Overnight Oats

Overnight Oats are a healthy, versatile, make ahead, portable filling breakfast to get you on your way.  These oats have to be one of the best inventions EVER!

Mornings just start off better with a hearty good breakfast. Overnight oats join Keto Pancakes, Easy Egg Muffins and The Best Acai  Bowls as one of them.

Healthy Overnight Oats

I’m always looking for things to make life easier, and overnight oats is one of them. Being able to throw this together the night before and have a nutritious, filling breakfast ready when I need it, is a life saver. It makes mornings run smoother and I love that my family (and me) have a healthy option in the morning. I’m telling you it’s a game changer. This works for lunches too!

This basic recipe is so flexible. The whole family will enjoy putting their own toppings and flavor combinations together to create their one of a kind breakfast. Experiment and have fun and enjoy knowing you’re starting the day (or afternoon) off right!

Easy Overnight Oats Ingredients

This comes together beautifully. This is simple and easy!

• Oats: Rolled oats not quick oats
• Milk: Can use any kind of milk you prefer
• Plain Yogurt: I like to use Greek yogurt for the extra protein
• Chia Seeds: Add nutrition and give it texture.
• Honey: Natural sweetener
• Cinnamon: Just a pinch will do, or add more for your liking.
• 8 oz Jar with Lid: Doesn’t have to be fancy

How to Make the Best Overnight Oats

These overnight oats are silky and flavorful and so good for you. If you haven’t tried them, you have to! You’ll wonder what took you so long.

1. Mix: In a medium sized bowl combine all the ingredients and stir to mix
2. Pour: into a jar and seal with lid
3. Fridge: Refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight
4. Flavor: Top as desired before eating.

What are Overnight Oats?

• What: These are simply rolled oats, not quick oats, that are soaked in liquid of some kind from 3 hours to up to 5 days if you wish.  This makes the oats perfectly soft and ready to eat.
• Milk: You can use any kind of milk you’d like, that’s part of the fun. Super simple and individualized.
• Oats: The star of the show, you’ll want to use rolled oats for their texture. Quick oats are so small they’ll turn mushy fast. Steel cut can be used, they’ll require longer soaking and the texture will be chewy.
• Yogurt: If you want to you, you can leave out the yogurt. It does give it a silky smooth texture and adds flavor and protein. Try flavored yogurts to change up the taste.
• Healthy: Not only are oats good for you, think lower cholesterol, help you lose weight, heart healthy.  But soaking them overnight actually enhances their goodness. Soaking helps break up phytic acid found in oats that can make it hard to absorb it’s nutrients such as  iron and zinc. By breaking it up your body can more easily absorb these healthy nutrients.
• Cold or Hot: You can eat these straight from the fridge, bring them to room temp or microwave them. It’s up to you.

Add More Flavor!

Get ready to be creative. The possibilities for toppings and flavors are endless. But there are a few things to keep in mind to keeping them amazing.

• Add ins: These are flavor enhancers you can add right with the oats to soak along with them. Think of things that won’t go mushy if they soak for a long time. For example, flax seed, protein powders, cocoa, honey, zests, mashed bananas, flavored yogurts, jams and syrups.
• Toppings: These are foods that will go soggy if you soak them. Add these to your oats right before eating. This includes items such as berries, granola, coconut, chocolate chips, and nuts.
• Imagination: The possibilities truly are endless. Here are some ideas however to get you started.
  • Apple Pie: chopped apples, cinnamon, nutmeg and chopped walnuts
  • Chocolate Peanut Butter: Cocoa powder, Peanut butter, chocolate chips and peanuts,
  • Banana Nut: Banana, chopped pecans and maple syrup
  • Pina Colada: Pineapple chunks, coconut flakes, vanilla yogurt
  • Very Berry: Mixture of frozen berries, granola and coconut flakes
  • Mint Chocolate Chip: mini chocolate chips and mint extract
  • Nutella: Nutella and chopped nuts
  • Carrot Cake: Shredded carrot, ginger, cinnamon and nuts
  • Pumpkin Pie: Canned pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice and nuts.

More Oatmeal Recipes to Love

• The Best Carmelitas Cookie Bars
• Insanely Good Homemade Granola
• No-Bake Energy Bites
• Chewy Oatmeal Cookies
• Almond Granola Bars

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Overnight Oats

Overnight Oats are a healthy, versatile, make ahead, portable filling breakfast to get you on your way.  These oats have to be one of the best inventions EVER! 

Course Breakfast

Cuisine American

Keyword healthy overnight oats, overnight oats, overnight oats recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes

Total Time 3 hours 5 minutes

Servings 3 Jars

Calories 218kcal

Author Alyssa Rivers

Ingredients

• 1 cup old fashioned oats
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup plain yogurt
• 1 tablespoon chia seeds
• 1 Tablespoon honey
• pinch of cinnamon
• 8 ounce jar with lid

Optional Toppings:

• Peanut Butter
• Berries
• Bananas
• Apples
• Nuts
• Cocoa Powder

Instructions

• In a medium sized bowl combine the oats, milk, yogurt, chia seeds, honey, and pinch of cinnamon.
• Pour into jar and seal with a lid. Refrigerate at least 3 hours or overnight.
• Top with desired toppings or mix ins.

Nutrition

Calories: 218kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 13mg | Sodium: 56mg | Potassium: 285mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 172IU | Calcium: 181mg | Iron: 1mg

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Firecracker Chicken

This Firecracker Chicken is sweet, spicy and adds a nice kick to your meal. The chicken is super tender and juicy!

Serve this restaurant worthy dish with a side of Easy Fried Rice, Vegetable Egg Rolls and Cream Cheese Wontons for a meal you’ll have on repeat.

Firecracker Chicken Recipe

This is a perfect marriage of sweet and spicy. It’s not too hot and it’s not too sweet. The chicken is flash fried so the outside browns beautifully. Then it finishes cooking as it marinates in the sauce. The sauce will thicken beautifully as it cooks. It is just so GOOD!

This is such an easy recipe as well. It takes time, but it’s so worth it. It comes together quickly then finishes in the oven while you get the rest of what you need to done. You will not regret trying this. You’ll give up take out and it’s better for you too. Give it a try tonight!

Baked Firecracker Chicken Ingredients

The sauce is a perfect balance of heat and sweet and that will knock your taste buds off, but not burn them off.  Your family and loved ones are going to love this!

• Canola oil: Just enough to flash fry the chicken in.
• Chicken Breasts: Boneless skinless make prepping a breeze.
• Salt and Pepper: Add to taste
• Cornstarch: Cannot sub for flour, this is the secret to amazing coating
• Eggs: Well beaten

Making the Sauce! 

• Buffalo Sauce: Use your favorite brand, if you want it really spicy use a hot sauce like Frank’s brand
• Brown Sugar:This brings the sweet to the fire.
• Water: Helps dissolve the sugar
• Apple Cider Vinegar: Needed for that tang
• Salt:Creates a balance in the sauce
• Red pepper Flakes: These add extra heat, leave out if you want to

How to Make Easy Firecracker Chicken

It’s so easy and tastes so much better than take out. Now take out begins at home!

1. Prepare: Preheat oven to 325 and cut the chicken into bite sized pieces. Season with salt and pepper.
2. Bowls: In two separate bowls place the cornstarch, the beaten eggs. dip chicken into cornstarch then coat in egg mixture.
3. Flash-Fry: Heat the oil in a large skillet on medium high heat. Cook the chicken till just the outside is browned. Place in a greased 9×13 pan.
4. Sauce: In a separate bowl mix the ingredients for the sauce, pour over the chicken.
5. Bake: Bake for 1 hour. Stirring every 15 minutes.

 

Trust Me on these Tips!

This is the same method as my Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken so it shares my same tips.

1. Method to the Madness: Make sure you first coat your chicken in the cornstarch and then the egg. This method makes the perfect breading for the chicken.
2. Fast: Do not cook the chicken all the way through before baking.  You just want to get the chicken lightly brown on the outside, and then it bakes to perfection.
3. Low and Slow: Baking the chicken at a low temperature will not over cook the chicken. This helps to cook the chicken all the way through and thicken up the sauce.

More Hints and Helps for a Perfect Firecracker Chicken Dish

• Spice: You can take the heat up or down depending on your tastes. Use hot sauce or sriracha for a hotter dish. Use a buffalo sauce for a milder heat.
• Vegetables: Add peppers, broccoli or other vegetables to the baking for variety.
• Fruit: Add some pineapple chunks to help with the heat and give it a bit more sweetness
• Chicken: Cut the Chicken into even bite sized pieces so it’ll cook evenly. Using thighs might result in uneven cooking as light and dark meat cook differently.
• Pork: This recipe would also work perfectly with pork.
• Saucey:  If you like your dish saucey, double the sauce recipe and place half on the chicken and another half on the stove in a pot at a simmer for 8-10 min till thickened.
• Serve:  This dish is perfect on a bed of rice, stir fried veggies, quinoa or over a bed of lettuce for an Asian inspired salad.

Storing Firecracker Chicken Leftovers

• Fridge: Place leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
• Freezer: This can be frozen too. Just place in a freezer safe container or bag and freeze for up to 3 months.
• Reheat: Sweet and Sour Chicken is best reheated on the stove. Reheating it in the microwave can make the chicken rubbery and overcooked. Place leftovers in pan on the stove top and heat on medium heat, stirring often, till heated through

 

More Easy Homemade Asian Inspiration

• Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken
• Baked Honey Sesame Chicken
• Sticky Asian Glazed Chicken
• Baked Kung Pao Chicken
• Slow Cooker Orange Chicken

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Firecracker Chicken

Amazing restaurant quality chicken that has just the right amount of sweet and the right amount of spice!

Course Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine Asian American

Keyword asian chicken, chicken recipes, firecraker chicken

Prep Time 30 minutes

Cook Time 1 hour

Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes

Servings 6 Servings

Calories 531kcal

Author Alyssa Rivers

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 4 chicken breasts boneless skinless
• Salt
• pepper
• 1 cup cornstarch
• 2 large eggs beaten

Sauce:

• 1/3 cup buffalo sauce if you like more heat use hot sauce, like Frank's brand
• 1 1/4 cup light brown sugar packed
• 1 tablespoon water
• 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Cut chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and season with salt and pepper.
• In separate bowls, place cornstarch and slightly beaten eggs. Dip chicken into cornstarch then coat in egg mixture. I have also found that you can put the cornstarch in a gallon sized bag and shake the chicken to coat.
• Heat canola oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook chicken until browned. Place the chicken in a 9 x 13 greased baking dish.
• In a medium sized mixing bowl, buffalo sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, water, salt and red pepper flakes. Pour over chicken and bake for 1 hour.
• I stirred the chicken every 15 minutes so that it coated them in the sauce.

Notes

Updated on November 4, 2020

Originally Posted on August 6, 2013

Nutrition

Calories: 531kcal | Carbohydrates: 65g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 151mg | Sodium: 815mg | Potassium: 639mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 45g | Vitamin A: 149IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 54mg | Iron: 1mg

 

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Amazing Cranberry Relish

This is the easiest, most zingy, colorful and flavorful Cranberry Relish. Make your next turkey sing with this fresh relish. It’s super easy, full of fresh flavors and tops just about anything!

Add some color to your Thanksgiving this year! This will go with so many dishes but I do love it with Juicy Butter Herb Turkey or Cast Iron Skillet Pork Chops.

Cranberry Orange Recipe

Cranberry relish is absolutely divine. It’s fresh and uncooked, giving the cranberry an entirely different flavor. It’s so easy to make that you don’t have to stress. Because you throw it all in the food processor you don’t have to worry about it taking up space on the stove on a busy holiday baking day.

The zing, sweet and tart flavors are a match made in heaven and liven up any meal you serve it with. It will transform your holidays or your every day meal. You’ll want to put this on your to do list this holiday season!

Fresh Cranberry Relish Ingredients

• Fresh Cranberries: These are usually found in the produce section of your local store when in season.
• Orange: Cut it up but leave the peel on
• Green Apple: Chop for best results
• Pecans: Adds crunch and flavor
• Sugar: You need the sugar to combat the bitter and tartness of the cranberries
• Orange Juice:  Adds enough flavor and a bit of liquid to create the right consistency.

Making the Relish!

Place all of the ingredients in a food processor and pulse till coarsely ground. It is simple and will make a sweet and tangy relish that is to die for!

Tips for the Best Cranberry Relish

• Difference: This is called a relish because it uses fresh cranberries and fresh ingredients. Cranberry sauce is cooked.
• Pick your Cranberries: Wash and pick through your cranberries and take out any bad ones. You can do this easily by putting them in a bowl of water. The good cranberries will float, any bad ones will sink. Just skim off the top and through the bad ones out.
• Make A-Head: This is a great recipe to make ahead, up to 3 days in advance actually. I recommend allowing the relish to sit in the fridge for at least an hour or more to let the sugar break down the bitterness of the cranberries. And let the flavors meld together.
• Customize: Make this to your liking. Add pear or pineapple instead of apple, cinnamon or ginger for extra spice.  For extra crunch add in celery or more nuts.
• Fridge: You can keep this relish in an air tight container for up to 2 weeks.
• Freezer: It can also be frozen for up to 2 months. Let thaw in the fridge before use.

Uses for Homemade Relish

Besides eating it straight from the jar, there are lots of uses for this cranberry relish.

• Meat: Cranberry is a shoe-in for Turkey but you can use it with chicken, pork or even beef with success
• Dip: Pour over cream cheese and serve with crackers or chips.
• Brie: Serve over baked brie
• Dessert: Serve on top of cake, ice cream, or cheese cake. Divine!
• Top it: This is yummy as a topping for waffles, pancakes, yogurt or toast.
• Spread it: Use instead of mayo on your next sandwich.

More Amazing Cranberry Dishes

• Cranberry Cheesecake Fluff
• Cranberry Salsa
• White Chocolate Cranberry Blondies
• Cranberry Orange Quick Bread
• Slow Cooker Cranberry Balsamic Meatballs

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Cranberry Relish

This is the easiest, most zingy, colorful and flavorful Cranberry Relish. Make your next Turkey sing with this fresh relish. It's super easy, full of fresh flavors and tops just about anything.

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Keyword cranberry relish, cranberry relish recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes

Total Time 10 minutes

Servings 8 People

Calories 164kcal

Author Alyssa Rivers

Ingredients

• 1 pound fresh cranberries
• 1 orange sliced with peel on
• 1 small green apple chopped
• 1/4 cup pecans
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 Tablespoons orange juice

Instructions

• In a food processor add cranberries, orange, green apple, pecans, sugar and orange juice. Pulse until coarsely chopped and serve!

Nutrition

Calories: 164kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 119mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 31g | Vitamin A: 89IU | Vitamin C: 19mg | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 1mg

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White Chicken Chili

White Chicken Chili is loaded with beans, chicken, green chilies and the most luscious creamy broth. A twist on a classic that’s perfect for a cold day. Serve it up with corn bread and a salad and your set for a satisfying comfort meal.

When someone says they’re having Chili they think of recipes like The Best Chili Ever or Instant Pot Chili, but this Chicken White Chili is going to surprise and wow your friends and family.

White Chicken Chili Recipe

There’s nothing better than a bowl of hearty soup on a cold day. This white chicken chili is loaded with flavor and texture, and it’s ready in just 30 minutes! Serve this white chili with a variety of toppings or a side of cornbread for a meal the whole family is sure to love.

It’s such a different kind of chili and perfect for those who aren’t fond of beef or can’t tolerate the acid of tomatoes, but love that chili flavor. The creamy broth is deceptively spicy and mild at the same time. It’s a satisfying Mexican zesty soup that will warm you from the inside out.

White Bean Chicken Chili Ingredients

Nothing super fancy here combine for a fantastic flavor!

• Olive Oil: To sauté the chicken onion and garlic
• Onion: Chop the onion
• Garlic: Minced garlic is best for flavor distribution
• Chicken: You can use skinless boneless chicken breasts or thighs
• Cumin: Classic Mexican seasoning
• Coriander: Adds a wonderful flavor
• Salt and Pepper: add more or less to taste
• Chicken Broth: Can substitute vegetable broth
• Green chilies: Canned chopped green chilies drained
• White Beans: White beans are often called Great Northern beans
• Sour Cream: This adds a deep richness and creaminess

Making Easy White Chicken Chili

Super easy for such a marvelous soup!

1. Sauté: Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until translucent.
2. Add: Put the chicken in the pot along with the cumin, coriander, salt and pepper.
3. Cook:, stirring occasionally, until chicken is cooked through, approximately 5 minutes.
4. Add: the chicken broth, green chiles and beans to the pot; bring to a simmer.
5. Cook: for 10 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat and whisk in the sour cream.
6. Serve: immediately with toppings of your choice.

Tips and Variations for the Best Chili

• Dice: Keep your chicken the same bite sized pieces to cook evenly.
• To Drain or not to Drain: This recipe calls to drain your green chilies but I often don’t. I like the extra kick of spice it adds to the broth. There isn’t that much to drain off either, so it’s easier to just dump it all in.
• Heat: If you really want to spice it up you can use medium or hot chilies or even canned diced jalapenos
• Toppings: Cheese, sour cream, avocado, cilantro, tomatoes, corn and tortilla strips are all favorite toppings.
• Beans: I like to use the smaller great northern beans but you can also use white kidney or cannellini beans if you prefer.
• Slow Cooker: To use a slow cooker, add everything to the slow cooker except the sour cream and cook on high for 4-6 or low 8-10. When done turn it off and add the sour cream, let it sit for about 10 min till heated through.
• Instant Pot: Cook in the instant pot add everything but the sour cream and beans. Cook on manual for 20 min. Natural release for 10 min. Remove the chicken and shred. Return to the pot and add beans and sour cream. Allow to heat through for about 15 min and serve.

Storing Leftovers

• Fridge: The soup keeps fantastically in the fridge for up to 5 days.
• Freeze: You can freeze this soup. Cook as recipe instructs except do not add the sour cream. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge. Heat on the stove top on medium till hot. Add the sour cream, stir till heated and serve.

More Chili Recipes to Love

• Chili Lime Chicken Wings
• Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Chili
• Slow Cooker Cream Cheese Chicken Chili
• Grilled Sweet Chili Lime Chicken
• Chili Dogs

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White Chicken Chili

This easy white chicken chili is loaded with beans, chicken and green chiles, all in the most delicious creamy broth. A dinner option that's perfect for a cold day!

Course Dinner

Cuisine American

Keyword chicken chili, creamy white chicken chili, white chicken chili

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Servings 4 People

Calories 306kcal

Author Alyssa Rivers

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion finely chopped
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 2 cups chicken, cooked rotisserie works great
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 4 ounce can green chiles drained
• 2 15 ounce cans white beans such as great northern beans drained and rinsed
• 1 cup sour cream
• Assorted toppings such as cheese tortilla strips, chopped cilantro and avocado.

Instructions

• Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until translucent.
• Add the chicken to the pot along with the cumin, coriander, salt and pepper.
• Add the chicken broth, green chiles and beans to the pot; bring to a simmer.
• Cook for 10 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat and whisk in the sour cream.
• Serve immediately with toppings of your choice.

Notes

Updated on November 3, 2020

Originally Posted on December 9, 2017

Nutrition

Calories: 306kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 102mg | Sodium: 1762mg | Potassium: 782mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 435IU | Vitamin C: 32.5mg | Calcium: 113mg | Iron: 2.1mg

 

 

 

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