Blackened Chicken Alfredo

This semi homemade meal is sure to become a regular busy weeknight option for your family.  And with only 5 ingredients its sure to not break the bank either.  This meal is so easy even my husband can make it.  This is my moms Chicken Alfredo recipe and I hope you enjoy it.

Blackened Chicken Alfredo

From the Kitchen of: Lisa Murphy
Serves:3-4  Time: 30 mins

1-2 Tbl Olive Oil
1/2 package McCormicks Zesty Herb marinade seasoning
1 lb Chicken Breast/Tenders
Cooked Whole grain paste
Store-bought Alfredo sauce

If using chicken breast, cut breasts into chucks, or cut and pound into cutlets. Just make sure pieces are small enough to cook through in a pan.  Toss chicken in olive oil then add Zesty herb marinade seasoning, making sure to thoroughly coat with spices. Let sit in fridge or cook right away. To cook heat a non stick skillet to medium heat and add chicken pieces.  Turn to make sure all sides are cooked.  The spices should give the chicken a blackened look. Remove chicken to a plate.  Add Alfredo sauce to the pan and stir around, making sure to get the leftover spices into the sauce.  Add the cooked pasta. Place on plate to serve and top with cooked chicken.  This recipe goes great with Sauteed Mushrooms.

Hot Onion Dip

If you ever need a super fast yet amazingly tasty appetizer for unexpected guests my moms recipe for hot onion dip is exactly what you need.  It has 3 ingredients only and all the measurements are the same.  If you don't memerize it after the first time you make it...you should see a doctor for short term memory lose.

Hot Onion Dip

From the Kitchen of: Lisa Murphy
Serves: 4-6  Time: 20 mins

1 cup onion, chopped
1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
1 cup light Hellman's Mayo (no subs or it will be too oily)

It seriously doesn't get any easier than this.  Mix all ingredients in a bowl, place is a shallow dish. Bake in the oven at 350 degree for about 15 mins or until bubbly and brown on the top. Serve with Ritz crackers (mom personal favorite)

Taco Seasoning

Forget about buying pre-made taco mix, with who knows what in it.  Instead, use this blend of spices everyone should already have their spice cabinet.  If you don't, we have a big problem...you need to expand your taste palette ASAP.  When you mix it all up it seems like a lot of spices for one pan of tacos, but it ends up being perfect.  Especially if you are like most of us and have had the same thing of cumin in you cabinet for like a year, so the flavor may have fadded a bit. I got this blend from Alton Brown.  He calls it Taco Potion #19, but I have yet to find the other 18 recipes.  My only tweek was I thought it had too much salt in it, at least for when used it with Boca Meatless Crumbles for vegetarian night, and I added a few more things.

Taco Seasoning

From the Kitchen of: Mary Holfelner
Serves: 3-4   Time: 5 minutes

2 Tbl chili powder
1 Tbl cumin
2 tsp corn starch
2 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp ground coriander
1/2 tsp each cayenne pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder
1/4 fresh cracked pepper
salt to taste

Mix all ingredients but salt, then add to browned ground beef for tacos with 1/4 cup water.  After spices are well incorporated into beef add 1-2 tsp salt taste.