Delicious ways to enjoy chicken

Did you know that September is Chicken Month? Chicken is a versatile protein that you can use in so many different types of recipes. Here are just a few ways you can make chicken the star of the show:

• Use baked chicken as an entrée, paired with a whole grain and vegetables
• Make chicken tacos, burritos, or enchiladas
• Roast a chicken and serve it alongside roasted vegetables
• Grill chicken breasts for a grilled chicken sandwich, or cut grilled chicken into bite-sized pieces to use on a salad
• Use ground chicken to create chicken burgers that you can grill up
• Add chicken to a pot of broth, vegetables, rice, and your favorite spices, for a hearty chicken rice soup
• Give it an Italian flair by making chicken parmigiana with tomato sauce and low-fat mozzarella cheese, or top your favorite cooked whole wheat pasta and tomato sauce with slices of grilled chicken

If you’re looking for some delicious new chicken recipes to try, we can help! Below are a few healthy, flavorful choices the whole family will love.

Hummus Crusted Chicken

Ingredients:

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Hummus (any flavor)

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 450⁰F.
2. Cover a baking sheet with a piece of tinfoil.
3. Place each piece of chicken on the baking sheet and spread a layer of hummus (any flavor you like) on top.
4. Bake in the oven for 25 minutes and enjoy!

Fiesta Salsa Shredded Chicken

Ingredients:

6 cups of cooked, shredded chicken

1 cup of salsa

2 tablespoons of taco seasoning mix

¼ cup water

Directions:

1. Add the shredded chicken to a 3 quart (or larger) pot.
2. Next, add the salsa and taco seasoning and blend until evenly distributed.
3. Stir in the water.
4. Over medium heat, cook until heated through; approximately 10 minutes.
5. This can be used as a filling for tacos, enchiladas and burritos or on top of salads along with your favorite toppings!

Baked Pesto Chicken

Ingredients:

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Salt and fresh ground black pepper for seasoning chicken

½ cup basil pesto

2 oz. grated low-fat mozzarella cheese

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375⁰F.
2. Cut each piece of chicken breast lengthwise into 2-3 pieces.
3. Spray a 9×12 baking dish with non-stick spray, then spread ¼ cup basil pesto over the bottom of the dish. Lay chicken strips over the pesto, then spread ¼ cup more basil pesto over the chicken.
4. Cover baking dish with aluminum foil and bake chicken for 25-30 minutes, just until chicken is barely firm and cooked through.
5. Uncover the dish and sprinkle chicken with ½ cup of grated mozzarella cheese. Put dish back into the oven without foil and cook for 5 more minutes, just until the cheese is melted.
6. Remove and serve!

For Health Advocate Members

If you’re a Health Advocate member with access to the Wellness Coaching program, call your coach for more healthy, delicious recipe ideas!