Chili Lime Chicken (Pressure cooker)

I love my friend Robin for many reasons.  Her introducing me to Trader Joe's Chili Lime seasoning and this recipe is most definitely among them!  (The fact that she has a huge heart, is funny, kind and teaches a kick-a** yoga class doesn't hurt, either.)  This recipe has become a staple in my house, as she promised me it would be.  It is easy and versatile, and there isn't a member of my family who isn't happy to see it on the menu.  Though Robin originally made it in the slow cooker, I love tossing this together in the pressure cooker and serving it with some rice.

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 lb Chicken breast
• 1 cup salsa
• 1 cup frozen corn
• juice of 1 lime
• 2 T chili  lime seasoning (Trader Joe's)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Place chicken in instant pot and add all other ingredients on top of it, in the order listed.
2. Set pressure level to high and timer to 6 minutes. Start.
3. When the timer goes off, allow the pressure to naturally release for 5 minutes and then quick release.
4. Shred chicken.  Serve over rice with toppings of your choice or as burrito or taco filling, or as the protein in a taco salad.  The options are limitless!
5. Slow cooker instructions: add all ingredients to slow cooker, cook on low 6-8 hours.

Sometimes I add tomatoes and sour cream, too!

Difficulty: super easy
Time: 15-20 minutes
Source: My friend, Robin J.

Avocado-Chicken Salad

One of my self-imposed summer projects is to figure out school lunch ideas for my upcoming first grader; packing lunches is something I am really not looking forward to.  If he had a microwave handy, I would be golden...I am pretty good at maximizing leftovers.  I am also good at grabbing random ingredients from the fridge in the morning, throwing them in a bag, and making my lunch on the spot at work.  Unfortunately, these are not options for my son.  I am intent on providing at least a few healthy packed lunches for the week (other days, he may have to buy) that don't take me forever to prepare the night before.  I made this amazing chicken salad twice already this summer and plan to make it several more times while my cilantro is still growing and avocados are a reasonable price.  I may have to bite the bullet in the fall and buy the herbs and off-season avocado, though, as this lunch is that good.  (Oh, and my son loved it, too...and we put it on the lunch ideas list.)

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 cups shredded chicken
• 1 avocado
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 2 tsp lime juice
• 1 tsp fresh cilantro
• 1/4 cup mayo
• 1/4 cup plain Greek Yogurt

DIRECTIONS:

1. Mix all ingredients in a large bowl. Cover and refrigerate for at least 20-30 minutes. 
2. Serve on your favorite bread, crackers, pita pocket or on a bed of lettuce.

Difficulty: very easy - even easier if you make extra chicken while cooking dinner (like Pulled BBQ Crescents)
Time: 5 minutes (after cooking and shredding the chicken)
Source: www.familyfreshmeals.com