Chicken Tortilla Casserole

I have to be honest - I don't usually make recipes from magazines or the internet anymore. I typically dream up my own, only glancing at the pictures and recipes elsewhere for inspiration. When I saw the November/December issue of Clean Eating Magazine, I couldn't help but try this casserole - it looked so amazingly delicious. And it is!

Be forewarned - it does take quite a bit of time to put together!

Clean Eating Mag's Chicken Tortilla Casserole

Nov/Dec Clean Eating Magazine, pg 35

Ingredients:

• 2 skinless chicken breasts on bone (almost 2 lbs)
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 large white onion, chopped
• 1 large green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
• 1/8 tsp plus 1/2 tsp sea salt, divided
• 1/2 tsp fresh ground black pepper, divided
• 1 Tbsp ground cumin
• 2 tsp chili powder
• 1 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 4 cloves garlic, chopped
• 2 jalapenos, seeded and chopped (include some seeds if you want some heat)
• 2 cups unsalted diced tomatoes, with juices
• 1 cup fresh or frozen corn kernels
• 1 1/2 c organic 2% milk
• 2 tsp potato starch
• olive oil cooking spray
• 12 6-in corn tortillas, quartered
• 6 oz organic, reduced-fat, Mexican cheese blend or half Jack cheese and half cheddar cheese
• 3 scallions or green onions thinly sliced

Directions:

1. Boil chicken breasts until cooked through. Learn how to boil chicken breasts here or if you have an Instant Pot, learn how to use that here.

2. While chicken is cooking, preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large skillet (you will definitely want to use a large skillet), heat oil. Add onion, bell pepper, 1/8 tsp sea salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Cook for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until onions are lightly browned and bell pepper is soft.

3. Add cumin, chili powder, and oregano. Stir to combine. Add garlic and jalapenos and cook until garlic softens, stirring frequently. 

4. Add in tomatoes and corn and cook until heated thoroughly. This may take from 1 minute to 4 or 5 depending on fresh vs frozen corn used. Reduce heat to medium-low.

5. Let chicken cool. Once cooled, chop or shred chicken into fine pieces.

6. In a small bowl combine 2 tbsp milk and potato starch until combined. Stir in remaining milk to combine. Add to skillet and bring to a simmer, stirring constantly. Mixture will begin to thicken. 

7. Add chicken and cook until heated thoroughly. Add remaining sea salt and black pepper. Remove from heat.

8. Mist a casserole dish (I prefer ceramic) with olive oil cooking spray. Arrange half of the tortillas on the bottom of the dish as you would with lasagna noodles, overlapping slightly. Top with half of the chicken mixture and half of the cheese. Add remaining tortillas in the same fashion, remaining chicken and cheese. 

9. Cover with foil and bake for approximately 35-45 minutes until heated throughout casserole. Allow casserole to rest for 5 minute prior to serving. Add scallions/green onions to top of casserole. 

This is amazing! You will love it!

Power Meatballs

Do you crave meatballs and spaghetti? Now you can eat it and not slip up on your clean eating! Grab a clean pasta sauce like Monte Bene and some brown rice pasta and make these meatballs. You are definitely in for a treat! 

Clean Eating Power Meatballs
 

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1/2 c rolled oats
• 1 egg
• 1 lb ground chicken or lean ground turkey

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

2. Mix all ingredients in a bowl using hands to mix and separate ground meat

3. Shape mixture into 1" round meatballs and place on baking sheet or in baking pan.

4. Bake 23 minutes.

Makes 15 1" meatballs. Nutrition information listed below is for ground chicken.

Italian Chicken Skillet

Italian Chicken Skillet

Ingredients:

• 1 lb chicken breasts, cubed
• 1 cup onion, chopped
• 4 cups organic zucchini, chopped
• 2 cups organic broccoli
• 4 cups organic spinach
• 1 can kidney beans, drained & rinsed
• 2 cups marinara sauce (Read the ingredient label before buying. This one from Organico Bello is clean and so is the brand, Victoria, that we get at Costco).

Directions:

1. Cook chicken & onions in large skillet over medium high heat

2. Add zucchini & broccoli & cook until tender, about 3-5 minutes

3. Add spinach, beans & marinara sauce & cook until spinach is wilted

- Whitney

* This recipe was adapted from Jillian Michael's Italian Chicken Skillet.