Creamy Bruschetta Chicken Bake Recipe

I am so happy to report that the new popular food wave is focused on making easy, great tasting, convenient meals. Quick cooking and make ahead dinner (a.k.a. freezer cooking) recipes are popping up everywhere and are taking over many food blogs. May I just say one thing? Whoopi!

I for one am so happy to see the rise in “convenience meals” popularity. Folks are finally realizing just how busy us moms really are! While making huge slow cooked family meals are great for special occasions or even Sunday Suppers, let’s face it, no one has time to pull off these productions every night of the week. Some struggle to get a simple dinner on the table by 8 p.m. We are in need of great recipes more than ever! We need quick, easy, affordable, delicious, kid friendly, and healthy. Oh yeah, plenty of leftovers wouldn’t be the end of the world either… Is that too much to ask for? Apparently so!

With all of the recipes out there I have a very hard time finding a dish that meets all of the requirements. The number one missing mark… healthy. While most will taste great and can whipped up in no time, how healthy are they? Meat, creamy canned stuff, and way too much cheese seem to be the reigning ingredients. I’m just not ok with that. My Creamy Bruschetta Chicken Bake is everything I need in a convenient dinner recipe, I’ve even got the healthy part covered! Plenty of spinach insures everyone gets some veggies in their systems and the secret ingredient gives the whole casserole a faux creamy finish that no one will second guess.

Low fat cottage cheese is the secret weapon here. One of my favorite ways to replace high calorie creams and cheese overloads is cottage cheese. It melts and blends right into sauces and fillings, leaving no one at the table none the wiser. Everyone thinks they are eating a fully loaded, delicious, and comforting casserole and you can sit back and know that they are getting everything they need to stay healthy.

Litehouse’s Freeze Dried Herbs make my convenience foods even more convenient. I love not having to take the time to peel and mince garlic and herbs. Everything gets dumped in to a pan after the chicken is cooked and you can spend your time on more important matters. Like homework, after school sports, or just enjoying the beauty of Fall with your loved ones. We all need a little more time in our lives. These recipes help give it to us while keeping the family healthy, strong, and happy! Tips for making recipe even more convenient:

• Don’t shun the foil pan. This creates minimal after dinner cleanup. If you are feeling motivated they can certainly be washed and reused…
• Try making a double batch, you’re in the kitchen cooking already why not just make a second casserole for the freezer? You’ll be so happy you did it on a really rough night!
• Take advantage of all Litehouse’s products. They have amazing dressings and dips that will make throwing together dinner easy peasy!

What are your favorite tips for healthy, convenient meals?