Grilled Chicken Sandwiches

Enjoy a fully loaded grilled chicken sandwich! Perfectly grilled, juicy chicken is layered with elements of sweet, salty, tangy, and savory that will delight the senses. You won't believe how easily it comes together!

Grilled Chicken Sandwiches
Serves 4

Chicken and the Rub:
2 boneless chicken breasts, sliced in half
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon sugar

Sandwich Ingredients:
4 buns
4 tablespoons butter for buns
4 slices pepper jack cheese
1 avocado, sliced
1 ripe mango, sliced
4 ounces spinach
1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
BBQ sauce

Directions:
1. In a large bowl drizzle the chicken with the olive oil, and then rub with the spices (Kosher salt, pepper, cumin, garlic powder, paprika, and sugar) until well-coated on all sides. Preheat the grill.

2. Butter the buns on the inside of both the top and bottom, and prepare to grill by placing on a plate or platter to take out to the grill. Place the cheese on the side of the same plate, too.

3. Prepare the toppings for the sandwich. Halve, de-seed, peel, and slice the mango. Halve, pit, peel, and slice the avocado. Wash and spin dry the spinach leaves; remove stems as needed. Thinly slice the red onion.

4. Grill the chicken breast for 4-5 minutes and flip with grill tongs or metal spatula. Once the chicken breasts are almost done, place the cheese on top of each chicken breast, and allow the cheese to melt. Remove from the grill once the thickest part of the breast reaches 165 degrees F. Let the grilled breasts rest on a clean platter while grilling the buns.

5. Toast the buns on the grill until just golden brown.

6. Layer the toasted bun with a smear of BBQ Sauce, then add a layer of spinach leaves. Place the grilled chicken breast with melted cheese on top of the spinach. Add slices of avocado and mango, and top with slices of red onion. Drizzle more BBQ sauce on top. Finish the sandwich by capping it all with the top grilled bun. Enjoy!

Fresh Inspiration! Huevos Rancheros for Breakfast

This classic Mexican breakfast translates to “ranch eggs” and highlights a perfectly fried egg served on a warm tortilla with black beans, cotija cheese, and fresh pico de gallo.

Huevos Rancheros
Serves 4

Ingredients:
1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained
1 tablespoon olive oil, plus 4 tablespoons olive oil for cooking the tortillas
1/4 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon cayenne
1/4 teaspoon cumin
4 small fresh corn tortillas
4 tablespoons butter or bacon fat
4 eggs
1/4 cup cotija cheese, crumbled
1 avocado, sliced
Hot sauce to taste
Black pepper to taste

Pico De Gallo Ingredients:
1 cup roma tomatoes, finely diced
1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
2 teaspoons fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons cilantro, chopped
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

Directions:
1. Combine pico de gallo ingredients in a small bowl and set aside.

2. In a medium saucepan combine black beans, 1 tablespoon olive oil, chili powder, garlic powder, cayenne, and cumin over medium heat, stirring to combine. Cook for 10 minutes until beans are hot and the flavors blended.

3. Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil, in a cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add a tortilla and cook for 30 seconds on each side until the tortilla is slightly crispy. Place the cooked tortilla on a paper towel to soak up any access oil. Repeat with the remaining tortillas.

4. In a nonstick skillet, add 1 tablespoon of butter (or bacon fat). Melt the butter until it thinly coats the bottom of the pan. Turn the heat to high until the butter begins to shimmer. Crack an egg into a small dish and remove any shells, if necessary. Add the egg to the hot pan. As the edges of the egg begin to take shape, sprinkle some water into the pan around the edges and cover the pan with the lid. Remove the egg from heat after about 30 seconds, or when the white is cooked through and the yolk is still runny. Repeat this technique with the remaining eggs.

5. Assemble the huevos rancheros by layering the beans and egg on the tortilla. Top with fresh pico de Gallo, cotija cheese, avocado, and a dash of hot sauce. Enjoy!

Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, diced 3 cloves garlic, minced
1 jalapeño, seeded and minced
1 yellow bell pepper, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 (28oz) can diced tomatoes
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 (15oz) can of black beans
1 (15 oz) can of white beans
4 cups chicken broth
1-1/3 lb chicken breasts (2 large breasts)
4 teaspoons ground cumin
4 teaspoons chili powder
1/2 teaspoon paprika.
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1-1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
12 ounces frozen corn

Garnishes:
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
6 Green onions, sliced
Avocado, diced
cheddar cheese, grated
Sour cream

Directions:
1. In a medium skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Sauté the onion until softened about 4 minutes. Add the garlic and jalapeños, and heat for another minute.
2. Add the cooked onions, garlic, and jalapeños to a large slow cooker. Add in the peppers, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, black beans, chicken broth, corn, and chicken breasts. Season with the cumin, chili powder, paprika, oregano, Kosher salt, pepper, and fresh cilantro.
3. Cover and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours or cook on high for 1-2 hours.
4. While the soup is cooking prepare the crispy tortilla strips. Turn the oven to broil. Cut the tortillas into long, thin strips about 1/4” wide. Place on a large sheet pan, and then brush with olive oil and sprinkle with Kosher salt and pepper. Broil until the strips turn golden brown and are crispy.
5. Prepare the other garnishes by washing, slicing, chopping, and shredding. Place each topping in a bowl, cover, and keep refrigerated (as needed) until ready to serve.
6. Remove the chicken and shred with two forks. Add the frozen corn to the soup while you are shredding the chicken. Return the shredded chicken to the soup.
7. Serve warm with an array of garnishes!

Lunch Time Wraps

Packing lunch doesn’t have to be a drag! It also doesn’t need to require a lot of planning or prep time. Wraps are a delicious way to include nutritious veggies and lean proteins into your day. Prep vegetables on Sunday so that you’re ready to eat these five healthy, simple, and filling wraps all week long! Makes 5 lunches for 2 people.

Veggie Ingredients:
1 large carrot, julienned
1 english cucumber, julienned
1 red onion, sliced
1 red pepper, julienned
1 avocado, pitted and scored
10 oz cherry tomatoes, quartered
1 bag baby spinach, washed
1 bunch chives, chopped

Meat & Accoutrements:
10 oz hummus
4 tablespoons pesto
8 oz feta
8 oz cream cheese
Dijon mustard
1 tbsp mayo
9 oz mesquite smoked turkey
10 tortillas*

Directions:
1. JULIENNE, SLICE & QUARTER the veggies. Once prepped, wrap or place in an airtight container, and store in the refrigerator.
2. ASSEMBLING the wraps each morning is a breeze with all the prep done ahead!
Day 1: Spinach tortilla w/ hummus, Dijon mustard, cucumber, carrots, red pepper, avocado, chives.
Day 2: Sun-dried tomato tortilla, cream cheese, pesto, tomatoes, red pepper
Day3: Flour tortilla, hummus, spinach, feta, cucumber, onion tomatoes
Day 4: Whole wheat tortilla, cream cheese pesto, turkey, cucumber, red pepper, onion Day 5: Flour tortilla, Dijon mustard, mayo, spinach, carrots, turkey, chives, feta
3. WRAP and pack into lunch boxes using a stay cool pack to maintain freshness.

Grilled Chipotle Shrimp with Cilantro Lime Rice

Sweet and spicy grilled shrimp skewers are hard to beat, but when paired with a savory, bright cilantro lime rice, we can’t help but feel transported to the tropics — even if it’s just for the night. Enjoy making and sharing this great combo of flavors! Serves 4.

Spicy Chipotle Shrimp Ingredients:
1 lb medium to large shrimp, peeled & deveined (about 20-24)
3 chipotles in adobo, plus 1 tablespoon adobo sauce
3 tablespoons honey
3 cloves garlic
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
Vegetable oil for oiling the grill
3 tablespoons cilantro, chopped for garnish

Directions:
1. In a small food processor, prepare the marinade. Blend together the chipotles in adobo, the adobo sauce, honey, garlic, lime juice, salt and pepper until combined.
2. Place the peeled and deveined shrimp in a large bowl, and cover with the marinade. Cover, and refrigerate for 15-20 minutes.
3. Skewer the shrimp using 2 wooden skewers, or one flat metal skewer - place the shrimp close together. Discard the marinade.
4. Grill the shrimp over direct heat on a well-oiled grill. Cook for 2 minutes, then flip and cook for another 90 seconds, or until the shrimp are pink and opaque. Actual timing may vary by the size of the shrimp and the heat of the grill, so go by sight and touch.
5. Serve on a bed of cilantro lime rice and with a side of sliced avocado.

Cilantro Lime Rice: Ingredients:
1 cup white rice
2-1/4 cups chicken broth
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon cumin
2 tablespoons onion, minced
Juice and zest of 1 lime
3 tablespoons cilantro, chopped

Directions:
1. In a medium-sized saucepan rinse the rice under cold water until the water is clear.
2. Add the chicken broth, olive oil, salt, cumin, and onion to the rice and bring to a boil. Once boiling, turn the heat to low and cover with a tight-fitting lid. Simmer the rice on low for 20 minutes, or until the rice grains become tender.
3. Remove from the heat, and let sit for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and garnish with the lime juice, lime zest, and chopped cilantro before serving.