Chicken Pot Roast with Sassy Salsa

This was a great way to cook a whole chicken and those can be pretty dang cheep sometimes. I don't think you even need the salsa the first night but if you want to make burritos for the second night it is great.

Quick Tortilla Soup

Hey this recipe I found in USA Weekend , Oct 21-23, p6. Another recipe with canned chipolte peppers:)

"1 pound (2 large) boneless chicken breasts, havled crosswise to form two thin cutlets
1½ tablespoons olive oil, separated
½ teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 large onion, cut into medium dice
4 large garlic cloves, crushed
2 tablespoons canned chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, minced
2 quarts low-sodium chicken broth
1 14.5-ounce diced tomatoes (fire-roasted, if you can find)
2 cans black beans (15 or 16 ounces), not drained
6 ounces tortilla strips
1 lime, cut into 8ths

Heat a Dutch oven or soup kettle over medium-high heat. Toss chicken with salt, chili powder and 1½ teaspoons of the oil to coat. Add chicken to hot pot; cook, turning only once, until impressively brown on both sides, 5 to 6 minutes. Transfer to a plate and cut (or shred when cool enough) into bite-size pieces.
Heat remaining tablespoon of oil in the hot empty pot; add onions and sauté until softened, 4 to 5 minutes. Add garlic and peppers; continue to sauté until fragrant, about a minute longer. Add chicken broth, tomatoes and black beans. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium low. Simmer partially covered and skim foam as it surfaces, to blend flavors, about 5 minutes. Stir in chicken and turn off heat.
Place a portion of tortilla strips in each bowl, ladle over hot soup and top as desired, letting each person squirt in a little lime."

Ancho Chicken Tacos with Cilantro Slaw and Avocado Cream

Lately I have been thinking of throwing a taco party since that would be so easy and its one of those party foods you can eat standing up. Anyways this recipe was so delicious I love the mixture of cilantro and lime with sour cream.

Maple-Mustard Chicken Thighs

This recipe was in the budget section which happens to be my favorite when the food is good and it was delicious. It suggests serving it with a cabbage-carrot slaw which I did. Another perfect summer meal.

Haystacks

This mean was awesome!!! It is super simple, cheap and could totally go in as a routine meal when you cant think of anything else. I grew up eating hawaiin haystacks but this is more of a mexican haystack. You can add chicken or shrimp if you want but not necessary. yum.

Thai-Style Chicken with Basil and Pineapple

Thanks to my new Rachel Ray magazine subscription I am enjoying some new flavors that you wouldnt normally put together. For example this recipe with basil and pineapple.

Pineapple Chicken Satay

Something I learned recently is a satay is an asian dish with a spicy sauce that usually involves peanuts. I have a thing for peanuts. This is a really good meal and perfect for the summer since yuo can grill it outside!