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Three Easy Winter Meals (Boyfriend-Approved!)
Three easy winter meals

waterfall knit sweater // white tank // white pants

There’s something so wonderful and comforting about a warm, healthy dinner in the winter when it’s freezing cold outside. For the past couple of months I’ve been trying to cook dinner (almost) every weeknight, and in the process I’ve discovered some really amazing, healthy recipes. There have been some recipes we’ve fallen in love with (and some we haven’t), but today I thought I’d share mine and my boyfriend’s top three meals. My boyfriend Chris is a typical guy and loves any recipe with lots of meat and lots of flavor – so all three of these have his stamp of approval. And the best part is – all three are very easy to make and very healthy!

Let’s get started…

Skinny Baked Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas - so easy and incredibly flavorful

source

The first recipe is mine and Chris’s favorite of all time.  The thing that makes this meal so easy is that you basically put all of the ingredients on a sheet pan (even the raw chicken) and it all bakes together.   I cook everything on aluminum foil so I don’t even dirty the pan. The chicken is SO FLAVORFUL I can’t even put it into words! It hardly needs any toppings. We both add Greek yogurt to ours, but you don’t even need cheese – they’re so flavorful on their own. This recipe makes enough for two people, so if you’re cooking for an entire family you’ll want to double the recipe. Chris asks me to make this almost every single week – it’s his favorite!

Skinny Baked Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

Ingredients:
– 2 skinless chicken breasts, cut into thin strips
– 3/4 cup diced roma tomatoes (or 1/2 can drained diced tomatoes)
– 1/2 medium yellow onion, sliced
– 2 large bell peppers (you can use green, red, yellow, or all three)
– 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, finely chopped
– 1/4 cup plain greek yogurt (plus extra for topping)
– 1 (1 oz) packet Fajita seasoning
– 4 medium tortillas
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 400F. Place a sheet of aluminum foil over a pan or 9×13 baking dish
2. Mix together the tomatoes, onion, and peppers and place on the pan
3. In a small bowl, combine the yogurt, fajita seasoning and chopped cilantro. Toss in the chicken and stir until fully coated.
4. Place the coated chicken into the baking dish with the vegetables. Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes until chicken is cooked fully and vegetables are fork tender.
5. With about 8 minute left, wrap the tortillas in foil and place them in the oven to warm them.
6. Serve with warmed tortillas, greek yogurt and cilantro. (You can also add shredded cheese but we think they are flavorful enough on their own!)
Slow Cooker Turkey Chili - perfect for a winter night and makes lots of leftovers!

source

This next recipe is another Winter favorite – slow cooker turkey chili! I like using turkey because it’s a little leaner and healthier – and Chris can’t taste the difference at all (the first time I made this for him, I didn’t tell him it was turkey and he never knew!). You can literally throw all the ingredients in the slow cooker and then forget about it all day – and then at dinnertime, voila! It’s ready. I love making this on cold or rainy days because it’s extra comforting and delicious. AND it makes tons of leftovers! I freeze half the leftovers and put the rest in the fridge for lunches.

Slow Cooker Chili

Ingredients:
– 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
– 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey
– 1 (10.75) can low sodium tomato soup
– 1 can diced tomatoes with green chilis
– 2 (15 oz) cans kidney beans, drained
– 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained
– 1/2 medium onion, chopped
– 2 tablespoons chili powder
– 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
– 1/2 tablespoon garlic powder
– 1/2 tablespoon ground cumin
– 1 pinch ground black pepper
– Salt to taste
– Plain Greek yogurt (for topping)
– Shredded Cheddar cheese (for topping)
Instructions:
1. Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Place the turkey in the skillet and cook until evenly brown; drain.
2. Coat the inside of a slow cooker with cooking spray and mix in turkey, tomato soup, diced tomatoes, kidney beans, black beans and onion. Season with chili powder, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, cumin, black pepper and salt.
3. Cover and cook for 8 hours on low or 4 hours on high.
4. Top with Greek yogurt and shredded cheese. Enjoy!

Slow cooker fajita & quinoa soup
source

This next one I discovered through my mom. She made it for dinner a few weeks ago when I was visiting Charlotte, and I knew I had to make it for me and Chris! This recipe is another slow cooker one, you put all the ingredients in and then let it simmer all day. It’s incredibly healthy and filling, and also reheats really well for leftovers. It has 10 grams of fiber and 29 grams of protein per serving – that’s incredible. The only “complaint” that both Chris and I had was that we thought it could use a few more spices, even some jalapeños (both Chris and I like spicy foods). I’m putting the original recipe down below, so feel free to experiment by adding more spices or some diced jalapeños on top.

Slow Cooker Fajita & Quinoa Soup via Eat Yourself Skinny

Ingredients:
– 1.5 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
– 1 cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed
– 3 bell peppers, chopped
– 1 medium onion, chopped
– 3 cloves garlic, minced
– 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
– juice of 1 lime
– 1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes
– 1 (4.5 oz) can green chiles
– 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
– 1 cup frozen corn
– 1.5 tablespoons chili powder
– 1 tablespoon cumin
– 2 teaspoons paprika
– 2 teaspoons sea salt
– Cilantro, chopped (for topping)
– Avocado, sliced (for topping)
– Shredded cheese (for topping)
Instructions:
1. In a 6-quart slow cooker, place raw chicken breasts at the bottom of the dish and add the rest of the ingredients on top. Cover and place on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-8 hours.
2. Remove chicken and shred with two forks, then add back to slow cooker. Season with additional salt and seasonings if needed.
3. Spoon soup into bowls and top with favorite toppings. Enjoy!

If you have any other easy dinner meals for Winter, let me know in the comments! 🙂
xoxo

Leave a Comment

47 Comments

  1. Alex

    This is awesome!! Especially on a Monday when I'm meal planning! Thank you so much!

    12.5.16Reply
  2. Jackie

    These all look so yummy and I've been needing some new things to cook as I've been lacing inspiration so thanks.

    Jackie | fashionxfairytale |

    12.5.16Reply
  3. Nina Lacher

    They all sound so good! I love throwing 4 chicken breasts, 1 jar of spicy salsa, 1 lime juice, minced garlic and pepper into a crock pot on high for 4 hours and you can put it on anything! Nachos, tacos, on a side salad, its so easy!

    Xo, Nina
    Law of Fashion Blog

    12.5.16Reply
  4. Brittany Olander

    these look perfect!

    xo, brittany
    I've got a gift guide for men on my blog today!
    http://www.notablob.com

    12.5.16Reply
  5. Sasa Zoe

    I have to try these! Thank you so much for sharing:P

    Shall We Sasa

    12.5.16Reply
  6. Kailagh Anne

    I love chill, even more so in the winter. I didn't even think about a chili with quinoa in it 🙂

    Kailagh Anne

    12.5.16Reply
  7. Carey Spence

    That fajita and quinoa soup sounds so good!

    xo, Carey
    https://thedaintydetails.wordpress.com

    12.5.16Reply
  8. Viktoria

    This looks so yummy

    http://thedaydreamings.blogspot.com

    12.5.16Reply
  9. Brittany Simmons

    This post came just in time now that I am learning how to cook!

    http://www.brittanyluci.com

    12.5.16Reply
  10. Trendique Magazine

    Mhhh I'm so hungry now…!!! Looks yummy 😀

    xo Vanessa from http://www.Trendique-Magazine.com

    12.5.16Reply
  11. Carrie

    I love using my crockpot especially in the colder months! Chilis and soups are the way to go when it's cold out!

    Carrie | http://carrieelise.com/

    12.5.16Reply
  12. Around Colours

    They all look amazing. I don't eat meat but I'm gonna show these to my parents and they might take some inspiration from your recipes!

    Marta – http://www.aroundcolours.blogspot.com

    12.5.16Reply
  13. Alysa

    These sound delicious… I'll definitely be making all three!

    timelessandclassy.blogspot.com

    12.5.16Reply
  14. trg

    Thank you for posting these!! I love easy and flavorful!!

    12.5.16Reply
  15. Leeann Bienfang

    These all look delicious! I can't wait to try them!

    http://www.memoriesandmacchiatos.com

    12.5.16Reply
  16. Maciej & Monika

    This looks so yummy!

    http://www.thestyleventure.com/2016/12/05/how-to-style-a-raincoat-stutterheim/

    12.5.16Reply
  17. Jessica | Being Bradfords

    Yum! Those look great!!

    12.5.16Reply
  18. Kari Guastella

    These dishes look so yummy! Especially the quinoa crockpot soup!
    Kari
    http://sweetteasweetie.com/10-minute-pretzel-chocolate-chip-cookies/

    12.5.16Reply
  19. Hale Saaw

    ooh, the first recipe sounds really good!
    Aleeha xXx
    http://www.halesaaw.com/

    12.5.16Reply
  20. Natali

    Mmmm, sound and look like super yummy recipes!

    https://lartoffashion.com

    12.5.16Reply
  21. Emily at 'a little bit of Emily'

    These all sounds delicious!! Definitely saving for later.

    12.5.16Reply
  22. Lauren

    That turkey chili would taste so good on a cold day like today!

    Lauren,
    http://www.atouchofsoutherngrace.com

    12.5.16Reply
  23. Anonymous

    These recipes sound delicious! I love finding dinner recipes that are easy, healthy & tasty – thanks for sharing!

    Check out my first Hawaii outfit on the blog now | http://www.blushandbordeaux.com

    12.5.16Reply
  24. Allison Gazdziak

    Love all these!! Can't wait to try them.

    12.5.16Reply
  25. Jessica@fourgenerationsoneroof

    These look and sound delicious! I will definitely make the fajita and quinoa soup!

    12.5.16Reply
  26. Stacie LaMothe

    I needed knew ideas! These look so yum, my toddler may even approve!

    12.5.16Reply
  27. Esther from Girls Who Brunch

    Yum! I need to try these out!

    http://thegirlswhobrunch.com

    12.6.16Reply
  28. Monica T.

    These meals look fast, easy and extra delish! Thanks for sharing!

    12.6.16Reply
  29. Taylor Kim

    They all look so yummy, especially the turkey chili! Thanks for the recipes, loved seeing something a little different on the blog as well! 🙂

    xo, Taylor
    http://www.taylorashleyblog.com

    12.6.16Reply
  30. Amy's Fashion Blog

    So going to have to give these a try.

    http://www.amysfashionblog.com/blog-home/

    12.6.16Reply
  31. Kirstie @ .I Declare.

    These look so good! With my husband gone a lot for work, I struggle wanting to cook ! But these look so easy and so delicious! Xo, Kirst
    semlerfamily.blogspot.com

    12.6.16Reply
  32. Polly

    The baked chicken fajitas looks so good and is definitely something my husband and I would enjoy!

    Polly
    http://gemsandjoy.com

    12.6.16Reply
  33. Eniwhere Fashion

    Wow!!! Nice tips…it looks so good!!! Kisses from Italy,
    Eni

    Eniwhere Fashion
    Bloglovin of Eniwhere Fashion

    12.6.16Reply
  34. Avellia Anwar

    enjoy reading ur post..

    Regards,
    Mrs. Aa
    http://www.bymrsaa.com

    12.6.16Reply
  35. Hayley Larue

    Ok, I SO need to try this out for my fiancé. He'd love it!

    BlondieInTheCity.com

    12.6.16Reply
  36. Ewa Macherowska

    Everything looks great!

    http://www.evdaily.blogspot.com

    12.6.16Reply
  37. Brittany Garcia

    All of these are so perfect for the guys!!! My husband loves fajitas!

    Brittany 🙂
    http://www.kingdomofsequins.com

    12.6.16Reply
  38. Missy

    Those sheet pan fajitas look great! So easy, I will have to try them!

    12.6.16Reply
  39. Kathryn Byers

    I'll have to try fajita and quinoa soup! Sounds amaze.

    xx Kathryn
    http://www.chicandshimmer.com

    12.7.16Reply
  40. Lisa Autumn

    I seriously need to try all of them.. and boyfriend approved is a big plus haha!

    xx Lisa
    lisaautumn.com

    12.8.16Reply
  41. Saint2004

    Wonderful, healthy recipes I know my husband will love! Big thank you!!

    12.12.16Reply
  42. Claudia

    I made the slow cooker chicken fajita and quinoa soup. The only change I made was using 2 cans of Rotel, one regular and one hot, instead of the separate cans of tomatoes and chiles.
    I also had smoked paprika on hand, so I used that. This soup is seriously delicious!! Perfect for game day! Thanks for sharing!

    12.16.16Reply
  43. miche&jazzy

    will try these, plz keep these recipes coming!!

    1.4.17Reply
  44. Christie Ray Harrison

    hi! just wanted to let you know i made the chicken fajitas recipe and loved it! i used bell peppers and brussel sprouts and sweet potatoes as the roasted veggies and that worked well too, i love how versatile it is depending on what veggies you have handy. thanks for sharing, would love to see more quick and easy healthy recipes in the future!

    1.30.17Reply
  45. Kit Stanwood

    Awesome blog post!! (I got here by swiping up on your Instagram) I'm gonna try these out! I'm totally slacking at cooking in my late 20s so time to catch up and catch a man (; hahaha thanks for sharing!!! Would love to see more!

    11.9.17Reply
  46. Joseph Donahue

    This is amazing! We arent eating it for a couple more hours and I have yet to put in the coconut milk. But what I have tasted is awesome! Thanks for the recipe.

    7.22.21Reply
  47. Kelly Hubbard

    Great recipe, very yummy! Any suggestions for other ways to use the left over Miso paste? Marinade? Make into another type of sauce? Ideas??? It’s too good to not use up!

    9.9.21Reply