Recipes: Freezer Meals

One of our biggest challenges lately has been meal prepping. Kevin and do pretty well one week but the next the entire thing goes out the window because I have a meeting or we both had long days at work and are just too tired. Well thanks to my handy dandy 101 list putting on the pressure and Kevin having knee surgery I decided I needed to get my act together and finally make some freezer meals.

The ones I chose to do are part of the Pampered Chef's power cooking. It's a cooking show idea for those who want to make freezer meals and meal prep. There are chicken and ground beef versions, I chose to do chicken since I liked the recipe choices that went along with them!
So to start off you cook your main protein ...

Make Ahead Chicken
3 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
1 tbsp vegetable oil

1. Cut chicken into ½-in. cubes using Chef’s Knife.
2. Heat oil in (12-in.) Skillet over medium-high heat for 1-3 minutes or until shimmering. Add chicken and
cook 7-10 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink, stirring occasionally. Drain chicken, if necessary.
3. Divide chicken into three portions.

After you've got your Make Ahead Chicken taken care of you pull together the meal bags for the recipes you chose. The Pampered Chef gives five recipes that can be made for each type of protein. They have you making three pounds of meat for three recipes because it's supposed to be a power cooking show but if you're doing it like me, just for your family, you could totally up the ante and do all five. I wasn't a fan of the other two chicken recipes so I stuck with three : )


Chicken Stir Fry Bag
To prepare and freeze
1 portion Make-Ahead Chicken
1 cup frozen shelled edamame (soybeans)
2/3 cup prepared stir-fry sauce
2 medium carrots, peeled and cut into julienne strips
3 cups small broccoli florets
2 tbsp Asian Seasoning Mix

1. Prepare and freeze
• In Bag 1, combine chicken, edamame and stir-fry sauce.
• In Bag 2, combine carrots, broccoli and seasoning mix.
• Seal Bag 2 and place into Bag 1; seal. Freeze for up to
three months.


Greek Chicken and Orzo Skillet
To prepare and freeze
1 portion Make-Ahead Chicken
2 medium zucchini, cut into¼-in. pieces
1 can (15 oz) garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (14 oz) garlic and onion flavored diced tomatoes
3 tbsp Greek Rub

1. Prepare and freeze
• In Bag 1, combine chicken and zucchini.
• In Bag 2, combine beans, tomatoes and rub.
• Seal Bag 2 and place into Bag 1; seal. Freeze for up to
three months


Smoky Black Bean Chicken Wraps
To prepare and freeze
1 portion Make-Ahead Chicken
1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
2-3 tbsp Smoky Barbecue Rub, divided
2 cups cooked rice

1. Prepare and freeze
• In Bag 1, combine chicken, beans and 1-2 tbsp of the rub.
• In Bag 2, combine rice and remaining 1 tbsp rub.
• Seal Bag 2 and place into Bag 1; seal. Freeze for up to three
months.

**Disclaimer** These aren't the entire recipes, obviously for some there are the ingredients you use to finish off the recipe (like tortillas). Since we haven't eaten our freezer meals the finishing part will be coming up soon : )