November and December are my busiest months of the year which means cooking elaborate meals has to be put on the back burner. I crave simplicity, meals that can get me in and out of the kitchen quickly and don’t require a lot of prep time or clean up. With my daughter and her spare posse of friends home from college for the week, it seemed the perfect time to experiment on one skillet meals featuring my favorite meat, chicken. Chicken is the versatile wonder meat at my house, prominently displayed in many of our meals. (We have chicken so often my daughter even warned her boyfriend, “We’ll be having chicken. Lots and lots of chicken!”) She seems to think chicken is boring.
I decided to tempt their taste buds with four new varieties of sauces from Campbell’s; Marsala with mushrooms and garlic, creamy chipotle with roasted corn and black beans, Thai green curry with lemongrass and basil and toasted sesame with garlic and ginger. These sauces are so simple to use. I browned a package of boneless, skinless chicken breasts in butter for five minutes, turning once to ensure even browning. Then I added the package of sauce and simmered for fifteen minutes or until the chicken was completely cooked. Served with a salad and a veggie I have a quick meal.
I asked the kids which variety they would like to try first. They all agreed (amazingly) on the Creamy Chipotle with roasted corn and black beans. I didn’t have time to make the rest of the meal before the kids grabbed the chicken. They did ask for more sauce when I removed the chicken from the pan. I spooned enough extra sauce over the chicken so it looked “smothered” and they said they liked the flavor boost. We enjoyed the Chipotle sauce but I found it was a little spicy. I thought the heat might be a bit much for younger children. The texture was thick and creamy, as promised, and the corn and beans were not mushy, but firm as they should be in a sauce.
The kids are arguing about which sauce we will try next. (“Thai with Lemon Grass!” “No, Toasted Sesame!”) I have a feeling we make be trying all the varieties before the week is over. Who am I to argue with serving a meal that gets me out of the kitchen quickly?
These sauces can also be adapted to create vegetarian meals. I used the Marsala with Mushrooms and Garlic on ravioli when I discovered I didn’t have any sauce. It was delicious with chunks of real mushrooms and a savory bite.
We also sampled the Thai with lemongrass and curry at my daughter’s request. I never complain when they want a meal that is easy for me to prepare. Most of us liked the sauce which had a light curry flavor without having the extra heat Curry sometimes packs. My son, never a fan of curry, was not impressed.
The Toasted Sesame with ginger and garlic is next on our list of meals this week. With a Thanksgiving dinner for twenty to prepare tasty simple meals are rounding up our menu. Find Campbell’s Skillet Meals in grocery stores nationwide by the boxed dinner kits, marinades, sauces, gravy or broth.
We just made the chicken marsala one, I really liked it. It could’ve used a little more sauce but the flavor was spot on and it was super easy. I’ll have to try the ones you tried too
These look really good and pretty easy to make. I’ll have to keep my eyes out for them next time I’m at the grocery store.
I love to keep this type of thing on hand as they are a great go to meal when needed.
I haven’t seen these yet and I love meals with chicken. So glad you brought this to our attention. Now I’ll be on the lookout for them
I had one of these the other day at a friend’s house for dinner. I don’t know which one she added to pasta and shrimp but it was delicious!
These look delicious & so easy! I’ll have to look for them next time I’m shopping.
Ooh yum! Anything that can help this time of year is very appreciated.
I hadn’t heard of these. They sound yummy and easy! My favorite things 😉
The toasted sesame with ginger and garlic sounds WONDERFUL! Set an extra plate, please 🙂
Yumm… I had no idea that Campbell’s has skillet meals.> LOVE it; The curry looks delicious… Thanks for sharing.
Have to love a simple to prepare, good tasting meal- yum! Will have to try these.
See, I like that spice so I’m thinking I would really, really like this!
Oh, these sound really good! I will have to try them!
oh the curry looks intriguing, pam. i love curry but find recipes for it absolutely overwhelming- i never know what will be good. i may just grab these at the store this week!