Really Good Summer Chicken . . . or what to do when you thawed too much chicken

Dave does the grocery shopping.  It is a good thing.  He buys lots of things in bulk . . . toilet paper, facial tissues (we do have a passion for Puffs, especially since you can now get them fragrance free) and chicken.  We do eat a lot of chicken and we generally grill all year round, even in the snow.  So when the store has boneless, skinless chicken breast on sale, Dave buys lots and lots.  We separate, trim excess fat and rewrap the chicken into meal-sized packages.  At one point, we were freezing into individual servings but, eh, we got lazy and it is a lot easier to put several pieces (or meal-sized) pieces into one package.

This worked for quite awhile when we had control of our children and their evenings.  But Sarah and Lindsey work and socialize and aren't often home, so what used to be meal-sized packages is sometimes too much and sometimes just right.  If it is too much then we have excess breast . . . sorry, but I couldn't help but say that . . .

Dave's favorite way of preparing chicken is grilled and grilled only after marinating.  His favorite marinade is a combo of Italian Dressing and wine.

So what do we do when we have breast overload and there isn't enough for another meal:

• sandwiches 
• salad topping
• soup
• chicken pot pie (although I do like a lot of chicken in my pot pie so I might end up adding more . . . it becomes a viscious circle)

And what do we do when we have enough for an entire meal:

• chicken pot pie (see above)
• pasta and chicken 
• chicken salad
• open faced chicken caprese sandwich

open faced chicken caprese sandwich

Since the chicken is already cooked, this is a simple and tasty recipe which is perfect for a summer dinner or lunch.

Sliced bread (your favorite)

Ranch dressing

Chicken breast cut into slices (bite size works best)

Fresh Mozzarella, sliced into thinish slices

Fresh spinach, stems trimmed

Roasted red peppers OR sliced fresh tomatoes

Take your favorite bread . . . one slice (mine is rye)

Open Faced Chicken Caprese Sandwich

Spread a bit of ranch dressing on the bread (brushing it with Italian dressing would be good too or whatever your favorite is or another good one is to combine a bit of Ranch dressing with some pesto!)

Top with sliced chicken breast

Top chicken with fresh spinach

Top with sliced fresh mozzarella 

Top with roasted red peppers or sliced fresh tomatoes

Serve with a dill pickle, carrot sticks or chips.  Using a fork and knife enjoy.