Miranda's Kitchen Adventures

Chicken stock is a pantry essential for me, as I incorporate it into a wide variety of dishes. I often use it in place of water when cooking rice and grits to significantly enhance their flavor. Homemade chicken stock is also my secret ingredient for an exceptionally special chicken noodle soup. If you've never made chicken stock from scratch, you're in for a delightful surprise! It's incredibly easy to prepare and yields a truly delicious result. I typically use the leftover bones from my herb roasted chicken , though a whole uncooked chicken can also be used. It's simply a matter of personal preference; either method will produce a delicious stock! Ingredients 1 whole chicken or the remaining bones of a roasted chicken 2 Carrots, cut into large pieces 2 Celery Stalks, cut into large pieces 1 Large Onion, peeled and quartered 8-10 Garlic cloves, smashed 5 Whole Peppercorns 1 Bunch Fresh Flat-Leaf Parsley* 16 cups water Directions Add all the ingredie...

To shake up our usual lunch routine, I decided to roast a whole chicken this past weekend, specifically to make chicken salad! It was the perfect choice, and we've enjoyed it so much that I'm planning to make this at least once a month. Plus, I saved the chicken bones for homemade chicken stock—stay tuned for a future post on that. I've made this chicken salad recipe many times, and it's always delicious! I love the combination of yogurt and mayonnaise; it keeps the salad incredibly moist without being overwhelmed by mayo. I hope you enjoy this version of chicken salad. Who knows, this new tradition might even spark my creative side—I'm already thinking about trying Buffalo chicken salad next! Yum! Ingredients 4 cups cooked chicken, shredded 1 rib of celery, finely diced 2 tbsp. shallots, finely diced 1/2 cup pecans, toasted and chopped 1 cup dried cranberries 1/3 cup plain Greek or  non-fat yogurt 1/3 cup mayonnaise 3 tbsp. red wine vinegar ...

Friends, if you're seeking a quick and delicious meal ready in just 30 minutes, look no further! While I have a backlog of content, this recipe jumped to the front of the line. I'm almost embarrassed to share its origin, but here it is: Eons ago, one of Gabe's colleagues shared a Rotel Chicken recipe. Gabe surprised me by making it for dinner, and perhaps one other time. We both loved it, but for some reason, it slipped our minds. Having skipped the grocery store this weekend, we've been relying on pantry staples all week. Yesterday, brainstorming dinner ideas, this forgotten recipe resurfaced. I knew I had all the ingredients. The only hitch? Gabe couldn't recall the recipe, so here's my personalized take on Rotel! Ingredients 2-3 large boneless skinless chicken breast 1/3 cups onion, chopped 1 garlic clove, minced 1 tbsp. olive oil 2 cups chicken stock 1 can Rotel  1 cup long grain white rice, uncooked 1/2 cup Monterey jack cheese, shre...

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday! Now that the holiday rush has ended, it's back to reality. As I reflect on the past year, I'm struck by how quickly time flies. This naturally leads me to think about the year ahead and how I can make changes and improvements in different areas of my life. One of my primary focuses will be organization! I'm naturally a free spirit, and I've never really lived by a strict regimen. Having a daily schedule or a to-do list feels a bit foreign to me. Don't get me wrong, I've made lists before, including to-do lists, but I've never made a to-do list for my to-do list or consistently stuck to one! This is about to change, and in many ways, I'm genuinely excited. A major motivation for this newfound organization is to avoid situations where things sneak up on me at the last minute, forcing me to scramble to get everything together—something I've done all year, and it's not ideal. What are some things you'll...

Casseroles aren't my usual go-to. While I have a select few I genuinely enjoy, I've never been a huge fan overall. I realize that for a busy mom like me, they should be a weekly staple, but I have to be honest: I'm just not keen on "cream of whatever" soups. I'll use them occasionally, but I try to minimize processed foods whenever possible. I'm no saint, but I do make a conscious effort! I recently stumbled upon this delicious casserole recipe on Pink Parsley's blog while searching for a chicken tortilla soup recipe I made a few weeks ago. I knew I had to try it, and I'm so glad I did! I kept the ingredients the same but tweaked the prep to fit my busy schedule. I hope you give it a try soon! Ingredients 2 Bone-in chicken breast, cooked, cooled and shredded 1 shallot, chopped 1/4 cup red onion, chopped 2 cloves of garlic, chopped 1 to 2 chipotle in adobo, chopped 1 medium tomato, diced 5 cups crushed tortilla chips 2/3...

Transforming leftovers into delicious new meals is one of my favorite creative challenges! I dislike eating the same dish for more than two days, and I hate wasting food, so creativity is key. My recent Sunday roasted chicken, for instance, offered a wealth of possibilities. Beyond the popular options like Baked Chicken Taquitos, Chicken Ranch Pizza, and Chicken Noodle Soup, Chicken Tortilla Soup remains a top favorite. And it's not just the meat—the carcass can be used to make homemade chicken stock, a topic I'll explore further in the future. This "oh, so good" and comforting soup is especially welcome on chilly Tennessee nights. Since simmering it for an hour can be time-consuming for a busy mom, I often prepare it the night before. This way, I can simply reheat it the next evening, perhaps even whipping up some jalapeno cheddar cornbread if time permits—another recipe idea for my blog! Ingredients 1 can Fire Roasted Tomatoes* 1 can diced tomatoes...

Roasted chicken is the perfect, easy-to-make Sunday dinner, and it's something I try to make as often as possible. Don't be intimidated by roasting a whole chicken—it's one of the easiest meals you can prepare! Adding potatoes transforms it into a convenient one-pot meal. This post will guide you through step-by-step instructions for roasting a perfect chicken. Ingredients 1 5-6 lb. whole chicken 5 tbsp. unsalted butter, at room temperature 2 springs fresh rosemary 3 springs fresh thyme 2 cloves plus one whole head of garlic that has been cut in half 1 lemon, cut in half 2 tbsp. lemon zest 1 large onion, quartered 1 can chicken broth 1 small bag of small assorted potatoes (about 2 lbs.) Drizzle of olive oil Salt and pepper to taste Directions Preheat oven to 450 degrees.  Adjust oven racks to accommodate a large roasting pan. To Make the Herb Butter Add the butter to a small mixing bowl.  Using a small microplane grater or the small holes on a ...

The moment you've all been waiting for is finally here! This pizza is absolutely incredible; we've had it twice in four days if that tells you anything! Jacob devoured three slices tonight and still wanted more. As a relatively new blogger, I'm still learning the ropes of food photography, and one crucial lesson I've quickly picked up is that if the sun isn't cooperating, you're pretty much out of luck. I rushed to get this pizza ready before sunset, and I almost made it! While this picture isn't perfect, it's certainly better than some of my previous attempts, so it will suffice for now. I truly hope you enjoy this pizza as much as we do! Enjoy! Ingredients 1 homemade pizza crust 1/2 to 1 whole chicken breast, cooked and diced 1/4 cup ranch dressing 2 green onions, sliced thin 1 small to meium tomato, chopped 3/4 to 1 cups mozzarella cheese, preferably shredded by hand 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, preferably shredded by hand olive oil ...

Friends, you need to make these sandwiches immediately! I've been making them for ages, and they are absolutely delicious. This recipe offers a healthier alternative to ground beef and comes together incredibly fast. You can have it on the table in about 30 minutes, even with a toddler demanding attention (trust me, I've been there!). I typically serve these with Funyons or regular chips (please don't judge!). For a healthier option, consider chips and salsa or carrot and celery sticks with a side of fruit. The sandwiches are so flavorful, they don't need fancy sides to shine. Enjoy! chicken sloppy joes Ingredients 1 lb. Ground chicken 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 medium onion, chopped 1 tbsp. vegetable or canola oil 1/2 (4oz.) canned tomato sauce 1 tbsp. smoked paprika 1 tbsp. grill seasoning  (recommended: Montreal Seasoning blend by McCormick) 1 tbsp. hot sauce 2 tbsp. worcestershire sauce 2 tbsp. brown sugar 1 tbsp. dijon mustard 1/4 cup ...