Tag Archives: Bacon

Chicken Bacon Ranch Noodle Soup is an elevated version of Chicken Noodle Soup.  It’s like Chicken Noodle Soup on steroids 😊 I’m all for anything chicken, bacon, ranch flavored and this soup does not disappoint.  It’s packed with soft noodles, tender chicken, perfectly seasoned ranch broth, and the toppings bring it to a whole new level.  It’s great for a cold winter night or when you are looking for a quick and easy weeknight meal because it doesn’t take long to prepare.  Personally, I’ll be eating this soup year-round.  It’s hearty without being filling, warms you up, is customizable, and makes great leftovers. The recipe can be found here. Start by chopping the bacon into bite sized pieces.  Add to a skillet and cook over medium heat until cooked through and crispy.  Remove to a paper towel lined plate to drain the grease and set aside.  I find this the easiest way to cook the bacon for this recipe, so … Continue reading

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The Super Bowl is fast approaching.  Are you ready for it?  Do you plan to watch?  Personally, I’m not watching for the game.  I like to see the commercials and eat some good food with friends.  And every year I like to create some tasty new recipes for our gathering.  This year, my recipes are all appetizer/snack based, are easy to make, great finger foods for a crowd, something the kids will like, and make good leftovers.  Here is what I have for you: Bacon Wrapped Potato Wedges Mini Chicken Cordon Bleu Sliders Taco Seasoned Oyster Crackers Mini Cheeseburger Bites   Let’s walk through how to make each recipe: BACON WRAPPED POTATO WEDGES This is a simple recipe that combines popular ingredients to create a wonderful finger food.  The potatoes are soft and tender, the bacon is salty and crisp, and the dipping sauce brings it all together.  It’s like a baked potato you eat with your hands 😊 The nice … Continue reading

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I’ve been craving something light and refreshing lately and made a few bruschetta recipes this weekend to snack on.  And by snack on I mean we made it into a meal 😊 If you follow my blog, you’ve probably read my other posts about bruschetta – Simple Summer Bruschetta Recipes (May 2023) and Easy Bruschetta Recipes (June 2023).  It’s such a diverse food.  You can have sweet, savory, spicy, citrus, vegetarian, meat-based, or any combination.  And it’s a bite-sized food so you can serve it as an appetizer or side dish or do what we did and make it a meal.  I have 3 recipes to share with you today.  One is sweet and refreshing, one is savory, and one is citrusy and refreshing. Strawberry Peach Bruschetta Bacon & Ricotta Bruschetta Lemon, Basil & Ricotta Bruschetta   STRAWBERRY PEACH BRUSCHETTA (aka sweet and refreshing) Strawberry Peach Bruschetta is bursting with fresh flavors and has a hint of sweetness … Continue reading

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Ciabatta Melts with Chicken, Bacon & Pepper Jack are delicious sandwiches that are easy to make and are sure to be a hit!  It’s a classic sandwich you could get at your local bistro or café style restaurant, and I thought, why not try making it at home?  It has warm, crusty ciabatta bread that is filled with juicy chicken, crispy bacon, spicy, melted cheese, and tender veggies.  The sandwich tastes light and won’t leave you feeling too full.  You can’t go wrong with a warm sandwich on ciabatta! The recipe can be found here. Start by baking the ciabatta bread according to package instructions.  Set the bread aside to cool.  Also prepare the bacon according to package instructions and remove to a paper towel lined plate to drain the grease.  Set the bacon aside. Season both sides of the chicken with salt and pepper.  Use a grill or grill pan to cook the chicken on each side … Continue reading

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We recently had dinner at a local Italian restaurant and ordered a variety of Bruschetta as an appetizer.  I’ve been thinking about the Bruschetta ever since and couldn’t resist the attempt to recreate it at home.  Who doesn’t love a crunchy Bruschetta appetizer?  And who doesn’t love options?  That’s what I have for you today!  Four vastly different yet incredibly satisfying Bruschetta recipes. When I think of Bruschetta, I typically think baguette with fresh tomatoes and maybe some basil or balsamic dressing.  These are not your traditional Bruschetta recipes by any means, but I think you’ll like them just as much 😊 They are perfect as an appetizer or snack for any gathering and would be great for brunch, a bridal shower, girls’ night in, etc.  Here’s what I have for you: Smoked Salmon Fig & Apple Blueberry, Basil & Ricotta Tomato Aioli & Bacon   Smoked Salmon Bruschetta is surprisingly simple to make.  Don’t worry, you don’t have to … Continue reading

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Meatloaf is a wonderful comfort food and if you’re from the Midwest…it’s a bit of a staple.  It’s one of those meals you either love or hate.  If you hate it, you probably ate it too much as a kid 😊 but I think you should give it one more chance and try my Chicken Bacon Ranch Meatloaf.  I’m a chicken-bacon-ranch fan and consider myself to be somewhat of a CBR (chicken-bacon-ranch) connoisseur.  If it’s available at a restaurant in some capacity, chances are I’ll order it.  I think it’s delicious and love the flavor combination. The recipe can be found here. Start by preheating the oven to 350 degrees F.  Line a standard size loaf pan with parchment paper.  This will help you lift the meatloaf out of the pan after cooking, making it easier to slice and serve.  Open the jar of bacon bits and reserve ¼ cup. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken, breadcrumbs, dried minced … Continue reading

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Bacon wrapped anything is good, but a variety of bacon wrapped appetizers to serve at a holiday gathering or tailgating party is even better!  You and your guests will devour each recipe I’m going to share with you today.  I don’t remember when the “bacon craze” started but it seems to be sticking around, and I’m here for it!  These recipes are all fairy easy to make, can be made ahead of time, are bite-sized / finger foods, and make a decent amount so you shouldn’t have to double or triple the recipes (but you can if you want). Here are the recipes and we’ll walk through how to make each one: Glazed Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts Bacon Wrapped Tater Tot Cups Brown Sugar Bacon Crackers Parmesan Bacon Crackers Brown Sugar Bacon Wrapped Lit’l Smokies   One thing I want to point out is you want to use normal, everyday bacon that is thin or … Continue reading

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As colder weather sets in you are probably looking for something warm and filling to satisfy your cravings.  It is apple season (so move over pumpkin spice) and I think apple is one of the best flavors of the season because it pairs well with many dishes.  There are so many varieties of apples you are sure to find one that is your favorite and tastes great on a salad, or in a sandwich, or perhaps baked into a dessert. I like to create new recipes each fall that are themed around apples and have a few to share with you today: Slow Cooker Apple Cider Chicken & Apple Melts with Honey Mustard Gouda, Apple & Bacon Naan Flatbread Caramel Apple Cupcakes   Slow Cooker Apple Cider is completely homemade.  The base is water, you add chopped fruit and some mulling spices, turn on the slow cooker, and forget it overnight.  Your house will … Continue reading

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Chicken Bacon Ranch Kabobs are a simple 5 ingredient meal the whole family will love!  They are very flavorful and a combination most people are already familiar with.  Try them for a quick weeknight meal or serve at a summer BBQ.  The kabobs are packed with crispy bacon, tender chicken, and are marinated in a homemade ranch dressing. The recipe can be found here. Start by adding the wooden skewers to a drinking glass filled with water to soak before grilling.  This will prevent the wood from catching fire on the grill.  Set aside until ready to use.  I like to marinate mine for at least a few hours.  Alternately, you can use metal skewers and skip the soaking process.  My preference is to use 6” skewers but 10” skewers also work, you just won’t have as many skewers. Add the olive oil, black pepper, and ranch seasoning to a gallon size Ziploc bag.  Shake slightly to combine. Slice … Continue reading

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Honey Dijon Grilled Chicken Sandwiches should be on your menu this week!  It’s sweet from honey, tangy from mustard, salty from bacon, and a little earthy / nutty from cheese.  Pair it with some juicy, tender chicken and sandwich it between a pretzel bun or brioche bun and you have the perfect meal.  It’s simple to make, is packed with flavor, and will please everyone at the dinner table. The recipe can be found here. Start by making the sauce.  Add the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, and salt to a mixing bowl.  Whisk to combine.  Taste and adjust the seasoning, if needed, and set aside. Place the chicken in a Ziploc bag.  Pour ½ of the marinade into the bag then seal and place in the fridge to marinate overnight.  Cover the remaining marinade and place in the fridge to be used later. Once the chicken … Continue reading

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