Under 30 Minutes

September 16, 2021 Easy

Instant Pot Clam Chowder

This Instant Pot clam chowder comes together in just 15 minutes! Tender veggies, chopped clams, and a sprinkling of fresh herbs are finished off in an irresistibly creamy broth.

What Makes This Instant Pot Clam Chowder So Good

It’s utterly foolproof! The Instant Pot takes all the guesswork out of cooking this comforting chowder. Throw this super easy recipe together for friends or family, and impress them with your new cooking skills!
It’s incredibly rich and satisfying! This Instant Pot clam chowder tastes especially delicious on a cold day. I just love cozying up with a big bowl of this delicious soup to warm me up.
It takes just 15 minutes to make – that’s a fraction of the time of any other clam chowder recipe! Start by sautéing the bacon and veggies, adding in some seasoning, then cooking the potatoes until perfectly tender. Finish everything off with some heavy cream and chopped clams, then enjoy!

Key Ingredients for Instant Pot Clam Chowder

Bacon – I like to call this our secret ingredient! Bacon and its rendered flavors add a certain savory aspect to this soup that is simply unmatched. I highly recommend adding chopped bacon to your chowders, for its delicious and flavorful crunch. However, if you’d rather not use bacon, you can skip the first step and sauté the onion, celery, and thyme in 1/4 cup of salted butter instead.

Heavy Whipping Cream – Heavy whipping cream is what makes this Instant Pot clam chowder irresistibly creamy. It’s also vital to the thickness of this chowder recipe. If you can’t find heavy whipping cream, you can use just heavy cream instead. Also, if you’d like to make this dairy free, swap the heavy whipping cream out for one cup of full-fat coconut milk.

Chef’s Tips

Don’t overthink this recipe! The method is actually so simple. Move seamlessly between one step to another and enjoy the finished result!
Serve this Instant Pot clam chowder however you’d like! I love mine with a handful of crushed oyster crackers sprinkled over the top. A nice warm side of crusty bread would also be delicious.
Give the chowder a taste at the very end before adjusting any seasoning. Once completely cooked, you’ll have a full idea of how it will taste and of any changes it needs.

close-up overhead image of instant pot clam chowder

More Easy and Delicious Instant Pot Recipes

We hope you loved this recipe as much as we did! We’d love for you to give us a star ★ rating below, and follow us on Instagram! For more delicious, healthy recipes, be sure to check out 40 Aprons.

Print Recipe

Instant Pot Clam Chowder

This Instant Pot clam chowder comes together in just 15 minutes! Tender veggies, chopped clams, and a sprinkling of fresh herbs are finished off in an irresistibly creamy broth.

Cook Time15 mins

Total Time15 mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: chowder, creamy, one pot meal

Servings: servings

Calories: 455kcal

Author: Cheryl Malik

Equipment

Instant Pot

Ingredients

4 slices bacon chopped
1 yellow onion chopped
2 celery stalks chopped
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
3 garlic cloves minced
1 teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
4 medium potatoes cubed
1 (8-ounce) bottle clam juice
1 ½ cups chicken broth
2 tablespoons all purpose flour see Notes for gluten-free
1 cup heavy whipping cream
2 (6.5-ounce) cans chopped clams drained

Instructions

Set Instant Pot to sauté setting and add in the chopped bacon. Cook for about 3 minutes or until almost done.
Add in the onion, celery, and thyme and continue sautéing until onion is translucent, about 6 minutes. Add in the garlic, salt, and black pepper and stir for just 1 minute.
Add in the potatoes, clam juice, and chicken broth then secure lid on Instant Pot and set to manual high pressure for 8 minutes. Quick-release steam, remove lid, and set back to sauté setting.
Mix together in the flour and heavy whipping cream in a separate bowl then add to Instant Pot and stir until soup has thickened. Then add in the chopped clams and stir to combine.

Notes

Make it Gluten-Free: To make this chowder gluten-free, replace the all purpose flour with an equal amount of rice flour or cassava flour.

Recipe yields approximately 4 servings. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.

Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including crackers. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by 4. Result will be the weight of one serving.

Nutrition

September 14, 2021 Appetizer

Buffalo Shrimp

This buffalo shrimp is insanely flavorful and requires just a handful of simple ingredients! Shrimp are cooked until tender, then tossed in a spicy sauce with just a touch of sweetness. Enjoy this easy buffalo shrimp on its own as a tasty appetizer or over a salad for a delicious meal!

What Makes This Buffalo Shrimp So Good

It’s one of the easiest shrimp recipes ever! Simply coat the shrimp in seasoning, then broil for a few minutes per side. Remove them from the oven and toss in a quick three-ingredient buffalo sauce – that’s it!
It can be served in a variety of ways! This buffalo shrimp makes the perfect appetizer with a side of ranch or blue cheese dressing. It also tastes great over a salad or alongside roasted veggies for a complete and healthy meal.
These shrimp are insanely addictive! You ever start eating a bag of chips and just can’t stop? Well these shrimp have that same exact quality – pop one and you’ll want to eat the whole batch!

Key Ingredients for Buffalo Shrimp

Shrimp – Pick up a pound of raw, peeled, and deveined shrimp for this recipe. You can either leave the tail on or off your shrimp. I prefer keeping the tail on as I think it helps trap just a bit more flavor. Though for easier/neater eating, simply remove each tail before cooking!

Cajun Seasoning – Cajun seasoning coats these shrimp in intense flavor. The blend of paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, and a variety of other spices take this recipe to the next level. However if you don’t have Cajun seasoning, you can instead use a mix of paprika, salt, and black pepper in its place.

Hot Sauce – Any hot sauce will work here, though I recommend Frank’s RedHot. It’s spicy without overpowering the other flavors in this recipe. It’s also not too thin and does a perfect job at coating and sticking to the shrimp.

Chef’s Tips

Pat the shrimp dry with a paper towel before tossing in Cajun seasoning. Dried shrimp will bake up crispier and more delicious in the oven!
If you’d like, you can grill this buffalo shrimp rather than broiling it! To do this, simply add to a hot grill over medium heat for 2-3 minutes per side. Once the shrimp is completely opaque, it’s cooked through and ready to be tossed in the sauce.
Feel free to customize the spice in this recipe based on your preferences. For less spicy shrimp, replace the Cajun seasoning with a pinch of salt and black pepper. Then, for even less spice, use half the amount of hot sauce!

buffalo shrimp on a plate with ranch dressing on the side

Other Easy Shrimp Recipes You’ll Love

Print Recipe

Buffalo Shrimp

Prep Time5 mins

Cook Time6 mins

Total Time11 mins

Course: Appetizer, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: 15 minutes, easy shrimp recipe, spicy

Servings: servings

Calories: 217kcal

Author: Cheryl Malik

Equipment

Baking sheet
Large bowl

Ingredients

1 pound shrimp peeled and deveined
1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning see Notes
2 tablespoons olive oil
½ cup hot sauce such as Frank's RedHot
2 tablespoons butter melted
1 tablespoon honey optional

Instructions

Set oven to high broil and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Add shrimp to a large bowl and toss in Cajun seasoning. Then drizzle in the olive oil and mix to coat.
Transfer shrimp to baking sheet and broil for 3 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Mix together the hot sauce, butter, and honey in a large bowl then toss in the cooked shrimp to coat in sauce.

Notes

Cajun Seasoning: If you don’t have Cajun seasoning, you can use Old Bay seasoning or a combination of paprika, salt, and black pepper in its place.

Recipe yields approximately 4 servings. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.

Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including ranch dip, celery, or carrots. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

Nutrition

September 7, 2021 Dairy-Free

Chili’s Southwest Chicken Soup

This Chili’s southwest chicken soup is easy to make at home with just one pot! Loaded with flavor and fresh ingredients, this soup will quickly become one of your favorites.

What Makes This Chili’s Southwest Chicken Soup So Good

It tastes just like the restaurant version! However, it’s super quick and easy to make in the comfort of your own home.
It all comes together in just one pot! This Chili’s southwest chicken soup couldn’t possibly be easier to cook and cleanup. With just one pot you’ll have a complete, hearty, and tasty meal.
It’s healthy but super satisfying! Loaded with lean chicken breast, fresh veggies, and a handful of flavorful spices. This dinner or lunch recipe is everything we stand for – easy, healthy, and delicious!

Key Ingredients for Chili’s Southwest Chicken Soup

Diced Green Chiles – One small can of diced green chiles give this soup a subtle spice and incredible flavor. These canned peppers make this recipe standout. You can find diced green chiles in either the ethnic or canned goods aisle of most grocery stores.

White Hominy or Navy Beans – White hominy is used in the famous Chili’s recipe. However, this unique ingredient can sometimes be hard to come by. Therefore, if you can’t find white hominy at your local grocery store, you can easily use a can of white navy beans instead.

Chef’s Tips

Wait until the very end of this recipe to adjust any seasonings as desired. This Chili’s southwest chicken soup needs time to cook and simmer to allow the flavors to fully develop. Therefore, wait until the last step of this recipe to give things a taste and add anything you’d like.
Play around with the spices in this recipe. Feel free to make any adjustments to the amount of chili powder based on your spice tolerance. Though I find one tablespoon of chili powder adds a subtle spice without overpowering the soup.
Serve this soup however you’d like! To keep it low-carb, then simply top it with some shredded cheese and enjoy. Though I love enjoying mine with a big bowl of tortilla chips for dipping and topping – yum!

chili's southwest chicken soup in a bowl with a spoon

Other Easy Soup Recipes

Print Recipe

Chili’s Southwest Chicken Soup

This Chili's southwest chicken soup is easy to make at home with just one pot! Loaded with flavor and fresh ingredients, this soup will quickly become one of your favorites.

Prep Time5 mins

Cook Time20 mins

Total Time25 mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: chili’s copycat recipe, one pot meal, restaurant-style

Servings: servings

Calories: 394kcal

Author: Cheryl Malik

Equipment

Large pot

Ingredients

3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
1 onion chopped
1 green bell pepper chopped
3 garlic cloves minced
1 tablespoon cumin
1 tablespoon chili powder
2 teaspoons paprika
1 quart chicken stock see Notes
1 (4-ounce) can diced green chiles
1 (10-ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 cup white hominy or navy beans, drained
2 teaspoons lime juice
¼ cup fresh cilantro chopped
corn tortilla chips for serving
shredded cheese or crumbled queso fresco for serving

Instructions

Heat one tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Season chicken breast with salt and pepper, then transfer to pot and cook for about 5 minutes per side or until cooked through. Remove from pot and leave to rest for a few minutes on the counter.
Add the remaining two tablespoons of vegetable oil to pot along with the chopped onion, green bell pepper, and garlic. Sauté for 2-3 minutes or until onion is soft.
Add in the cumin, chili powder, and paprika cooking for about 1 minute or until fragrant.
Stir in the chicken stock, diced green chiles, diced tomatoes, and Hominy or navy beans. Chop the cooked chicken breast into small bite-sized pieces and place that into the pot as well.
Bring to a boil then reduce heat and let simmer for 5-8 minutes. Then remove from heat before adding in the lime juice and fresh cilantro.

Notes

Make it Paleo: Leave out the white hominy to make this a paleo meal.
Chicken Stock: Feel free to use vegetable broth instead of chicken stock in this recipe.

Recipe yields approximately 4 servings. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.

Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using white hominy and not including tortilla strips or cheese. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

Nutrition

September 2, 2021 Family Friendly

Chicken Florentine Soup

This chicken florentine soup is creamy, comforting, and surprisingly healthy! It’s packed with fresh veggies, chicken, and a few simple seasonings.

What Makes This Chicken Florentine Soup So Good

It requires simple ingredients you probably already have on-hand! Butter, garlic, onion, and chicken broth are a few of the easy items you’ll need. This is also the perfect recipe to use up any leftover pre-cooked chicken you might have lying around!
It all comes together in just one pot! With just one large pot you’ll have a complete meal and be left with very little cleanup.
It takes less than 30 minutes to make! Throw this quick and easy meal together on a busy weeknight when you’re craving something light but super satisfying.

Key Ingredients for Chicken Florentine Soup

Half and Half – Made up of half whole milk and half heavy cream, half and half makes this soup irresistibly creamy. I love the richness it contributes, without being too thick. However, you can use whole milk in place of the half and half in this recipe if you’d like.

Baby Spinach – Either fresh or frozen spinach will work in this chicken florentine soup! Two cups might sound like a lot, but once cooked, the spinach will wilt and shrink. Sometimes, when I’m feeling extra healthy, I throw in a couple extra handfuls of spinach. Spinach is super nutritious and loaded with vitamins and minerals!

Chef’s Tips

Wait until the very end of this recipe to taste and adjust any seasonings. The soup needs time to simmer and allow its flavors to develop. Therefore, wait until the last step to add anything you’d like!
Serve this chicken florentine soup however you’d like. I love enjoying a big bowl of this cozy soup with a thick slice crusty bread – yum! I’ve even served this over a bowl of cooked white rice, which was hearty and delicious.
Sprinkle some fresh parsley, cracked black pepper, and/or parmesan cheese over your finished dish. I love adding a fresh element to this hearty soup, it really helps brighten this recipe up!

two bowls of chicken florentine soup with crackers and fresh parsley on the side

More Easy Soup Recipes

Print Recipe

Chicken Florentine Soup

This chicken florentine soup is creamy, comforting, and surprisingly healthy! It's packed with fresh veggies, chicken, and a few simple seasonings.

Prep Time5 mins

Cook Time20 mins

Total Time25 mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: comfort food, one pot meal, soup

Servings: servings

Calories: 315kcal

Author: Cheryl Malik

Equipment

Large pot

Ingredients

2 tablespoons butter
4 garlic cloves minced
1 onion diced
1 cup carrots diced
1 cup celery diced
3 tablespoons all purpose flour
½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
1 quart chicken broth
1 cup half and half
2 cups cooked chicken diced or shredded
2 cups baby spinach

Instructions

Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat, then add in the garlic, onion, carrots and celery. Cook 3-5 minutes or until veggies are soft.
Add flour, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper then stir for 1 minute.
Pour in the chicken broth and half and half, bring soup to a boil then reduce to a simmer for about 15 minutes or until it begins to thicken.
Stir in the chicken and spinach, simmer for 5 minutes then taste and adjust seasoning as desired.

Notes

Make it Gluten-Free: Use cassava flour or rice flour in place of the all purpose flour in this recipe.

Recipe yields approximately 4 servings. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.

Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

Nutrition

August 31, 2021 Appetizer

Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip

This Instant Pot buffalo chicken dip is cheesy, delicious, and ready in just 20 minutes! It’s a quick and easy take on a comforting classic. Whip this easy recipe together for friends, family, or your next potluck!

What Makes This Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip So Good

It takes just 20 minutes to make! It’s the fastest method to creating this crowd-pleasing dip. I love throwing this quick recipe together when I’m entertaining, but am short on time.
It all comes together in the Instant Pot! Let’s face it, one pot meals are the best. And this Instant Pot buffalo chicken dip is no exception!
It’s creamy, cheesy, and loaded with flavor! Spicy hot sauce, zesty ranch dressing, and three (yes, three!) different kinds of cheese make this dip totally irresistible.

Key Ingredients for Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip

Hot Sauce – I prefer Frank’s Red Hot Sauce in my buffalo chicken recipes, though any hot sauce will work. You could even use a buffalo sauce instead if you’d like. If not using Frank’s, Tabasco or Cholula hot sauce are very similar and will yield delicious results.

Ranch Dressing – Ranch dressing not only adds to the creaminess of this dip, but to the flavor as well! It’s the perfect zesty and tangy addition to this recipe. If you prefer a thicker dip, then you can use a packet of ranch seasoning in place of the ranch dressing in this recipe.

Chef’s Tips

If you’re having trouble getting the cheese to melt in the last step, simply set your Instant Pot to sauté mode. This will reheat the Instant Pot and ensure all the cheese melts much quicker!
Aim to cover the chicken in hot sauce and ranch dressing before cooking. When the surface of the chicken is completely covered in sauce, it will soak up as much of that delicious flavor as possible. You can even give the ingredients a quick stir before securing the lid if you’d like!
For an even thicker dip, add an extra cup of cheddar cheese! Depending on your preferences, you may want to thicken this recipe up. Therefore, an extra cup or so of shredded cheese will do the trick.

overhead closeup image of instant pot buffalo chicken dip with sliced green onions on top

More Instant Pot Recipes You’ll Love

Print Recipe

Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip

This Instant Pot buffalo chicken dip is cheesy, delicious, and ready in just 20 minutes! It's a quick and easy take on a comforting classic. Whip this easy recipe together for friends, family, or your next potluck!

Prep Time5 mins

Cook Time15 mins

Total Time20 mins

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: chips and dip, entertaining, potluck

Servings: servings

Calories: 390kcal

Author: Cheryl Malik

Equipment

Instant Pot

Ingredients

1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 cup hot sauce such as Frank's Hot Sauce
½ cup ranch dressing
4 tablespoons butter
8 ounces cream cheese
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

Place chicken in Instant Pot and cover with hot sauce, ranch dressing, and butter.
Cook on manual high pressure for 15 minutes, then quick release steam.
Remove lid, shred chicken with two forks, then add in the cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and mozzarella cheese. Stir until cheese has melted.

Notes

Recipe yields approximately 6 servings. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.

Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving out of 6 using specific ingredients listed above. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

Nutrition

August 17, 2021 Air Fryer

Brats in the Air Fryer

Making brats in the air fryer is super easy! Perfectly cooked brats are ready in just 15 minutes, with minimal effort and cleanup.

air fryer brats on a baking sheet with saueurkraut, mustard, and buns

What Makes Brats in the Air Fryer So Good

They cook up super fast in the air fryer! Other cooking methods such as grilling, on the stove, or in the oven typically take around 30 minutes. However, the air fryer cooks brats in record time – just under 15 minutes!
The air fryer takes all the guesswork out of how long to cook these German sausages! Simply set the air fryer to 14 minutes, then pause at 7 minutes to give them a quick flip. Once the timer goes off, you’re guaranteed fully and perfectly cooked brats every time!
You can serve them however you’d like! I love my bratwurst in a brioche roll with sauerkraut and mustard. Though if you’re looking for a low-carb meal, simply serve them over a bed of sautéed pepper and onions with kraut and mustard on the side – yum!

Key Ingredients for Easy Air Fryer Brats

Uncooked Brats – Any uncooked brats will work in this recipe! Beer brats are a popular variety and I personally love the extra bit of flavor. However, you can use any kind of uncooked brat you’d like. If you can’t find uncooked brats, you can swap them out for uncooked sausage if you’d like!

Chef’s Tips

Pause your air fryer at 7 minutes to give the brats a quick flip. Flipping them halfway through cooking will ensure they cook and brown evenly on all sides!
Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may be able to fit more brats if you’d like! However, I recommend only fitting as many brats into the air fryer as you can in a single layer. Do not stack the brats on top of each other, which will cause them to cook unevenly.
Line your air fryer basket with an air-fryer-safe parchment paper to help soak up any excess grease. Brats have a tendency to release quite a bit of grease once cooked. Therefore, you can either pat them try with a paper towel when they’re done cooking, or get ahead of things by cooking them atop a layer of parchment paper! Just make sure to use parchment paper that’s safe for the air fryer.

close-up image of air fryer brats with mustard on the side

More Simple Air Fryer Recipes

Print Recipe

Brats in the Air Fryer

Making brats in the air fryer is super easy! Perfectly cooked brats are ready in just 15 minutes, with minimal effort and cleanup.

Cook Time14 mins

Total Time14 mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: German

Keyword: 15 minutes, air fryer, bratwurst

Servings: servings

Calories: 220kcal

Author: Cheryl Malik

Equipment

Air Fryer

Ingredients

5 uncooked brats

Instructions

Preheat air fryer to 370° Fahrenheit. Place brats in single layer in basket.
Cook 14 minutes, pausing to flip brats halfway through.

Notes

Recipe yields approximately 5 servings. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.

Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving out of 5 using uncooked brats. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

Nutrition

August 12, 2021 Family Friendly

Buffalo Chicken Quesadillas

These buffalo chicken quesadillas are golden brown and crispy on the outside, and they’re loaded with tangy buffalo chicken and melty cheese on the inside! With a few simple ingredients and in just 10 minutes you’ll have a flavor-packed lunch or dinner.

What Makes These Buffalo Chicken Quesadillas So Good

They’re irresistibly cheesy and delicious! Layers of melty Mexican cheese and spicy buffalo chicken are encased in two crispy flour tortillas. These buffalo chicken quesadillas are seriously addictive!
They require just 5 ingredients! Shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, butter, tortillas, and shredded Mexican cheese. That’s all you’ll need for this super simple recipe!
It’s an easy meal to throw together when you’re short on time. Start by mixing together the buffalo chicken. Then, layer everything between two tortillas. Last, but definitely not least, fry up in a pan until golden brown and delicious!

Key Ingredients for Buffalo Chicken Quesadillas

Buffalo Sauce – Any buffalo sauce will work in this buffalo chicken quesadillas recipe! I most often use Frank’s Red Hot Sauce since it packs in quite a bit of spice and flavor. However, you can certainly pick up any buffalo sauce that best suits your spice preferences.

Butter – Believe it or not, butter is a very important part of this recipe. Each quesadilla is quickly pan-fried in butter. This gives them a perfect golden brown shell. I’ve tried this recipe with a variety of oils. Though none taste nearly as good as butter does. However, the one substitution you could make here is by using ghee instead of butter.

Shredded Mexican Cheese Blend – Most Mexican cheese blends contain a mixture of Monterey Jack cheese and cheddar cheese. Both cheeses together give these quesadillas a mildly sharp and tangy flavor. However, if you can’t find a Mexican cheese blend, you can simply combine the cheeses yourself. Also, you can use either cheese alone in these quesadillas if you prefer!

Chef’s Tips

The amount of buffalo chicken and cheese in each quesadilla is simply a recommendation. If you prefer a super cheesy quesadilla, then feel free to throw some more cheese in there! Get creative with this recipe. Don’t be afraid to make it your own!
I highly recommend serving your finished quesadillas with a side of ranch dressing. Zesty ranch is the perfect compliment to spicy buffalo chicken and sharp Mexican cheese!
If you have any leftover quesadillas, then store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. To reheat, place them in a skillet over medium heat with a tablespoon of butter. Then, leave for a few minutes or until cheese has re-melted. However, I will say – these buffalo chicken quesadillas are best enjoyed immediately after making!

buffalo chicken quesadillas slices stacked on top of each other

Other Easy Lunch or Dinner Recipes You’ll Love

Print Recipe

Buffalo Chicken Quesadillas

These buffalo chicken quesadillas are crispy on the outside and loaded with tangy buffalo chicken and melty cheese on the inside! With a few simple ingredients and in just 10 minutes you'll have a flavor-packed lunch or dinner.

Prep Time5 mins

Cook Time5 mins

Total Time10 mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: buffalo sauce, cheesy, easy lunch

Servings:

Calories: 508kcal

Author: Cheryl Malik

Equipment

Bowl
Large skillet

Ingredients

2 cups cooked shredded chicken see Notes
½ cup buffalo sauce
4 tablespoons butter
4 10-inch flour tortillas
2 cups shredded Mexican cheese

For Serving (Optional)

ranch dressing
fresh chopped cilantro

Instructions

Mix together the shredded chicken and buffalo sauce in a bowl.
Heat two tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Once melted, place a tortilla in the skillet, sprinkle tortilla with ½ cup cheese then half of the shredded buffalo chicken.
Place another ½ cup cheese on top of chicken, followed by another tortilla. Cook for about 2 minutes or until golden brown underneath.
Flip quesadilla and cook for another 2 minutes, then remove from skillet and repeat with remaining ingredients.

Notes

Shredded Chicken: I followed this simple method to prepare my shredded chicken for this recipe. However, this Instant Pot shredded chicken is also a great option as well!

Recipe yields approximately 4 servings. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.

Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving out of 4, not including ranch dressing. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

Nutrition

August 10, 2021 Dairy-Free

Instant Pot Bacon

Cooking bacon in the Instant Pot is quick, easy, and mess-free! Bacon, tongs, and an Instant Pot is all you’ll need to achieve perfectly crispy bacon in just 5 minutes.

What Makes Instant Pot Bacon So Good

The high sides on the Instant Pot catch any splatter and cause less mess! One of the most annoying parts about cooking bacon is cleaning up the grease that somehow gets everywhere. This method gives you the perfectly crispy bacon you desire, minus the mess!
The Instant Pot cooks bacon in a fraction of the time of most other cooking methods. Just 5 minutes on the sauté setting is all you need for super crispy and delicious bacon!
It’s super simple and totally foolproof! This is one of those recipes that’s almost impossible to mess up. Keep an eye on the bacon as it cooks and remove it from the pot when it’s ready – that’s it!

What You’ll Need for Instant Pot Bacon

Bacon – Your one and only ingredient here is bacon, so I highly recommend making it good quality bacon! I always make sure my bacon is free of added sugar, antibiotics, and is uncured. While I prefer the taste of regular pork bacon, you can use this method to cook turkey bacon as well!

Instant Pot – I use a 6-quart Instant Pot, though any size will work. However, depending on the size you might have to work in batches to cook all of your bacon. To prepare your Instant Pot for cooking bacon, start by plugging it in and then hitting the “Sauté” button. Next, adjust the time using the “+” and “-” symbols to set it to 5 minutes. Once the screen reads 5 minutes, wait for the pot to beep to tell you it’s starting to heat up and then get cooking!

Chef’s Tips

Keep an eye on the bacon as it cooks! Since this recipe takes just 5 minutes, the bacon will start to crisp up almost immediately. Therefore, you’ll want to keep a close eye on it to make sure you don’t accidentally overcook the bacon.
Transfer the cooked bacon to a paper towel-lined plate. With any cooked bacon, it will be pretty greasy once it’s done. Placing it on a sheet of paper towel will help to soak up much of the grease before eating!
Avoid overlapping any strips of bacon inside the Instant Pot. You may need to work in batches to cook all of your bacon, though this will ensure it cooks evenly and totally crispy!

a plate of bacon in front of an instant pot and a bowl of eggs

More Instant Pot Recipes You’ll Love

Print Recipe

Instant Pot Bacon

Cooking bacon in the Instant Pot is quick, easy, and mess-free! Bacon, tongs, and an Instant Pot is all you'll need to achieve perfectly crispy bacon in just 5 minutes.

Cook Time5 mins

Total Time5 mins

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: instant pot recipe, less mess, less than 5 minutes

Servings: servings

Calories: 75kcal

Author: Cheryl Malik

Equipment

Instant Pot

Ingredients

6 slices bacon cut in half

Instructions

Place bacon in a single layer at the bottom of Instant Pot.
Set to sauté for 5 minutes and cook, flipping frequently, until you’ve achieved your desired crispness.

Notes

Flip the bacon about every minute to ensure even cooking and crispness!

Recipe yields 12 half slices of bacon, or 3 servings. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.

Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 4 half slices or 2 whole slices of bacon. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

Nutrition

August 5, 2021 Dairy-Free

Chicken Pomodoro

This chicken pomodoro is light, easy, and delicious! With just one skillet, you’ll have a healthy meal in under 20 minutes.

What Makes This Chicken Pomodoro So Good

From start to finish this dish takes less than 20 minutes to make! Lightly sear the chicken, make the sauce, then add everything back into the skillet. You’ll have a healthy and delicious meal on the table in no time!
It requires a few simple ingredients that you probably already have on-hand. Salt, black pepper, garlic, and lemon juice are the main seasonings for this easy recipe. This is the perfect dish to throw together when you’re low on ingredients but still want something tasty and satisfying!
The entire meal gets cooked in the same skillet! That’s right, this one skillet meal makes for easy cooking and even easier cleanup.

Key Ingredients for Chicken Pomodoro

Chicken Breast Cutlets – You can either purchase pre-sliced chicken cutlets from the store, or buy chicken breasts and slice them yourself. If starting with whole breasts, place them on a cutting board and use a sharp knife to slice horizontally through each breast. This will leave you with two thin chicken breasts which you can either go straight into using for this recipe, or continue to make them even thinner. To do that, place each breast between two slices of parchment paper and use either a meat mallet or heavy object to pound the chicken to your desired thinness.

Cherry Tomatoes – Fresh cherry tomatoes add incredible vibrance to this chicken pomodoro recipe! Start by rinsing your tomatoes, then slicing them in half for this recipe. While the tomatoes cook, they release some of their natural sugars becoming almost caramelized and delicious.

Chef’s Tips

Be sure to pat each chicken cutlet dry with a paper towel in the first step of this recipe. The dryer you can get the chicken before cooking, the crispier it will become! There’s not much better than a juicy cutlet that’s golden brown on the outside and perfectly tender on the inside.
Chicken is cooked through once it has reached an internal temperature of 165° Fahrenheit. However, if you don’t have a meat thermometer and are concerned about undercooking the chicken – simply slice one in half to give it a check. If the chicken is opaque through the center, then it’s fully cooked and ready to enjoy!
Avoid crowding the skillet while lightly browning the chicken. An overcrowded pan will yield less-crispy cutlets. Therefore, you may need to work in batches to evenly cook each cutlet until perfectly golden brown!

overhead image of chicken pomodoro in a skillet with white wine on the side

Other Quick and Easy One-Skillet Recipes

Print Recipe

Chicken Pomodoro

This chicken pomodoro is light, easy, and delicious! With just one skillet, you'll have a healthy meal in under 20 minutes.

Prep Time5 mins

Cook Time15 mins

Total Time20 mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: healthy dinner, low carb, one pan recipe

Servings: servings

Calories: 310kcal

Author: Cheryl Malik

Equipment

Large skillet

Ingredients

For the chicken:

2 pounds chicken breast cutlets
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil

For the sauce:

½ onion chopped
4 garlic cloves minced
1 cup cherry tomatoes sliced in half
½ cup chicken broth
2 tablespoons lemon juice
Additional salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Pat chicken cutlets dry with a paper towel then sprinkle evenly with salt and pepper.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook chicken until lightly golden brown, about 2 minutes per side. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
Add the onion and garlic to the skillet and cook over medium heat for 5 minutes or until soft.
Add in the tomatoes, broth, and lemon juice then stir and simmer for another 5 minutes.
Place chicken back into the skillet and cook, cover with a lid, and cook for about 8 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through.

Notes

Store leftover chicken pomodoro in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days!

Recipe yields approximately 4 servings. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.

Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 out of 4 servings using the ingredients listed. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

Nutrition

August 3, 2021 Asian

Chicken Chashu

This chicken chashu is perfectly savory and sweet! Rolled chicken thighs are braised in a flavorful broth until tender and juicy. This restaurant-quality dish is simple to make and exploding with delicious flavor!

What Makes This Chicken Chashu So Good

It’s bursting with tons of flavor! Chicken thighs are braised in a flavorful broth until perfectly tender. One bite of this chicken chashu will leave your taste buds singing!
It’s a restaurant-quality dish that’s surprisingly simple to make in the comfort of your own home. Simply roll the chicken thighs, quickly brown them in a skillet, then leave to cook in a mixture of soy sauce, mirin, and sake or dry white wine. This delicious dish comes together in just 30 minutes!
It’s that perfect balance between savory and sweet! Savory soy sauce and tangy mirin are beautifully balanced by a bit of sugar. We even add some fresh ginger in there for a flavorful spice!

Key Ingredients for Chicken Chashu

Boneless Chicken Thighs – For this dish, you’ll need boneless skin-on chicken thighs. Without the bone, we are able to roll these chicken thighs and easily slice into them once cooked. However, the skin is necessary in achieving a golden brown and crispy exterior!

Soy Sauce – This dark liquid condiment gives this chicken chashu most of its delicious flavor! You have the option to use low-sodium soy sauce in place of regular soy sauce in this recipe. If gluten-free, be sure to use a gluten-free soy sauce, such as tamari, instead.

Mirin – Mirin is similar to rice vinegar, though has a bit more sweetness. The acidity from the mirin is vital to balancing out the flavors of this Asian-inspired dish. If you don’t have mirin, you can use rice vinegar or sherry vinegar instead.

Sake or Dry White Wine – To keep this dish more traditional, opt for sake. However, if you can’t get your hands on sake, dry white wine works as well! As far as cooking wines go, I recommend a sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, or anything with “crisp” in the description. Though if you’d like to make this recipe alcohol-free, you can substitute it with additional mirin or water.

Chef’s Tips

Use cooking twine to secure the rolled chicken thighs! Cooking twine is heat safe, unbleached, and doesn’t contain any dyes. This kitchen item is the only string that is 100% safe to cook with and use in this recipe.
Leave the chicken to cool in the braising liquid for at least 10 minutes before serving. The longer you leave it in there, the more flavor this dish will have! Give the chicken as much time as possible to soak up all of that incredible flavor.
Enjoy this chicken chasu either on its own or over a bowl of homemade ramen! Chashu is traditionally served with ramen and makes for a delicious addition to this warming soup. Simply remove the twine from around the chicken, then thinly slice before adding to your bowl.

chicken chashu sliced on a plate with chopped scallions

More Chicken Recipes You’ll Love

Print Recipe

Chicken Chashu

Prep Time5 mins

Cook Time25 mins

Total Time30 mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Asian

Keyword: asian-inspired, chicken brine, restaurant-style

Servings: servings

Calories: 512kcal

Author: Cheryl Malik

Equipment

Cooking twine
Large skillet
Large pot

Ingredients

1 pound boneless chicken thighs
2 cups water
1 cup soy sauce
1 cup mirin
½ cup sake or dry white wine
½ cup sugar
2-inch knob ginger optional
1 shallot peeled and sliced in half

Instructions

Roll the chicken thighs with the skin-side facing out into tight rolls, then tie with cooking twine.
Add chicken thighs to a large skillet over medium heat and lightly brown for about 2-3 minutes per side.
Add the water, soy sauce, mirin, sake or white wine, sugar, ginger, and shallot to a large pot over medium-high heat. Gently boil until the sugar has dissolved.
Add chicken thighs into the pot, reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 20-25 minutes. Allow chicken to cool slightly in the cooking liquid before serving.

Notes

Make it Paleo: Use coconut aminos instead of soy sauce and coconut sugar in place of the regular sugar to make this recipe paleo.
Make it Sugar-Free: Use granular Swerve or your favorite sugar-free substitute in place of the sugar in this recipe.

Recipe yields approximately 4 servings. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.

Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving out of 4 using specific ingredients listed above. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

Nutrition