Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Popper Chicken

Jalapeno Popper Chicken is a spicy, cheesy decadent delight…all wrapped up in bacon!  It’s perfect all by itself…or tucked away in a sub or sandwich wrap!

Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Popper Chicken

Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Popper Chicken

Course Main Course
Servings 1
Calories 556 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tbsp cream cheese (1 oz)
  • 3 tbsp shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 jalapeno pepper, diced
  • 1 boneless skinless chicken breast (6 oz)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 slices bacon

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 375℉.
  • Place the cream cheese, cheddar cheese and jalapenos in a bowl; stir to combine.
  • Cut a deep pocket into the chicken breast, taking care not to cut all the way through to the other side. Fill the pocket of chicken breast with the cream cheese mixture. Season with salt and pepper, if desired.
  • Wrap chicken breast tightly with bacon, securing with toothpicks. Place it in a greased baking pan.
  • Cook for 30 minutes, or until bacon is crisp and chicken has an internal temperature of 160℉. You can broil the chicken for 3-4 minutes to further crisp the bacon if needed.
  • Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Keyword bacon, baked chicken, chicken, cooking for singles, cream cheese, jalapeno popper, meal for one, single serving meal, spicy

 

Handle chicken with care!  Click here for some tips to avoid foodborne illnesses that can be associated with raw poultry.

For a sweeter take on this same theme, try brown sugar bacon-wrapped chicken!

Fast and Easy Salsa Verde Eggs

Salsa verde eggs are a quick and easy meal that’s spicy and satisfying. It’s a healthy, simple and low-calorie treat for any time of day!

Salsa Verde Eggs

Salsa Verde Eggs

Course Breakfast
Servings 1
Calories 173 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • ¼ cup fresh salsa
  • 1 egg
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tbsp mozzarella cheese, shredded

Instructions
 

  • Coat small saute pan with cooking spray.
  • Add salsa to pan and over medium heat until simmering. Push salsa to the sides of the pan, making a “well” for the egg.
  • Crack the egg into well. Cover and cook for 2-3 minutes to the desired doneness. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Remove from heat. Sprinkle with mozzarella and cover until cheese melts. Serve immediately.
Keyword breakfast, breakfast ideas, cooking for one, eggs, fast and easy, healthy, keto, low calorie, low carb, meal for one, one pan meal, one skillet meal, quick and easy, salsa

Did you know?  Despite the negative press that eggs have received in the past, they can absolutely be a part of a healthy diet!

Suggestion:  Serve this over a slice of simple white toast!

Sausage Egg Breakfast Cups

Sausage egg breakfast cups serve up a complete and nutritious breakfast in one handy portion. It makes a great buffet selection or grab-and-go breakfast.

Sausage Egg Breakfast Cups

Sausage Egg Breakfast Cups

(Courtesy: Penny Jacques)
Course Breakfast
Servings 6
Calories 350 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb ground pork
  • 1 tsp ground sage
  • ½ tsp ground thyme
  • ¼ tsp paprika
  • ¼ tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp brown sugar
  • ¾ cup freshly minced onion and green pepper
  • ¾ cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 6 eggs, beaten

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 400℉.  Coat the wells of a 12ct muffin tin with cooking spray.
  • In a large bowl, combine ground pork, sage, thyme, paprika, cumin, salt, pepper and brown sugar. Mix thoroughly and put equal amounts into 12 muffin cups. Mold mixture along the bottom and up sides to form cups.
  • Add one tablespoon onion/pepper mix and one tablespoon cheese to each cup. Fill each cup with egg and sprinkle with cheese.
  • Bake for 20-25 minutes until eggs are set and slightly browned on top.
  • Hack: Feel free to use your favorite vegetales and/or cheese in this recipe or whatever you have on hand!
  • Hack: Frozen vegetables can be used in this recipe.
  • Hack: To prevent sticking, immediately run a knife around the edge of the cups after removing them from the oven and gently loosen the sides and bottom from the cup. Allow to sit for 5 minutes and remove from the cup.
  • Hack: Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw in refrigerator overnight and microwave at 20-second intervals just until heated through.
  • Hack: Some egg cup recipes suggest that you just crack an egg over the top. Yolks and whites require different reheating times, resulting in (either) dried-out whites or unheated yolks. Using beaten eggs will alleviate this problem.
Keyword brunch, buffet, cooking for one, cooking for singles, make ahead, make ahead breakfast, muffin tin meals, quick and easy, sausage egg cups, single serving meal

Did you know?  Despite the negative press that eggs have received in the past, they can absolutely be a part of a healthy diet!

Baked cauliflower casserole is another great option if you’re looking for make-ahead, grab-and-go breakfasts!

Homemade Mini Chicken Pot Pie

Mini Chicken Pot Pie is a new take on classic comfort food.  It’s a healthy make-ahead, freezable dish that’s perfect for grab-and-go meals.

Mini Chicken Pot Pie

Mini Chicken Pot Pie

Course Main Course
Servings 12
Calories 343 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 1 cup frozen peas and diced carrots
  • cup frozen pearl onions
  • 2 tbsp flour
  • cup chicken broth
  • 1 tsp dried parsley
  • ½ tsp dried thyme
  • ½ tsp dried chives
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 1 cup cooked chicken, chopped
  • ¼ cup heavy cream
  • Butter biscuit dough, unbaked

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 450͒℉.
  • Melt butter in a saute pan over medium-low heat. Add pearl onions and cook until crisp-tender, about 5 minutes.
  • Add peas and carrots. Turn heat up to medium-high and wait for butter to come to a simmer. Simmer 2 minutes.
  • Stir in flour until well incorporated and smooth. Add vegetable broth, a little at a time, stirring constantly. Bring back to boil and simmer for 2 minutes.
  • Add parsley, chives, thyme, salt and pepper. Take off heat and allow to cool slightly. Add cream and chicken.
  • Spray 12 ct muffin tin with cooking spray. Cut biscuit dough into 12 equal pieces and roll into balls. Flatten each ball and press it into muffin cups, bringing it slightly above the rim of the cup. Fill each cup with ¼ cup of the chicken mixture.
  • Bake for 15 - 20 minutes or until biscuit tops are golden brown.
  • Allow chicken pot pies to cool for 5 - 10 minutes, then remove by sliding a knife into a muffin cup and gently underneath to pop the pies out. Serve warm.
  • Hack: Filling can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
  • Hack: Leftover pot pies can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Make sure to subtract any days that you stored the filing before making pies.
  • Hack: Place cooled chicken pot pies on a cookie sheet and freeze until solid. Store in a freezer container for up to 3 months. I don’t recommend using a just freezer bag as the crust might break up as they are moved around the freezer.
  • To reheat: .Thaw in refrigerator overnight. Bake in 350͒℉ for 15-20 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 160℉.
Keyword Chicken pot pie, cooking for one, cooking for singles, freezer meal, meat pie, mini chicken pot pie, muffin tin meals

Did you know?  The pastry surrounding the very first meat pies was to preserve the filling…and was not meant to be eaten.  Check out these interesting facts on the history of pies!

If you like this recipe, consider trying another single-serve option: Mini Tourtiere Pork Pie!

 

Creating Healthy Whole Foods Meals For One

So, what the heck is a whole foods diet, anyway? Take a minute to read this for my opinion on the subject on creating healthy whole foods meals!

Cooking Whole Foods
Cooking Whole Foods

 

As I mentioned before, I love to cook but cooking for one person seems like a lot of work. You have to haul out the bowls and the pans. The utensils, the cutting board, and the dishes. Not to mention the shopping and clean-up! All for that one meal. But the good news is that I’ve been experimenting in my kitchen. I’ve been creating some tasty and healthy whole foods meals to share with you. I’ve also come up with some easy cooking hacks, tips and ideas to make meal preparation a little bit easier and more efficient.

What Is A Whole Foods Diet?

What Is A Whole Foods Diet?
What Is A Whole Foods Diet?

So what is a whole foods diet, exactly?  Well, that’s sort of a loaded question.

The first thing I would like to point out is that what I’m referring to when I say “diet” is not what is commonly thought of as traditional dieting (i.e. weight loss diet plan). What I’m talking about is a healthier way of eating. (And if you do lose a little weight then all the better, right?!?)

The second thing I’ll say is that there are a number of definitions out there. Many vegetarians see their choices as being the true whole foods diet, while vegans (including raw vegans, fruitarians, juicearians, sproutairians, etc) feel that THEIR choices are the correct ones.

These are all great options and I have deep respect for those who desire, for whatever reason, to remove meat or animals products from their diets but what I’m referring to is a more general description. More of a goal, really, as opposed to a specific plan.

I’m concentrating on avoiding processed foods in favor of using fresh foods, or foods in their natural state if you prefer.

Fresh Foods vs Processed Foods

Processed Foods
Processed Foods

The term fresh food means, once again, different things to different people.

If we wanted to be literal about this, we would go to the hen house every morning to gather eggs. Then we would head to the barn to milk Bessy so we could churn the butter for bread made from the flour we milled after harvesting the wheat in our own backyard.

I, personally, don’t want to wait that long for breakfast so I’m in favor of using a meter, of sorts, that rates food from red to green. From Very Bad (Is there anything in this that isn’t chemicals?) to Sainthood (Why, yes, I do maintain an organic, totally self-sufficient, plant-based household). I simply aim for something in the green(ish) section.

In all seriousness, acquiring fresh food is easier than ever. Most of us are no longer at the mercy of growing seasons, weather or the proximity to others who are willing to barter foodstuffs.

In regard to fresh foods vs processed foods, I am simply referring to foods that are in their natural state vs foods that have been modified in some way to make them ready to eat or easier to prepare. Think a fresh potato instead of boxed potato flakes. Really, it’s that simple.

If you do want to take things a step further (and sometimes I do), the movement to purchase locally grown or raised products is gaining serious traction. You could google local farms (or farmers markets), check your local newspaper or peruse the community bulletin board. I have discovered that most local merchants are happy to direct you to another one if they don’t have what you need.

And think of all the cool people you’ll meet.

Is Eating Meat Healthy?

Is Eating Meat Healthy?
Is Eating Meat Healthy?

Is eating meat bad? Is eating meat healthy?

The debate is never-ending and certainly not one that I could ever settle.

There is one thing that I DO know…many experts agree that meat can be a part of a whole foods meal plan.

Keep in mind that this not a specific eating plan we’re talking about here but more of a guideline.

Fresh and unprocessed is the key (sorry chicken nuggets). Based on that train of thought, some will even argue that fresh meat is more compatible with a whole foods diet than the processed vegan alternatives.

Shopping For Whole Foods

Whole Foods
Whole Foods

Now that we’ve had this chat, you’re ready to jump right in and work up a healthy eating plan, right?

Unfortunately, creating healthy meals is a “no-go” if you don’t have the proper ingredients.

The first thing you’re going to want to do is go shopping for whole foods.

I’m not going to tell you what to buy because I think we’ve already covered that. And we all have different tastes. I love Brussels sprouts, for example, but my best friend gags at the mere sight of them.

No, my advice is simple.  Shop the perimeter of the store because that’s where all the good stuff is. Close your eyes and picture taking a walk around the (inside) outer limits of your local supermarket. That’s where you’ll find fresh produce, seafood, meat and dairy.

Shopping for one person is trickier than shopping for a group so the first thing you’re going to want to do is to decide what you’re going to cook in the upcoming week and use that to make a list.

If you’re feeling stuck, I have posted some of my favorite recipes in the Let’s Get Cooking! tab on my home page. There are a few aisles you may want to hit but if you have a plan you won’t waste your time wandering aimlessly and (probably) buying things you didn’t intend to buy.

For more information on shopping for one person, check out this post.

Ready?

Whole Foods
Whole Foods

I’ll be adding a few recipes each week under the Let’s Get Cooking! tab on my homepage.

I’ll do my best to categorize them but my idea of evening food might be different from yours (breakfast for supper, anyone?) so feel free to look around to see what’s there.

I’ll also be including those aforementioned cooking hacks, tips and ideas. Any that pertain to a particular recipe will be included in that post but

I will also be writing posts about some ideas I’ve come up with. Please come back often to see what’s new!

This is a journey and I hope you’ll join me. I look forward to seeing your ideas and recipes, either in the comment section below or by email.

So, are we ready?

Let’s Get Cooking!

Cynthia
cynthia@cynthiaeats.com

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