Sweet and Spicy Bacon Wrapped Chicken

First of all, let me say that this is not...I repeat... IS NOT, a healthy recipe. Lol.

Mr.Hooah has had such a long week and this Sweet and Spicy Bacon Wrapped Chicken is one of his favorites... So, myself being the best wife ever, thought he deserved something super yummy for dinner tonight! He was super excited about it when I texted him what we were having and he definitely let me know that he let our "temporary-roomie" know (I'm telling ya', any of his soldiers that ever needs a place to stay, our casa is always open!) that we are having:

 "CHICKEN...WRAPPED IN BACON...'MERICA!!!" 

You guys, I can't even...Hahaha. 

But on a serious note, our roomie is SUPER picky. He likes EVERYTHING plain. He is pretty much just a "meat and cheese only" kind of guy. And hey, that is ok because this recipe will even be liked by those who are just as picky as he is!

 But I mean, let's be honest, WHO DOESN'T LOVE BACON?! ESPECIALLY WHEN IT IS WRAPPED AROUND CHICKEN!?!

This chicken is seriously so yummy and is definitely something worth using your cheat-meal on!

I am not sure where I originally adapted this recipe from as it has been in my recipe book for several years now, but kudos to whomever originally came up with it and brought this delicious goodness into my life! 

I like to imagine the person who thought to make this recipe as being some guy with a bald eagle tank top on, wearing one of those beer helmets who drives an old transam with an American flag painted across the top...haha, maybe I should cut back on the wine right about now! :)

I am serious though people, the tender seasoned chicken wrapped inside the crispy bacon with the sweet brown sugar coating outside...OH. MAN. FOODGASM! LOL! If you decide to try this, it is great paired with a loaded baked potato or mac & cheese! I have even sliced it up on top of a salad too! Tonight I decided to not overload us on carbs so I'm just going to pair this with jalapeno mac and some garlic green beans. Also, as a side note, I know this is called "Sweet and Spicy" but honestly it isn't too spicy with the seasonings it calls for so if you were wanting to add a little kick like I usually do, sprinkle in a little cayenne or crushed red pepper flakes! 

This recipe is so super easy and cheap to make!

Enjoy you guys, and don't blame me when you get addicted after the first bite! ;)

-XO

Sweet and Spicy Bacon Wrapped Chicken

1 pk. of skinless, chicken tenders

1 pack of bacon

1 TBSP. chili powder

1-2 tsp. garlic powder

1-2 tsp. black pepper and salt

 1 c. brown sugar, sprinkled on a plate

• Pre-heat oven to 400'...
• Give the chicken tenders a quick rinse and then use a paper towel to pat dry a little. Mix together the chili powder, garlic, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Sprinkle spice mix all over the chicken tenders. 
• Foil a baking sheet and spray with non-stick. Take each tender and wrap with one piece of bacon, I usually do this one at a time so it doesn't get crazy messy. Then roll it around in the brown sugar that you sprinkled on the plate. (I like to press mine down into the sugar so it gets a good coating of the brown sugar, if you need to add more brown sugar to the plate, you can.) Place each piece on the baking sheet a little bit spread apart.
• Bake for 30-40 mins or until chicken is cooked through. At this point I like to turn the broiler on and broil on each side for a few minutes until the bacon crisps up as crispy as we like it. Then let cool a little and serve. 
• TIP: I like use a a cookie cooling rack to put on top of the foiled pan to cook these on so that all the grease drains off and then the bacon gets crisp on both sides without having to continuously turn or broil it!

Napa Almond Chicken Salad---A Panera Bread Copy Cat

Can I just say that it is ALMOST March and that this year already needs to slow down?!

Ok, but let's be honest tho... I am NOT complaining about it almost being Spring, or the fact that summer is right behind that and all the warmer weather that that entails! Because I don't know about you guys but I am SOOO over the colder weather and ready for some sunny sunshine goodness!

I have been slacking a little on posting as some of you have noticed. I have been SO busy and I do apologize! It's not that I haven't wanted to blog a post or two, it's just that I have been trying to complete my office upstairs and starting the process of merging two of my in-home businesses. Then I had some health issues arise and I have just been too tired to do much of anything! 

With that being said though and all this talk of Spring, I decided to whip up this yummy Panera Bread copycat recipe: Napa Almond Chicken Salad... 

1. Because it is so easy-peasy.

2. Because it is not only healthy, but DELICIOUS!

Anyone who knows me personally, knows just how much I LOVE the chicken salad from Panera! Man, I could eat there everyday but that gets pricey so my search for a close replica of the chicken salad began and this is my go-to recipe for it when I am craving Panera.You can find the original recipe over at Two Red Bowls and if you haven't checked them out yet, you must, lots of great stuff!

Mr.Hooah and I absolutely LOVED this on cheddar rolls we got from one of our local bakeries! I promise that if you love a good chicken salad, that this is definitely the recipe you'll want to jot down in your recipe book!

-XO for now and thanks to those of you who have checked in on me,

 it means more than you know! 

Napa Almond Chicken Salad

 (A Panera Bread CopyCat)

2-3 chicken breasts, boiled, then shredded or cubed

3 stalks celery, chopped
3 whole green onions, chopped
2 c. grapes, halved
1 small apple, diced
3-4 TBSP. Mayo
2-3 TBSP. Greek yogurt (or you can use sour cream or plain yogurt, I preferred Greek Yogurt)
1/4 c. dill, minced
1/2 c. slivered almonds (they do not have to be Napa!)
1-2 TBSP. brown sugar
1 TBSP. lemon juice
salt and pepper to taste

1. Boil chicken breasts for about 10 minutes or until cooked through. Let cool, shred into large shreds with a fork, and then chop into bite-sized pieces.
2. Chop celery, green onions, grapes, and apple, and combine in a bowl with the chicken and almonds.

3. Whisk together mayo, Greek yogurt, brown sugar, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and dill. I like to add quite a bit of salt and pepper, because the chicken can be bland otherwise — probably about 1/2 tsp pepper and almost 1 tsp salt, but definitely taste as you go.
4. Pour over the chicken mixture and toss until coated.

 5. Let chill for a few hours or even overnight.