Kim's No Fail, No Time, No Complaints Dinner

from Kim F.

I use this everytime I know we will have a hustle bustle night and notime for meal prep. Its a hit with everyone from 1 1/2 yo to 40 yo!Have the chicken, vegetables, and pasta cooking at the same time andyou'll have a complete dinner on the table in 15 minutes!

Boneless, skinless chicken breast (1/2 breast per person)
Bottled vinaigrette dressing
    "Newman's Own" Oil & Vinegar or Balsamic Vinaigrette (our favorite)
Lemon juice -- fresh or frozen

1. If you think of it in the morning marinate the chicken in a mix of the dressing and the lemon juice (about 2 parts dressing to 1 part lemon juice -- its a very forgiving mix). Use enough dressing mix to cover the chicken. If you don't remember to marinate...don't worry...it still works fine if you just put everything in the frying pan together.
   
   
2. Pour chicken and all the dressing into a frying pan and cook on low heat until done (10-15 minutes). Cook covered initially and then uncovered toward the end...turn frequently. Chicken is done when it's not pink inside and the juices run clear.
   
   
3. The chicken comes out browned a bit, very moist, and with a tangy/salty flavor from the dressing.

SIDE DISHES

While the chicken is cooking, boil or steam:

• 1 bag baby carrots (we like the organic ones available in most grocery stores now). When done (soft on fork) drain & dot with butter & drizzle with just a touch of maple syrup. My kids love that touch!
  
  
• broccoli flowerets or 1 box frozen broccoli (We buy the Bird's EyeDeluxe flowerets since my kids only eat the "tree tops".)

If you want a starch side dish at same meal, try this creamy pasta.My kids can't get enough of it.

Creamy Pasta

1/2 pound small pasta -- orzo, tubettini, small shells, alphabet...
1 egg, beaten
1-2 oz cream cheese (1/4 of a block or less)
butter

1. Cook pasta
2. Drain but keep a bit of water still in the pot with the pasta.
3. Add a touch of butter, the cream cheese, beaten egg
4. The cream cheese will melt and the egg will cook at the same time.

TIPS

1. Can keep boneless chicken breasts in the freezer. Take out in themorning and leave in the dressing mix to defrost. Or, if you want tomake last minute just put frozen chicken breast in marinade and cookon medium/low heat covered while it thaws.
   
   
2. If you have trouble getting your kids to eat veggies, try addingfrozen mixed chopped vegetables (corn, peas, carrots) to the creamypasta as it cooks. My kids eat a lot more veggies that way!