bbq ranch chicken sandwich.

[adapted from http://family.go.com/food/recipe-ew-504957-bbq-chicken-sandwich-t/]

Sorry I couldn't get better pictures for this post but you'll just have to trust me when I say this sandwich is delicious! The carrots give it a crunchy texture without actually making it taste strongly of carrots.  I shredded the chicken with a Kitchen Aid mixer and I grated the carrots with a small food processor.  

Ingredients-

Chicken, cooked and shredded

BBQ sauce (I used Sweet Baby Ray's)

1-2 whole carrots, shredded or grated

Ranch dressing

Sandwich buns 

lettuce (optional)

Instructions-

1. Cook chicken then shred it.

2. Shred or grate carrots. 

3. Mix chicken, carrots, and BBQ sauce together in bowl.

4. Spread ranch dressing on one side of the bun.  Top with the chicken mixture and lettuce (if desired).

5. Tastes delicious when served with chips and salsa or these sweet potato fries.

chicken bacon ranch mac & cheese.

Grant got this recipe from the house he lived in during college. His roommate and good friend, David found it and changed it a little bit too.  It is so. good. As Grant said, it combines some of the best things in life. Bacon AND mac & cheese. So what's not to love? This is some ultimate comfort food.  

Ingredients-

8 oz uncooked elbow macaroni

4 slices bacon

8 oz boneless skinless chicken breast, cut in 1/2 inch pieces

1/2 tsp onion powder

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp salt (I omitted this)

1 T butter

1 T flour

1 1/2 cups skim milk

5 oz condensed cream of chicken soup

1/4 cup bottled ranch dressing

3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or more)

Directions-

1. Cook pasta according to package.

2. Cook bacon in large non stick skillet over medium heat until crisp.

3. Remove bacon from pan. Reserve drippings in pan.

4. Chop bacon and set aside.

5.  Season chicken with garlic, onion, and salt.  

6.  Cook chicken in bacon drippings on medium high heat for 6 minutes or until done.

7. Melt butter over medium heat in large saucepan. Sprinkle flour into butter. Cook 2 minute, stirring constantly with a whisk. 

8. Combine milk and soup, stirring with a whisk, then gradually add milk mixture to saucepan and stir. 

9. Bring this mixture to a boil, cook 2 minutes or until it is thickened.  Add ranch dressing and 1/2 cup cheese, stir until cheese melts.

10. Preheat broil.

11. Spoon pasta mixture into an 8 inch square baking dish coated with cooking spray.  Sprinkle evenly with bacon and 1/4 cup cheese. 

12. Broil 3 minutes or until cheese melts.  

13. Dish up and enjoy!