possibilities are endless, you can keep it as simple or make it as fancy as you would like. The ideas I have listed above would be great, but if you really want to step it up take a look at this post for more baked potato bar ideas.

Filling, fresh, and yummy! This loaded baked potato bar was a hit in my house, and I’m sure your family will love it too!

Love this southwest loaded baked potato bar? Try the Cornbread-Topped Slow Cooker Chili!

November 14, 2016 DIY fail

Fresh & Easy Weeknight Meal Solutions

Tips & shortcuts to get a fresh, wholesome meal on the table in minutes. A practical guide for busy parents to make easy weeknight meals.

My family is absolutely loving these new MorningStar Farms® Veggie Bowls. That dish up there looks like I spend hours in the kitchen, preparing a hearty pot pie dinner. It’s actually straight from the freezer, and baking it up is as easy as pie. (couldn’t resist)

I mean, look at those fresh veggies. So colorful! Definitely not your typical freezer meal.

And even with all the veggies… my kids will eat it up. They love the gravy sauce & the biscuit on top.

Really, a biscuit can win over anybody. And I love that the 100% vegan chik’n strips offer my family 23g of protein at 150 calories. WIN.

My favorite part is that it’s freezer-to-table in minutes. It’s convenient cuisine that can be served up “as-is”. That’s just what I need some nights! Gotta love quick & easy weeknight meals.

Hearty, tasty, and wholesome? Love this new meal solution.

Other tips & shortcuts I rely on during the weekdays to feed my herd?

-Prep as much ahead of time as possible. Trying chopping up a bunch of veggies for snacks or meals while cooking up Sunday night dinner.

-Create a simple (keyword there!) meal plan with go-to dinner ideas that can whipped up with minimal effort. Check your calendar and plan meals around your schedule. Make it work for you.

-Try out some new meals that look easy, with few ingredients… I keep recipes that are quick, easy, wholesome, and that the family agrees are delicious. Can’t go wrong!

-Double up your meals, and serve extras later in the week with slight variations. For instance, make a big bowl of stir fry that you can use in tacos, casseroles, or soups throughout the week.

-Have a few freezer meals ready to heat up at a moment’s notice. Make extra batches of food and freeze half.

Hope that gives you a few new ideas for easy weeknight meals! A little goes a long way. Try a few tips & see how it simplifies things. I’m rooting for you, friend!

Love easy weeknight meal ideas? Check out this 4-Ingredient Chicken Parmesan.

I’d love to know, what are some of your busy weeknight meals?

September 16, 2016 Dinner

Strawberry Poppyseed Chicken Wrap

This post was sponsored by Eat Smart as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own. I received product samples to facilitate my review.

You’ll love this easy Strawberry Poppyseed Chicken Wrap for a quick lunch or dinner. Toss together a healthy & delicious meal in minutes with Eat Smart Gourmet Vegetable Salad Kits!

Looking for a smart lunch or quick dinner idea? These salads are your new go-to for fast, tasty, healthy meals to fill up your family.

We loved all the varieties, but especially enjoyed the Strawberry Harvest. I think it was the Poppyseed dressing. YUM.

I am ALL about salad kits and the convenience they offer for a healthy lunch or dinner. Protein, fiber, fresh veggies… these kits have it all! And if you ask my family, they are mighty tasty.

I kept thinking the salad kits would be delicious with grilled, sliced chicken. Gives the dish some added protein, plus it changes things up a little bit. And I know that my kids will eat (pretty much) anything in a wrap–yours too?– so I rolled up some tortillas and made it a meal.

Don’t you just love the colors? Eat the rainbow, people, it’s good for you!

So much crunch… so much flavor. This meal earned rave reviews, and took no time at all. Seriously, I even used pre-cooked chicken strips, although you could certainly grill up some chicken if you prefer.

Strawberry Poppyseed Chicken Wraps… it doesn’t get much easier than that.

We stocked up on Eat Smart Gourmet Vegetable Salad Kits to always have on hand for a quick weeknight meal. They make it refreshingly easy to get a wholesome dinner on the table. One that I can feel good about serving to my family.

Plus I love how versatility of the kits. You can use them as a shortcut for any gourmet dish you want to make in a snap. They can be side salads, full entrees, or even the appetizer… veggie lettuce wraps, anyone??

We love to make ours kid-friendly by tucking it into tortilla wraps. Salad wraps are where it’s at for my seven-year-old and two-year-old. Healthy finger food? Works for my house!

Love this Strawberry Poppyseed Chicken Wrap? Check out this super simple BLT salad!

Yield: 4 servings

Strawberry Poppyseed Chicken Wrap

Toss together a healthy & delicious meal in minutes with Eat Smart Gourmet Vegetable Salad Kits!

Prep Time 5 minutes

Total Time 5 minutes

Ingredients

Eat Smart Gourmet Vegetable Salad Kit, Strawberry Harvest
16 oz, sliced, grilled chicken
8 to rtilas

Instructions

Combine all salad ingredients from kit, set aside.
Lay out all 8 torillas, add 2 oz. of chicken to each.
Layer salad on top of chicken.
Roll up tortillas and serve!

Nutrition Information:

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 280