Chicken Caesar Salad (Lightened-Up!)

If you’re like me, you loovvee a good Caesar salad.  Like a really good, restaurant-worthy one.  One that cannot be made with store bought, fake tasting nonsense.  If you’re also like me, you crave this salad more often than not, yet you know that hhmmm…they may be pretty darn fattening and you find yourself weighing the flavor over your waist.

Whelp, this easy (no raw egg even, especially if you’re ‘weird’ about that) version can be made for dinner in a quick 30 minutes!  You can get in your protein with the chicken and Greek yogurt based dressing without sacrificing ANY of the restaurant worthiness (<– not sure if that’s a word, but you get it.)!

*Feel free to sub the chicken for shrimp, or nothing at all!  By all means, use your backyard grill too!

The Starting Lineup

Chicken:

• 1-1/2 lb(s) boneless, skinless thin-sliced chicken cutlets
• 1 Tbsp paprika
• 2 tsp garlic power
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1/4 tsp cumin
• hefty pinch of kosher salt and pepper
• 2 Tbsp olive oil

Dressing:

• 1/2 cup plain non-fat Greek yogurt
• 1/2 of a lemon, juiced
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon anchovy paste
• 1/4 teaspoon granulated garlic
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese (not the “green can”, please!)
• Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste

Garnish (optional):

• Garlic croutons
• Avocado slices
• Bacon, chopped
• Cherry tomatoes, sliced
• Parmesan cheese, shredded or shaved
• Lemon Wedges

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In a small bowl, whisk together the blackening seasoning for the chicken breasts.  On a lined sheet pan, swirl about two tablespoons of oil and place chicken, tossing to coat.  Heavily sprinkle on the blackening season, each side.

Place in the oven, turning once, for 25-30 minutes, until cooked through.  Allow to rest and thinly slice.  *By all means, if weather permits, grill outdoors for another great flavor!

Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, whisk together all of the dressing ingredients.  Make sure to taste to your preference (i.e. add more salt, always PLENTY of freshly cracked black pepper, thin with a bit more olive oil or lemon, etc..)

Prepare: In individual bowls, add in a cup of rinsed and patted dry romaine lettuce.  Top with the sliced, blackened chicken, more parmesan and croutons and avocado, bacon and/or lemon if desired.  Drizzle dressing overtop.  Enjoy!

Shrimp Scampi Fettuccine

This will appear as an impressive main dish to your guests, but it’s really a quick and easy 20-minute meal that works great for weeknights!  Simple ingredients, simple to prepare, but feels so indulgent!

The Starting Lineup

• 1 lb fettuccine noodles (can also use gluten free or even “zoodles”)
• 3 Tablespoons butter
• 2 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 cup dry white wine (i.e. pinot grigio) or chicken broth
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flake (plus more for serving)
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon (to taste) freshly ground black pepper
• 1-1/2 pounds extra-large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (plus extra wedges for serving)
• 1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
• 1/3 cup Italian flat leaf parsley, chopped

Prepare noodles as directed, opting for more al dente texture.  Drain and set aside.

In a large skillet, melt the butter and olive oil over medium heat.  Add in the garlic and sauté for 1 minute.  Pour in the wine (or broth), red pepper flake, salt and pepper.  Allow to reduce by half (2-3 minutes).

Add in the shrimp and sauté until they turn a bright pink (3-4 minutes depending on size).  Stir in the lemon juice and parmesan and then add in the cooked noodles and chopped parsley; toss to coat.

Serve with a simple side salad or classic Caesar and warm crusty bread, enjoy!

Adobo Shrimp Primavera

If this is your first time on my site, you may have noticed that I like to take your traditional recipes and give them a twist and a spike in flavor!  Who needs hum-drum?

Though it’s technically still winter and we definitely  have our cold days and nights, we also have some quite warm days (it is bi-polar Texas after all) and I was just totally over the typical stew dinner.  So here I give you my “Adobo Shrimp Primavera”, just in time for our approaching Spring!

This alfredo has a great smoky and slightly spicy flavor from both the chipotles and the adobo seasoning, but it keeps with tradition using cream and parmesan cheese.  You can also use your favorite fresh vegetables of choice for the primavera aspect and if you don’t care for shrimp, then use chicken!  ..or hey, keep it vegetarian and enjoy the best aspect of all…that sauce!!

https://www.goya.com/en/products/adobo-with-pepper

 

The Starting Lineup

• 1 lb large fresh or thawed shrimp
• 1-1/2 tsp Adobo seasoning (i.e. Goya brand)
• 16oz pasta noodles of choice
• 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 Tbsp butter
• 1 yellow squash, thickly sliced
• 6oz asparagus, cut into thirds
• 1 cup fresh spinach
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1-2 Chipotle in Adobo peppers, finely diced + 1 Tbsp sauce (use 1 pepper for mild sauce)
• 1 cup heavy cream (half & half ok)
• 3/4 cup parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish

 

Place the shrimp in a bowl and toss with the Adobo seasoning, set aside.

Bring a large stock pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta according to package directions.  Drain and set aside.

In a large non-stick pan over medium-high heat, add the oil and butter along with the squash, asparagus and spinach.  Sauté for 3-4 minutes.

Next, stir in the halved cherry tomatoes, heavy cream, diced chipotle pepper + sauce and the shrimp.  Toss and cook until shrimp are opaque, about 6-7 minutes.

Finally add in the cooked and drained pasta noodles and parmesan cheese; toss and cook until the cheese has melted, about 2-3 minutes.  Taste for more Adobo seasoning and/or salt if needed.

Serve in a large bowl along with extra parmesan cheese to garnish and warm crusty bread for soaking up the rich, slightly smoky and spicy cream sauce.  Enjoy!!