Cheddar Chicken

Two things I will always love:

1. Not having to run to the store before cooking dinner (aka: Pantry Meals). My go-to pantry meal? Chicken Pot Pie (which isnt really a "pie" because it has a crunchy stuffing crust). I'm not good at making weekly menus. And i'm not good at shopping for meals. So, it's not uncommon to make a grocery run (or call Jordan to make a run on his way home) before cooking. I should work on this. Carey, you're my hero.

2. A new way to make chicken. We eat chicken regularly, so any time I come across a yummy new way to prepare chicken (hello chicken spaghetti & chicken cordon bleu!), I'll file it away and use it again.

SO, when I was looking through the new Real Simple and saw the recipe for Cheddar Chicken, I thought to myself, "that looks pretty yummy."

Fast forward to tonight. I've got chicken thawing in the sink and a hungry husband. Personally, I want pizza or something cheesy- so my first thought is Chicken parmesan. But we dont have any mozzarella. Then I remember the cheddar chicken recipe. Perfection.

So I crack out the magazine and begin preparation.

Almost there...

Completion.

Add in some sauteed potatoes and a salad (and some Sister Schuberts! Yum!) and there's a meal in approx 30 minutes. Did I mention I also love quick meals???

So what's the verdict? The chicken was alright. Can I be really honest? I didnt finish it. It was juicy but the garlic was REALLY overpowering and I didnt use but a fraction of what the recipe called for. The cheese wasnt all gooey like I was hankering for. I'm thinking that if (IF) I make this again, I might do garlic powder instead of chopped garlic. OR maybe Tony Cachere's and no garlic at all! I'd say my Wednesday night meal was much more successful (grilled chicken with fettucine alfredo- the real stuff- NOT from a jar.)

I need some new chicken recipes... what's your favorite/go-to/pantry Chicken meal? (thanks to Carey again for posting this on fb. I need some inspiration!)