Creamy garlic parmesan chicken orzo with peas "dump meal"

 Another meal where I just dumped stuff (even frozen) into the pressure cooker and it came out so good!  And it was fast and easy.  

Hit Saute button, allow to heat fully. Then add:

1/4 c butter
1 box whole wheat orzo

Toast the orzo for about 3-4 minutes, stirring constantly. Turn off pot. 
Add:

1 onion, chopped
6-8 cloves garlic (2 tablespoons minced, can use frozen or adjust for taste) 
1 bag (16 oz) frozen peas
4 cups cooked, chopped chicken
1 tablespoon Bouquet Garni (Penzey's) or Italian seasoning
1 tablespoon garlic and herb seasoning
1 tsp salt
5 cups water

Stir. Close lid and lock seal.  Cook on high for 4 minutes.  After cooking time is over, slowly release the pressure. 

Add:
4 oz shredded or chopped parmesan cheese
4 oz of cream cheese, cut into little cubes.  

Stir well.  If it seems too thick, thin down with a bit of milk.  

Makes 8 servings.  

White chicken chili "dump" meal

 Dump all these things in the instant pot and push a couple buttons.  Dinner will be ready with almost no work for you! Just chop an onion, the rest is already done.  Great way to use up leftover chicken or turkey in the freezer!  

4 cups cooked leftover chopped chicken

4 cups cooked (or 2 cans) beans - preferably white beans but any will do (black, pinto, whatever)

1/2 jar salsa verde from Trader Joes (or sub your favorite or 1 cup homemade)

1 onion, chopped

1 bag frozen peppers (also from Trader Joes) - can sub with 2-3 peppers fresh

5 or 6 cloves garlic, minced (or frozen)

1 bag frozen corn (10-12 oz) 

3 cups of water or chicken broth

Spices: 

1 tsp each: salt, cumin, oregano, mild chili powder, Penzey's Arizona dreaming

1/2 tsp each: chipotle chili powder, cayenne, black pepper

Add all of the above to the pressure cooker pot.  Close and lock lid.  Cook on high for 5 minutes.

Let the pot depressurize for 10 minutes, then slowly release the pressure.  When safe, open lid. 

Add:

1/4-1/2 cup milk or half and half (honestly I didn't measure it, I just poured until it looked right) 

4 oz cream cheese, cut into small cubes. 

handful or two of chopped cilantro

Stir well and let sit a few minutes while you prepare the toppings.  Stir again before serving to make sure the cream cheese has melted and blended into the soup.

Toppings: Shredded cheese, green onions, tortilla chips, sour cream, jalapenos or poblanos, cilantro, avocado - pretty much anything you'd put on tacos or nachos! 

So good and so easy! 

It's been a year!

 It's been an entire year since I last posted. 

We are at the end of our kitchen renovation! It's been a grueling month long process but it's almost done and it looks great so far and will only look better when done. 

My Crockpot Express has been a lifesaver during the last month.  I did some prep for when we'd be without a kitchen.  I knew I couldn't handle the expense - financial or healthwise - of a month of takeout.  So this was our plan of meals.  I figured 2 per week would be enough, but we've been averaging only one per week. 

-Vietnamese pulled chicken with ramen (already made and in the freezer except the noodles)
-Creamy chicken orzo with peas - adding chicken to this recipe
-Sloppy Joes Plus with coleslaw
-Greek Harvest Grain bowls
-Southwest beef burrito bowls
-White chicken chili
-Pulled pork on buns or over rice
-Grilled sausage with air fryer potatoes

We so far have made most of the things on that list.  This week was creamy chicken orzo and I was very pleased by how it came out.  Last week's chili was also delish.  I modified those recipes a bit so I'll write them out here.