White Chicken Chili & Spaghetti Squash

I love spaghetti squash.  I mean, what could be better than an all-natural version of one of my FAVORITE foods in the world?  Lately I’ve been in a spaghetti squash rut.  I’ve been searching high and low for something different than my standard Spaghetti Squash with Spicy meat sauce.

Luckily, I stumbled across this post by Green Dog Wine for some white chicken chili she tossed on top of spaghetti squash.  Sounded like an awesome combo to me!

Since Monday was a holiday, my usual Sunday-Cooktacular was pushed back a day.  Here’s a shot of some of my inventory:

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That doesn’t even include the 2 turkey sausages and 1 chicken breast I grilled up along with the 4 servings of White Chicken chili this recipe makes!  I’m a cooking machine!

Alright, on to the main event:  White Chicken Chilli!

First up, I heated up a skillet that I sprayed down with cooking spray.  Once the skillet was hot, I tossed in a cup of a chopped white onion and 2 cloves of minced garlic.

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A few minutes later the onions were looking nice and caramelized, so I plopped three chicken breasts seasoned with S&P into the skillet right on top of the onions and garlic.

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Once the chicken was cooked through, I added the following to the pan:

  • 1 can Navy beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can rotel tomatoes
  • 1 packet McCormick’s White Chicken Chili seasoning
  • 1 cup all-natural free range chicken broth

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I gave everything a good stir, then popped the lid on and reduced the heat to a simmer. 

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Meanwhile, I halved two baby spaghetti squash and tossed them onto a cookie sheet.  Into a 415 degree oven for 25 minutes (since these guys were so tiny, I shortened the cooking time). 

While the squash was cooking, I pulled the chicken breasts out of the chili mix and gave them a rough shred using two forks (just like I do when I make my buffalo chicken dip).  I tossed the shredded chicken back into the chili just in time for the spaghetti squash to be done. 

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I used a fork to scrape out all the squash noodles…  Squadles, perhaps? 😉

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Then, I divided the squash evenly between two containers to take to work for late-night dinners at the office: 

When it was time to eat, I topped one of the containers of squash off with one quarter of the white chicken chili mixture:

 

This is going into my spaghetti squash roatation for sure!  The chili was delicious even without the squash, but I like the extra texture and flavor that the squash adds. 

White Chicken Chili Ingredient List (serves four)

  • 1 cup white onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves minced garlic
  • 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast
  • S&P
  • 1 can Navy beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can rotel tomatoes
  • 1 packet McCormick’s White Chicken Chili seasoning
  • 1 cup all-natural free range chicken broth
  • Spaghetti squash (optional)

Myfitnesspal stats on one serving chili:  293 calories, 39 carbs, 5g fat, 33g protein, 10g fiber

 

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Hallelujah it’s Friday!

With September here already (where the heck did August go, by the way?), I’ve already got my head in “fall mode”.  My favorite time of the year is BY FAR the last quarter – October, November, and December.  I love the weather, the excessive parties and family activities, and I also love how things just seem to slow down from the fast pace of summer.  Speaking of fast-paced summers, it saddens me that I haven’t been doing much cooking lately.  The good news is I’ll have plenty of time to cook… in two more weeks!

Breakfast #1

Ever since last weekend’s awesome breakfast fit for vacation, I’ve been craving the spinach and tomato breakfast burrito.  (Let’s be honest, I’ve been craving the potatoes and pancakes too) …  So last night instead of doing my usual batch-scrambled eggs, I made a double serving of the spinach and tomato scrambled eggs.

First up, I chopped up:

  • 2 tbsp red onion (I used white onion last time, but didn’t have any on hand)
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup chiffonade spinach
  • 1/2 a roma tomato, diced

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I sprayed a skillet down with some cooking spray, and once it was hot I tossed in the garlic and onions. 

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While these guys were cooking I whisked together the following in a bowl:

  • 2 whole eggs
  • 6 egg whites
  • Splash of water

 Once the onions were soft, I poured the egg mixture on top and seasoned everything up with S&P and red pepper flakes.  I let the eggs start to cook up, and when they were about 1/2 way done I added the tomato and spinach:

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Look how delicious:

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While the eggs were getting their groove on, I also roasted up some broccoli that was seasoned with black pepper and garlic salt:

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Is it just me, or does that broccoli look really happy to be here?

2 happy campers:

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One of which I brought to work with me today to introduce to my friend Heinz:

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Stats on B#1:  205 calories, 15g carbs, 5g fat, 23g protein, 2g fiber

B#2 = OO 😀

OVERNIGHT OATSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!  What a great way to end the workweek!

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Doesn’t that just bring a smile to your face???  😀

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YUM.

Stats on B#2:  233 calories, 44g carbs, 5g fat, 6g protein, 7g fiber

Lunch

What better way to end the Bruegger’s Bagels giveaway, then to have Bruegger’s for lunch, of course!

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Today I went with the Spinach & Lentil soup, and a half sandwich with turkey and lots and lots of veggies.  I can’t believe this is the HALF sandwich.  It was HUGE!

The Bruegger’s Giveaway ends tonight at midnight (eastern time), so get your posts in!

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Too many onions to be P.C.

Last night it dawned on me that I consume more onions than is socially acceptable.  I don’t know when this obsession with onions started, but you’d be hard pressed to find a day in any given week where I don’t incorporate onions into at least 2 of my meals each day.  And I’ve also been known to indulge in the occasional onion sandwich…   

I <3 Onions    

Breakfast #1:  ONIONS!    

glorious!

😉 maybe that will be tomorrow’s breakfast.  Today’s breakfast #1 actually consisted 1 egg, 3 egg whites, whole grain toast   

This looks familiar....

Side note = almost out of flax pita…   need to get my next netrition order together pronto!  Any suggestions?   

Breakfast #2:  Oatmeal with strawberries/blueberries   

Fruits by oats
Fruits + oats + cinnamon = 🙂 .... eggs + cinnamon = 🙁
intermingled
Up close and gooey

Lunch:  “I’m in a hurry tuna salad” 

  • 1 can drained tuna
  • 1 tbs ken’s steak house lite ceaser dressing
  • A few shimmy shakes celery seed, black pepper, red pepper flakes
  • A big ole handful of ONIONS (I may be in a hurry, but there’s always time for a lil onion choppin’)
Tasty tuna
today's spread

Up close and stinky

I think I need to invest in some decorative plates and placemats for my photo shoots.  Maybe I can get my talented sister to contribute to this cause… 😉                       jmnpottery   

Man… I am craving cookies.

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