Chicken Recipes: 10 Five-Ingredient Ideas To Get Kids Cooking | HuffPost

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Five-Ingredient Chicken Recipes To Get Kids Cooking

Alex Mlynek — The Huffington Post Canada

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Delicious Magazine

You’ve got to love recipes with only five ingredients. Most of the ones I’ve selected here hold true to that number, though some sneak up to a slightly higher ingredient count if you include salt, pepper and olive oil, which most people have in their pantries. These simple chicken dishes taste amazing and won’t break the bank. But the best part of all is that the kids can help cook, too!

Check out the kid-friendly recipes below.

Easy Chicken Recipes The Kids Can Help With

Easy Chicken Chimichangas(01 of30)

When you’ve got leftover chicken, you’ve got the makings of a simple chimichanga recipe. Baked chicken, cheese and salsa wrapped in tortillas are a tasty and kid-friendly dinner option. Expand your kids’ palettes with optional toppings like fresh cilantro, guacamole or chopped tomatoes.How your kids can help:Kids can help stir ingredients together before spooning the mixture into the centre of the tortillas. Teach them how to roll the tortillas from bottom to top and they’ll be pros in no time!Get the recipe: Gimme Some Oven (credit:Gimme Some Oven)

Lemon Pepper Chicken(02 of30)

Not only is this bright dish made with just five ingredients, it is also ready in just 15 minutes. How your kids can help:Kids will have a blast helping you pound the chicken breasts before you cook them in a skillet. They’ll also love getting hands on by squeezing lemon juice all over the final product.Get the recipe: Chelsea’s Messy Apron (credit:Chelsea’s Messy Apron)

Turkey Chili(03 of30)

A healthy and comforting meal that requires just a few ingredients is always a winner in my books. This recipe suggests using a specific type of canned tomatoes with green chilies, but you can always add your own chilies if you can’t find that or just leave it out. The recipe’s developer also suggests you use ground turkey, but subbing in chicken would work just as well.How your kids can help:Kids can help measure out ingredients for this recipe and top the finished product with avocado and cilantro when done.Get the recipe: The Pretty Bee (credit:The Pretty Bee)

Crockpot Mexican Chicken(04 of30)

You can use dried or canned beans for this versatile chicken recipe, which can be served as a taco filling, alone in a bowl or even used to make Mexican lasagna.How your kids can help:This recipe is fun for kids because they can help measure ingredients, add them to the crockpot and stir. Older kids might even like to help shred the chicken with a fork once it’s cooked. Get the recipe: Pinch of Yum (credit:Pinch of Yum)

Chicken Satay With Indonesian-Style Salad(05 of30)

Five ingredients are all that’s required to make this flavourful chicken-and-salad meal. And it’s on a stick! So many kids love eating food off of sticks, though I would suggest you serve it off-stick if your kids are very small, just so they don’t poke themselves. If you can’t find peanut sauce in stores, you can always make your own. Make a double batch if you go that route and toss it with soba noodles and toasted sesame seeds for a yummy second dinner option.How your kids can help:Kids will love helping you toss strips of chicken in a bowl of peanut cooking sauce.Get the recipe: Delicious Magazine (credit:Delicious Magazine)

2-Ingredient Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken(06 of30)

Pulled chicken sandwiches are delicious and the filling for this one is made with just two ingredients: chicken breasts and barbecue sauce. There is an option to make the sauce, but store-bought works just as well. Add buns and some coleslaw and you’re set.How your kids can help:For this simple recipe, kids can help place chicken breasts in the slow cooker and cover tthem with BBQ sauce. Once cooked, they can then help you shred the chicken with a fork and toss it around until it soaks up any remaining juices.Get the recipe: Gimme Some Oven (credit:Gimme Some Oven)

Pesto Chicken Pasta With Sun-Dried Tomatoes(07 of30)

A lot of kids like pasta, so if you’re looking for another way to cook chicken then adding it to a recipe like this one — or you’re favourite pasta dish — is a solid way to go.How your kids can help:Besides measuring the ingredients, kids can also help by mixing together the pesto, sun-dried tomatoes and chopped chicken once the pasta has been cooked.Get the recipe: Two Peas & Their Pod (credit:Two Peas & Their Pod)

Balsamic Brown Sugar Chicken(08 of30)

If your kids love sweet food with a bit of tartness, then this should be a hit in your home.How your kids can help:This recipe is so easy, the kids can practically make it themselves! They can help by measuring out ingredients and pouring the balsamic/brown "sugar" mixture over the chicken before baking.Get the recipe: Holistically Engineered (credit:Holistically Engineered)

Paleo Asian Chicken Stir Fry(09 of30)

Hold the pea shoots and sriracha (a lot of kids would likely find it too spicy) and you’ve got a five-ingredient chicken dish here that will hopefully have your family asking for seconds. Coconut aminos is a new ingredient to me, but apparently you can use soy sauce in place of it. How your kids can help:This is a great recipe to get older kids involved because it’s just so simple! After they’ve measuring out ingredients and you’ve cooked the chicken in a pan, let them add the next few vegetables and stir the mixture slowly until everything is cooked. Get the recipe: Sweet C’s Designs (credit:Sweet C’s Designs)

Simple Roast Chicken with Garlic and Lemon(10 of30)

It’s kind of lovely that you can make a classic dish like roast chicken with only five ingredients. Maybe that’s one of the reasons why it’s so enduring. That it’s delicious sure helps too.How your kids can help:The kids will love dressing the chicken before it goes in the oven to roast. Let them brush the melted garlic butter all over the chicken and place the lemon halves and sprigs of rosemary in the cavity.Get the recipe: Just A Taste (credit:Just A Taste)

Slow Cooker Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs(11 of30)

Standard meatballs are delicious, but if you want to super-charge them try this decadent cheese-stuffed version.Get the recipe: Crème de la Crumb (credit:Crème de la Crumb)

Swedish Meatballs(12 of30)

This classic dish can be served with egg noodles or mashed potatoes. Both are the perfect base for the creamy sauce.Get the recipe: Art and the Kitchen (credit:Art and the Kitchen)

Cannellini Bean Vegetarian “Meatballs”(13 of30)

Veggie lovers like “meatballs” too. This version made with cannellini — or white — beans is packed with protein.Get the recipe: Cookin’ Canuck (credit:Cookin’ Canuck)

Honey-Balsamic BBQ Meatballs(14 of30)

These sweet and sticky meatballs are made with ground beef and quinoa so they are a super-healthy option. Serve them as part of dinner or as an appetizer.Get the recipe: Iowa Girl Eats (credit:Iowa Girl Eats)

Broccoli Parmesan Meatballs(15 of30)

Here’s another veggie version, which is packed with almonds, broccoli and cheese. Serve these with your family’s favourite pasta or in a meatball sandwich topped with provolone cheese and tomato sauce.Get the recipe: Oh My Veggies (credit:Oh My Veggies)

Keftedes(16 of30)

If you’re trying to expand your meatball repertoire, then give these keftedes, or Greek lamb meatballs, a try. They’re flavoured with herbs like fresh parsley and mint and would taste delicious in a pita with some feta cheese.Get the recipe: Alexandra’s Kitchen (credit:Alexandra’s Kitchen)

Greek Chicken Meatballs(17 of30)

This tasty meatball dish would be fun to try if your kids like to dip their food, since it’s served with a refreshing Greek yogurt sauce.Get the recipe: Foxes Love Lemons (credit:Foxes Love Lemons)

Quinoa Turkey Meatballs(18 of30)

You won’t find breadcrumbs in this recipe. Instead, these turkey meatballs are bulked up with quinoa, which also boosts their nutritional value. Onions, spinach and soy sauce also help to keep them from drying out and add incredible flavour.Get the recipe: Cooking Quinoa (credit:Cooking Quinoa)

Thai Chicken Meatballs with Peanut Sauce(19 of30)

Make the chicken meatballs ahead of time and you’ll have dinner ready in no time at all! You can easily reheat the chicken in the oven as you make sauce, which takes just minutes to prepare. Try this dish with soba noodles or rice.Get the recipe: Jo Cooks (credit:Jo Cooks)

Herbed Lentil Meatballs(20 of30)

Red lentils are the star of this recipe, and that’s a great thing since they’re full of iron, protein and dietary fibre. You can make the tomato sauce from scratch, or just use your favourite jarred variety. Get the recipe: Mediterrasian (credit:Mediterrasian)

Cheesy Cauliflower Puree(21 of30)

This might look like yummy mashed potatoes, but it’s actually cauliflower puree. Amazingly, it tastes just as good (maybe even better!) and has the same consistency as mashed tots. This is a good alternative for kids who aren’t willing to try something new. After all, with this dish, they’ll never know the difference between cauliflower and potatoes!

Get the recipe: I Breathe I’m Hungry

(credit:I Breathe I’m Hungry)

Parmesan Cauliflower Bites(22 of30)

These cauliflower bites are the perfect after school snack or side dish at dinner! With it’s crunchy texture and cheesy flavour, even the pickiest of eaters will love this recipe.

Get the recipe: Damn Delicious

(credit:Damn Delicious)

Roasted Cauliflower White Cheddar Soup(23 of30)

When the cold weather hits, this comforting cauliflower soup is all your kids will want to eat!

Get the recipe: Cooking Classy

(credit:Cooking Classy)

Cauliflower Breadsticks(24 of30)

Breadsticks are delicious, but they can be fattening! That’s why you should try cauliflower breadsticks instead! These low carb, low fat, and low calorie breadsticks are a mock of the original, but are just as tasty!

Get the recipe: ifoodreal

(credit:ifoodreal)

Roasted Cauliflower Rice(25 of30)

Cauliflower is surprisingly versatile! As a grain substitute, make this cauliflower rice. Amazingly, it’s still soft, tender, and fluffy just like the real thing and, according to mommy blogger Sommer Collier, it even tastes like rice too!

Get the recipe: A Spicy Perspective

(credit:A Spicy Perspective)

Sesame Glazed Cauliflower “Wings”(26 of30)

Chicken wings can often be a parent’s go-to for picky eaters, but now we have a healthy substitute. These cauliflower “wings” are a great veggie dish for a dinner party. Covered in sauce made of sesame oil, soy sauce, honey, and rice vinegar, your kids will be addicted to cauliflower in no time!

Get the recipe: Cupcakes & Kale Chips

(credit:Cupcakes & Kale Chips)

Cauliflower Tortillas(27 of30)

For a healthy meal, make cauliflower tortillas to use for your kid’s wraps. This is a great way to sneak in extra vegetables to your kid’s meals. They won’t even notice the difference!

Get the recipe: Slim Plate

(credit:Slim Plate)

Cheesy Cauliflower Tater Tots(28 of30)

That’s right! Cauliflower can also be transformed into low carb, gluten free tater tots. Made with cream, butter, cheese, and egg whites, this is sure to be a mealtime favourite among your kids.

Get the recipe: I Breathe I’m Hungry

(credit:I Breathe I’m Hungry)

Cauliflower Pizza Crust(29 of30)

If your kid still won’t eat cauliflower, even with so many delicious recipes to try, then this should do the trick: cauliflower pizza crust. It’s a known fact that kids love pizza so picky eaters will jump at the chance to eat this for dinner!

Get the recipe: Daily Dish Recipes

(credit:Daily Dish Recipes)

Secret Ingredient Strawberry Cheesecake(30 of30)

This recipe is about to blow your mind. This scrumptious strawberry cheesecake is made with one very special ingredient: cauliflower! The vegetable is cooked and squeezed dry before being added to the mix. Once your cheesecake is done, your kids won’t even be able to taste it!

Get the recipe: The Healthy Foodie

(credit:The Healthy Foodie)

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5-ingredient chicken recipes chicken recipes chicken recipes for kids easy chicken recipes kid friendly recipes

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