Garlic Chicken Pasta

Last night I made a delicious garlic chicken pasta! It was really almost by accident. I always plan my weekly menu and Sunday, and this week I was not feeling really motivated. I had every day figured out but one, and I figured I would just "wing it" at the grocery store and pick something up.
I stood in the aisle looking at dinner kits, indecisive. Then to the right of the dinner kits were the flavored rice and noodles. I grabbed a box og the Pasta Roni Garlic Butter noodles thinking it would make a quick yummy side dish. But the more I looked at it, I thought "how bout throwing in some chicken and making it a main dish?"
So when I went to prepare it last night, I was a bit chagrined to discover that there was a recipe for garlic chicken pasta right on the back of the box! Guess my idea wasn't so original after all! Haha.
But it did turn out to be quick and delicious, and a salad and good bread were the perfect finishers!
Here's the recipe!
1 box Pasta Roni
3 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 3/4 cup water
2 Tbso butter
1/3 cup milk

Start by cutting up the chicken breast into bite size pieces. Melt the butter in a large skillet, then add the chicken. Brown on both sides, till cooked through.

Slowly add the water and milk, then bring to a boil.
Add the pasta and seasoing packet and stir.

Cook, stirring frequently for about 6 minutes. Sauce will be thin; remove from heat and let thicken about 4 minutes.
Serve with your favorite salad and some yummy bread!!

Enjoy!!
Coming later this week (finally!)-my meat loaf recipe! Be sure to swing back by!
-Cakegirl

Cajun Chicken Pasta and Potato Pancakes

Now that we're finally getting settled in here at the new house, I am hoping to keep up a bit better with the blogging!
Today I wanted to share 2 recipes with you - Cajun Chicken Pasta and Potato Pancakes! I didn't make these 2 items together, but I wasn't happy with the chicken dish that I originally made with the potato pancakes.
I've recently had some requests for crock pot meals, so stay tuned for those soon!!

Here's the chicken pasta:
4 oz linguini pasta (I think next time I'll use penne)
3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
3 tsp cajun seasoing
2 Tbsp butter
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1/2 red bell pepper, chopped
1 green onion, minced
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1/4 tsp dried basil
1/4 tsp lemon pepper
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp garlic powder
1/8 tsp ground black pepper
2 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add linguini and cook for 8-10 minutes, or until al dente; drain.
Meanwhile, place chicken and and Cajun seasoning in a bowl and toss to coat.
In a large skillet over medium heat, saute chicken in butter until no longer pink and juices run clear, about 5-7 minutes. Add peppers and green onions; cook for 2-3 minutes.

Reduce heat and stir in heavy cream. Season the sauce with basil, lemon pepper, salt, garlic powder, and ground black pepper, and heat through.

In a large bowl, toss linguini with sauce. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese.

Potato Pancakes
One of my very favorite things- so many great memories of my mom making these for us when we were kids.

Leftover mashed potatoes (whatever you've got - you can add the next ingredients accordingly)
1 egg
1/4 cup flour
salt and pepper to taste

Mix your mashed potatoes with egg and flour (if you have a large amount, you may need more of each.), until you have a nice thick dough. Add salt and pepper.

Meanwhile, heat some oil in a saute pan.
Drop heaping big spoonfuls of the potatoes into the hot oil. Cook for about 3 minutes or so (check bottom before you flip-they should be golden brown). Flip cakes over and cook till golden brown on bottom.
Serve with your favorite toppings-some people like sour cream or ketchup. I just like them slathered with butter!!

Enjoy!
-Cakegirl