caitlyncooks

[caitlyncooks]

Cabbage and Pork Bowls

Today I will show you how to make these yummy cabbage and pork bowls! This is a quick and easy dinner to make on week nights but still hold a ton of flavor. This recipe takes about 30 minutes to make and serves two! The ingredients are as followed:

2 cups of Brown/ White Rice

4 ounces of Shredded Red Cabbage

Ground Pork

2 Scallions

1 Lime

2 tablespoons of Hoisin Sauce

4 tablespoons of Sweet Thai Chili Sauce

4 tablespoons of Sweet Soy Sauce

1 tablespoon of Sesame Seeds

Step 1:

Dice scallions, separate white and greens. Then half the lime, and then half it again. Cutting it into quarters.

Step 2:

Lightly oil pan, set ground pork into pan. Season with salt and pepper, let cook for 10- 15 minutes. Until beef is cooked through.

Step 3:

Bring pot of water to a boil. Pour in rice and cover lid. Let rice cook through.

Step 4:

Once ground beef has cooked, pour in scallion whites and red cabbage. Stir for 2-3 minutes.

Step 5:

Pour in all liquid ingredients. Stir and cook for 3-5 minutes until all ingredients are combined.

Step 6:

Pour rice into bowl, then place ground pork mixture on top. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds and enjoy!!

[caitlyncooks]

Chicken Bacon Salad

Salads are very delicious and extremely customizable. There are thousands of salad recipes online. With that being said, today I will teach you my favorite way to make a salad! This recipe is packed with veggies as well as protein! This recipe takes about an hour to make and serves 7 servings. Here's how to make it!

Ingredients:

1 Lettuce Head

1 Cucumber

3 Green Onions

Banana Peppers

1 pack of Cherry Tomatoes

1 pack Shredded Cheese

1 pack of Crotons

6 eggs

1 pack of Bacon

1 pack of Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breats

Dressing of your choice (I chose ranch)

Step 1:

Pre heat oven to 350 degrees. Then, start by cutting your cherry tomatoes into halves. Cut cucumber into quarters and finely chop green onions. Set on plates and move aside.

Step 2:

Place pot of water on stove to boil. Once water has boiled, add in eggs. Let eggs boil for 15 minutes. Wash and shred lettuce head into bite size pieces. Set aside.

Step 3:

Cut chicken into bite size pieces. Set pan on stove and cover with oil. Place cut chicken into pan. Season with seasonings of your choice. Let cook for 15-20 minutes on stove. While chicken is cooking, line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Place bacon on to sheet. Place bacon in stove for 25 minutes.

Step 4:

Drain eggs and place them under cold water (this will allow the egg shells to part from the egg easier). Peel all 6 eggs, set aside.

Step 5:

After chicken has cooked, turn off stove top. Once bacon is to your liking (I love my bacon to be more on the crispy side) pull out and set on stove top.

Step 6:

Cut cooked bacon into bite size pieces. Pour all ingredients into a bowel and mix! Layer with shredded cheese and crotons and you are finished! This recipe will last up to 4 days in your fridge!

[caitlyncooks]

Onion Crunch Chicken with Mashed Potatoes and Green Beans

Today we will be going over how to make one of mine and my husband's favorite dishes! This recipe makes 2 servings and takes about 30 minutes to make. The ingredients are as followed:

2 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts

6 Yellow Potatoes

Crushed Dried Onions

Green beans

2 tablespoons of Honey Mustard

2 tablespoons of Sour Cream

1 tablespoon of Butter

3 tablespoons of Shredded Cheese

Step 1:

Begins by preheating your oven to 425 degrees. Fill pot with water and set on stove to boil. Cut potatoes into quarters.

Step 2:

Pour crushed dried onions into bowl along with shredded cheese. Mix until combined.

Step 3:

Pour potatoes into boiling water. Season with salt and let cook for 15 minutes.

Step 4:

Pat chicken dry, season with salt and pepper.

Step 5:

Trim green beans if needed. Lightly drizzled oil unto baking sheet, toss green beans on. Season with salt and pepper. Toss chicken onto other side of baking sheet. Spread half the honey mustard onto chicken. Pat onion crunch mixture onto chicken. Set in oven for 15-20 minutes to cook.

Step 6:

Drain potatoes, keeping about 1/3 cup of water in pot. Mash potato chunks until smooth. Add in 1 tablespoon of butter and 2 tablespoons of sour cream. Season with salt and pepper.

Step 7:

Mix everything in pot, taste to measure seasonings. Set aside while chicken and green beans finish cooking.

Step 8:

Pull out baking sheet from oven.

Step 9:

Plate chicken, drizzle remaining honey mustard on top. Plate green beans and mashed potatoes. Enjoy!!

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Crusted Maple Honey Mustard Chicken with Carrots and Potato Wedges

Today I will be sharing another one of my favorite chicken recipes! This meal takes approximately 30 minutes to cook and makes 2 servings. The ingredients are as followed:

2 Boneless Chicken Breasts

3 Carrot Sticks

5 Yellow Potatoes

1/4 ounce Panko Bread Crumbs

2 tablespoons of Maple Syrup

2 tablespoons of Honey Mustard

1 tablespoons of Fry Seasoning

2 tablespoon of Butter

Salt

Pepper

Step 1:

Start by preheating your oven to 425 degrees. Then trim, peel, and cut carrots. Cut potatoes into 1/2 inch thick wedges.

Step 2:

Oil one side of baking sheet, set cut carrots onto it. Season with salt and pepper.

Step 3:

On separate baking sheet, oil all over. Place potato wedges onto baking sheet. Season with half the fry seasoning, salt and pepper.

Step 4:

Place 1 tablespoon of butter into a small bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds or until fully melted. Stir in the rest of the fry seasoning. Add panko to bowl, stir until evenly combined.

Step 5:

In a separate small bowl, place 1 tablespoons of butter. Microwave for 30 seconds or until fully melted. Add maple syrup, mustard, and a pinch of salt until evenly combined.

Step 6:

Place chicken breasts on paper plate. Pat dry with paper towel. Season breasts with salt and pepper.

Step 7:

Oil other side of baking sheet that carrots are on. Place chicken breasts. Coat chicken with half of the honey mustard sauce. Spread and press panko mixture evenly onto chicken breasts. Place both baking sheets in oven for 15-18 minutes.

Step 8:

Take baking sheets out of oven. Serve evenly between plates. Drizzle left over honey mustard sauce over chicken and enjoy!!

[caitlyncooks]

Chicken Salad

They are several different recipes for chicken salad on the internet. And although this meal can be used for any course, I usually include this recipe in our weekly lunch rotations. Chicken salad keeps great in the fridge for up to 5 days and is a very filling lunch to pack! I usually make this in bulk. This recipe takes about an hour to make. The ingredients are as followed:

6 Boneless Chicken Breast

1 jar of Mayo

Half a jar of Baby Dill Pickles

Green onions

1 pound of Grapes

Salt

Pepper

Step 1:

Begin by brining a large pot of water to a boil. Slice chicken fat off of chicken and cut pieces into chunks. Place chunks into boiling pot. Let boil for 45 minutes.

Step 2:

While chicken is boiling dice onions, grapes, and pickles.

Step 3:

Once chicken is done boiling, drain chicken using strainer.

Step 4:

Begin shredding chicken. You can either do this by using a shredder or shred chicken with two forks.

Step 5:

Place shredded chicken in bowl.

Step 6:

Slowly start adding grape, pickles, onions, and mayo into bowl. Stirring as you add.

Step 7:

Once all the ingredients are added, pour in about 4 tablespoons of pickle juice. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Mix all ingredient together one last time.

Step 8:

Set in fridge an hour before serving. Once sat, pull out and enjoy!!!

[caitlyncooks]

Thyme Chicken with Broccoli and Potatoes

I have never really liked chicken. I believe this is due to my mother cooking it so frequently growing up. On the contrast, my husband loves it. So I had to get creative and corporate some of my favorite seasonings to out shine the chicken taste I was so used to. This recipe does just that for me. Today I will show you how I make it! This recipe makes 2 servings and takes about 45 minutes to make. The ingredients are as followed:

2 Boneless Chicken Breasts

1 Broccoli Head

4 Yellow Potatoes

Fresh Thyme

2 tablespoons of Sour Cream

1 tablespoon of Butter

2 tablespoons of Beef Stock

2 tablespoons of Honey Mustard

Step 1:

Start with preheating your oven to 450 degrees. Chop broccoli into bite sizes and potatoes into quarter pieces. Set both on lightly oiled baking sheet. Cook for 20- 25 minutes.

Step 2:

Set chicken on plate. Pat dry with paper towel and season with salt and pepper.

Step 3:

Lightly oil pan and cook chicken on each side for 5-6 minutes.

Step 4:

While chicken cooks cut and dice thyme seasoning.

Step 5:

Once chicken is done, transfer to plate. Wipe out pan used to cook chicken and add beef stock, sour cream, butter, thyme, and honey mustard. Simmer for 3-4 minutes to let thicken.

Step 6:

Plate chicken, potatoes, and broccoli. Pour thyme sauce over chicken and enjoy!!

[caitlyncooks]

Sausage Penne

If you've followed my posts for this long, you've realized I love a quick and easy dinner. I also love making sure these quick and easy dinners still have the taste of something you'd normally spend hours cooking. Today I will show you how to make my favorite penne pasta!! This recipe makes 2 servings and takes approximately 30 minutes to make.

The ingredients are as followed:

9 ounce Italian Pork Sausage

6 ounces of Penne Pasta

1 Zucchini

1 clove of garlic

3 tablespoons of Tomato paste

4 tablespoons of cream cheese

2 tablespoons of Chicken Broth

Parmesan Cheese

Salt

Pepper

Step 1:

Begin by bringing a large pot of water to a boil. Add penne into pot, stirring occasionally. Cook for 9-11 minutes or until pasta is soft.

Step 2:

While pasta cooks, trim and halve zucchini lengthwise, then slice crosswise into 2 half-moons. Peel and mince garlic clove.

Step 3:

Heat large pan with a drizzle of oil. Add in pork sausage, breaking up pieces while it cooks. Season with salt and pepper. Let simmer for 3-4 minutes. Add in zucchini and garlic, let cook for 5-6 minutes.

Step 4:

Add tomato paste, cream cheese, 1/2 cup of water and chicken broth to pan.

Step 5:

Mix all ingredients together and let simmer for another 5 minutes.

Step 6:

Add penne pasta into pan, stir all ingredients together.

Step 7:

Divide servings between two bowls. Sprinkle parmesan cheese on top. Enjoy!!

[caitlyncooks]

Spaghetti and Meatballs with Zucchini

Growing up in the south, spaghetti and meatballs were always on my mothers weekly dinner rotations. Today I will share with you our special family recipe for this dish.

This recipe takes about an hour to make and creates 4 servings. The ingredients are as followed:

20 ounce Ground Beef

2 Zucchinis

1 Garlic Clove

2 tablespoons of Beef Concentrate

Half a cup of Panko Breadcrumbs

12 ounces of Spaghetti Noodles

28 ounces of Marinara Sauce

Parmesan Cheese

2 tablespoons of Butter

2 Ciabatta Pieces

Seasonings:

4 tablespoons of Italian Seasoning

1 teaspoon of Garlic Powder

Salt

Pepper

Step 1:

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Bring large pot of water to a boil. Peel and mince garlic clove. Cut Zucchinis into quarters lengthwise, halve crosswise.

Step 2:

Combine garlic cloves and 2 tablespoons of butter into small bowl. Place microwave safe plastic on top and put in microwave for 30-60 seconds. Set aside.

Step 3:

In a large bowl, combine ground beef, panko, beef concentrate, and half the Italian Seasoning. Sprinkle with salt. Mash all the ingredients together.

Step 4:

Once you have formed a mixture, morph ground beef mixture into 8 21/2 - inch meatballs. Place meatballs on lightly oiled baking sheet.

Step 5:

Place chopped Zucchini on separate lightly oiled baking sheet. Season with salt and pepper. Place meatballs on top rack and place zucchini on bottom rack. Cook for 25-30 minutes.

Step 6:

Toss spaghetti into boiling pot of water. Cook for 9-11 minutes or until pasta is cooked through.

Step 7:

Strain pasta, set aside. In same pot to boil pasta, combine marinara, remaining Italian Seasoning, garlic seasoning, and salt. Cover with lid. Let cook for 5-8 minutes.

Step 8:

While marinara mixture cooks, toast and slice ciabattas. Spread melted butter and garlic mixture unto pieces.

Step 9:

Mix spaghetti noodles into marinara mixture.

Step 10:

Serve on plate, top spaghetti with parmesan cheese. You can either incorporate the zucchini into the pasta or have it as a side. Enjoy!!

[caitlyncooks]

Crockpot Chili

Sometimes you just don't have enough time in the day to spend an hour on making dinner. This recipe is perfect to just throw in the crockpot before heading off to work in the morning and is ready when you get home! This crockpot chili is a staple in our household during fall! The ingredients are as followed:

1 pound ground turkey

1 green bell pepper

half a yellow onion

2 garlic cloves

15 oz tomato sauce

28 oz diced tomatos

2 cans of kidney beans

Seasonings:

1 tbsp garlic powder

2 tsp chipotle chile

2 tbsp of paprika

2 tbsp of chili powder

1 tbsp of Worcestershire Sauce

1 tbsp of Liquid Smoke

Step 1:

Start with putting you ground beef in a pan and cook until slightly brown. It is okay if you want to skip this step and just add the beef raw into the crockpot. Although, in my experience, cooking it before hand gives more flavor to the finish product. You want to start dicing you bell pepper, onion, and garlic cloves while waiting on meat to cook.

Step 2:

Add bell pepper, onion, and garlic cloves to crockpot.

Step 3:

Add your ground beef into veggie mixture. This is where you want to include all seasonings as well. Make sure not to leave out the liquid smoke. Liquid smoke gives this chili a unique charcoal taste that sets it aside from other recipes!

Step 4:

Add all other ingredient into crockpot. Give this a good stir, allowing all the ingredients to mix together. Cover crockpot with lid. You can either cook on low for eight hours or high for four hours.

Step 5:

After allowing chili to cook, open lid and give chili one last stir.

Step 6:

Your chili is ready to eat! There are multiple things that you can add to your chili that gives it extra flavor. Green onions and sour cream are just a few examples. This time however, me and my husband enjoyed it with just shredded cheese on top.

[caitlyncooks]

Chicken N' Dumpling Soup

As the cooler weather approaches, nothing says fall like a soup dinner. Today I will walk you through the steps of cooking one of my favorite fall recipes, chicken and dumpling soup! This recipe has a cook time of 40 minutes and makes just under 4 bowls. The ingredients are as followed:

-1 rotisserie chicken

-2 tbsp butter

-1/2 yellow onion, finely chopped

-3 celery sticks, chopped

-2 carrots, peeled and chopped

-2 cups chicken broth

-1 cup water

-1 can cream of chicken

-1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

-1 can biscuits

Step 1:

Finely chop onion, celery, and carrots. Don't forget to peel your carrot sticks before chopping!

Step 2:

Place butter in pot. Then pour celery, carrots, and onions. Season with the spices of your choice. I chose salt and pepper for this specific recipe but this step is completely up to you! Sauté for 5-8 minutes. Shred your rotisserie chicken while you wait.

Step 3:

After your veggies have sautéed, pour in all liquid ingredients (except for the heavy whipping cream). Toss in your shredded rotisserie chicken and season with salt and pepper. Bring pot to a light boil. Place lid on top and let set for 15-20 minutes.

Step 4:

After soup has simmered pour in heavy whipping cream. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Simmer for 5 more minutes.

Step 5:

Cut biscuits into fours, set aside.

Step 6:

Gently drop the biscuit dumplings into soup. Place lid over soup for another 10 minutes, allowing the dumplings to cook.

Step 7:

Enjoy!!

[caitlyncooks]

CaitlynCooks

Hello there! 🤎 My name is Caitlyn, but my friends call me Cait! I am very passionate about cooking. As well as trying new foods from restaurants. I only cook for two as it is just me and my husband in the household, but these recipes can easily be fixed to fit your families lifestyle/needs! Follow along as I post some of mine and my husband's favorite recipes with the occasional review from some of our favorite restaurants! ☺️