I’ve been a little obsessed with recipes the last few weeks. I’ve spent a lot of time searching for 21 Day Fix recipes, especially for dinner ideas. It occurred to me that most of the dinners I would normally make would work just fine with the 21 Day Fix. For the most part, I stick to “clean” dinners. While doing the program you’d just need to be more mindful of portion sizes. I have added some new recipes to the rotation, thanks to my obsessive searching. And I’ve eaten a lot more sweet potatoes and whole wheat tortillas!
I have also learned that a lot of other people doing the 21 Day Fix are looking for recipes too. I thought I’d share what I made each night this week, so there are several recipes in one post. And hopefully you can link up to them fairly easily.
Monday- Baked Marinated Chicken and Sweet Potato Fries
I stumbled across the chicken recipe online when I was desperate for a quick and easy, and healthy, way to make chicken for dinner. I have only ever marinated it for a short time because I’ve always made it while in a last-minute panic over what to do with the chicken. But it’s very tasty. I’d like to see what it’s like if I gave it a little more time to marinate. Basically, you marinate chicken in olive oil, 1/4 cup lemon juice, 1/4 cup white vinegar, 1 TBSP each oregano, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Marinate for at least 10 minutes, then cook at 425 degrees for 20-30 minutes. The recipe called for 15 minutes, but I tend to over-cook my chicken a tad, and like it that way. You can find the full recipe at Men’s Fitness.
Along with the chicken, we had these amazingly delicious sweet potato fries. First, peel and cut your sweet potatoes into sticks. Melt a few TBSP of coconut oil in a small saucepan; when it’s melted add in some spices. I used salt, pepper, and paprika. Pour this over the sweet potatoes and toss to cover them. Spread them out on a baking pan/cookie sheet. I cooked them with the chicken at 425 and then kept them in a little bit longer at 450 to get crispier and they came out great. I also used coconut oil instead of butter, because I love using coconut oil and because it’s 21 Day Fix-friendly. These have become a staple at dinnertime. You can find the full recipe and some more seasoning ideas on the Pioneer Woman website.
Tuesday- Crockpot Chicken Fajitas
I just can’t get enough of chicken fajitas. I could eat them every day, and some weeks I do. They’re easy, they’re healthy, they taste so good as leftovers. They pair well with quesadillas, which my kids adore. And I am sure in no time they will be gobbling up fajitas too! They can be bit of pain with all the extras you have to have on hand, but they’re worth it. And when you make them as often as I do you usually have most of the stuff on hand anyway.
Sometimes I make them on the stovetop, but that is a lot more work than the lovely crockpot. I just throw in the chicken and frozen mixed peppers, top with seasoning (1/2 tsp salt, 2 TBSP cumin, 1 1/2 TBSP chili powder) and a few squirts of lime juice. Then leave it to cook on low for 4 to 6 hours. I’ve played around with a few recipes and think this recipe from Stacey Makes Cents is just right.
Now I need to find the perfect tortilla. It’s hard to find one that’s “clean.” I’m afraid I’ll have to start making them myself, which is a little bit daunting at this point. But one of these days I’m going to give it a go…
Wednesday- Leftovers
One of my favorite things about fajitas is the leftovers! My husband was out for dinner, so I had leftovers and the kids had grilled cheese. To make the grilled cheese I used 100% whole wheat bread and American cheese from the deli counter, not the pasteurized slices that are pre-packaged.
Thursday- Whole Wheat Pasta & Meat Sauce w/Salad
My 5-year-old just loves pasta, so while I’ve gotten away from my taste for it I still try to make it at least once each week. And my other three love meatballs, but will settle for meat sauce. This is by no means a gourmet recipe; it is a quick-and-easy, no-frills, no-fuss dinner. I put a teaspoon of olive oil in a big non-stick pan, browned a pound of ground turkey, breaking it up with a fork. When it was browned, I lowered the heat, poured in a big can of crushed tomatoes (make sure there are no added ingredients), a can of diced tomatoes, and about 2 tablespoons of Italian seasoning. While that sat over low heat I cooked a box of whole wheat rotini.
This may not even count as a recipe:)
But it’s what we had for dinner. And, for the 21 Day Fix, you measure out a yellow of pasta, a red of meat sauce (because the meat is your protein), and 2 greens of pre-made salad and you’re good to go! You should also figure a portion of a purple container for the sauce.
Friday- Salmon over Quinoa
I usually buy salmon at Costco. They have delicious marinated salmon that I love! I am not sure it’s totally clean, but I get it anyway. I also buy plain frozen salmon fillets, which is what I used for this dinner. I oil a baking pan, plop the salmon on there, brush it with dijon mustard and sprinkle liberally with paprika. You can make salmon so easily, and play around with different seasonings. My husband loves the mustard flavor and I don’t, so I use more on his piece and less on mine. There are usually directions on the package, but in general I cook it at 400 degrees for 20-30 minutes, depending on how big the pieces are. To see if it’s done, you can press on it with a fork for firmness.
While that’s cooking I made some quinoa and steamed broccoli and dinner is done!
Saturday- Quinoa Turkey Bake
This is a recipe I found during my first round of the 21 Day Fix. It’s very tasty, and makes a lot of food! Great for leftovers. I found the serving given in the recipe was too much (though on a hungrier day maybe not) so I divvied it up into six servings rather than four. Do give yourself extra time for this one- it’s easy, but has to bake for a while, so start earlier than usual. This recipe has a few more steps, so I won’t try to give you an abbreviated version here! You can find the recipe at Michelle’s Fit Life.
Sunday- Rose’s Birthday Dinner
Today’s dinner was not very clean, nor very Fix-friendly either (gasp!). But it was my oldest’s birthday, and our tradition is that the birthday girl or boy gets to pick the dinner. So, she really wanted mashed potatoes, and really likes Oven Fry chicken…back from the days when I kept Oven Fry in the cabinet all the time for a fast and easy (and tasty) dinner. And it was yummy. Back on track for Monday…
So, if you are a Barefoot Contessa kinda cook you are surely shaking your head in disapproval and perhaps even disgust right now. But, if you are a looking-to-get-through-the-week-and-be-pretty-healthy kinda cook, this might be helpful. I am looking to broaden my recipe horizons and will share as I do!
I’d love to hear your favorite, easy clean-eating dinner regulars too!
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