Life a Little Brighter

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Easy Dinners

Dinner

Sheet Pan Chicken and Potatoes

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #McCormickONEatMeijer #CollectiveBias

Now that school has started and classes, practices and games are consuming all our time, let me save you from one more take out dinner with this Sheet Pan Chicken and Potatoes!

This recipe uses simple foods with great seasonings, that are not too overwhelming for the picky eaters. Plus, it is easy to prep and easy to clean up! I love using these McCormick One Seasoning Mixes. They are single use seasonings to prepare dinner in one pan/skillet, so you can make homemade happen more!

I used the Farmer’s Market Chicken Sheet Pan Seasoning Mix for this recipe. You literally just prep some veggies and potatoes, chicken thighs, and bake. Sometimes I even prep my veggies the day before or if I have a few minutes in the morning. Then I can walk in the door, throw it all on the pan, and bake! Gather your chicken thighs, chopped zucchini, carrots, potatoes and seasoning packet. Spray your sheet pan and preheat your oven.

Place your seasoning mix and oil in a large bowl. Toss your chicken, potatoes and veggies in the bowl and coat them in the seasoning. Lay it all out on the sheet pan evenly and place in the oven. Bake until the chicken in cooked through and potatoes are tender.

Serve with honey mustard or Italian dressing for dipping! Kids love dipping sauces. It’s my favorite way to encourage kids to eat more wholesome meals.

Yield: 4 servings

Sheet Pan Chicken and Potatoes

Sheet Pan Chicken and Potatoes

This recipe uses simple foods with great seasonings, that are not too overwhelming for the picky eaters. Plus, it is easy to prep and easy to clean up!

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 packet, Farmer's Market Chicken Sheet Pan Seasoning Mix
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • 4 skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs or breasts
  • 2 cups, sliced red potatoes
  • 2 cups, baby carrots
  • 2 cups, sliced zucchini
  • (optional) honey mustard and/or Italian dressing for dipping

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  2. Prep a sheet pan with non-stick cooking spray.
  3. Toss veggies and chicken in a large bowl with olive oil and seasoning mix.
  4. Lay chicken and veggies out on sheet pan.
  5. Heat for 30 minutes or until chicken is cooked through, stirring halfway during cooking time.
  6. Serve with dipping sauces.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 356 Total Fat: 18g Saturated Fat: 4g Trans Fat: 0g Unsaturated Fat: 14g Cholesterol: 64mg Sodium: 301mg Carbohydrates: 32g Net Carbohydrates: 0g Fiber: 5g Sugar: 8g Sugar Alcohols: 0g Protein: 17g
© Alison
Category: Entree
I am loving these McCormick ONE seasoning mixes. They have no artificial flavors, no MSG, and they allow you to make wonderful home-cooked meals without the hassle of gather all your spices or sauces, measuring, and messing up your kitchen. On days you do not want to turn the oven on you can easily achieve the same home cooked meal with the McCormick ONE skillet seasoning packs. Make a flavorful dish in one skillet in no time at all! My family especially loves the McCormick ONE Creamy Chicken Skillet. You can grab both products at Meijer!

If you want some other easy prep meal ideas, head on over to the McCormick ONE page. There are skillet and sheet pan seasoning packets to go with the meat and veggies your family loves most!

 

Dinner

Teriyaki Beef Bowls

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #MahatmaFastRice #MahatmaRice #MahatmaRiceUnites #CollectiveBias

I swear summer goes by faster than any other time of year. Each day is so busy and before you know it, it is dinnertime! I am always welcoming shortcuts and quick, hearty meals. These Teriyaki Beef Bowls are super simple, easy to prep, and come together in no time at all. I have started using this Mahatma® Ready to Serve Rice as my go to rice, because it’s easy and quick to prepare and easy to clean up!

Mahatma® is the number one selling rice brand in the U.S and it’s grown in the USA! I love a good “Made in America” product. You literally give the pouch a few squeezes to break up the rice, cut a slit, microwave for 90 seconds and voilá! How easy is that?

Interested in trying out the Mahatma® Ready to Serve Rice offerings? Hover over the photo below to click through to Walmart.com for purchasing.

As dinnertime approaches after another hectic day, your meal prep does not have to follow suit. This dinner will be on the table in 20 minutes!

Start by browning the beef, coating with flour and then cooking thoroughly.

While your beef is cooking, you can microwave your rice and prep your carrots (if you didn’t buy pre-shredded). 

Add the teriyaki sauce to the beef and heat. Layer bowls of rice, beef and carrots and you have dinner in time! No crazy instructions or ingredients! Wholesome. Aromatic. Authentic. Mahatma® Ready to Serve Rice. Always on your side.

I love the ease of rice ready in 90 seconds. I can’t wait to find other quick things to pair with Mahatma® Ready to Serve Rice and make dinner time so much easier and less stressful! Time to go stock up at Walmart.

Yield: 4 servings

Teriyaki Beef Bowls

These Teriyaki Beef Bowls are super simple, easy to prep and come together in no time at all. Use quick-cooking rice for a simple, weeknight dinner.

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 package, Mahatma® Ready to Serve Jasmine
  • 1 lb, beef strips (sometimes labeled as "stroganoff beef" in stores)
  • 1 Tbsp, flour
  • 1/2 cup, Teriyaki sauce
  • 1/4 cup, sliced green onions
  • 1/2 cup, shredded carrots (can buy pre-shredded or use a veggie peeler on whole carrots)

Instructions

    1. Add beef to skillet on medium heat.

    2. Sprinkle in flour and stir to coat beef.

    3. Cook beef for 10 minutes or until no longer pink.

    4. Meanwhile heat up Mahatma® Ready to Serve Jasmine Rice according to package instructions.

    5. Add teriyaki sauce to beef, stir to combine, remove from heat.

    6. Add rice to bowls and top with beef strips, plus veggies.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 377 Total Fat: 22g Saturated Fat: 9g Trans Fat: 0g Unsaturated Fat: 10g Cholesterol: 99mg Sodium: 1462mg Carbohydrates: 9g Fiber: 1g Sugar: 6g Protein: 33g
© Alison

Check out Mahatma® Ready to Serve Rice product at Walmart! There are different flavors to choose from as well: Jasmine Rice, Cilantro, or Garlic Olive Oil. Life is hectic but meals don’t have to be!

Dinner

Parmesan Chicken Sliders

Looking for an easy meal that the whole family will love? These Parmesan Chicken Sliders topped with pizza sauce and melted mozzarella will become a staple in your house! It’s a super simple recipe perfect for the busy, back-to-school season.

Parmesan Chicken Sliders topped with pizza sauce and melted mozzarella

parmesan chicken slider recipe

As a mom, I’m always thinking of dishes that my whole family will enjoy. It can be such a drag to make a meal that only the parents or kids like to eat. I know you hear me on that! Well this dinner (or lunch!) is a home run for adults and kiddos alike. It’s so easy to cook up (thanks to Tyson® Crispy Chicken Strips and Tyson® Fun Nuggets) and gets rave reviews from everyone.

INGREDIENTS NEEDED TO MAKE THESE CHICKEN PARM SLIDERS:

  • 8 small Tyson® Crispy Chicken Strips – 25oz (or 4 cut in half)
  • 8 slider buns
  • 4 slices mozzarella cheese, cut in half
  • 1 cup, pizza sauce
  • 1/4 cup, shredded Parmesan cheese

DIRECTIONS TO MAKE THESE CHICKEN PARM SLIDERS:

1. Preheat oven and cook Tyson® Crispy Chicken Strips according to package instructions.

2. Slice open slider buns and top with one chicken strip, a dollop of pasta sauce, piece of mozzarella cheese, and sprinkle of Parmesan.

3. Heat sliders and bun tops under broiler for 5 minutes or until cheese is melted and bread is toasted on the edges.

4. Top sliders with buns and serve with extra pizza sauce for dipping.

Hover over the photo above to click through and purchase these products. 

Start by heating up the Tyson® Crispy Chicken Strips, or Tyson® Fun Nuggets if your family prefers. Layer on top of each slider bun– one strip, dollop of pizza sauce, and half a slice of mozzarella cheese. Finish off with a sprinkle of shredded Parmesan.

Parmesan Chicken Sliders topped with pizza sauce and melted mozzarella

Pop the open-faced slider and bun top under the broiler (or toaster oven) for a few minutes until bun is lightly toasted and cheese is melted and delicious! Put together slider and serve with your favorite side– fries, carrot sticks and celery, a side salad, or even fruit cups. It’s a great family meal!

handy tools to make these sliders even easier: 

  • sheet pan – best non stick, super sturdy
  • airbake pan – allows baked “fried” foods to come out super crispy, easy to clean

Parmesan Chicken Sliders topped with pizza sauce and melted mozzarella

Tyson is our go-to for easy, tasty family meals, whether it’s breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The Tyson Crispy Strips have no antibiotics ever, all natural* ingredients, and are made with white meat chicken; while the Tyson Fun Nuggets have no antibiotics ever, all natural* ingredients, and whole grain breading. Love that as a mom! We stock up at Target for easy meals anytime of the day.

Parmesan Chicken Sliders topped with pizza sauce and melted mozzarella

frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a slider and a hamburger?

A slider is just a mini version of a hamburger. Like hamburgers, sliders have evolved into many other things outside of just a beef patty.

How do you keep sliders from getting soggy?

Put your condiments inside your meat and/or cheeses. If you put the condiments directly on the bun this makes it soggy. 

What sides go with parmesan chicken?

Any salad or good vegetable dish. I love a caesar salad, brussels sprouts or roasted vegetable medley. 

 

Yield: 8 sliders

Parmesan Chicken Sliders

Parmesan Chicken Sliders

Looking for an easy meal that the whole family will love? These Parmesan Chicken Sliders topped with pizza sauce and melted mozzarella will become a staple in your house!

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes

Ingredients

  • 8 small Tyson® Crispy Chicken Strips - 25oz (or 4 cut in half)
  • 8 slider buns
  • 4 slices mozzarella cheese, cut in half
  • 1 cup, pizza sauce
  • 1/4 cup, shredded Parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. Preheat oven and cook Tyson® Crispy Chicken Strips according to package instructions.

2. Slice open slider buns and top with one chicken strip, a dollop of pasta sauce, piece of mozzarella cheese, and sprinkle of Parmesan.

3. Heat sliders and bun tops under broiler for 5 minutes or until cheese is melted and bread is toasted on the edges.

4. Top sliders with buns and serve with extra pizza sauce for dipping.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 349 Total Fat: 15g Saturated Fat: 4g Trans Fat: 0g Unsaturated Fat: 8g Cholesterol: 44mg Sodium: 880mg Carbohydrates: 30g Fiber: 3g Sugar: 3g Protein: 24g
© Alison
Cuisine: Italian / Category: entree, appetizer
A few other Target products for getting kid-approved meals on the table: 

Jimmy Dean® Sausage, Egg, & Cheese Croissant – 8ct- we liked that this savory breakfast is packed with protein 
State Fair® Beef Corn Dogs– also a good source of protein 
Hillshire Farm® Ultra Thin Oven Roasted Turkey Breast – 9oz- no artificial preservatives, no artificial flavors, no nitrates/nitrates added** 

*Minimally processed; no artificial ingredients 
**Except those naturally occurring in celery juice powder and sea salt

How would you use Tyson® Crispy Chicken Strips​ for a quick meal during the back-to-school rush?

Dinner

Ground Turkey Taco Recipe

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #MyCrockPotSummer #CrockPotRecipes #CollectiveBias

Spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying your summer! This Ground Turkey Taco Recipe makes tacos that are just 4 ingredients and full of flavor.

Ground Turkey Tacos on a cutting board

How to Cook Ground Turkey for Tacos

Hover over the photo above to click through and purchase the Crock-Pot® Express 6-Quart Pressure Cooker.

Right now, we’re all about the Crock-Pot® Express 6-Quart Pressure Cooker. It cooks meals up to 70% faster than traditional cooking, which is perfect for summer entertaining. The Crock-Pot® Express Crock helps us get our meal on the table fast!

Crock-Pot Instant Pot

With the Express Multi-Cooker’s 8 pre-set pressurized settings for various foods, we can have dinner ready in minutes or use the slow cook setting and come back to a hot meal later. So convenient! I also love that you can steam, brown, or sauté your food before programming, making it the ultimate in one pot cooking. 

The Crock-Pot® Express gives me the opportunity to make good food on my schedule, which is so helpful in the summer months. Truly, everyday is different around here when the kids are out of school. With easy, one pot cooking, I can quickly make a delicious dinner or side dish for family and friends. And did I mention the six-quart non-stick cooking pot is dishwasher safe? Seriously, it’s a kitchen super star.

Lately, I’ve been using mine to make all kinds of tacos. Because tacos are the ultimate summer food, amiright?

We love tacos around our house because everyone can pick their own toppings. It’s super convenient for picky eaters! Just choose a simple taco recipe with a few ingredients– like ground turkey, taco seasoning, diced tomatoes, and flour tortillas. Cook in the Crock-Pot® Express and then serve whichever toppings you love! Seriously, this meal took 8 minutes to cook– amazing!

ground turkey tacos in an instant pot

ground turkey and diced tomatoes cooked in an instant pot

For this dinner, I added chopped cilantro, pico de gallo, and a squeeze of lime. Fresh, simple flavors. What does your family like on their tacos? 

Ground Turkey Tacos with salsa and chips

Yield: 8 tacos

Ground Turkey Taco Recipe

Ground Turkey Taco Recipe

Spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying your summer! This Ground Turkey Taco Recipe makes tacos that are just 4 ingredients and full of flavor.

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 13 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 Tbsp cooking oil
  • 1 lb ground turkey
  • 1 can, diced tomatoes and chopped chilies
  • 1 packet, taco seasoning
  • 8 small or medium flour tortillas
  • Optional, for topping: chopped cilantro, shredded cheese, fresh salsa, lime wedges

Instructions

  1. Add ground turkey and cooking oil to Crock-Pot® Express 6-Quart Pressure Cooker.
  2. Press the sauté function button and let the ground turkey simmer for about two minutes, to lightly brown it.
  3. Turn the sauté function off. Add the taco seasoning and chopped tomatoes. Give everything a good stir to evenly distribute seasoning.
  4. Place the lid on appliance and make sure it's locked into place. Follow cooking instructions for Crock-Pot® Express 6-Quart Pressure Cooker. Cook everything for 8 minutes on high pressure.
  5. While the turkey cooks, prep your toppings.
  6. When the cooking is done, carefully move the valve to venting for a quick release. Be cautious as hot steam will spit out of the valve. Once all of the steam escapes, open the lid.
  7. Serve on tortillas with your favorite toppings! 

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

2
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 217 Total Fat: 13g Saturated Fat: 3g Trans Fat: 0g Unsaturated Fat: 8g Cholesterol: 64mg Sodium: 413mg Carbohydrates: 8g Fiber: 2g Sugar: 2g Protein: 16g
© Alison
Cuisine: Mexican / Category: Entree
Check out the Crock-Pot® Express 6-Quart Pressure Cooker and Save $15 on Crock-Pot® Express 6-Quart Pressure Cooker at Target until 7/29/19.

 

Appetizer

Grilled Chicken Fajita Quesadillas

This post has been sponsored by Tyson Foods, Inc. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Looking for a quick weeknight meal idea? Try these Grilled Chicken Fajita Quesadillas with all the Tex-Mex toppings you love!

Grilled Chicken Fajita Quesadillas with Tyson chicken strips

I’m all about easy meal solutions, and these Grilled Chicken Fajita Quesadillas are on weekly rotation at my house. Using Tyson® Fully Cooked Refrigerated Grilled Chicken Breast Strips from Jewel-Osco, you can whip this dinner together in minutes. Definitely quicker than take out!

These Tyson® Fully Cooked Refrigerated Grilled Chicken Breast Strips are perfect for busy parents! As we get back on schedule with after-school activities, it’s a life-saver to have simple, tasty meals ready to go. Tyson® Fully Cooked Refrigerated Grilled Chicken Breast Strips are made with white meat chicken and are 100% all natural. Plus, they’re minimally processed with no artificial ingredients. They’re fully cooked and ready to serve!

Check out more recipes and tips/tricks as well as coupons at this Tyson® Back-To-School product page!

 

Tyson Grilled Chicken Breast Strips on a cutting board

I love that they’re protein-packed and easy to prep; my kids just love the taste! They’re perfect in these Grilled Chicken Fajita Quesadillas.

Grilled Chicken Fajita Quesadillas served with salsa

Does your family love Mexican dinner night as much as mine?! They can’t get enough tacos, quesadillas, fajitas, etc. And each of those dishes are great ways to add in extra veggies and protein.

We use colorful bell peppers and onions, plus Greek yogurt instead of sour cream. You could also add cooked spinach, diced tomatoes, or even diced zucchini. It all tastes delicious with grilled chicken and melty cheese.

fajita veggies on a cutting board

Grilled Chicken Fajita Quesadillas being cooked in a skillet

Grill up in a skillet and they’re ready in a flash. I serve with fresh cilantro, salsa and Greek yogurt. You could also do guacamole, pico de gallo—anything goes!

Grilled Chicken Fajita Quesadillas served with salsa

 
Yield: 4 servings

Grilled Chicken Fajita Quesadillas

Grilled Chicken Fajita Quesadillas

Looking for a quick weeknight meal idea? Try these Grilled Chicken Fajita Quesadillas with all the Tex-Mex toppings you love!

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 tsp, olive oil
  • 1 green pepper, sliced into strips
  • 1 red pepper, sliced into strips
  • 1 yellow onion, sliced into strips
  • 1 packet, fajita seasoning
  • 1 tsp, butter
  • 16- 8" flour tortillas
  • 1 package, Tyson® Fully Cooked Refrigerated Grilled Chicken Breast Strips
  • 2 cups (or more as desired) shredded Colby Jack cheese
  • optional, for serving: chopped cilantro, salsa, guacamole, sour cream (or Greek yogurt)

Instructions

  1. Heat a skillet to medium, add olive oil.
  2. Add veggies to pan and cook until softened, stirring occasionally.
  3. Add fajita seasoning and cook for 2-3 more minutes, stirring to incorporate.
  4. In a separate skillet, heat to medium and melt butter.
  5. Add one tortilla to skillet, top with 1/4 of veggies, chicken, and cheese.
  6. Allow to heat until cheese begins to melt.
  7. Top with another tortilla and press down.
  8. Flip quesadilla over in pan and cook until tortilla is slightly golden and cheese is melted.
  9. Remove from pan and cook remaining three quesadillas, adding more butter as needed.
  10. Cut quesadillas into quarters and serve immediately with favorite toppings.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 697 Total Fat: 30g Saturated Fat: 15g Trans Fat: 0g Unsaturated Fat: 14g Cholesterol: 107mg Sodium: 1523mg Carbohydrates: 68g Fiber: 6g Sugar: 5g Protein: 38g
© Alison
Cuisine: Mexican / Category: Entree

Enjoy a twist on quesadillas tonight with Tyson® Fully Cooked Refrigerated Grilled Chicken Breast Strips and Jewel-Osco! You can grab them in-store in the refrigerated section. And don’t forget to check the Jewel-Osco mobile app for additional saving on your grocery haul for the week.

Tyson Grilled Chicken Strips in a Jewel-Osco bag