Cafe Rio Dressing, Chicken and Rice

Cafe Rio Dressing:

1 buttermilk ranch dressing pkt--make per package directions

2 tomatillos

1/2 bunch cilantro

1 clove garlic

juice of 1 lime

1 jalapeno or a few dashes of green tabasco sauce

Use a food processor to blend all together.  Refrigerate.

Cafe Rio Chicken:

1 small bottle Kraft Zesty Italian dressing

1 Tbsp. chili powder

1 Tbsp. cumin

3 cloves minced garlic

5 lb. chicken breasts

Cook all together in crock pot for 4 hours.  Shred meat and cook for an additional hour.

Cafe Rio Rice:

3 cup. water

4 tsp. chicken bouillon

4 tsp. minced garlic

1/2 bunch cilantro

1 can green chilies

3/4 tsp. salt

1 Tbsp. butter

1/2 onion

3 cups rice

Blend cilantro, onion and chilies together in a food processor.  Bring water to a boil and add all ingredients.  Simmer, covered for 30 minutes.  

Serve like tacos or taco salad with whatever toppings you like--cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, etc.

From my friend Traci!  

Lisa's Sweet Chicken Fingers

This recipe from Lisa Peterson is one my kids favorite meals. We always have it for New Years--with other asian inspired things. We had is yesterday for dinner--so yummy--but I forgot to take a picture when it was fresh and pretty.

Chicken tenders (as many as you need to feed your family)
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup cornstarch
1/2 tsp. garlic salt
2 beaten eggs
1 Tbsp. oil
1 1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup ketchup
2 Tbsp. soy sauce
1 tsp. salt

Dip chicken in eggs. Then dip in combined flour, cornstarch and garlic salt. Coat chicken with flour then fry in lightly oiled skillet till browned on both sides. Add extra oil as you go--or between batches. I have to do two skillets worth of chicken. Place chicken in a 9x13 baking dish. Whisk together ketchup, water, sugar and soy sauce in a saucepan, then simmer until warm. Pour over chicken and bake for 45 minutes at 350. You may want to make extra sauce or save some to pour over your rice or with egg rolls. Serve with white rice.

Chicken Fruit Salad

When I go to a Baby Shower I always expect to see a Chicken Salad with croissant . So this is the recipe I used at the last shower I hosted.



Chicken Fruit Salad

2 to 4 cups cooked chicken, cubed
2 T OJ
2 T vinegar
1 t salt
3 C cooked rice
½ C small red grapes
1 ½ C chopped celery
1 C pineapple tidbits, drained
1 C mandarin oranges, drained cut in half
1 C toasted Almonds
1 ½ C mayonnaise

Combine chicken, vinegar, and salt. Let stand while preparing rest of the ingredients. Gently toss together all ingredients, and serve on crisp lettuce. Or for sandwiches, serve on croissant rolls.