This week, we are keeping it simple, stupid. Your meals don’t always have to be fancy concoctions for them to be nutritious, full of flavor, and delicious.
Some of these aren’t even “recipes”. They’re simply roasted meats with vegetables as sides. Before we went Paleo, a “simple” dinner included chicken breasts and a can of Campbell’s soup poured over the top, then baked for 40 minutes. There is no more Campbell’s Cream of anything soup in our house, but we can still have similar, SIMPLE dishes on the table that your kids will love.
Do you ever find that your kids eat the easiest and most simple meals anyways? My kids will DEVOUR a pot roast and broccoli, but shy away from something that took me hours to create. It’s maddening.
So this week, in keeping with the time- and money-saving meals that we’ve put together in the past, we are going to keep it stupid simple.
Last week I tried something a little new in regards to grocery shopping. I looked at local ads to find out who was having BOGO sales on meat, and I purchased that meat. I got two weeks worth of meat for really, really cheap. I’m using those items in this week’s meal plan. Some of it might be repeat from the past couple of weeks, but they’re all very simple.
If you haven’t purchased
Paleo Comfort Foods
yet, you might want to snatch that one up, because one of our recipes is from there. I hope you like weiners, because we’re also having some Brats this week, served over mashed cauliflower, Scottish Bangers & Mash style. Bust your crock pot out, because we’re making simple, delicious slow-cooked chicken. Another fave that I Haven’t made in a LONG time is on the docket too. This time we’re making it without grains.
Don’t forget to print out your shopping list before you run to the grocery store, and as always, shop your pantry and refrigerator/freezer first!
Happy eating!
Breakfast:
CEREAL! Just kidding. 🙂 I’m doing eggs this week. Lots and lots of eggs. OH, and bacon. I know it’s “boring”, but you can make eggs your own by adding fresh tomatoes or mushrooms, saute some zucchini to plate under your eggs over easy, or use some of your dinner leftovers with your eggs in the morning.
I’ve also baked another:
Apple Bumpkin Breakfast Bake
…to have for breakfast on my non-egg days. The kids love this too because they think they’re eating cake for breakfast (It’s really more like a frittata, but I tell them it’s cake), and who doesn’t like cake for breakfast? I was out of sliced almonds this week, so I used walnuts on top and it’s just as delicious.
Lunch:
Leftovers!
I know leftovers aren’t exciting, but they CAN be. I love to eat chicken, shredded pork, or fajita toppings on salad. Or you can reheat and just eat leftovers. The Workaholic hates leftovers (why, I don’t know?) but yells at me for wasting food. STOP WASTING FOOD! Eat your leftovers!
IF you have no leftovers, buy some dolphin-safe tuna, vegetables of your choice (tomatoes, mushrooms, cucumbers, sweet peppers) and make a delicious tuna salad.
Or make a batch of my Paleo Pigs in a Blanket to pop in your mouth on the go. (not on the shopping list so make sure you add if you go that route)
Dinner:
Bangers & Mash
This is absolutely a family favorite. It takes about 30-45 minutes to prepare, but it’s largely hands-free. I make the mash ahead of time, then reheat it when I’m ready for dinner. You’ll find this recipe in Paleo Comfort Foods . It’s delightfully decadent, and requires no “sides” because it’s really filling. This is one of my favorite ballet-night recipes because I can have it done by 6 if I plan ahead. If you don’t like mushrooms, you can leave them out. I personally make my family pick the ‘shrooms out because this dish is delicious with them.
Chili Cilantro Lime CrockPot Chicken
Yes, I know we made this 2 weeks ago. But it is my new favorite way to cook a whole chicken , and I got a free chicken this week that’s begging to be cooked. I’d like to do it some justice, so we’re making it this way. I recieved an enormous amount of emails and Facebook posts about how amazing this chicken is, so I figured, why not include it again for anyone who missed it? I love it with a side of roasted asparagus.
Creamy Roasted Chicken Breasts
This is reminiscent of my days as a Campbell’s soup dump & bake-er. It takes a couple more steps, but is totally worth it, and can be prepped ahead of time.
Creamy Roasted Chicken Breasts
Serves | 4 |
Prep time | 20 minutes |
Cook time | 40 minutes |
Total time | 1 hour |
Dietary | Diabetic , Gluten Free |
Meal type | Main Dish |
Misc | Child Friendly , Freezable , Pre-preparable , Serve Hot |
Ingredients
- 4 Chicken Breasts
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms
- 1/2 yellow onion (Diced)
- 1/2 cup High-Quality Full-Fat Coconut Milk
- 1/3 cup Chicken Broth
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
Optional
- Salt & Pepper (for chicken breasts, to taste)
Note
Your family will love this creamy roasted chicken, especially if you are used to canned soup dump & bake style cooking. It requires a few more steps, but the sauce can be made ahead of time and stored for up to 5 days, to save YOU time in a pinch.
Directions
Step 1 | |
Preheat oven to 350*. Salt and pepper both sides of the chicken breasts and place in glass baking dish. | |
Step 2 | |
Heat olive oil in large pan and add onions and mushrooms. Saute until onions are translucent and mushrooms are brown. | |
Step 3 | |
Whisk in chicken broth, coconut milk, 1 teaspoon salt, and paprika. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and reduce slightly. | |
Step 4 | |
Pour mixture over chicken and place in the oven to bake for 40 minutes. |
Crock Pot Fajitas
I started making this dish just before we went Paleo. The original recipe called for a can of black beans, a can of corn, and a jar of pineapple or mango salsa. I’ve eliminated almost all of those things, and have substituted fresh pineapple mixed in with salsa and other fresh veggies for the grain and legumes. We serve it with Cauliflower rice and eat it rolled in Romaine Lettuce leaves. We always indulge in sour cream when we have this meal, because what’s a fajita without some sour cream? I can’t wait to hear how you like it!
Crock Pot Fajitas
Serves | 6 |
Prep time | 15 minutes |
Cook time | 4 hours |
Total time | 4 hours, 15 minutes |
Dietary | Diabetic , Gluten Free |
Meal type | Lunch , Main Dish , Salad |
Misc | Child Friendly , Freezable , Pre-preparable |
Region | Mexican |
Ingredients
- 1 jar Gluten- and sugar-free salsa
- 2 Bell Peppers (Any Color, Chopped)
- 1/2 Red Onion (Diced)
- 1 cup Pineapple (diced)
- 4 Chicken Breasts
- 1 head Cauliflower
- 1 head Romaine Lettuce (For the )
Directions
Step 1 | |
Place chopped bell pepper, diced pineapple, and diced onion into the CrockPot. Add Salsa and stir to combine. NOTE: the "heat" in a Medium salsa will cook off to be mild enough for your children. | |
Step 2 | |
Nestle chicken breasts in with the salsa mixture. | |
Step 3 | |
Cook on high for 4-6 hours or low for 8 hours. | |
Step 4 | |
When done cooking, shred chicken with two forks and mix in evenly with the salsa mixture. | |
Step 5 | |
Grate Cauliflower in a food processor. Once grated, place in microwave for 3-4 minutes. Season with Salt and Pepper if desired. | |
Step 6 | |
Place 1 spoonful of cauliflower rice on a lettuce leaf, then as much of the chicken and salsa mixture as you would like. Garnish with extra salsa, fresh tomatoes, or if you allow dairy - sour cream. |
Sauteed Pork Chops & Homemade Applesauce
Talk about an EASY and DELICIOUS recipe ? One of my best friends made this for me back when I was a single mom and I fell in love. It takes less than 30 minutes from start to finish (as long as you’re more organized in the kitchen than I am). Omit the brown sugar, it’s not even needed. We eat this with a simple side of roasted broccoli.
Slow Cooker Pork Loin
I got a free pork loin this week too. LOVE it when that happens. Salt & pepper both sides of the loin and throw that puppy in your crock pot with 1 sliced green pepper, 1 sliced yellow onion, and 6 cloves of garlic (diced). If you allow potatoes in your diet (sweet or white), add one or two of those in there also. The Workaholic loves purple potatoes so we sometimes use those. Pour 3 cups of bone broth or chicken stock into the pot, and cook on low for 8 hours. This will last you for a few days, and is amazing served over eggs for breakfast, or as a lettuce wrap for lunch.
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Bethany says
Awesome! This week on the menu I’m trying out a beef tongue my sister gave me – I read that it makes for a very tender pot roast so I’m going to cook it with mexican spices and make tongue tacos (salad for me). This ought to be interesting – I know a lot of paleo-ites love the offal but I have decided I really do not like liver. Though I did grind in some heart with beef I had to grind (gotta love that Ninja blender, makes awesome ground meat!) once and it was nice – just a little stronger beef flavor.
Summer says
Yeah, you’ll see no offal here. Likely ever. I can’t do it. Tell me how tongue is!
Bethany says
Well the stupid thing about offal is that so many people talk about how cheap it is but it is NOT! The only reason I even have any is because my sister got a cow and I told her to ask for it for me 🙂
Shannon says
Doing a happy dance!!!! I have been searching hi and lo to find EASY paleo meals. I am just getting started and it can be overwhelming. Thank You Thank You Thank You!!!!
Summer says
YAY Shannon!!! I’m so glad you found us! Check out the meal plans for last week, they are ALL Crock Pot meals. This past week was my favorite week in recent history because dinner was always ready by dinner time and all I had to do was get the kids to the table.
Let me know if you need any inspiration or quick tips!
Julie says
I can’t wait to try these! Thanks for all your ground work!
Megan @mnmspecial says
I am going to have to try the creamy Chicken bake. Yum! I know what’s for dinner tonight! Thanks!
Robin says
I made the creamy chicken breasts tonight with a side of broccoli and raw butter! Fab post!
Summer says
Thanks, Robin! I’m so glad you liked them! It is one of my first original recipes so I was very nervous. 🙂
Margaret says
So glad I stumbled across your blog on facebook (not sure which person linked to your crock pot meals last week). You are brilliant with the easy meal plan ideas! Winter had been getting me down and I wasn’t eating enough because food prep felt like such a chore (you know that feeling – I have a fridge full of food, but I’m in the mood for none of it because it all requires chopping and cooking?). Now I’m back on track and eating delicious food. 🙂 Thanks!
Jennice says
Perfect! Just finished 12 weeks of the Paleo plan on Tim’s blog http://timreviews.com/paleo-recipe and now accidentally came to your site:) My husband asked me already what I’m going to cook today and the creamy chicken breasts is just great!
Thank you, Jennice
Summer says
Hi Jennice! I’m so happy you found us, and I hope you stick around for more of our craziness! Did you like the Creamy Chicken Breasts?
Alissa says
I can’t wait to try all of these! We just moved and don’t have our stuff yet or I would be ALL over the crockpot recipes. I will be putting down the pork chops and applesauce for our meal plan next week!
Summer says
Congrats on your move! I hope you get your stuff back really soon! I’m excited to see what you think about all of the recipes! Thanks for visiting!
Esther says
Thank you so much for these recipes! we are new to Paleo and I needed something that was easy and stuff I could understand for the first time around! Excited to try these out! They sound sooo good, but I have been on a Juice cleans for 4 days so all food sound super yummy right now!
Summer says
I think all food would sound amazing after a juice cleanse too! HAHA! I’m so excited to share your Paleo journey with you!
Nicole says
Yum! Made the Creamy Roasted Chicken Breasts tonight and it was fabulous and very easy! I used chicken thighs because I had them and they’re cheaper and I also added celery in step 2 and garlic powder in step 3. I’m glad I doubled it so we’ll be having more tomorrow. Thx!!
Summer says
Chicken thighs are such a GREAT substitute for chicken breasts. They are SO tasty and I love that they are cheaper. The addition of celery and garlic powder sounds fantastic! I’m glad you enjoyed it, and had fun tweaking the recipe!
Jessica says
I came across your blog from Pinterest yesterday, and I already made the creamy roasted chicken tonight. It’s a new family favorite! We ate the entire pan, so next time I will def have to double the recipe. I’m planning to make the crockpot fajitas this week. I’ve never made cauliflower rice. It seems that you just grated the raw cauliflower? I just wanted to make sure that is right. I really like to keep my fav Paleo recipes on a Paleo Pinterest board. I know it would be more work for you, but if you could add pictures of each recipe you would get more pins and therefore more hits! Thanks for posting your menu! You are definitely taking the guess-work out of my weekly grocery shopping process!!!!
Summer says
Hi, Jessica! I know I need to get pictures of some of my personal recipes up SOON! I’m always so busy focusing on other people’s recipes that I forget to really do a good job with my own. I’m SO glad you liked the Creamy Roasted Chicken! My family loves it too. Cauliflower rice is REALLY easy. If you have a food processor that has a grating attachment, simply cut the cauliflower up just small enough to fit in the feeder tube, and grate it that way. Otherwise, leave the cauliflower whole and grate it on a cheese grater. There are lots of ways to “cook” it after it is grated, but the easiest is to throw it in the microwave for a few minutes. So excited to have you here! Let me know if you want to see anything specific on the meal plan!
Marlene' says
I’m making the creamy chicken breast. Do I cover it?