Salsa Chicken

Michael & me before going out for Michael's 25th Birthday, July 2011

The night before Andy and I left for Hawaii was also our friend, Michael's (who introduced Andy and me) birthday.  During the day of July 10th, we were invited to join Michael and some of our friends at Baker Street for drinks to celebrate Michael's 26th.  Since we were still busy readying ourselves for Maui, we knew we would need a quick, inexpensive, and easy dinner, so Salsa Chicken with Black Bean & Corn Side it was! 

Michael (a penguin) and me (Sookie Stackhouse) at Katie Fenn's Halloween Party, October 2011

Tuesday, July 10th, was one LONG day at work.  I constantly found my thoughts wandering to the beach and visions of frozen concoctions and succulently prepared exotic fish were swimming through my head.  Luckily, I was already packed (since I have such a to-do list obsession), so I was free to let my thoughts float to the waves and not to my suitcase.  I finished an admission at our partial-hospitalization program, and I was returning crisis phone calls when I got a text from Andy suggesting we go to Baker Street for Michael's birthday.  Now I knew Andy was far from packed, and I had a staff meeting after work, so I knew it was a hard-press, but that it would be fun to say hi to our friend for his big day.

Andy, me, Jesse, Will, Brian, & Michael at St. Patrick's Day in Dallas, March 2012

I could barely sit through the staff meeting- they said "Restraint and Seclusion" and all I could hear was "secluded island."  They said "new hire" and I thought "new adventure."  They said "Happy Birthday to the July birthday people" and the only celebration I could think of was Erin & Alex's fast-approaching wedding celebration.  It was tough!

Michael, me, and Andy in New Orleans, February 2012

I raced home and threw the oven into pre-heat.  I had pulled the chicken breasts out and marinated them with the taco seasoning and salsa the night before, so they were rarin' to go.  As soon as Andy came home, I popped the chicken in, dumped the cans for the side in a pot, and in 30 minutes we were scarfing it down.  As our last home cooked meal before our big trip, I'd say it was quite the easy preparation and cleanup.  After dinner, it was off to Baker Street.  We met Brian, Mallory, Sean, Elise, Ray, Laney, and (of course!) the birthday boy, Michael.  We only had a few beers, but it was fun catching up and watching the crazy rainstorm that hit Fort Worth out of nowhere.  Seriously- It was pouring so hard, I couldn't even see across the parking lot- it was white outside!

Thomas, Andy, Abbie, me, Michael, and Chris at my house watching a TCU game, September 2011

I was glad when we came home to not have a ton of dirty dishes and kitchen cleanup on my to-do list, and it was off to bed to dream sweet dreams of Maui sunsets and wedding shenanigans.


Salsa Chicken
All Recipes
Servings: 4; Weight Watchers PointsPlus Value: 5

Salsa Chicken with chips and Black Bean & Corn Side

• 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
• 4 teaspoons taco seasoning mix
• 1 cup salsa
• 1 cup fat-free shredded cheddar cheese

1. Preheat oven to 375
2. Place chicken breasts in a lightly greased 9x13 inch baking dish.
3. Sprinkle taco seasoning on both sides of chicken breasts
4. Pour salsa over all
5. Bake at 375 degrees for 25-35 mins, or until chicken is tender and juicy and its juices run clear.
6. Sprinkle chicken evenly with cheese, and continue baking for an additional 3 to 5 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.

Salsa Chicken with Black Bean & Corn Side