Creamy Southwestern Chicken | Birds Eye® Protein Blends

Time-saving items are essential around here these days, especially when it comes to cooking dinner. If you have a kid or two {and even if you don't!} you probably know what I mean. That last few hours of the day can get pretty hectic as everyone gets home, gets settled and gets hungry.

We seem to have our routine down {for now}, but even so, I find myself standing in front of the refrigerator looking for solutions to completing our meals. The "main" part of dinner isn't usually a problem as we tend to rotate between chicken, fish, ground turkey, lean pork chops, etc., etc. But filling the space on the plate next to the entree is usually where it gets tricky.

Almost on cue every night, you can hear me ask, "What do you want as a side?", to which my ever-so-helpful husband replies, "A vegetable."

Yeah... thanks, dear.

Meanwhile, the growling stomachs and hunger meltdowns begin and soon we find ourselves venturing into very crabby territory, which doesn't help my kitchen creativity. The result? Plain, sauteed veggies. Drab, unappealing side dishes. Lackluster, uninspired add-ons.

Unless, of course, you find something that can swoop in to the rescue and be ready in minutes...

Enter Birds Eye® Protein Blends. I found these at Walmart and thought they'd be worth a try, and boy was I right.

Last week I found myself in a pinch as the day was winding down, dinnertime was approaching and my toddler was trying to eat crayons. {Non-toxic, sure, but definitely not nutritious.} And then I remembered this was in the freezer. Score!

Since the veggies were seasoned with a Southwest Style sauce, I went with the theme and made a quick, simple chicken and lightened up creamy sauce to go along with the side. Everything was so zesty and flavorful that I'm sure this meal will become a regular on rotation.

Right now you can save .50 off Birds Eye® Protein Blends with this iBotta offer. Save money, time and sanity and treat yourself to an easy dinnertime routine.

Now the only thing my husband will hear me yell from the kitchen is, "Dinner's ready!" Music to our ears!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Pinnacle Foods Group LLC. The opinions and texts are all mine.

Creamy Southwestern Chicken

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 teaspoon chipotle powder, divided
Salt to taste

1 can diced tomatoes
Juice from 1/2 a lime
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/3 cup Greek yogurt {I used 2%}

1. Heat about 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season each chicken breast with 1/4 teaspoon chipotle powder {or your favorite southwestern seasoning} and salt.

2. Place chicken breasts in the pan and cook on the first side for about 4-6 minutes or until browned, then flip and brown the other side another 3-5 minutes. {It's ok if they're not fully cooked through as you will be returning them to the pan.

3. Remove chicken from pan and set aside on a plate.

4. To the pan, add all the sauce ingredients except yogurt and whisk to combine, scraping up the brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring to a bubble, then reduce the heat to medium-low and return the chicken breasts to the pan, nestling them into the sauce.

5. Cover pan and simmer for another 8-10 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked through.

6. Remove chicken once again and whisk yogurt into the sauce. Pour sauce into a blender {or use an immersion blender} and blend until completely smooth.*

To serve, ladle sauce over chicken. Serve with Birds Eye® Southwest Style Protein Blends.

Eau Spa | Manalapan, Florida + Turkey Meatball Flatbread Sandwich

If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook, you may have seen some pics of a few spa days I've given myself as a reward for making it this far in my pregnancy without having a complete meltdown. {I kid. Honestly, it really hasn't been that bad.}

My obsession with luxury spas started a while back when I treated myself to a spa day at The Breakers around the time of my 29th birthday. What can I say -- go big or go home. My birthday spa day became a tradition and for the past few years I've continued to visit The Spa at the Breakers for a pedicure and a day of relaxation. It's lovely.

This year I switched things up and decided to check out another spot - Eau Spa - with a group of my girlfriends to help me celebrate the last birthday I'll have without a little one running around.

Eau Spa is located at Eau Palm Beach in Manalapan {south Palm Beach}, a beautiful property that was given a multi-million dollar makeover in the past few years. Though they manage to maintain the hallmark luxurious vibe of other Palm Beach hotels and spas, Eau Hotel does so with a cheeky, modern twist that sets them apart.

Upon arriving at Eau Spa, we were checked in and brought back to a stunning rotunda with high, domed ceiling and a "wishing well" marking the center of the space. We were offered drinks {champagne for the girls and spa water for me, of course. Rats.} and each given a small votive candle to release into the wishing well and set our hopes adrift. How charming.

Our appointments started early to accommodate our large group {6 gals}, so no time was wasted. We were whisked back to the salon where we each had our nail services done while chatting, sipping {and nibbling on some pumpkin chocolate chip muffins I happened to bring with me... early morning pregnancy insomnia has its perks}. Once we were scrubbed, polished and moisturized, we were lead to the best part of Eau Spa -- a spa wonderland, of sorts.

After slipping into cozy robes and comfy flip flops, we each found a spot to soak in some of the serenity offered within the 42,000 square foot sanctuary.

My zen was found in the "Self-Centered Garden", where whimsy and tranquility unite in the lavish outdoor space. Soft, plush loungers punctuate the beautifully landscaped oasis; water walls create soothing background noise that could easily put you in your happy place. Hanging chairs suspended over a shallow pool of water are pure perfection for toe-dipping reflection time.  A Wonderland-esque chessboard not only makes a pretty visual element, but also serves as yet another distraction for an indulgent playtime.

Inside, the options for relaxation are endless as well. Tons of places to perch speckle the cool, airy surroundings filled with gauzy drapes and deluxe décor. Their "Scrub & Polish Bar" features an array of aromatic ingredients where you can create a custom blend of exfoliating body scrub. Get steamy in the sauna or luxuriate in the stunning whirlpool, complete with rain shower and oversized rubber duckies to accompany you as you "Pause, Play & Perfect" {the spa's mantra}. I loved their warm tiled loungers and could have napped there for hours, but food beckoned from another part of the spa.

Because what's a day of ultimate spoiling without cupcakes?? I mean, these people really know how to make a girl happy. Every single inch of Eau Spa seems to be utilized for maximum pampering. Even the lighting -- a custom chandelier made of crystal wine glasses -- is all about opulence and extravagance.

Though it was difficult to pull ourselves away from the enchanting environment, we gathered our things and headed over to Temple Orange, their onsite restaurant, for lunch. I'd had the privilege of sampling some Temple Orange fare a while back when I was a judge for the Flavor Palm Beach kickoff event, so I knew I was in for a treat.

We were all so relaxed that we opted for a casual, laid back lunch on the patio {which was great until it started to pour!}. Several of us ordered what the restaurant calls a "Baco", which is basically a flatbread that you can order with turkey meatballs or pulled pork. I can't tell you where they came up with "Baco", but I decided that it must mean "Bread Taco" because that's sort of what it made think of!

I can't even put into words what an amazing time I had at Eau Spa... it was the perfect place for a post-birthday, pre-baby shower day of pampering and I hope to visit again {and again, and again...}. If you ever find yourself in the area, do yourself the favor of stopping in and treat yourself to a day of sheer bliss!

.................................................................

Ok, so maybe I can't head down to Eau Spa every day {though I SO wish I could!}, but there's no reason not to recreate Temple Orange's tasty lunch whenever the mood strikes.

I "copycatted" their dish right down to the flatbread, which only took TWO ingredients and a hot griddle. Totally worth making.

The rest of the dish is simple enough -- turkey meatballs, a little cumin-scented yogurt sauce, some veggies and voila! You've got yourself a spa lunch right in the comfort of your own home. 

Turkey Meatball Flatbread Sandwich

For meatballs:

1 lb. ground turkey meat

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon cumin

1/2 teaspoon dried mint

1. Preaheat oven to 400 degrees. Prepare a baking pan by lining with foil and spraying or drizzling with a bit of olive oil.

2. Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and stir to distribute spices. Using an ice cream scoop, create even-sized meatballs and place on oiled baking pan.

3. Bake for about 16-18 minutes or until meat is no longer pink in the middle and cooked the way through.

Keep warm until ready to serve.

For flatbread:
Adapted from The Little Things

2/3 cup self-rising flour

2.5 ounces Greek yogurt

Pinch of salt

1. Heat a heavy skillet or a grill pan to medium-high heat. In a medium bowl {or in the bowl of a food processor while pulsing} combine all ingredients with a silicone spatula.

2. When the dough looks shaggy, knead it together until a ball forms. Divide dough into 4 equal pieces.

3. On a floured surface, roll out each piece of dough into a circular flatbread. Spray heated pan or skillet with a bit of olive oil or non-stick cooking spray and cook flatbreads until slightly puffed and starting to char in places, about 3-4 minutes on each side.

Keep warm until ready to serve.

For yogurt sauce:

2 ounces Greek yogurt

2 teaspoons mayonnaise

1/2 teaspoon cumin

Squeeze of fresh lemon juice

Pinch of salt

In a small bowl, stir together all ingredients until well combined. Set aside until ready to use.

To assemble: 

1 piece of flatbread

1 tablespoon yogurt sauce 

Spinach

Tomato, diced

Cucumber {or zucchini}, grated

Spread about a tablespoon of yogurt sauce on each flatbread. Sprinkle with spinach, tomato, and grated cucumber or zucchini. Place 2 meatballs on top of each flatbread and fold over into a "baco". You may need a toothpick to secure unless you plan on diving right in!