Sunday, March 30, 2014

Freezer Meals

As promised, I posted about freezer meals on my facebook page and said I would get you the recipes.

For all of these I found it easiest to put together a grocery list of everything you need from each recipe and the amount needed. Then I took the list and marked off things that I already had in my cabinets and frig/freezer (this time around I already had more then half the chicken I needed for the recipes and most of the spices.) Once that is taken care of I went shopping...I have most seasonings needed except a couple that I had to buy and I had enough chicken for a 4 of the meals. I ended up spending $60ish on everything except chicken. So adding Chicken to the mix I would say about $80 for 7 meals bagged and frozen!

When putting them all together I found it easier to put each recipes ingredient list together in separate piles to make myself a little more organized. I labeled my zip lock bags, with what it was and how to cook it, along with if it needed anything else added to it. Then did the recipes one by one. Some ppl would find it easier to do all the cutting of veggies and what not first then do it but I just found it a little confusing.
Below are just a few of the recipes!!!

Recipe #1: French Chicken

4-6 Chicken Breasts (I use the Costco Pouches and generally 3 to 4 breasts is PLENTY for my family of 4)
1 can of Cranberry Sauce (I like Whole Berry best for this recipe)
8 oz of French Dressing
1 packet of Lipton Onion Soup Mix
Mix Chicken, Cranberry Sauce, French Dressing and Lipton Onion Soup Mix in a Gallon Freezer Ziplock Bag.  After closing, take your hands and smash all the ingredients to combine.
To cook: Take the Freezer Meal out of the Freezer an hour before starting or run it under some room temperature water for about 30 seconds.  Dump meal in the a Crockpot and cook on Low for 4-6 hours!

Recipe #2: Teriyaki Chicken

6-8 Bonesless, Skinless Chicken Thighs
1 Cup Teriyaki Sauce
1 Cup Water
2/3 Cup Brown Sugar
3 Cloves Garlic
A few slices of of Ginger
Add all ingredients to a Freezer Gallon Ziplock Bag!  Don’t stres about trimming up the Chicken Thighs too much, it’s really not needed!  One of the reasons I love crockpotting Chicken Thighs is because the fat melts and only adds to the taste!!  Once bag is closed with all the air out use your hands to mix all the ingredients and make sure the Thighs are sitting in a good sauce!!
To cook: Take the Freezer Meal out of the Freezer an hour before starting OR run it under some room temperature water for about 30 seconds.  Dump meal in the a Crockpot and cook on Low for 4-6 hours!


Recipe #3: Sweet BBQ Chicken

4-6 Chicken Breasts
12 oz bottle of BBQ Sauce
1/2 Cup Brown Sugar (I like mine really sweet, so I’ll usually do a little bit more then this)
1/4 Cup Vinegar
1/8 teaspoon of Cayenne Pepper
1 tsp Garlic Powder
Once the chicken is cleaned, I like to rub it with the Cayenne Pepper.  But, if you’re in a hurry you can just add the Chicken to a Freezer Gallon Ziplock Bag and then add the rest of the ingredients.  Once bag is closed, use your hands to mash all the ingredients together!
To cook: Take the Freezer Meal out of the Freezer an hour before starting OR run it under some room temperature water for about 30 seconds.  Dump meal in the a Crockpot and cook on Low for 4-6 hours!


Recipe #4: Creamy Chicken Italian-O
This is a household favorite!!!

4-6 Chicken Breasts
8 oz Cream Cheese
1 Can of Cream of Chicken
1 Dry Packet of Italian Seasoning
Take softened Cream Cheese, Cream of Chicken and Italian Seasoning and mix together in a bowl.  Take cleaned chicken and place in a Freezer Gallon Ziplock Bag and top with the mixture.  After Ziplock bag is closed, take your hands and push wet mixture to cover chicken.

To cook: Take the Freezer Meal out of the Freezer an hour before starting OR run it under some room temperature water for about 30 seconds.  Dump meal in the a Crockpot and cook on Low for 4-6 hours!


Recipe #5: Cafe Rio Crockpot Chicken
I got this recipe from Chef in Training!

4-6 Chicken Breasts
1/2 a small bottle of Zesty Italian Dressing
1 Packet of Dry Ranch Dressing (3 TB)
1/2 Cup Water
1/2 TB of Minced Garlic
1/2 TB Chili Powder
1/2 TB Ground Cumin
Combine all ingredients in a Freezer Gallon Ziplock Bag.  Once ziplock bag is closed, take your hands and combine all ingredients together well.
To cook: Take the Freezer Meal out of the Freezer an hour before starting OR run it under some room temperature water for about 30 seconds.  Dump meal in the a Crockpot and cook on Low for 4-6 hours!

Recipe #6 Cilantro Lime Chicken w/ Corn and Black Beans
6-8 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts (I used 2 Costco Pouches per bag)
4 Tbs Olive Oil
2+ Limes, juiced (I like a little more lime then the recipe calls for)
2 Cups Cilantro
1 large bag of Frozen Corn (or two smaller bags)
4 minced Garlic Cloves
1 finely Chopped Red Onion
2 cans of Black Beans, drained and rinsed
2 tsp Cumin or Chipotle powder
Salt an Pepper to taste
Take ingredients and split everything into two containers.
Mix bag by shaking, seal, label and put in the freezer.
Cooking instructions: Cook in Crockpot on Low for 8 hours or High for 4 hours.  Serve with hot tortillas and dress with sour cream, guacamole, and/or cheese.




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