Instant Pot Chicken Enchilada Pasta (Everyday Eats)

I haven't posted one of these, "Everyday Eats/Weeknight Dinners" posts in FOREVERRRRRR! This series, which is getting a name change, is basically a recipe of things we eat on the regular. I've usually photographed them with my cell phone, on a whim, in not the best lighting, but, hey that's real life. This is a major favorite around here, and when all four of us love something you know it's a winner!

Ok, this isn't totally a one pot meal but other than the pasta it's all made in the instant pot or any pressure cooker. I've also made it on the stove top and I'll make, photograph and post that way as well. This way takes just as long but it's almost totally hands off. There is some sauteing and then you set it and forget it When the pressure is coming back to normal, you boil the pasta, make the guacamole and chop the cilantro. Super easy! I can put it on, help the kids with homework then come back and finish dinner.

So, this is in no way a real Mexican dish, but it is so delicious! I've been making the stove top way for yearsssssss, but when I got my Instant Pot, this was one of my first experiments. A couple of tweaks later and we have this beauty! You could absolutely use rice, cauliflower rice, quinoa or even zoodles with this! I will probably making it with noodles for my heathens and zoodles for me next time just to clean it up for me.

This is most definitely going to be a summer staple around here. It's perfect for the days when I want to throw something together then head back outside with my lunatics or the days when we're gone most of the day and I can do the browning, toss everything else in the pot, set the timer to the time I want, head out and come to an almost finished meal.

Instant Pot Chicken Enchilada Pasta
feeds approximately 8 people
click to print



2.5-3 lbs of boneless skinless chicken (breast or thigh)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 1/2 cups chopped mushrooms
1/2 red onion thinly sliced
1 bell pepper, chopped
2 cloves garlic chopped

2 teaspoons cumin
1 tablespoon paprika
1 tablespoon dried cilantro
juice of 1 lime
salt and pepper
1 28 oz can of enchilada sauce
1 14.5 can of diced tomatoes
1 cup frozen corn
1 cup shredded cheese (more for topping)
1 16 oz box of pasta

To top:
shredded cheese
guacamole
cilantro
sour cream or crema


Turn pressure cooker to saute, add oil and allow to heat up, and add chicken a couple of pieces at a time, brown for a few minutes on each side. You're not trying to cook through, you're just browning and getting a nice sear on each side. Remove and sit aside, then repeat for the remainder of the chicken. Once the chicken is cooked, add in onions, mushrooms, garlic and peppers to pot and saute until softened and translucent. Turn the pot off, add chicken back in along with everything, but pasta and cheese and toss everything together. Turn to high pressure and set for 15 minutes. Once it has finished cooking and is releasing pressure, start and cook the box of pasta, according to package directions. Once you can open the lid, use two forks to shred chicken and stir in cheese. Drain and add in pasta. Scoop into bowls and top with your choice of delicious things.



Enjoy!
Until next time,
xoxo,
Ashley

Strawberry Shortcake Krispy Rice Treats

Guys, Guys, GUYS!!!!! Stop what you're doing and make these! I know, I know, everyone makes krispy treats, but these are different! Have you ever used freeze dried fruit in anything? The beauty of them are, they don't get super sweet like regular dehydrated fruit, they stay perfectly tart. Mix them with the super sweetness of the marshmallows and you have a match made in heaven!

I really love freeze dried fruit. You can crush them into powder and it is so concentrated that you can stir it into any thing for a major kick of flavor. Stir it into a yummy buttercream and you have the best strawberry frosting you'll ever try. Add it to a basic cake batter and it makes a huge difference to your strawberry cake!

I've made these a few times and no one can keep their hands out of them. I actually just finished one while I'm sitting here at my "Ladies ONLY" Craft Retreat. I made a double batch and 24 hours in, they're almost gone. My kids and husband devour them every time. My sister and niece do the same. I bake so many things and create so many desserts, so for one this simple to be such a favorite, you know it's a winner. I'm currently working on some fun versions of these guy.

Strawberry Shortcake Krispy Rice Treats
adapted from Cookie and Cup's recipe here

5 tablespoons butter
8 cups mini marshamallows + 2 cups mini marshmallows
6 cups rice cereal
1/2 cup crushed freeze dried strawberries + 1 tablespoon set aside
*4 oz white chocolate optional

Line a 9x9 with parchment paper. Rip off an extra piece, about the size of the bottom of the pan and set aside. In a large pot, over medium heat, stir butter and marshmallows until melted. Remove from heat, stir in rice cereal. Once mostly combine add in remaining 2 cups marshmallows and 1/2 cup crushed strawberries. Pour into pan and using the extra sheet of parchment press into pan until flat. Allow to cool and set, about 30 minutes to an hour. Cut into squares and place on a cooling wrack with parchment under it. In a small microwave safe bowl melt white chocolate at 10 second intervals, stirring in between until melted. It should not take more than 30 seconds. Drizzle white chocolate over squares and sprinkle remaining crushed strawberries on. *If you skipped the white chocolate just sprinkle the berries on the top after you pressed the treats into the pan while cooling.

Spooky Graveyard Puddings

I'm back WITCHES!!!! Get it, get it, huh??? Lame? Ok, ok, I know. After a two and a half year hiatus, I'm coming back! Why? Well, I missed my creative outlet and the drive it gave me to stretch and push myself and my skills. Plus, it was just plain fun. Two years ago I needed to eliminate anything that wasn't necessary for me to give my time to, but now both boys are in school and I'm ready to start investing time into something I enjoy again.

 I planned on coming back to you with a delicious sushi bowl, but I made these cuties and knew I had to share. They're easy, delicious and kids (and husbands) lose their minds over them!

I made these for our Friday family movie night. We were watching Hocus Pocus and these made me think of Billy. The boys loved it and I of course loved re-watching something from my childhood. It truly is a classic, at least in my opinion. Anything with Bette Midler is instantly a win in my book. 

Can't keep their hands off of them!!!

SPOOKY CHOCOLATE GRAVEYARD PUDDINGS

makes about 12 1 cup portions

Chocolate Stout CakeThe best one bowl chocolate cake in the history of the universe

Make 2-3 dozen cupcakes
or 3 8” round cakes
or 2 9” Round cakes
or 1 9x13 cake

2 cups sugar
1 ½ cup all purpose flour
1 cup dutch process cocoa powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs beaten
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup stout beer (Terrapin Liquid Bliss is my fav)
2 tablespoon espresso powder
½ cup vegetable oil
Preheat over to 350 F. Line Pans with parchment or butter and flour.
In a large bowl sift together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt. In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, buttermilk, beer, espresso powder and oil. Whisk wet into dry. Pour into pans and bake. Bake 30-35 minutes for round pans, 35-40 minutes for rectangle pans. Once cool, crumble the cake and set aside.

*To make it non alcoholic- omit espresso powder and swap beer for strong coffee.  

(I did this this time)

Faux Chocolate Mousse 

aka secret ingredient instant pudding

2 5.9 oz boxes instant pudding
3 cups whipping cream or heavy cream
In a large bowl, whisk both ingredients together.  Refrigerate for about 3 hours to overnight. That's it. No really. Yes, I'm serious. Oh, and don't tell anyone so they'll think you've made this goodness from scratch.

Gravestone Cookies

1 log of sugar cookie dough
1 tube of black decorating gel

Roll log into a tombstone shape, slice into cookies and freeze cookies for a minimum hour. (I totally forgot this step this time and they all lost their shape, baked into a huge blob and I had to cut them into the shape by hand) Bake frozen cookies according to regular directions. If you need to make any adjustments to the shape, do it while they're still warm on the pan. Allow to cool completely before decorating.

zombie hand cupcake toppers (these are the ones I ordered)
gummy worms (I used these because their our favorite)

Then, just layer them into the jars, starting with the cake crumbles, then pudding and more cake. Top with cookies, worms and hands. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

That's it! Easy and delicious!
I'll be back Monday with more deliciousness!!!
Happy Haunting!!!