(NAPSI)-From busy schedules to picky eaters, mealtime can seem overwhelming for many moms and dads. According to a study by the University of Illinois, some parents report that preparing a meal is so stressful it feels like being in a “pressure cooker.”* Using kitchen appliances can help with preparing meals by cutting down on times or making sure it is kept to the time you need it! Sites such as All Great Appliances can help you with searching for the best ones to help you during kitchen prep time, Visit the site to see what you think of their reviews. Your appliances are very important in your kitchen, as well as your home, that is why keeping them covered so you are able to prepare meals for your family is important. A home warranty can be highly beneficial and help keep homes functioning. For those who do not have a home warranty yet, they can visit this page to see what can be covered and how that can help save money in the long run.

The Pampered Chef, the largest direct seller of kitchen tools, is committed to helping these families come together around the table each night. Through its partnership with the Family Resiliency Center, it has developed a few tips to simplify busy weeknight dinners.

  • Get in a food mood. Set aside 10 minutes once a week to jot down upcoming meals and build your shopping list. This can save time and cut down your food budget.
  • Take stock of your pantry. Before your grocery trip, double-check your pantry to eliminate last-minute trips for “forgotten” must-have items during the week.
  • Add a prep step. Cook one extra thing tonight to make tomorrow’s meal easier. This works best with time-consuming steps, such as browning ground beef, preparing rice or cleaning and cutting vegetables.
  • Schedule a fuss-free meal. Enjoy a build-your-own-pizza night or soup and sandwiches-bring the family into the kitchen and let the primary cook off the hook, creating a fun family tradition in the process.
  • Cook with others. Collaborate with friends to prepare several meals ahead of time that can be frozen and ready to use on nights you don’t have the time or energy to cook.

Another way to make mealtime quick, simple and affordable is with this family-friendly One-Pot Chicken Dinner. It costs about $2 a serving and is cooked to tender perfection in the microwave in 30 minutes, with two options for a side:

One-Pot Chicken Dinner
Serves 4-6

One-Pot Chicken Dinner

Yield: Serves 4-6

One-Pot Chicken Dinner

Ingredients

  • For the chicken:
  • 1 whole chicken (3½-4 lbs/1.6-1.8 kg)
  • Canola oil for spritzing
  • 3 Tbsp (45 mL) Bell Pepper Herb Rub (or any rub or seasoning mix of your choice)
  • Select one side:

  • Herbed Rice Variation:

  • 2 large carrots, peeled and coarsely chopped with Food Chopper
  • 1 medium onion, coarsely chopped with Food Chopper
  • 1 cup (250 mL) uncooked converted white rice
  • 2 cups (500 mL) chicken stock or broth
  • 2 garlic cloves, pressed with Garlic Press
  • 1 Tbsp (15 mL) Bell Pepper Herb Rub (or any rub or seasoning mix of your choice)

  • Garlic Mashed Potatoes Variation:

  • 2 lbs (1 kg) “B” size unpeeled Yukon gold potatoes
  • 6 garlic cloves, peeled
  • ½ tsp (2 mL) salt
  • ¼ tsp (1 mL) pepper

Instructions

Remove and discard giblets and neck from chicken cavity. Trim excess fat from chicken with Professional Shears, if necessary.

Place chicken onto Flexible Cutting Mat; lightly spray with oil using Kitchen Spritzer. Completely coat outside of chicken with 3 Tbsp (45 mL) rub.

Prepare Herbed Rice or Garlic Mashed Potatoes.

For Herbed Rice, place carrots, onion, rice, stock, garlic and 1 Tbsp (15 mL) rub in Rockcrok (4-qt./3.8-L) Dutch Oven; mix well. Place chicken, breast side up, into Dutch Oven.

For Garlic Mashed Potatoes, place chicken, breast side up, into Rockcrok (4-qt./3.8-L) Dutch Oven. Arrange potatoes and garlic around chicken. The potatoes fit closely around the chicken. No need to add extra liquid; the drippings are enough to cook the potatoes!

Microwave, covered, on HIGH 25-30 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165° F (74° C) in thickest part of breast and juices run clear.

Remove Dutch Oven from microwave. Let stand 10 minutes (temperature will rise to 170° F/77° C). Remove chicken to Large Grooved Cutting Board; carve.

For Herbed Rice, stir before serving with chicken. For Garlic Mashed Potatoes, add salt and pepper; mash with Mix ‘N Masher. Serve with chicken.

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https://foodofhistory.com/2015/03/experts-say-planning-ahead-is-the-key-to-reducing-stress-in-the-kitchen/

U.S. Nutrients per serving (One-Pot Chicken with Herbed Rice): Calories 500, Total Fat 22 g, Saturated Fat 6 g, Cholesterol 125 mg, Sodium 680 mg, Carbohydrate 30 g, Fiber 1 g, Protein 44 g