Slow Cooker Recipes To Love

Honey Garlic Chicken

With the New Year behind us, it seems every where I look around the internet, everyone is making resolutions, setting goals and looking for a way to improve their lives in 2014. I'm not big on resolutions, but I have set a few manageable goals for this year. Some are personal. And some are more family oriented. Under both categories I have the word "simplify."

I want to simplify my life, my family time and my home. That means acquiring new skills in home making and the kitchen. I have owned a slower cooker (aka crock pot) for a few years now and periodically pull it out. But I am amazed at how many food bloggers practically live out of their crock pots...or at least constantly feed their families out of them.

I decided increasing my practice and use of slow cookers definitely supported my "simplify" goal in many ways: reduce meal preparation time in the evenings, reduce stress over what's for dinner, and increase adoration from the family at my mad cooking skills. I found tons of slow cooker resources, blogs and free recipes online to get me started. And I am sharing two of my best finds with you here.

Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos

The Crock Pot Honey Garlic Chicken from Repeat Crafter Me, and featured at Old Fashioned Living, is my new favorite by far. It's simple, delicious and goes with just about any veggie or rice dish I can think of. Very versatile.

My other find is the Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos from Love From The Oven. This will be my go-to crock pot recipe and here's why: It's easy to prepare, my family LOVES tacos and the recipe is so versatile. I can easily substitute shredded beef or pulled pork in for the chicken and get the same delicious result! Plus, I can pair this with tortillas, pita bread, lettuce wraps, served over rice or pasta, or even rolled up enchilada style.

So that wraps up my New Year's goal to simplify and my new favorite slow cooker recipes (free by the way). What are your goals for 2014? I'd love to hear from you in the comments!

Visit Alicia's Recipes to find more simple family-friendly recipes and ideas.

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5 Awesome Autumn Eats

Bistro Chicken

Basic Biscuits

Baked Pork Chops

Chili

Johnny Cake Cornbread

Visit Alicia's Recipes to find more recipes perfect for pairing with your fall harvest celebrations! 

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October Fest Recipe Ideas

Boston Market Meatloaf

Buttermilk Baked Chicken

Baked Pork Chops

Barbecue Beef Casserole

Lasagna Bread

Visit Alicia's Recipes to find more recipes perfect for pairing with your October Fest celebrations! 

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Patriotic Preparations!

Are you planning a patriotic party in honor of the 4th of July? Let us help! We've got tons of delicious recipes perfect for grilling, potluck, picnic and backyard yummy fun for Summer. Browse through our recipe categories over at Alicia's main site and build your own patriotic menu plan!

If you want to keep things super simple, I've collected a few of my favorite Summer recipes that are straight forward and easy to incorporate into a menu plan, whether you're feeding the family, hosting a small gathering or going all out with a barbecue bash!

BBQ Beef Short Ribs

This is a great recipe for BBQ ribs and a definite crowd-pleaser.

Spicy Grilled Chicken w/ Baja Black Beans

Filled with feisty grilled flavor, our Spicy Grilled Chicken paired with Baja Black Beans is great for a fiesta themed party.

Corn Dogs

Got little kids coming to your barbecue? Give them a treat with our homemade corn dogs recipe!

Flag Cake

Celebrate Independence Day with a flag cake filled with yummy fruit and little marshmallows - this is another kid favorite.

Patriotic Cake Balls

If you really want to go all out, try our Patriotic Cake Balls. I promise they'll earn dynamite reviews!

Head over to Alicia's Recipes to find many more delicious recipes perfect for your patriotic celebration, or any occasion this Summer! Connect with us on Facebook for more recipes shared from other food blogs and follow us on Pinterest for more foodie inspiration!

Tasty Baked Recipes

I love to bake! Usually it's something sweet and crazy with carbs - which is not conducive to managing your figure or overall health. (I admit I'm a bit of a dessert addict.) So to cure my craving for baking, I've collected a few tasty baked recipes that don't all include the words "cookie" or "cake" in the title.

If you love to bake and want to try some yummy new recipes, that are also perfect for the warm spring weather, I think you'll enjoy these! If not, head over to our main site to dig through our recipe gold mine for more baked goodness!

Baked Lemon Chicken

Baked Pretzels

Baked Pork Chops

Baked Donut Muffins

Baked Stuffed Eggplant

Head over to Alicia's Recipes to find many more delicious recipes to create baked dishes. Connect with us on Facebook for more recipes shared from other food blogs and follow us on Pinterest for more foodie inspiration!

Foodie Gifts and Recipes Too!

With Mother's Day just a few days away, most of us will be scurrying to find a gift or method to honor our sweet moms! Do you have a mom or mother-in-law who loves to cook or is a kitchen connoisseur? We've got a fun and functional new article about thoughtful gifts for the chefs or foodies in your life, over at Alicia's.

Five Gifts For Foodies

But don't stop with gifts for the kitchen gadget junkie. Add some yummy recipes to go with!

Curry Chicken and Rice

Fruity Rice Pilaf

Black & White Cookies

Mediterranean Vegetables

If you are searching for the perfect gift or recipe for your mom, favorite foodie or chef, be sure to head over to Alicia's Recipes to read our new article or browse through many more delicious dishes. Connect with us on Facebook for more recipes shared from other food blogs and follow us on Pinterest for more foodie inspiration!

Chicken Delights for Dinner

With Spring finally showing up at our house, the grill is calling. And many hamburger patties and steaks will find themselves cast upon it's racks! But until the temperature outside moves up a few more notches toward 75 degrees, I'm going to fix as much chicken and casseroles as possible.

I gathered a few delicious chicken recipes and side dishes I thought you might enjoy adding to your menu. There will be plenty of time to celebrate Spring and Summer by grilling...later!

Chile Lime Chicken

Cheddar Mashed Potatoes

Barbecue Chicken

Cheesy Ham & Potato Bake

Chicken & Dumplings

So if you are feeling like chicken for dinner this week, or next, try one of our tasty recipes. Or head over to Alicia's Recipes to browse through many more delicious dishes. Connect with us on Facebook for more recipes shared from other food blogs and follow us on Pinterest for more foodie inspiration!

Easy Recipes That Taste Great

Soccer practice starts next week for our kids. That means busy weeks, rushed dinners, snacks at odd hours and make-shift meals. Sometimes, I just need something easy and nutritious to fix for my hungry family (and myself.) Do you ever reach that hectic, crisis kitchen point?

For those of you who know exactly what I mean, and those who don't but want to keep it nice and simple in the kitchen, here are some recipes to get you started. Slowly, add one new recipe each week to your meal plan. And gradually you'll expand your food horizons, while keeping things simple too!

Cashew Chicken

Ham & Cheese Strata

Easy Pork Chops

Egg Salad

Crockpot Sticky Chicken

Slow down, breathe deep and enjoy your food! Visit Alicia's Recipes for more simple recipes to try. Connect with us on Facebook to get more food inspiration, easy ideas and a fun foodie community!

More Easter Dinner Ideas

Thinking about Easter Dinner always brings back fond memories of sitting around my grandparents' table on Easter Sunday, preparing to pass around the ham, mashed potatoes and macaroni and cheese baked casserole. My grandmother is a farmer's wife so Easter Dinner included lots of hearty side dishes to go with the ham.

These days there are so many diverse dining cultures and food preferences coming together at dinner time, whether it be for a family Easter Dinner or simple guest dinner. I've gathered a few other alternatives to Easter Dinner below to help you - in the event that planning a diverse Easter Dinner falls on your shoulders!

Marinated Pork Loin

Onion Roasted Potatoes

Mediterranean Chicken

Pasta Primavera Salad

Old Fashioned Banana Bread

Regardless of food choices or diversity in dining tastes, Alicia's Recipes is sure to have something special and delicious for you to serve for Easter Dinner or your next guest dinner, whatever the occasion. Connect with us on Facebook for more foodie inspiration and fun!

Something Different For Easter Dinner

As we welcome spring, celebrate new growth and honor spiritual beliefs via the Easter holiday, its very common to host or attend some kind of Easter dinner or supper on Easter Sunday. What's your favorite Easter dinner dish?

Here are a few ideas for side dishes and/or main courses to change things up a bit from the traditional Easter ham. These are just to get you started thinking outside the box for Easter dinner - Enjoy!

Ham & Potato Casserole

Macaroni & Cheese Bake

Lemon & Garlic Chicken

Marinated Noodle Salad

Grandma's Fudge

However you celebrate Easter this year, try something new and tasty for Easter Dinner! Visit Alicia's Recipes for more dinner and side dish ideas or connect with us on Facebook to get more foodie inspiration!

Delicious Chicken Dishes!

I love chicken! But...sometimes I run out of ideas for preparing and serving it. As flexible as poultry is when it comes to dinner, it can get a bit boring if you are fixing it the same exact way every time. No, everything doesn't necessarily taste like chicken.

Why not try a few of our recipes to spice up your chicken's life? I've collected just a few here from our site to get you started, plus some side dishes too.

Crusted Chicken

Curry Chicken

Cornflake Chicken

Dinner Rolls

Fettuccine Alfredo

So, if you decide to get a tiny bit adventurous with your chicken, try one of these tasty dishes. Or visit Alicia's Recipes for many more chicken recipes. Connect with us on Facebook for more foodie inspiration and a fun community of food lovers.