Spicy Veggie Platter Soup with Chicken

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Recipe is courtesy of Lovin’ the Oven LLC.

This recipe is the perfect healthy post-party meal. You can use all of the leftover vegetables from the veggie platter someone brought along with some leftover chicken! You could add rice to this soup, skip the chicken and easily substitute other vegetables.

  • Ingredients1 tbsp. olive oil
  • ½ cup celery, chopped
  • 2 cups baby carrots
  • 1 cup broccoli florets, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 cup cauliflower florets, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • ½ tbsp. paprika
  • ½ tbsp. cumin
  • 1 tsp. chili powder
  • ½ tsp. garlic powder
  • ¼ cup Parmesan cheese (optional)
  • ½ cup grape tomatoes, halved
  • 1 tsp. Tabasco, or more to taste
  • 2 cups cooked chicken thighs or breasts, chopped
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

In a large saucepan, over medium heat, warm the oil for 30 seconds. Add all of the vegetables, except the tomatoes, and cook, stirring frequently, for 5-7 minutes or until the vegetables are cooked but still crispy.

Add the paprika, cumin, chili powder, garlic, and a pinch of salt to the vegetables and cook, stirring frequently, for 1 minute. Next, add the chicken broth. Scrape any browned bits from the bottom, if needed, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer. Simmer until the vegetables are cooked through, 5-7 minutes.

Add Parmesan, tomatoes, chicken, and Tabasco to the pan and simmer an additional 2-3 minutes or until the tomatoes are cooked and the chicken heated through.

Season with salt and pepper to taste and enjoy!

Chicken with a Mustard Apple Cider Glaze

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Recipe is courtesy of Lovin’ the Oven LLC.

Ingredients

  • 1 ¼ lb. chicken breasts, pounded to ½-inch thickness
  • 1 Tbsp butter
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • ¼ tsp garlic powder
  • ¾ cup apple cider
  • 1 heaping tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 Tbsp fresh parsley

Directions

Place chicken breasts in a large Ziploc bag (do not close the bag completely). Pound the chicken to ½ inch thickness. Remove and sprinkle with salt, garlic and pepper on both sides.

Heat a stainless steel skillet over medium-high heat for 30 seconds. Add butter to the pan and when melted, add chicken. Do not crowd the pan! Cook in batches if you need to. If the chicken sticks to the pan, that’s fine. Don’t rip it off. When the chicken releases (and it will) you should flip the chicken over.

Cook for an additional 5-7 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken is 165 degrees. Set aside on a plate and partially cover with foil. Pour the cider into the pan. The steam is normal! Use a rubber spatula or wooden spoon to scrape up the brown bits. Add the mustard and stir to combine.

Turn the burner down to medium and let the sauce cook down (or reduce) by half. Add the chicken and turn to coat. Sprinkle with parsley and serve!

Chocolate Avocado Pudding

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Courtesy of Angela Whitford-Downing, Owner and Founder of Lovin’ the Oven Personal Chef Service!

Ingredients

  • 1 avocado
  • 1 tsp of vanilla
  • 1/4 cup cocoa powder
  • 1/4 cup plus 1 Tbsp of good maple syrup
  • 6 Tbsp of 2% milk or milk substitute (I’ve used almond milk and hazelnut non-dairy creamer… both were great.)

Directions

1.     Scoop out the avocado and discard the pit.

2.     Put the avocado into a blender or food processor and add the remaining ingredients.

3.     Blend until the mixture is pudding consistency (2-3 minutes).  Make sure to scrape down the sides with a rubber spatula to fully combine the ingredients.

4.     Serve immediately or refrigerate until needed for up to 48 hours.  May need to stir before serving if consuming the following day.