how to meal plan

Easy Recipes: Crockpot Candy Chicken

If you have been a follower of my site for long, you know one of my favorite meals to cook is called Crockpot Candy Chicken.

Amazing!

I found it 4 or so years ago over on the Crockpot Lady’s website and it was an instant score at our house.

Not only is it a common feature on my weekly meal plan, but I also talk about it all the time in the meal planning classes that I do. It is one of those awesome recipes that requires little effort- you just dump it all in the crockpot and dinner is done in 4-6 hours.

I put my chicken in the crockpot frozen every time I make it. This is a huge time saver for me.

We love this fail-proof dinner and always serve it over steamed rice with a little bit of the juices drizzled over. Easy recipes like this are such a win-win!

Serve it with your favorite veggie (fresh carrots are awesome) and a dinner roll and dinner is done.

Ingredients:

6 large chicken breasts (or you can do any chicken parts)
1 c brown sugar
1/4 c Sprite or any lemon lime soda
2/3 c vinegar
2 garlic cloves (or 2 T of the jarred stuff), minced
2 T soy sauce
1 t crushed black pepper

OPTIONAL: 3 T cornstarch and reserved cooking juices (watch the video at the end for details).

Add your chicken to the crockpot.

Add the garlic, brown sugar and black pepper right over the chicken.

Pour in the vinegar and lemon lime soda.

Easy, right?

Pop a lid on it and let it cook in high for 4-6 hours or on low for 8-10 hours.

Remember, do not take the lid off. Every time to take the lid off of your crockpot it adds 20 minutes of cook time. Read my 10 crockpot cooking tips to ensure a successful recipe every time!

When it is done it will look like this.

My mouth is watering!

Enjoy!

Looking for some simple weekly meal plan ideas for your family? Every week I share what I am feeding my family.

I originally fell in love with Crockpot Candy Chicken over on Stephanie O’dea’s site.

What’s Cooking Printable Menu and Grocery List

By Crystal VanTassel-Lopez 4 Comments

A decade ago meal planning changed my life. We blended our family (each bringing a child to the marriage) and then our twins were born. I went from one child to four children what seemed like over night.

Dinnertime was a hot mess. I remember longing for a step by step system that would get dinner on the table. It never failed it was 6:00 pm and I never had a plan. Babies crying, big kids arguing, husband still at work and I stared into a fridge of no answers. Those days were hard!

I went on to create my five step meal planning process and for years I followed it to a tee.

Now, I still love to create printables and plans for you guys. Check out this instant download two page packet.

I love this “what cooking?” theme. One page is a weekly plan (I always find it easier to keep up with one week at a time. Two weeks of grocery shopping at once stresses me out.) I also love this grocery list. Simple and to the point, but it encourages and invites me to create a list.

You do take a list with you to the grocery store, right? You would be shocked how many people do not. Your list keeps you from buying duplicates you already have on hand, prevents forgetting items that require a second trip, and allows you to stick to a budget.

Oh, that weekly planner…. laminate it and use it over and over again!

More Meal Planning Resources

How to Meal Plan eBook

Budget Friendly Recipes

How to Start Freezer Cooking

Weekly Meal Plan: Beefy Recipes (Week 193) #howtomealplan

By Crystal VanTassel-Lopez Leave a Comment

Happy Monday! Have you created your meal plan for the week?

If not, it is not too late! I have a free printable meal planner you can download at the end of this post that will help you get everything in order for your meal plan. Then you just have to cook it.

You’re going to see a lot of beef on my meal plan over the next few months. We just purchased 150 pounds of grass-fed beef and are creating many delicious and easy recipes for our family with this meat.

Ready for my meal plan? I would love for you to share yours as well!

Weekly Meal Plan

Taco Soup Tacos– remember last week I made Taco Soup? Well, I take the leftover soup and strain it. Toss it into a skillet and heat up the bean/beef mixture. Server it as your taco filling. Yummy! Served with Puerto Rican Rice.

Beefy Bolgonese – this is so easy and yummy. I loosely follow the recipe I’ve linked to, but make my own revisions. (My version of the recipe will be in my upcoming eBook which covers 21 real easy recipes for busy families.) I purchased a large bundle of fresh basil today at Trader Joe’s. Very eager to use it in this recipe! Served with a dinner salad.

Steak Kabobs– served with rice and fresh fruit.

Homemade Pizza– using Trader Joe’s refrigerated pizza dough. We used it last week for a pizza for lunch– yum!

Cabbage Casserole– I am going to follow this recipe a bit, and one that is similar and from one of my grandmother’s family cookbooks.

Leftover Buffet– use ’em up!

FREE MEAL PLANNING PRINTABLE AND INSPIRATION

Make sure you print out my free printable meal planner that is themed for October! You’re gonna love it!

Want more meal planning inspiration or ideas? Check out OrgJunkie where hundreds of bloggers share their meal plans every Monday.

Also, don’t forget your printable coupons to save even more on your grocery bill.

Instagram Your Dinner #howtomealplan

As you meal plan this week, share a picture with me on Instagram of your dinner with the hashtag #howtomeaplan! I would love to see!

MORE RECIPES:

How to Meal Plan eBook on Sale for 99 Cents TODAY Only!

By Crystal VanTassel-Lopez 2 Comments

With back to school in full swing, are you struggling with getting dinner on the table? Life is busy and dinner has to get done.

I know what your family wants for dinner tonight. I do.

They want dinner around the table together as a family. They are not interested in a gourmet meal. They do not expect you to be the next Iron Chef. They honestly would be happy with the simplest dinner, I am willing to bet.

They want family together and they want food that fills their belly.

As a mom of many, who lives a busy, hectic life, over the last 7 years I have learned to implement five basic keys for successfully getting dinner on the table. I have written an eBook about it teaching you how to meal plan.

Right now is the perfect time for you to grab a copy of this eBook for your eReader as it is exclusively on Amazon and today only it is on sale for $0.99!! (That is a $4 savings!!)

This eBook will teach you how to meal plan, while saving you money and saving you time – in 5 easy steps.If you struggle with getting dinner on the table, this is a must read.

How to Meal Plan: A Step by Step Guide for Busy Moms includes:
* how to meal plan in 5 easy steps
* a list of 20 sites to find recipes on
* how to create a grocery list (with 10 resources and tools)
* 12 ideas for displaying your menu
* pointers for implementing your plan
* tips to follow when road blocks arrive
* 5 free printable worksheets that have been custom-made for this eBook
* 14 easy recipes for two weeks of dinner ideas
* an awesome list of 10+ mommy resources for other struggles

These tips are what I have clung onto over the last 7 or so years as I found my successful groove for meal planning. While my five steps are not rocket science, hey are actionable tasks that will make all of the difference in the world for busy families struggling at dinnertime. You will walk away from this eBook knowing you CAN do this!

Get your copy that is downloadable immediately right here.

Weekly Meal Plan: Easy Week Night Dinners (Week 186) #howtomealplan

By Crystal VanTassel-Lopez 2 Comments

Now is the time to fill your weekly meal plan with real easy recipes! Back to school is here for many states, and for others it is right around the corner.

Back to school also means Fall weather and that brings comfort food! I am so excited for the weather to cool off and to bake casseroles and such again. What about you?

Here is what I am feeding my family this week. We are heading back from San Antonio and will be back into full swing with cooking tomorrow! (I will need to make a trip to the grocery store as soon as we get back.)

I would love to know what’s on your meal plan this week, too. Leave it in the comments.

Weekly Meal Plan

Chicken Pot Pie– served with fresh fruit and a dinner salad.

Crockpot Stuffed Meatloaf– meatloaf stuffed with mashed potatoes. This is a recipe my mother-in-law shared with me and I am going to try it in the crockpot. Served with steamed veggies.

Chicken and Summer Squash– served over steamed rice with a side salad and carrot sticks.

Turkey and Bacon Sandwiches– served with baked chips and apple sauce.

Planko Crusted Salmon– so excited to create this. I am going to use a Dijon mustard sauce over the salmon and then cover it in Planko and bake it. Hopefully this turns out so wonderfully and I can add it to my upcoming eBook. Served with a dinner salad and steamed rice. (carry over from last week)

MORE MEAL PLANNING RESOURCES

This week when you cook dinner Instagram your photo and hashtag it with #howtomealplan. I would love to encourage you to repeat dinnertime success over and over again all week long! I cannot wait to see what you’re cooking! And, if you struggle with meal planning, make sure you check out my How to Meal Plan eBook.

Want more meal planning inspiration or ideas? Check out OrgJunkie where hundreds of bloggers share their meal plans every Monday.

Also, don’t forget your printable coupons to save even more on your grocery bill.

Free Meal Planning Printable

Make sure you print out my free printable meal planner that is themed for back to school! Love it!

MORE RECIPES:

Free Printable Meal Planner (August) #howtomealplan

By Crystal VanTassel-Lopez 13 Comments

How is meal planning going? Are your meals in order for this coming week? Do you know what you’re feeding your family?

Here is a free printable meal planner that will help you map out your week. This one is perfect for the month of August as we get ready for back to school.

I love that each day of the week gets it’s own area and there is even a place for notes. That is the perfect spot for starting next week’s grocery list.

For more meal planning inspiration, check out three years worth of my weekly meal planning posts.

MORE MEAL PLANNING RESOURCES

Also, don’t forget your printable coupons to save even more on your grocery bill.

MORE RECIPES:

Weekly Meal Plan: Utilizing Your Crockpot (Week 184) #howtomealplan

By Crystal VanTassel-Lopez Leave a Comment

It rained here in Texas a lot last week and allowed us to stay mostly in the low 90’s. Given the heat and humidity these last two days, this week is proving to be hotter. I am cooking in my crockpot as much as possible. Lots of real easy recipes that will keep my kitchen cool.

How are you beating the heat in the kitchen?

Weekly Meal Plan

Crockpot Hotdogs– this is so simple. Pop them in the crockpot (no water), walk away for four hours and dinner is done. Served with tater tots and fresh fruit.

Crockpot Lentils– I am going to make soft tacos instead of crispy. Served with Puerto Rican Rice.

Crockpot Candy Chicken– family favorite. If you’ve never tried it, you totally should. Served with steamed rice and a steamed veggie.

Crockpot French Toast– I am going to use blackberries instead of blueberries because I already have them on hand. Served with scrambled eggs. (Really excited about this one!)

Chicken Baked Potatoes– use grilled chicken to top potatoes that have baked in the crockpot. Top the chicken with mozzarella cheese, diced tomatoes and green onion. So good! (carry over from last week)

Leftover Buffet– if there are any

MORE MEAL PLANNING RESOURCES

Want more meal planning inspiration or ideas? Check out OrgJunkie where hundreds of bloggers share their meal plans every Monday.

Also, don’t forget your printable coupons to save even more on your grocery bill.

MORE RECIPES:

Meal Ideas for Dinner: Crockpot Lentil Tacos and Puerto Rican Rice

By Crystal VanTassel-Lopez 1 Comment

Life is about to get very busy with back to school and I want to help you get dinner on the table for your busy family.

For the next few weeks I am going to be sharing meal ideas for dinner that are perfect to add to your meal planning list.

I am going to share a main entree, a side and even a dessert. I understand that everyone is not going to make a dessert each night to go with their dinner, but I just want to share the suggestion for those who do.

These meal ideas for dinner do not have to be put off until back to school. They are also perfect to make now.

You might want to start a new board on Pinterest titles Meal Ideas for Dinner so you do not forget about them!

Meal Ideas for Dinner

Crockpot Lentil Tacos are so easy to make and very delicious. You can purchase a pound bag of lentils for much less than a pound of ground hamburger meat and the nutrition benefits are awesome.

Use bagged salad as your lettuce topping, some shredded cheese and a diced tomato. Top with salsa, guacamole or sour cream if you want.

This cooks in the crockpot on high for 4-6 hours. I have a 6 qt oval crock and it cooked in about 4 hours. Then I moved it to warm.

Start your Puerto Rican Rice about 45 minutes before your family is ready to eat.

The actual prep time of the rice is about 15 minutes. Then it sits covered for 25-30 minutes. Easy and delicious!

If you love to make dessert with your dinner, this Pina Colada Cake is so yummy and it goes perfectly with this dinner lineup. The base is a yellow boxed cake mix.

Make it earlier in the day and let it sit in the fridge until you’re ready to serve it.

For more dinner ideas check out my collection of real easy recipes and my resource on how to meal plan in 5 simple steps.

Weekly Meal Plan: A Simple and Delicious Menu (Week 183) #howtomealplan

By Crystal VanTassel-Lopez 2 Comments

It has rained here in North Texas for the last two days. Pretty much steady drizzle. It makes me think of Fall (minus the humidity). While it is still very warm outside, it is not 100 degrees either.

This weather makes me hungry for things like soup and comfort food. What about you?

Check out all of the real easy recipes I share here for more dinner ideas.

Weekly Meal Plan

Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup– comfort food baby! Served with bread baguette. This is so easy and so yummy.

Indiana Chowder– served with a dinner salad and rolls.

Crockpot Spaghetti and Meat Sauce– served with a dinner salad and french bread.

Chicken Baked Potatoes– use grilled chicken to top potatoes that have baked in the crockpot. Top the chicken with mozzarella cheese, diced tomatoes and green onion. So good!

Crockpot BBQ Chicken– served with mac and cheese and and fresh fruit.

MORE MEAL PLANNING RESOURCES

Want more meal planning inspiration or ideas? Check out OrgJunkie where hundreds of bloggers share their meal plans every Monday.

Also, don’t forget your printable coupons to save even more on your grocery bill.

MORE RECIPES:

Weekly Meal Plan: Limited Cooking (Week 182) #howtomealplan

By Crystal VanTassel-Lopez 4 Comments

If you walk outside right now in Texas the heat will take your breath away. It is miserable here right now. By two o’clock in the afternoon you do not want to go outside. It is yucky until about nine o’clock at night.

Heating up the oven for more than 20-30 minutes is not something I am willing to do. My house gets too hot and the ac is running non-stop.

This week is a limited cooking at my house and a very easy meal plan.

By the way, if you’re looking for real easy recipes and something perfect for summer to add to your meal plan this week, check out my Crockpot Ravioli.

AMAZING!

It is the most popular recipe on my site with over 100,000 pins on Pinterest.

Weekly Meal Plan

Buttered Herb Salmon– I will either grill these or I might bake them in the oven. It will only take about 20 minutes in the oven, but still it will just depend. Served with rice or couscous (I have both on hand) and a steamed veggie.

Crockpot Stirfry– super easy! Served over rice and with a side salad.

Cheese and Chicken Quesadillas– we made these Sunday night. Super easy. I even used a rotisserie chicken to make it even easier. This is cooked on the stovetop so no heating up the house with the oven. Served with Puerto Rican Rice. Yum!

Bean and Cheese Burritos– I will not bake these. I will warm up the tortillas beans on the stove top and plate them right as I stuff them. Served with leftover Puerto Rican Rice.

Beefy Mexican Casserole in the Crockpot– you read that right. I am going out on a limb here. I will let you know how it turns out. Served with homemade guacamole and chips.

Leftover Buffet- use ’em up!

MORE MEAL PLANNING RESOURCES

Want more meal planning inspiration or ideas? Check out OrgJunkie where hundreds of bloggers share their meal plans every Monday.

Also, don’t forget your printable coupons to save even more on your grocery bill.

MORE RECIPES: