chicken Archives | The Sparrow's Home

Chipotle Chicken Taquitos for the Freezer

April 1, 2019 by Susan 6 Comments

These chipotle chicken taquitos freeze beautifully and bake up crispy and delicious. Perfect to pull out for a quick lunch or weeknight dinner.

Sometimes all you need to do is change one little thing to take a recipe over the top.

There are lots of recipes for freezer taquitos out there. I tried a few and made them several times to have on hand for my husband and I for lunch. All of the recipes I tried called for a can of chopped green chiles. And they were good. Fine.

We liked them, but when I made the switch from green chiles to chipotles— revolutionary!

Chicken Pot Pie 2 Ways

April 23, 2018 by Susan 3 Comments

Did you grow up on those little, frozen, pucks of pot pie like I did? In college they were a staple, and when Greg and I first got married, they made quick weekend lunches.

Then I learned how to make it myself, and I haven’t bought one since.

Not only is this probably my favorite use of Thanksgiving leftovers (beside sandwiches…there’s just something special about a post-Thanksgiving turkey sandwich, isn’t there?) but one of my top comfort foods in general. It’s on my list of meals to take to friends in need, too.

Comforting Chicken & Dumpling Casserole

October 19, 2017 by Susan 2 Comments

Are you looking for comfort food? Warm. Soothing. Even better if it’s super simple, right?

This baked casserole has the flavor of a more traditional chicken and dumplings, but because it’s baked in the oven is much more hands off. Leaving you time to prepare other things or read a book to your kids.

Stock the Freezer

October 5, 2017 by Susan 6 Comments

I am zero looking forward to my boys moving out one day. Not in the least. Nope. Uh-uh. I’m actually kind of in denial that it will ever happen.

Having said that, if I had to pick one thing that I’m kind of, a tiny little bit, looking forward to it would be cooking a wider variety of meals for Greg and I. And especially trying some of the awesome-looking freezer meals I see on Pinterest.

My kids are weird picky, and I don’t get how because from the time they were little, we had a variety of foods. They both ate everything until around 3 to 4 and then the picky moved in. We tried everything…ignoring it, forcing it, begging, pleading, bribing, punishing. Lately we’re in the mocking territory. (As in, I’ll serve lasagna and say, “The plain noodles and plain meat are over there,…the adult food is over here.”)

So when I see these crockpot freezer meals that look so yummy, but are (God-forbid) all mixed together…I pin them for later. Much later. Like years down the road. (I told you…denial) Although every once in awhile, when the boys are out, I’ll try something for just Greg and I. A casserole here. A crockpot meal there.

In the meantime, I do like to keep my freezer stocked with some ingredients that make meal prep quicker. And I’ve been on a bit of a freezer-stocking binge lately.

Foolproof Roasted Chicken

September 21, 2017 by Susan 2 Comments

Simple food cooked well is the heart of any home kitchen. You don’t need fancy ingredients or a culinary degree to make amazing meals.

I have been making this super easy juicy and delicious roasted chicken for years and it turns out perfectly every single time. Every. Single. Time.

It’s going to blow your mind how easy this roasted chicken is. And how tasty. I almost never make just one. Because, if you’re roasting one chicken, why not roast two? (I like to pick up mine in the two-packs at Costco).

Leftovers are divine in everything from chicken salad to jambalaya to creamy chicken & rice soup.

Sweet Chili Grilled Chicken

August 31, 2017 by Susan 2 Comments

Do you use your grill as much as possible all summer like we do? For one thing, it tastes like summer on a plate. And for another, meals just don’t get easier! Add some fresh veggies, fruit and some bread, pasta or rice and dinner’s on the table.

Having a stash of meat in the freezer makes pulling something out to grill simple as well. I like to keep several options.