If you’re a regular blog reader you’ve probably seen me eat this chicken combination often on my what I ate Wednesday posts….
It’s also always in my grocery hauls. I love AppleGate Farms Southwestern chicken. You may also know that cooking raw chicken grosses me out, so this chicken has been the perfect solution for me! It is pretty expensive though so I decided to try and make my own southwestern chicken recipe and save some money. My version came out pretty similar and while I will probably still pick up Applegate farm’s brand on occasion (convenience always wins for me) it’s good to know I have this option too!
Ingredients:
- 1 lb chicken breast
- 2 bell peppers
- 1 bag frozen or 1 box fresh spinach
- 1 tbs. olive oil
- 1/2 tbs. molasses
- 2 tsp. chili powder
- 1 1/2 tsp. paprika
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp. oregano
- 1/8 tsp. cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
- Heat a non stick skillet with your olive oil.
- Dice your chicken breast into small cubes and saute in the olive oil.
- Dice your bell peppers into small pieces and heat your spinach if frozen.
- Once your chicken is almost cooked (there is no more pink), add in your diced bell pepper.
- Continue to saute until the chicken is fully cooked.
- Add in your seasoning and spices starting with the molasses and ending with salt and pepper.
- Continue to stir and saute and add in your fresh or pre cooked spinach.
- Heat until the spinach has wilted and everything is heated.
- Optional: Squeeze with lemon or lime juice and sprinkle with crushed red pepper flakes for extra spice!
Any store bought foods you always go with over homemade??? Are you all about convenience like me?
{ 46 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh this spice combination sounds SO good. We have a Tandoori Chicken at the store which I love to buy once in a while an throw it onto some salad. I just fell better when I cook it myself so I know what’s in it. But convenience is definitely a winner
I agree sometimes you can’t help but fall for the convenience trap!
This is terrible to admit, but I always buy jarred salsa. I’ve tried making it . . . but it’s just not the same, unless I were to take time to roast the salsa, and then that’s going to take too long. Anyways, I LOVE salsa, and we go through quite a bit in this house. So, I take the easy way out on that and keep a few jars in our pantry at all times.
I won’t tell! Sometimes convenience is just better!
I love the idea to add molasses and cinnamon! Even though I have a vitamix I still buy almond milk and nut butter. It’s just easier!
Totally agree. I can’ imagine making my own almond butter!
Love the added touch of the molasses! I love applegate brand too and buy the bacon often. I love making homemade veggie burgers, but I also really like having some store bought ones on hand.
I love the applegate brand too!
nut butters! i’m yet to make my own nut butter though i really want to!
I’ve made my own but it’s just so much easier to buy it!
Sometimes convenience is worth the extra money.
I always buy nut butters instead of making them (but I want to try making them soon!) and I usually buy hummus and salsa too.
I totally agree. I always buy my almond butter!
You had me at molasses
I love the spice combination in this chicken! And I know what you mean about raw chicken – working with it always skeeves me out, and if I could find prepared chicken that wasn’t loaded with chemicals, I would totally go that route. I can be pretty lazy when it comes to prepping certain things, so hummus, nut butters, bread, and already-washed-salads are things that I’m always buying.
Glad I’m not the only one grossed out by chicken!
this sounds delicious! I usually try to do homemade whenever possible as far as dinners, I ate one to many pre-made meals in college I guess!
Hahaha I did too. It just happens in college I think!
Looks like a great meal.. I don’t eat chicken but I’m sure that could be easily subbed with turkey
absolutely! Try it out.
Holy. yum. YES.
Thanks Katelyn!
Yum! This looks excellent Danielle! I hate raw chicken too, bleh! But, it’s one of the only proteins I can eat now, so I do use it nearly everyday and am trying to get past the grossness of it haha. I think I need to try this out tonight!:)
hahaha I’m still trying to get over the grossness but it is so good for us!
I’m weird about raw chicken or any raw meat for that matter. I make my hubby cook it. lol!
Hahaha too funny! I’m on my own for now but I’ll have to remember that one
This sounds great! I bet the molasses really adds nice depth to the dish!
It did add good flavor!
Ooh love this recipe. I’m such a big fan of recreating things. But totally with you on the convenience. As much as I enjoy making pizza, you can’t beat the real deal!!
Thanks Anna!
I have totally been craving chicken! I never make chicken for myself because I always think it comes out boring, dry and yuck… BUT THIS recipe may very well change my perspective!! THANK YOU
Try it out! Hope you like it!
For convenience, I always buy store-bought items when I am cooking with things like pasta sauce, salsa, etc. Those things just always seem to be so much easier to purchase rather than make, and are normally relatively cheap.
It’s definitely easier sometimes!
..i always buy Tyson Grilled & Ready chicken – i know i need to start buying fresh (almost all of the other foods in my kitchen are!) this is just the hardest thing to give up – open the freezer, toss some chicken into a skillet, it’s already all nice and diced… one of these days!!
I agree sometimes it’s just too easy not to try it!
mmmmm this is glorious.
Thanks Jess!
i don’t blame you – raw chicken creeps me out too. i have started buying the rotisseries from WF. not cheap… but soooo worth my mental health.
hahaha I love it! and mental health is very important
This looks so good! I hate raw meat too, but this looks great!
Thanks Danielle!
I can’t believe a pro like you gets grossed out by raw chicken! hah
Hahaha totally!
Winner winner chicken dinner!! This looks like a *fantastic* must-make recipe! Like you, I love the Applegate Farms chicken strips, and also like you, I have a tendency to spend double or triple the price for the sake of convenience! I’ve been getting better though; in fact, this week, I didn’t buy any pre-packaged meats. (We’ll see how long that lasts haha). Thanks for sharing this recipe–I’d love to try using molasses in my cooking! <3
Well I’m glad I’m not the only one who prefers a little convenience
Hope you like the recipe!