I was in the mood for something Mexican, but enchiladas have that messy pan to deal with! Instead, I made this great (and easy!) recipe in parchment.

You can either use purchased guacamole or make your own easy substitute:

Lazy Man’s Guac

Smash one avocado and top with the juice of 1/4 a lime and mix. Add half of a 15 ounce jar of mild salsa and 3/4 cups of light sour cream and mix.

Chicken with Guac

For each serving, place one boneless skinless chicken breast on a piece of parchment (see Technique page of this blog for parchment and folding instructions). Season it with salt and pepper. Place 1/2 cup of the guac on top then 1/2 cup arugula. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons Mexican grated cheese mix (or just use Cheddar or Jack). Fold the parchment and bake at 400 for 25 minutes. 5 minutes before the timer goes off, spray a taco tortilla with cooking spray and set it on the baking sheet or rack next to the packet. When you take the chicken out, slice the tortilla into thin slices and top the chicken with it once you open the packet.

My family loved this and no one even knows there is arugula in it which is great if you’re trying to sneak more veggies into your kids.

I was in the mood for something Mexican, but enchiladas have that messy pan to deal with! Instead, I made this great (and easy!) recipe in parchment. You can either use purchased guacamole or make your own easy substitute: Lazy Man’s Guac Smash one avocado and top with the juice of 1/4 a lime and … Read more →

Try this simple recipe for a really tasty supper. It’s easy to make, tastes complicated and will result in almost no clean up!

1 boneless skinless chicken breast

salt and pepper

1/2 cup cooked broccoli (frozen is fine)

1/4 cup low-fat cottage cheese

1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese

pinch of onion powder

pinch of dry mustard

1 teaspoon chopped parsley

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Place the chicken on the parchment and season with salt and pepper. Top with the broccoli. Mix cheeses, onion powder, dry mustard and parsley and more salt and pepper in a small bowl, then spread over the broccoli (it’s fine if some drips off). Fold the parchment (see Technique page on this blog) and bake for 20-25 minutes until chicken reaches internal temperature of 165 (poke the instant read thermometer through the paper to check). Allow the package to rest about 5 minutes, then serve.

The result is creamy, pretty, and very delicious.

Try this simple recipe for a really tasty supper. It’s easy to make, tastes complicated and will result in almost no clean up! 1 boneless skinless chicken breast salt and pepper 1/2 cup cooked broccoli (frozen is fine) 1/4 cup low-fat cottage cheese 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese pinch of onion powder pinch of dry … Read more →

Greek chicken is one of my family’s favorite flavors so I’ve made many version of this. Today’s version is quick and easy to put together, yet packs tons of flavor.

1/2 cup cooked couscous

1 chicken breast

1/4 cup packed baby spinach leaves

2 slices tomato

salt and pepper

1/8 teaspoon Greek seasoning

1/8 teaspoon onion powder

1/4 cup feta cheese

Preheat oven to 400 and prepare parchment paper. Place the couscous on the paper in roughly the shape of the chicken breast. Place the breast on top and place the spinach over that, then the tomatoes. Season with salt, pepper, Greek seasoning and onion powder and crumble the feta cheese over it. Add some olives if you like (I don’t). Fold the parchment and bake for about 35 minutes.

Greek chicken is one of my family’s favorite flavors so I’ve made many version of this. Today’s version is quick and easy to put together, yet packs tons of flavor. 1/2 cup cooked couscous 1 chicken breast 1/4 cup packed baby spinach leaves 2 slices tomato salt and pepper 1/8 teaspoon Greek seasoning 1/8 teaspoon … Read more →

I’m back to regular posting on this blog, so look for a new recipe at least once a week!

Today’s is inspired by the bounty of stone fruits that are everywhere this time of year.

1/2 cup cooked couscous

1 chicken breast

salt and pepper to taste

1/2 teaspoon olive oil

1/8 teaspoon onion powder

1/8 teaspoon thyme

1 plum, pit removed, cut into eighths

Place the couscous on the bottom of the parchment paper, roughly in the shape of the chicken breast. Top with chicken breast. Season with salt and pepper. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle on thyme and onion powder. Place the plum pieces on top of and around the chicken. Fold parchment (see Technique page of this blog) and bake at 400 for 20 minutes.

The plum melds into the chicken and couscous and the entire package is simply beautiful to see and taste. And there’s no clean up of pots and pans (I usually make couscous in the microwave or in my rice cooker in big batches and freeze it, using it as needed).

I’m back to regular posting on this blog, so look for a new recipe at least once a week! Today’s is inspired by the bounty of stone fruits that are everywhere this time of year. 1/2 cup cooked couscous 1 chicken breast salt and pepper to taste 1/2 teaspoon olive oil 1/8 teaspoon onion powder … Read more →

Artichoke and cheese go wonderfully well together in this fun and quick dish.

For each packet:

1 boneless skinless chicken breast

4-5 artichoke quarters (from a frozen bag, defrosted)

1 tbsp chive and cream cheese cream cheese

1 tbsp grated fontina cheese

salt and pepper

1/4 tsp Italian seasoning

1/2 tbsp seasoned breadcrumbs

1/8 tsp garlic powder

Lay the chicken breast on the parchment. Place your hand on top of it. With a knife parallel to your hand, make a slit in one of the long sides of the breast, being careful not to cut through. Make it as deep and as long as possible. In a small food processor, chop the remaining ingredients. Fill the pocket with the mixture and place any that remains on top of the chicken. Season the outside of the chicken with salt and pepper. Fold the packet and bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.

*Reader favorite: This recipe appears in The Parchment Paper Cookbook

Artichoke and cheese go wonderfully well together in this fun and quick dish. For each packet: 1 boneless skinless chicken breast 4-5 artichoke quarters (from a frozen bag, defrosted) 1 tbsp chive and cream cheese cream cheese 1 tbsp grated fontina cheese salt and pepper 1/4 tsp Italian seasoning 1/2 tbsp seasoned breadcrumbs 1/8 tsp … Read more →

I love surprising my readers with what can be made in parchment. So today I have another fun idea for you – tortellini. And I made this one in my toaster oven since my oven is broken and waiting for a part. This recipe feeds two.

9 oz refrigerated fresh tortellini

1/4 cup frozen peas

salt and pepper to taste

1 boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite size pieces

1/4 tsp Italian seasonings or basil

1/4 cup pesto sauce

1 tbsp olive oil

2 tbsp chicken broth

1/4 cup Parmesan cheese

Place the tortellini on a piece of parchment (see Technique page for instructions). Spread the peas on top. Add the chicken. Season with salt and pepper. Drop dollops of the pesto over the food. Sprinkle Italian seasoning, chicken broth, and olive oil. Sprinkle on Parmesan cheese. Using a fork, gently mix and toss the ingredients together a bit so you no longer see large clumps of pesto. Fold the parchment and bake in a 400 degree oven for 20 minutes.

This was delicious and super cute in the packet. You can swap out lots of different ingredients in this one – try ham or cooked Italian sausage instead of the chicken. Instead of the peas, you could use spinach, broccoli, or mushrooms.

The tortellini cooks perfectly and all the flavors are sealed in, making this dish fresh tasting and vibrant.

I love surprising my readers with what can be made in parchment. So today I have another fun idea for you – tortellini. And I made this one in my toaster oven since my oven is broken and waiting for a part. This recipe feeds two. 9 oz refrigerated fresh tortellini 1/4 cup frozen peas … Read more →

Acorn squash is my new pal, so I’ve been trying it out lots of different ways. I love it in this recipe with chicken and apple.

To make each individual packet:
1/2 cup cooked instant brown rice
1 chicken breast
1/2 cup peeled, roughly chopped acorn squash
1/2 of an apple, cored and roughly chopped
1 tsp olive oil
salt and pepper
1/8 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp thyme
1 tbsp apple juice or cider
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
pinch dried mustard

You can cook the instant brown rice in the microwave in a glass bowl, or use leftover rice you have. Place the rice on the parchment and lay the chicken breast on top. Place the squash and apple on top. Drizzle with the olive oil, sprinkle on the cinnamon, thyme and dried mustard. Season with salt and pepper. Drizzle the juice or cider and vinegar. Fold and bake at 400 for 22 minutes. Allow to rest about 3 minutes before opening.

This is a great entire meal in a packet. The flavors are wonderful for a cold winter or fall night.

Acorn squash is my new pal, so I’ve been trying it out lots of different ways. I love it in this recipe with chicken and apple. To make each individual packet: 1/2 cup cooked instant brown rice 1 chicken breast 1/2 cup peeled, roughly chopped acorn squash 1/2 of an apple, cored and roughly chopped … Read more →

I’m still trying to get back on schedule after the holidays. The daily grind, exercising more, and trying to get back to healthy eating is always a challenge at this time of year! However, I still have holiday foods hanging around. For a recent party, I made a spinach artichoke dip. It was delicious, but there was lots left. I don’t think it will freeze well due to the cheese and cream, so I decided to have one last hurrah with it before dumping it. I used it as a sauce for chicken. This is the easiest recipe in the entire world. Put one chicken breast on parchment. Spread 1/4 cup to 1/3 cup spinach artichoke dip on top. Fold it up, bake for 20 min at 400 and enjoy. Spinach artichoke dip is readily available pre-made in the freezer section of the grocery store, or you might have brought some home as leftovers from your favorite restaurant (I did that recently too).

I’m still trying to get back on schedule after the holidays. The daily grind, exercising more, and trying to get back to healthy eating is always a challenge at this time of year! However, I still have holiday foods hanging around. For a recent party, I made a spinach artichoke dip. It was delicious, but … Read more →

You would swear my husband is Greek. He could happily eat at a Greek restaurant every night I think. He even puts feta cheese on his hamburgers. So he was quite happy to devour my Greek chicken in a packet dish.

Here’s the recipe for making just one. Repeat as necessary for as many portions as you would like to make:
1 boneless skinless chicken breast
1 tsp olive oil
salt and pepper (use more than you think you need)
1/8 tsp onion powder
1 whole canned tomato (from a can of “whole tomatoes)
4 artichoke heart quarters from a can or freezer bag
1/8 tsp Greek seasoning
1/4 cup feta cheese
1/2 tsp lemon juice
spring of parsley and oregano (optional)

Place the chicken breast on your parchment. Drizzle olive oil on top and season with salt and pepper and onion powder. Top with tomato and artichoke. Sprinkle Greek seasoning on top then drizzle with lemon juice. Top with fresh herbs if you have them. Fold parchment and bake at 400 for 20 minutes. Let it rest 3-4 minutes before serving.

You would swear my husband is Greek. He could happily eat at a Greek restaurant every night I think. He even puts feta cheese on his hamburgers. So he was quite happy to devour my Greek chicken in a packet dish. Here’s the recipe for making just one. Repeat as necessary for as many portions … Read more →

I love the flavor of apple with chicken. There’s something warm and homey about it. So I created this recipe so I could enjoy the tastes with no mess!

4 boneless breasts of chicken
2 apples, grated (peeled or unpeeled, whatever you prefer)
salt and pepper
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon
4 tsp olive oil
8 tbsp cider or apple juice
2 tsp apple cider vinegar

Place the breasts on individual pieces of parchment. Salt and pepper them. Divide the apple among the packets. Sprinkle 1/8 tsp of onion powder and 1/8 tsp of cinnamon on each packet. Drizzle each with 1 tsp olive oil, 2 tbsp cider and 1/2 tsp vinegar. Seal the packets and bake at 350 for 25 minutes.

The apple roasts to softness and all of the flavors meld with the chicken to create a lovely fall dish.

I love the flavor of apple with chicken. There’s something warm and homey about it. So I created this recipe so I could enjoy the tastes with no mess! 4 boneless breasts of chicken 2 apples, grated (peeled or unpeeled, whatever you prefer) salt and pepper 1/2 tsp onion powder 1/2 tsp cinnamon 4 tsp … Read more →