Tag: Mexican

Meal Bite:  Mexican Sweet Potato Hash with Zucchini Fritters

Meal Bite: Mexican Sweet Potato Hash with Zucchini Fritters

Hi Busies!  Phew…that title is a mouthful, but so is this recipe!  This is my favorite kind of meal – all in one bowl, all pre-cut for instant bowl-to-mouth action.  Perfect for a quick lunch at your desk or for a grab and go dinner 

Side Bite:  Summer Bean Salad with Chili Lime Dressing

Side Bite: Summer Bean Salad with Chili Lime Dressing

Hi Busies!  Even though this is a bean salad, I’m going to start with a rant about how amazing TOMATOES are right now!  ? ❤️ There’s nothing better than a ripe, juicy tomato, and I had the perfect one to include in this summer bean salad that 

Side Bite:  Spanish Rice

Side Bite: Spanish Rice

Hi Busies!  If you’ve read my meal prep tips page, you know I can ramble on about different ways to cook most efficiently.  Just in case you haven’t had enough yet – here’s a great example!  To make 4 servings of my Spanish Rice, the directions specify 2 cups of liquid and 1 cup of rice.  The liquid for Spanish Rice is a half-and-half combination of tomato sauce and chicken broth, which I buy cans of in bulk (because Costco).  So, instead of using 1/2 can of chicken broth and 1/2 can of tomato sauce, just double the recipe and freeze the other half!  I caught myself covering half-filled cans with plastic wrap and putting them in the fridge and then, boom, face-palm!  ??‍♀️??‍♀️ How was I ever going to use these half filled cans before they went bad, if not to make more of this delicious rice?!  The answer – I wasn’t, and in a week I would be left with 2 half filled cans of spoiled food.  Instead, now I have 4 extra servings of this flavorful rice, ready and waiting for me in the freezer!  

Just look at the rich color of that sauce, and you know all the spices have simmered right into it.  Also making an appearance are my slow cooker chicken taquitos.

 Busy Girl Bites Spanish Rice

I’ve been getting a bit more creative with my bag labelling lately – more pictures to come.  Thanks to Maghon @ All She Wrote Notes for a great calligraphy lesson!  I had so much fun learning these new techniques!

Spanish Rice

Spanish Rice

Spanish rice, simmered in a rich sauce of tomato sauce and chicken broth, makes a great side to any Spanish or Mexican dish, or addition to your favorite burrito!
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Servings 8
Author Sam - Busy Girl Bites

Ingredients

  • 2 c rice
  • equal parts tomato sauce and chicken broth (I used 1-16 oz can each, or around 2 cups each)
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • 2 tsp chili powder
  • 2 tsp cumin
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional: 1T butter

Instructions

  1. Combine tomato sauce, chicken broth, and spices.
  2. Cook rice according to package directions, substituting equal parts tomato sauce and chicken broth for water.
  3. Optional: after cooking, stir in 1T butter. Garnish with cilantro, chopped jalapeños, or diced tomatoes.

Recipe Notes

Note: Make sure to use the correct amount of liquid based on the directions for your brand of rice.

Meal Bite:  Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken

Meal Bite: Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken

Hi Busies!  I hope everyone is having a great week!  Today I’m sharing one of my favorite meal prep recipes.  But before I get into that, I just need to say one thing.  Earlier this week I found a spider web on my stove.  Yes, 

Side Bite:  Slow Cooker Black Beans

Side Bite: Slow Cooker Black Beans

Hi Busies!  In the first few months of my first job after college, I struggled with the transition to working full time.  I was alone in a new city, without any friends to explore it with, and I was getting home drained from long days 

Meal Bite:  Slow Cooker Cream Cheese Chicken Taquitos

Meal Bite: Slow Cooker Cream Cheese Chicken Taquitos

Hi Busies!  This week is a crazy one for me, because we’re making a trip home to visit my family at the end of the week.  Whenever I know I’ll be traveling, I always try to use up as many perishables from the fridge as I can before we leave.  These taquitos are a great way to help out with that – a couple of these on their own will make a great snack, but smothering them in all. the. toppings. will elevate them to delicious dinner status!  Not to mention, forks are optional which comes in handy when you’re busy trying to do laundry and pack for a trip!

Slow Cooker Chicken Taquitos

I served these with my Spanish Rice on the side.  I hadn’t prepped the rice beforehand, but I put it on the stove right after work, played with the pups and their new toy (tennis balls are a big deal in this household), and reheated the taquitos in the oven. For maximum tortilla crispiness, I like to give them a quick spray with cooking spray and flip them over halfway through reheating.

Watson and Penny with Tennis Ball

When you have major food envy and just want to try one bite, but he isn’t having it.

 

Look at all that avocado!  Needless to say, after tonight my fridge will be clear of all the good stuff.  First thing on the list for after our trip – more avocado!  I’m looking forward to a family filled weekend which is guaranteed to include the annual family water balloon contest (wish me luck!).  What do you have going on this weekend?  Let me know in the comments below!

Slow Cooker Chicken Taquitos

A creamy, flavorful chicken and cheese filling made in the crock pot, then wrapped in a tortilla shell and baked until golden and crisp. Perfect for dipping or smothering with your favorite toppings!
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Servings 6
Author Sam - Busy Girl Bites

Ingredients

Filling

  • 2 large or 4 small boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 8- oz packet cream cheese
  • 2 tsp chili powder
  • 2 tsp garlic powder (or 2 cloves minced garlic)
  • 2 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 1/3 cup water

Taquitos

  • 20 6- inch flour tortillas
  • 3/4 cup shredded sharp cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
  • optional: toppings such as salsa (sour cream, cilantro, etc.)

Instructions

Filling

  1. In a small bowl, combine chili, garlic, cumin, salt, and pepper.
  2. Place cream cheese and water in bottom of crock pot.
  3. Place chicken breasts in crock pot and sprinkle with spice mixture. Rub spices into chicken.
  4. Cover and cook on low 6-8 hours, stirring occasionally to ensure the chicken gets coated in the melted cream cheese mixture.

To assemble/freeze

  1. Shred chicken and stir to coat with the sauce from the slow cooker.
  2. Place ~1/4 cup of chicken and 1 T of cheese in the middle of a tortilla. Roll tortilla and place, seam side down, in storage container or bag.

To cook

  1. optional: thaw overnight.
  2. Preheat oven to 375°F. Prepare a baking sheet with non-stick spray. Place taquitos seam side down on the sheet and spray the taquitos with cooking spray.
  3. Bake 10 minutes, flipping halfway through. If taquitos are still frozen, bake 20-25 minutes at 400°F.
  4. Serve with salsa for dipping or smother with your favorite toppings!

Recipe Notes

Note: if you don't have time to roll the taquitos right away, the filling can be kept in the fridge for 1-2 days before assembling and freezing.
Note: once these are frozen the tortilla will stay rolled, but be careful when putting them in the freezer that they are seam side down so they don't unroll. I pack them tight into a plastic baggie and remove as much air as I can.

Adapted from le creme de la crumb