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Quick Chicken Southwest

Family of 4 Seeks Quick Dinner Ideas

Family on the go seeks long lost family dinners together. Must be quick. Taste good. Minimal ingredients. Able to please everyone. Only serious recipes need apply.

blog_image by Alexandra

blog_image by Alexandra

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Family on the go seeks long lost family dinners together. Must be quick. Taste good. Minimal ingredients. Able to please everyone. Only serious recipes need apply.

I fondly remember when I could plan a meal, cruise through the grocery store on my way home from work and then have a terrific sit-down dinner without a schedule. However, life is a little different now. Practices, games, pick-ups and drop-offs - it seems like there is no real time to sit still, let alone prepare a quality meal for my family. Luckily with my trusty iPad (no app download needed!) and landolakes.com, I can search for recipes by typing in "quick" and the most eaten ingredient by my family - "chicken." Voila! Quick Chicken Southwest was just what we were looking for. Thank you technology!

We try to plan family dinners a few nights a week, but time is always an issue for us. This recipe is great because, around lunch, I was able to make up the marinade quickly and throw the chicken in. The prep time on this recipe says 15 minutes - I think I was able to put this one together in under 10. Cook time was quick as well - 30 minutes tops. Thanks Land O'Lakes - WAY easy!
Interested in simplifying your life? Here’s how dinner got a little easier for me:

The first step is to chop the garlic and fresh cilantro.

1

I like to set my resealable plastic bags inside a large measuring cup to avoid spilling. The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon fresh chopped garlic. (Need to save time? Feel free to use the minced garlic in a jar that you can buy at the store!)

2

Add 2 tablespoons of cilantro. Recipe says you can choose cilantro or parsley. I might want to try parsley next time I make this recipe.

3

Add in 1/4 cup lime juice.

4

Next add in 1/4 cup vegetable oil.

5

Add the chicken (the recipe calls for four 6 oz chicken breast halves).

6

Seal the bag and turn the bag several times to thoroughly coat the chicken. Then place the bag in a 13 x 9 pan in the fridge turning it over a couple of times. I marinated the chicken for the 4 hours and it was amazing - If you have time for the overnight - I bet this chicken would ROCK!

We have a gas grill that is easy to use. For timing purposes, when you light the grill, start making your rice. If you have a charcoal grill, heat the coals until they are ash white.

8

Remove chicken from marinade, place on the grill.

9

Grill chicken, turning over once until it is no longer pink (about 9 - 11 minutes).

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About the time I turned the chicken, I sliced the cheddar to place on the chicken.

7

Top each piece of chicken with 2 slices of cheese. Continue grilling until the cheese begins to melt (about 1 - 2 minutes).

11

Place chicken on top of a bed of rice.

12

Top each piece of chicken with 1/4 cup warm salsa.

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Then top with 2 avocado slices. The recipe calls to garnish with some fresh cilantro leaves.

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Best of all - we had some leftovers for lunch for this week! BONUS!

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If you are on the go like us, but would love a QUICK home cooked meal, I’d love to hear what you thought of this recipe. If you find another easy one like Quick Chicken Southwest on the site, send me a comment. I’d like to give it a try!

Come back in a few days when Becky will share a twist on the classic blueberry muffin recipe.

Alex is paid to write for the Land O’Lakes Recipe Buzz® Blog.

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