I love to meal plan to help our family save money on groceries, so when I was given the opportunity to share a recipe and a meal plan with my readers on behalf of Collective Bias and their client, I jumped at the chance.  If you are new to meal planning or just looking for fresh dinner ideas, I’ve got you covered.  This meal is so easy and delicious, you’ll want to add it to your monthly menu.  The ingredients are simple but combined create a flavorful, veggie filled, quick meal perfect for a busy week night.      
If cooking intimidates you or you are super busy, roasting and sauteing are your best bets for preparing real food fast.  Saute Express Saute Starters take the guess work out of flavoring your meal, and can be used on a variety of proteins and vegetables.  You can find all five flavors in the dairy section at your local Walmart. I want to try the Teriyaki and Italian Herb flavors next.     
Quick and Easy Garlic and Herb Chicken Saute with Cous Cous, Roasted Broccoli and Carrots
(serves 2-3)
The total prep + cooking time should only be about 30 minutes.  
Ingredients:
8-10 ounces of chicken breast meat, cubed
2 heads fresh broccoli, cut into small pieces
1 lb baby carrots or 6 large carrots sliced
2 packets of Land O’ Lakes Saute Express Saute Starter in Garlic and Herb flavor
olive oil
sea salt
balsamic vinegar
one package of instant cous cous (I used parmesan cous cous.)

Directions:
1) Preheat your oven to 400 F.
2) Start with your broccoli.  Toss all of it into a bowl and sprinkle with olive oil and sea salt.  Lay it out on a baking pan you previously sprayed with cooking spray or greased.  Do not put it in the oven yet.
3) Use the same bowl to toss your carrots with olive oil and sea salt.  Then add a little bit of balsamic vinegar, just enough for a light coating.  Spread your carrots out on another greased baking sheet.  Put the carrots in the oven, but hold off on the broccoli until the carrots have been in for 5 minutes.  The carrots take a little longer, but I wanted to spare you washing two bowls.  You’re welcome.   

 4) The carrots need to cook at 400 F for 20 minutes, and the broccoli for about 15.  Flip them with a spatula half way through for even roasting.

5) While your vegetables are roasting, grab 2 packets of your Land O’ Lakes Saute Express Saute Starter and place the unwrapped starter in pan on medium heat.  Let it melt fully, coating the pan.  To expedite this process you can swirl the starter around with your spatula.  I used two packets instead of the recommended one because I had a little more than half a pound (10 ounces) and I wanted a little bit of extra sauce for the cous cous.  

6) Once your starter is melted completely and bubbling, enjoy the aroma and add your cubed chicken.  Let it cook for 10-15 minutes, flipping it occasionally for even cooking.
7) While your chicken is cooking, prep your cous cous according to the package directions and set aside.  It should only take a few minutes to cook.  

8) Temp your chicken with a meat thermometor and make sure it has reached an internal temperature of at least 165 F.  Once fully cooked, serve your chicken on a bed of cous cous with a side of your beautiful roasted vegetables and enjoy.

You don’t have to be Julia Child or Martha Stewart to make fresh, delicious dinners for your family.  You just need a few ingredients and maybe an episode of Daniel Tiger to entertain your little people.  Meal planning is not just for families.  When I was single, and before we had kids, we were the WORST at planning our meals and spent way to much money dining out and grabbing fast food because of a lack of planning and a multitude of excuses.  Sometimes it can be hard to feel like it is worth cooking a whole meal for just you.  You are worth it.  Your body and your budget will thank you.  It doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does have to be intentional.  

Now that Monday is taken care of, here’s a meal plan for the rest of the week.
Tuesday: Chicken Fajita Tacos from Simply Organized Mama
Wednesday: Spinach Quiche from Coco and Cocoa
Thursday: Quick and Easy Chunky Texas Chili from Mom Prepares
Friday: Crock Pot Spicy Pulled Pork from Three 31 with Green Beans and Mashed Potatoes
Saturday: Lasagna Bites from Hooked on the Howards with Caesar Salad
Sunday: King Ranch Chicken Casserole from Yesterfood with Sauteed Zucchini and Squash (Use 1-2 Saute Express packets with veggie slices for a delicious side dish.)

What’s on your meal plan this week?

2 Comments on Meal Plan: Quick and Easy Garlic and Herb Chicken Saute with Cous Cous, Roasted Broccoli and Carrots

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