Margie's Chicken Salad

Nothing says "beach" like Margie's Chicken Salad!

Chicken breasts, grilled and diced, I use these

Pineapple chunks, or tidbits, drained

Shredded cheddar cheese

Mayo or Miracle whip, I always use light

Amounts all depend on how much you want to make. For my family of 5 two or three chicken breasts, one can of pineapple, 3/4 a cup of cheese (more or less to your taste), and enough mayo/miracle whip to bind it all together.

The  last couple times we visited Mark and Margie at the beach, Margie has this dinner ready for us, a weary group traveling from Kansas. It's always so good after traveling all day and eating whatever we can between flights and the 3 hour drive from Raleigh. She usually serves an Asian style slaw that is a perfect accompaniment.  I hope she knows how much we always appreciate her efforts and hospitality.

Fruit Pizza

 

One tube refrigerated sugar cookie dough, or your favorite sugar cookie recipe

Slice dough and place rounds on pizza pan (sprayed with non stick spray) close together so when it bakes they will expand to make the crust. Cook according to package directions, time may vary a little since you are making one big cookie instead of individual cookies. Remove from oven and let cool.

When crust is cooled completely top with topping to within an inch of the edge.

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Topping:

1 - 8 oz bowl of Cool Whip, I use the light 

1 -  8 oz package cream cheese, softened, again I use the light

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 cup powdered sugar 

With mixer, mix cream cheese until smooth.

Add Cool Whip and mix gently to combine.

Add vanilla and powdered sugar, mix well to combine until smooth.

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Assorted fruit, use whatever is in season!

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Once you  have your fruit arranged, top with glaze:

Glaze:

1/2 cup sugar

dash of salt

1/2 cup orange juice

1/4 cup water

Mix all ingredients on a saucepan over medium heat about 4 minutes, or until it begins to thicken, let cool.

One the glaze is cooled, drizzle over fruit and topping, being careful not to get it on the crust, it will make the crust soggy. 

Slice into wedges and serve!

The topping recipe makes a ton. I use what I think is enough on the pizza then save the rest to use as fruit dip with the extra fruit left over. 

You could also skip the glaze and drizzle the top with chocolate syrup.

This is great in the summer when fresh fruit is at  it's best. 

Grilled Chicken Breast

So easy and so good !

Chicken Breast or breast tenders, boneless, how ever many you need
Zesty Italian salad dressing, enough to really soak the chicken
Minced garlic, optional
ground black pepper, optional
I think the garlic and black pepper just give this recipe a little something extra for the taste buds!


In a shallow dish or platter, pour enough dressing to generously cover the bottom.

Add teaspoon of minced garlic, stir to combine. (optional)

Dredge each piece of chicken through dressing, coating both sides, then leave sitting in dressing for at least 30 minutes.

Grind black pepper over all, to your desired taste. (optional)

The longer they sit, the tastier they become! If you are going to let them marinate more than 30 minutes, put them in the refrigerator to keep away harmful bacteria.

While chicken soaks up all the wonderful flavors, turn grill on to high heat up, you want it to be really hot when you first put the chicken on to seal the outside and get those really cool grill marks.

For these little chicken tenders, I only cooked them about 4 minutes per side. A larger piece of chicken would need to grill longer to reach a safe level of "done-ness".

My trusty side-kick when I'm grillin'. Poor little guy is on a special diet though,  and can't even sample what's cooking!

This chicken is very versatile. Serve it "as is" with a couple easy sides and you have a nice dinner. How about on a bun with grilled pineapple rings and melted provolone cheese? It's great in pasta salad, on steaming hot pasta with an alfredo sauce, or one of our all time favorites....Margie's Chicken Salad. I'll post that recipe soon.... it reminds us of the beach every time I make it! 

...and who doesn't like to be reminded of the beach?

Chicken and Rice

1 1/2 to 2 cups cooked diced chicken
I often use leftovers if I have them, otherwise I dice the raw chicken and cook it in a little bit of olive oil until no longer pink
1 package of chicken flavored rice
I use whatever I have, Rice-a-Roni or Lipton brand.
Broccoli flowerettes - as little or as much as you like, I use about a cup
1 cup Mozzarella cheese, maybe more if your family likes it cheesy

Cook chicken in a large skillet, then set aside.

In the same pan, cook rice according to package directions.

When the rice is about 1/2 done, add the broccoli and chicken to the skillet.

Cover and continue to cook as you would normally for the rice.

When rice is almost done, sprinkle with Mozzarella cheese, cover and cook till cheese is melted and rice is cooked.

Everyone likes this... simple, easy and filling. With the broccoli included, you can skip the veggie on the side and serve with some yummy bread and maybe fresh fruit. We're having ice cold watermelon, but no yummy bread because Jonah has a game and time is an issue tonight!

Make it soon, it's too easy not to!