Recipe Corner- On the Grill: Easy Ranch Chicken

This simple grilled chicken recipe has been a family favorite ever since I came up with the idea in my first days of being a newlywed.  If left to marinate properly, this chicken is VERY, Very tender, juicy, flavorful and your family will be asking you "When can we have more Ranch Chicken Mom?"  My finicky husband doesn't even like Ranch dressing but he will devour this and ask for more.  Enjoy!

Prep time: 10 min. 

Plan ahead.  Needs to marinate 4-6 hours.

Cooking time:  15 min.

Ingredients:

• 4-6 Boneless skinless chicken breast halves (I prefer Target's chicken because it always tastes fresh)
• 2 T of my house blend seasoning (See recipe below)
• 2 cups Hidden Valley Ranch bottle salad dressing.

Rachel's House Seasoning Recipe 

This recipe will make a decent sized batch. I use it in everything!  The only ingredients I add are: minced onion, cumin and paprika to make a taco/chili blend. Or minced onion, italian seasoning, and minced garlic for spaghetti blend.

• 1/3 Cup Onion Powder
• 1/3 Cup Garlic Powder
• 2 1/2 tablespoons salt  (Use "light" salt if needed)
• 2 teaspoons pepper
• 1 teaspoon  parsley

Directions:

Place chicken breasts in 9 x 13 glass baking dish or whatever you have to hold the chicken in the fridge while it marinates.  Sprinkle house seasoning liberally on each side of chicken and poke with fork on each side several times.  Pour Ranch dressing over seasoned chicken and continue to poke chicken with fork several times on each side.  Turn each piece over a couple of times to ensure it is coated. Cover with plastic wrap and Marinate.  Typically I marinate for 4-6 hours but this chicken has come out the VERY BEST when I marinate overnight.  As with most marinades, the longer it marinates the better the flavor.  

This chicken is best when grilled.  Preheat grill and grill chicken until juices run clear.  Make sure to turn as needed so chicken doesn't burn.  It is more likely to do so because of the ranch dressing, so you will want to watch it closely.  Serve with rice and veggie or whatever you like!  

Recipe Corner- Quick Recipes for the Stay At Home or hurried mom.-GLORIFIED HAMBURGER HELPER

Glorified Hamburger Helper (Believe me when you are done no one will ever know this started as hamburger helper).

Prep time:  15 minutes
Total cooking time:  Less than 30 minutes

Ingredients:

1 box Cheeseburger Macaroni Hamburger Helper
1 cup mild cheddar cheese
1/3 Bell Pepper ( You can put this in a food processor and liquefy to disguise from finicky children)
1/3 White Onion (You can also liquefy this with Bell Pepper so the picky little ones will never know)
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
Dash of salt and pepper
1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey for a lighter version)
* I also use fresh mushrooms in my version when my son isn't home because he doesn't care for mushrooms)

Follow box directions, however when browning meat I brown with green pepper/onion mixture/mushrooms and salt and pepper.  When finished I top with 1 cup of shredded mild cheddar cheese and replace lid for about 5 minutes.

This recipe passes the kid and husband test.  He HATES hamburger helper.  I made it the other night while he was at work and put leftovers in fridge for him for his dinner when he got home.  The next morning he asked me where I got the recipe because it was delicious!  I was beaming!  Happy cooking and make sure to let me know if you try this recipe and how it goes over with the family!  :)