Cranberry Balsamic Chicken

Chicken With A Twist 

I have to be honest and say I wasn't so sure how this recipe would turn out. I was worried that it just wouldn't have enough flavor, but boy was I ever wrong. This was a wonderful dinner not only did it taste great but it was also very "elegant." 

I served it with brown rice and also fresh green beans. My little one was not a fan of the balsamic but my husband and I enjoyed this one very much. I would suggest it if you are having company over and want to "wow" them with something different. 

Here are the ingredients that you will need: 

• 2 Chicken breasts 
• a sprinkle of dried Italian herbs (optional) 1/2 cup fresh cranberries 
• 1 tbsp each maple syrup and balsamic vinegar mixed together to coat chicken during roasting
For the Marinade
• 1/3 cup cranberries
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp tamari sauce or gluten free soy sauce I used Braggs Liquid Aminos 
• 2 tbsp maple syrup
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 1/4 tsp black peppers
• 2 garlic cloves (or 1 tsp minced)

Directions

1. Trim fat from chicken breasts and place into a glass 13x9 pan. 
2. Next prepare your marinade.
3. Blend all the ingredients listed in the Marinade in a food processor or blender until liquified and smooth.
4. Pour this over the chicken, coating evenly.
5. Cover and place in fridge to marinade for 30 minutes or up to 24 hrs.
6. Once marinaded, preheat oven to 375F.
7. Remove chicken from fridge.
8. Add your extra 1/3 to 1/2 cup cranberries and Italian herbs to the dish. Spread it out evenly on and around the chicken.
9. Cooking time will be around 35 minutes total.
10. After thoroughly cooked, remove from oven.
11. Spoon the sauce from the pan onto each chicken thigh/breast and a pinch of black pepper or cracked pepper.
12. Serve with the roasted cranberries on top and any extra fresh herbs desired.

Grilled Chicken Peach Caprese

Perfect For Peach Season 

This was the absolute best time of year to be making this dish. We love peach season in our house and I love getting creative with how we will use it. I have been a caprese junkie this summer with tomatoes but wanted to change it up with peaches instead.

This was extremely easy to make and one of my new favorite dinner ideas. We served it over brown rice but you could pick any side to make with it in addition.

Ingredients

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts

8oz of fresh mozzarella

Olive oil

Salt & pepper to taste

3 ripe peaches

Fresh basil chopped - I like to cut mine making it into "ribbons"

Balsamic vinaigrette

Directions

Trim fat from the chicken breasts and cut breast in half

Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Cook on the grill until golden brown.

While grilling warm 1/2 cup of balsamic vinegar in a small pot on the stove

Once chicken is finished grilling melt the mozzarella cheese over the chicken while still on the grill.

Remove chicken from the grill

Top with sliced peaches (I tried to do two pieces per chicken breast.)

Finally drizzle balsamic over the chicken and top with the basil ribbons.

Enjoy! It will easily become a family favorite.

Quinoa Chicken Burrito Bowls

A Killer Way To Cook Quinoa

Ingredients
3 skinless boneless chicken breasts
1 tablespoon of butter
Extra virgin olive oil
2 cloves of garlic minced
1 large onion diced
1 red pepper diced
2 cups of yellow corn
Shredded taco cheese
Diced avocado
Cooked Quinoa (I boiled mine in chicken broth for additional flavor)
Salt
Pepper
Cumin
Chilli Powder
2 limes

Directions 
In a separate pan cook quinoa according to the package. Again, I used chicken broth instead of water.
Cut chicken breast into bite size pieces. Add in butter and olive oil and brown chicken.
Season with salt, pepper, cumin and chilli powder. I didn't measure, I just made sure I coated the chicken.
Add in minced garlic. Flip until brown.
Add in the diced onions and peppers. Cook until softened.
Add in cooked corn then quinoa once it has absorbed all of the chicken broth.
Stir, re-season again to your liking and allow it to sit for a few minutes. Squeeze 1 fresh lime over the mixture.
Once you serve the mixture top with taco cheese and diced avocados and enjoy! Garnish with a lime.