“Idiots” Italian Chicken. Sounds like a not very nice name eh? The reason I’m calling you an idiot is because this recipe is so easy you will wonder why it isn’t on your menu every week. This recipe is from the new Trim Healthy Mama (THM) Trim Healthy Table (THT) cookbook. It’s literally just that, so easy and yet so tasty and wonderful! You will not be disappointed and you can easily be done with your cooking for the week in less than an hour if you make four pans of this and follow my freezer meal theory!
“Idiots” Italian Chicken
Now I know what you are thinking, stop it with the Trim Healthy Table Cookbook recipes I don’t have it yet. I’m so sorry if you do not have it yet but I highly recommend it if you have not ordered. I also do not want anyone to miss out on a freezer meal this week so if you do not have the cookbook you can also follow this similar online recipe. Don’t let not having the recipe keep you from cooking this week. You will regret it if you do!
If you do have the THT cookbook this recipe is on page 223. I really just followed the recipe it was so easy. I did use fire roasted diced tomatoes from Aldi’s but I’m sure you can use regular diced also if you are worried about the heat. My family is pretty easy going about food. I’m very blessed that way but they definitely loved this recipe!
New to Freezer Cooking??
If you are new to freezer cooking you have come to the right place! First off don’t be afraid, I have people ask me the craziest things about freezing means and I have NEVER had any of these issues, let alone heard of some of them. I follow my freezer meal theory which has me in the kitchen only one night a week and by night I mean two hours MAX. I’m all about weekly stocking your freezer so you can pull daily from your freezer without a freezer anxiety attack!!
There are lots of freezer meals listed on my freezer menu and different ways to get started stocking your freezer. The most important thing to remember is this will be such a blessing to your family. My children have no idea what’s it like to have crappy food for dinner or any meal for that matter. It’s not because I’m anything special it’s just because I have taken the time to plan and you can do it too. A bonus is it will save you money! The biggest benefit is at the 5 PM time when things get crazy and your anxiety is at an ultimate high because you have no idea what is going to be on the table for dinner.
Tips
I will offer you just a few tips as you get started.
- Don’t be afraid to start slow. Just start spending one day making 4 of a meal once a week. Or choose a few days a week and just double the dinner you are already making. It honestly will not take you much more time at all.
- Go to Sam’s club and buy their 9×13 aluminum pans and lids. You get 36 pans and lids for less than $15. If you do not want to cook in these pans you can line them with parchment paper and pop it out to cook in glass.
- Let your food cool if needed before freezing.
- Almost all meals need to be completely thawed before cooking. I do this simply by placing the pan in my sink in the morning and letting it thaw there all day.
- Label your lids before you freeze them by writing on them with a pen. I have an upright freezer so I also label the sides with an address label. You have to do your labeling BEFORE you freeze or it won’t stick or stay on. I label the sides so that when I open the freezer I can easily see all my options.
- If you freeze in plastic freezer bags you may want to double bag them. Sometimes the corners get hit and will leak. Double bag them and just use the cheapest bags to do it because no one bag works better than another.
- Sometimes after you thaw your food you may have excess liquid that you need to drain off. Simply cover it with your lid and drain it off.
- The only thing I have found in YEARS of freezer cooking that does not freeze well is potatoes. If you are using frozen potatoes you are fine but regular potatoes do not freeze well. Also, spaghetti squash wasn’t great but some people have frozen that just fine also.
Thanks again!
Thank you for joining me today and please share any freezer advice you can give! I have never had issues with freezing so don’t be scared you can do it! Start today. Make a plan. You won’t regret it!