Haven’t all these Christmas cookie recipes been fun? I sure think so, anyways! But I have to mix up the sugar high with something comforting, simple, and healthy. A girl cannot should not live on cookies alone (I haven’t been, promise!). I saw this recipe last week and loved the simple ingredient list. Slimmed down recipes that still pack lots of punch are the best! Mmmm!
Mexican Chicken Casserole slightly adapted from Mia Cucina and Cooking Light
1 cup fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
2 (4.5-ounce) cans chopped green chiles, divided
1 3/4 pounds skinned, boned chicken breasts
2 tsp olive oil
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup evaporated skim milk
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded reduced-fat Monterey Jack cheese
1/4 cup (2 ounces) tub-style light cream cheese
1 (10-ounce) can enchilada sauce
12 (6-inch) corn tortillas
Cooking spray
1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded reduced-fat extra-sharp cheddar cheese
1 oz. tortilla chips, crushed (about 6 chips)
Directions:
Combine broth and 1 can of chiles in a large skillet; bring to a boil. Add chicken; reduce heat, and simmer 15 minutes or until chicken is done, turning chicken once. Remove chicken from cooking liquid, reserving cooking liquid; cool chicken. Shred meat with two forks, and set aside.
Preheat oven to 350° F.
Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 can of chiles and onion; sauté 3 minutes or until soft. Add reserved cooking liquid, milk, Monterey Jack, cream cheese, and enchilada sauce; stir well. Stir in shredded chicken; cook 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
Place 4 tortillas in the bottom of a 2-quart casserole coated with cooking spray. Spoon 2 cups chicken mixture over tortillas. Repeat layers twice, ending with chicken mixture. Sprinkle with cheddar cheese and chips. Bake at 350° for 30 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Let stand 10 minutes before serving. Serves 8.
Nutrition Information (per serving – approx. 1 cup): 337 calories; 11.1 g. fat; 74 mg. cholesterol; 604 mg. sodium; 29.5 g. carbohydrate; 5.3 g. sugar; 3.9 g. fiber; 31.4 g. protein
Result: Very good! And very meaty — a lean, high protein, moderate carbohydrate meal. Don’t base the recipe on that photo…it’s not a photogenic casserole. 😉 Mr. Prevention rated it a B+ and I would agree — B+/A-. I served the casserole with fat-free refried beans and steamed corn and it was very filling and high in fiber. I made my dish in a 2 quart round casserole dish which worked fine, but I think I would use an 8×8 or 9×13 next time. Enjoy!
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Today’s cookie recipe is the classic Christmas sugar cookie with frosting and sprinkles! 😀
Mr. Prevention was declared Sprinkle Man during this activity. It was the only ounce of help I received during my baking marathon, and it was much appreciated, if only for my enjoyment. He took his job rather seriously and I fount it awfully cute 😉
The Best Rolled Sugar Cookies from Allrecipes.com and Christmas Cookie Frosting from Cooks.com
For the cookies:
1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
2 cups white sugar
4 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
5 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
For the frosting:
4 cups powdered sugar (1 lb.)
2 egg whites
1/4 (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
1/4 tsp cream of tartar
1 tsp vanilla extract
food coloring, optional
Directions:
In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Stir in the flour, baking powder, and salt. Cover, and chill dough for at least one hour (or overnight).
Preheat oven to 400° F. Roll out dough on floured surface 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Cut into shapes with any cookie cutter. Place cookies 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
Bake 6 to 8 minutes in preheated oven. Cool completely.
For the frosting: Mix all ingredients together until well combined. Stir in food coloring, if desired. Frost cookies after they have cooled completely. Yield: About 5 dozen (my recipe made 57 cookies).
Nutrition Information (per cookie w/ frosting): 148 calories; 5.7 g. fat; 15 mg. cholesterol; 64 mg. sodium; 23 g. carbohydrate; 0 g. fiber; 1.6 g. protein
Result: I didn’t have a tried and true sugar cookie recipe, but this is it. They were fantastic! The recipes makes a lot and the frosting recipe is the exact amount to frost each cookie generously. These are a popular Christmas cookie and I’m glad I made them — always a hit! Who wouldn’t love sprinkles!?
Needless to say, I’m still finding sprinkles in every crevice of my kitchen.
(Tough) Question: Buttercream or cream cheese frosting?
Have a fabulous day!
Ohhhh my goodness! Your chicken casseroles looks so cheesy and comforting 🙂 I will have to make this for dinner someday.
Now it’s really a cookie season. Everyone is baking and sharing! I am having a sugar rush right now. Your cookies look adorable. My always prefer cream cheese frosting than butter cream 🙂
Ooooh don’t make me choose! I’m going with cream cheese. 🙂
And that casserole looks SO good.
Cream cheese wins hands down! I think buttercream is too sweet sometimes plus I love creme cheese 🙂
My vote goes to cream cheese 🙂
That chicken casserole looks amazing!
My husband does the sprinkles when we bake Christmas cookies too 🙂
Cream cheese!!! But both are spectacular, obviously 🙂
oh that casserole looks divine! soo cheesey! Cream cheese or buttercream…..um…both…but I suppose if I was forced to choose, buttercream would come out on top! 🙂
I just like icing in general. But I think buttercream has the edge up…. 🙂
And the chicken/cheesy/wonderful thing looks goooood. This girl has had waaaay to many baked goods in her life recently- bring on the savory!
Wowie, both of your foods look amazing! Especially the sugar cookies with frosting! I want to snuggle up with a good book and a glass of milk + sugar cookies 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
I love all that cheese in there and how the nutrition facts are still awesome! This would be a hit in my house. We love our cheese!
Love that slimmed down casserole idea! Anything Mexican and with cheese is great in my book and if it’s a casserole, it is even better! I read your last blog about the unlucky travels, and man, you really didn’t have good luck at all! Glad you made it to NM okay! : )
Not photogenic? I like it looks great with all the gooie cheese! Glad Mr. P took his job serious – sprinkles are no joke 😉
cookies are so beautiful…very nice and delicious
those cookies were delicious!! :o)
That casserole looks so good. I’m pretty sure my husband would leave me for you if you promised to make that. Ha ha.
And not so hard answer: Definitely cream cheese frosting
Oh yes! This dish is a HUGE hit with my family! Everyone I’ve made it for LOVES mexican chicken casserole! I love it too! It tastes so rich!
I love creamcheese frosting…so good!
Cream cheese frosting all the way!!! I LOVE the title “Sprinkle Man!”. Sounds like a super hero saving cookies all year long! 🙂 Have a great day.
Cream cheese = heaven!!!
Yum! Cheese casserole looks delicious!! I love anything with a Mexican flare but I would have to find away to reduce the recipe because it’s just a little too much of a good thing for just me!
That casserole sounds so good!! Of course, Im an easy sell when it involves cheese. 🙂
I’ve made those cookies before, too, in my never-ending quest to find the “perfect” sugar cookie recipe! 🙂 They definitely are delicious. And I am a buttercream girl ALL the way, without hesitation. Though I do love me some CC icing with anything pumpkin/carrot cakey.
Buttercream.
can’t I have BOTH buttercream and cream cheese? pretty please! haha
The cheesy casserole is making me want to choose cream cheese though. ahhh cheese. my favorite indulgence ever! <3
xoXOxo
I like using skim evaporated milk in sauces – they are so much thicker and delicious – I’ll definitely be making that casserole for my lunches next week! 😀
I just put it in my new PointsPlus calculator – 8 points per serving – not bad!
I love both but I would have to say cream cheese frosting. yum!
Your cookies look too cute! I love sugar cookies..perfect holiday cookie!
Oooh, that casserole definitely does look cheesy and good, Nicole! Your Christmas sugar cookies are adorable! Hmmm, I would have to say buttercream, except for on carrot cake…then it has to be cream cheese frosting! 🙂
I made sugar cookies today too 🙂 with my momma!
The casserole sounds great! Well, to me anything with cheese sounds great! 🙂
Cream cheese frosting!
Sugar cookies are such a classic! My kids LOVE to decorate them. That casserole looks yummy too!
Cream cheese for sure.
I love all things Mexican & I am a huge fan of casseroles–so that dish is right up my alley!!
I definitely like cream cheese frosting better..sadly I’ve never been a fan of buttercream!
I made sugar cookies today too 🙂 with my momma!