LIFE-CHANGING CHICKEN SHAWARMA

Ok, ok. Life changing may be a BIT much.  But not really. Because this was one of the earliest recipes submitted by a friend (who got it from a friend) to Week Nights Only – and it instantly epitomized what I was hoping to gain from creating this site. A recipe I had never made before in my life, and one that at first glance I would have written off as WAY too intimidating to make on a weekend, let alone a weeknight. But because I knew it was SOMEONE’s go to as a favorite weeknight dinner, that’s all I needed to get past my “I can’t make a NY Times recipe” and “marinate in the morning – that’s way too much work” mentality.  And thank goodness…because sitting down to this mouth-watering dinner was not only a treat for the taste buds, it symbolized my highest hopes of creating and sharing a recipe collective of the tried and true.  Tip: The morning marinade takes about 2 minutes – then all the work is done for the evening other than the preheat and roasting. I served over my fave Jasmati rice. So, without further ado, behold Oven Roasted Chicken Shawarma. If that link isn’t working for you, try this one. Recipe thanks JF via LC! JF notes: Super easy and really delicious. Kids love too. I leave out cinnamon and red pepper flakes for various taste buds here and it still turns out great. We do chopped red pepper and cucumber (red onion good too) plus tzatziki as toppings for our middle eastern taco night.

Crockpot White Bean Chicken Chili

This one of the first recipes submitted to WEEK NIGHTS ONLY, and I knew I was onto something when this text came in! It was cooking on my counter the next day, and devoured by all. Throw the following in a crockpot: Chicken breasts, can of white beans, chopped onion, jar of salsa verde, little can of green chilis. Cook for 6 hours. Shred chicken into saucy mixture and serve over rice. YUM. Thanks LC!

BORSARI BAKED CHICKEN

One of my favorite week night chicken dinners was inspired by mother-in-law.  One day I happened to ask her for an easy dinner option that she used to make a lot – and she suggested baked chicken breasts.  Somehow, until that point, I had cooked chicken every other which way one could, but somehow, never baked a breast.

I went home inspired, hit the google machine, and landed on this recipe which I use for the temperature and time only. SPOILER: 400 degree oven, bake 10 minutes first side, 15 minutes second. I put tinfoil on the baking sheet (zero mess!), pour olive oil on the chicken breasts (both sides) and sprinkle with Borsari – my favorite seasoning ever, recommended by a dear friend.

In the oven, that’s it!  For what it’s worth, I usually serve this with Quick Baked Potatoes and Butter lettuce (fresh, or bagged!) with cut up apples, carrots, and Newman’s Own Balsamic Vinagrette.

SO good, loved by all.

xo CH