One-Pan Chicken, Sweet Potato, and Kale Skillet

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a cast iron skillet full of golden chunks of chicken mixed with bacon crumbles, kale and sweet potatoes

A one-skillet dinner that’s healthy, easy AND flavorful?! That’s right, this cheesy chicken, sweet potato and kale skillet meal is nutritious and delicious, just the way a busy weeknight meal should be!

Easily one of my go-to meals lately, my savory chicken and sweet potato recipe is packed with kale, veggies and protein.

There’s a lot of talk about perimenopause lately, so I wanted to create a dish that is not only perfect for busy families, but also something to help support those feeling like they might be entering perimenopause in their 30s and 40s. Heck, it’s a great recipe for menopause too! I love how healthy and balanced this meal is!

Perimenopause Recipe

Why it works: Kale offers iron and magnesium, and sweet potatoes provide complex carbs to support hormone balance. Prep time: 15 min | Cook time: 25 min Bonus: One-pan cleanup!

Ingredients for Healthy Chicken and Sweet Potato Skillet

  • Chicken Breasts: Main protein; provides heartiness, structure, and a mild flavor that carries the spices.
  • Salt and Pepper: Core seasonings; salt enhances natural flavors, while pepper adds gentle heat and balance.
  • Smoked Paprika: Adds smoky depth and warmth without spiciness, complementing the bacon and sweet potatoes.
  • Red Pepper Flakes: Brings a touch of heat to brighten the dish and balance the sweetness of the potato.
  • Bacon: Adds savory richness, smokiness, and a crisp texture that contrasts with tender chicken and vegetables.
  • Olive Oil: Used for sautéing; carries flavors, prevents sticking, and adds a subtle fruitiness.
  • Garlic: Infuses the skillet with aromatic depth, boosting the savory base of the dish.
  • Sweet Potato: Adds natural sweetness, creaminess, and substance, balancing the spice and savory flavors.
  • Chicken Broth: Keeps the skillet moist, helps cook the sweet potatoes, and builds a flavorful base.
  • Kale: Provides a slightly bitter, earthy contrast, plus color, texture, and nutrients.
  • Lemon: Adds brightness and acidity at the end, cutting through richness and making flavors pop.
  • Parmesan: Adds a salty, nutty finish that melts into the skillet for extra umami and richness.

How to Make Chicken Kale Skillet

  1. Prep the Chicken: Cut the chicken into bite sized pieces and season with all the seasonings.
  2. Cook the Bacon: Cook the chopped bacon in a cast iron skillet over medium heat. Remove to a plate.

Cafe Rio Shredded Chicken Recipe (Copycat)

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a photo of shredded seasoned chicken in a white serving bowl

If you’ve ever found yourself craving that tender, flavorful Cafe Rio shredded chicken, you’re in the right place! This slow cooker recipe makes it easy to have those bold, zesty flavors right at home—without the takeout line. It’s family-friendly, perfect for meal prep, and honestly one of the easiest ways to feed a crowd.

This chicken dinner recipe is one of those life saver crock pot (slow cooker) recipes. I love that you can throw everything together in less than 5 minutes, let it cook all day and then feel like a hero as you serve it to your family for dinner.

Why You’ll Love This Cafe Rio Chicken

  • Hands-off crock pot recipe – take 5 minutes to throw all the ingredients in the crockpot, set it and walk away
  • Just a few pantry ingredients – only 5 ingredients needed!
  • Freezer-friendly & great for meal prep – freeze for another meal or eat it throughout the week
  • Works in tacos, burritos, salads, and more – so versatile!
  • Copycat flavor at a fraction of the price – restaurant prices are insane these days, so I try to make more restaurant copycats at home
  • Great for a crowd or to share with a neighbor – It’s a great dinner idea to take to someone who may need a family friendly meal.

Ingredients for Slow Cooker Cafe Rio Chicken

You only need 5 ingredients to make this delicious chicken recipe! And you literally toss it all in the slow cooker let it cook. Here is the ingredients list:

  • Kraft Zesty Italian Dressing: Acts as the flavorful marinade base. The vinegar tenderizes the chicken while the herbs and spices infuse it with that bold, tangy punch Cafe Rio chicken is known for. Avoid the fat free dressing.
  • Cumin: Adds a warm, earthy depth and a hint of smokiness that balances the tangy dressing.
  • Chili Powder: Brings mild heat and layers of chili pepper flavor, making the chicken savory and robust without being overly spicy.
  • Garlic: Boosts the savory notes and gives the chicken that aromatic, crave-worthy flavor.
  • Chicken Breasts: The protein star of the recipe; they soak up all the marinade flavors and shred beautifully after slow cooking, just like Cafe Rio’s signature chicken.
  • Creamy Tomatillo Cilantro Ranch Dressing: The famous Cafe Rio sauce! Creamy, tangy, and fresh, it ties everything together when drizzled over salads, tacos, or burritos.
  • Cilantro Lime Rice: The perfect base. Light, fluffy, and bright from the lime and cilantro, it balances the richness of the chicken and dressing, just like at the res

Healthy Cottage Cheese Egg Bake – High Protein Breakfast Casserole

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a serving of fluffy egg casserole with basil and tomatoes on a white plate

This healthy cottage cheese egg bake is a high protein breakfast recipe from both eggs and cottage cheese! Our fluffy and flavorful breakfast casserole is so easy to make with just a handful of ingredients (eggs, cottage cheese, tomatoes, basil cheese, and roasted red bell pepper) in less than 50 minutes!

I eat eggs multiple times a week in many different forms. While I’m not opposed to making scrambled eggs or a fried egg on a daily basis, I love prepping a batch of spinach, sausage and egg casserole or a cheesy monterey jack souffle  (one of our most popular breakfast casserole recipes) to have on hand during the week.

My favorite egg casserole with cottage cheese is the perfect meal prep recipe for the weekend! I love making a healthy breakfast casserole on the weekend that I can enjoy throughout the week. It’s such a great way to have easy breakfasts on hand for those busy weekday mornings and lunches when I need something quick, easy and good for me.

Cottage Cheese is a Great Source of Protein!

Um, cottage cheese is totally having a moment right now and I am here for it! I have vivid memories of my parents eating a bowl of peaches or pears with cottage cheese and now I see why.

It’s loaded with proteinI’ve been experimenting with ways to add more protein to meals, and cottage cheese is a major winner. Using low-fat cottage cheese is a great way to increase protein without feeling too full. Try my 7 Minute Savory Oatmeal, VIRAL High-Protein Cottage Cheese Beef & Sweet Potato Bowl, or these fluffy cottage cheese pancakes!

Diet for Perimenopause

Being in my 40’s I’m fully aware of all the women dealing with Perimenopause. Because of this, I ensure my protein intake is well over 100 grams a day.

Higher protein helps me with my goals of building muscle and strength as it’s important to maintain muscle as we age. Cottage cheese is also a high calcium food which is fantastic for bone health. Just one serving of this dish is 17 grams of protein!

Healthy Chocolate Swirl Berry Yogurt Bark

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a pan of healthy chocolate swirled berry frozen yogurt bark

Get ready to wow your taste buds with this Healthy Chocolate Swirl Berry Yogurt Bark! Quick, easy, and only 5 minutes to prep, it’s the ultimate after-school snack that’s as fun to make as it is to eat.

Creamy Greek yogurt, sweet berries, and decadent chocolate swirls come together for a treat that feels indulgent but is totally wholesome. Perfect for kids, grown-ups, or anyone who loves a little sweet crunch without the guilt!

Some days it feels like the snack struggle is real! How many times can you eat an apple, string cheese, or almonds before your taste buds revolt? I’m so over the same-old, same-old. That’s why I’m beyond excited to share this fun healthy snack idea with you: Healthy Chocolate Swirl Berry Yogurt Bark! It’s officially my new favorite treat, and our kids can’t get enough either. It’s the perfect after school snack!

Ingredients For Yogurt Bark

This Chocolate Berry Yogurt Bark is healthy and packed with flavor. Let’s break down the ingredients that make it so irresistible…

  • Chocolate Chips: Melted and swirled throughout the bark for rich chocolate flavor. We used semi-sweet, but milk chocolate, white chocolate or dark chocolate would all be good.
  • Greek Yogurt: Vanilla Greek yogurt creates a creamy, lightly sweet base.
  • Fresh Berries or Fresh Fruit: We used blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries, but see below for more ideas!

With just chocolate, creamy Greek yogurt, and fresh berries, you’ve got a snack that’s as pretty as it is delicious!

Other Mix-Ins & Toppings

This yogurt bark is easy to customize, so feel free to get creative with mix-ins and toppings.

Try adding sliced bananas, fresh strawberries, mango, or cherries for more fruit flavor. 

Granola, chopped nuts, cookies, sprinkles, or coconut flakes add great crunch, while chia seeds, pepitas, or hemp hearts bring a little extra nutrition.

You can also swap the chocolate swirl for white chocolate, drizzle with honey or pure maple syrup, or sprinkle on crushed pretzels for a sweet-salty twist. Mix and match to make it your own.

How to Make Yogurt Bark

Making this yogurt bark is easier than you think! A few simple steps and you’ll have a colorful, chocolatey treat ready to chill.

  • Melt: Place the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each round, until smooth. Let cool slightly so it doesn’t melt the yogurt.
  • Spread: Line a rimmed baking sheet with a Silpat mat or wax paper and evenly spread the Greek yogurt into a smooth layer.
  • Top: Sprinkle the fresh berries evenly over the yogurt.
  • Swirl: Dot the melted chocolate over the bark, then use a toothpick to gently swirl it through the yogurt.
  • Freeze: Place the&n

Herb Greek Chicken Meatballs

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a plate of pearl cous cous topped with chicken meatballs with a side of cherry tomatoes and tzatziki

These delicious Greek Chicken Meatballs are full of so much flavor, and more importantly, they are so moist! They are so easy to make with ground chicken, feta and a secret to moisture, zucchini! No dry meatballs here!

These are perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. Serve the meatballs with a generous scoop of homemade tzatziki , pearl couscous and fresh tomatoes!

Why You’ll Love This Greek Chicken Meatball Recipe

Family-friendly Mediterranean recipe

Quick and easy for weeknights – less than 30 minutes!

Light but still flavorful

High in protein, low in carbs

Makes a great main dish or a fun appetizer

Ingredients for Greek Chicken Meatballs

  • Milk: Adds moisture and helps soften the breadcrumbs so the meatballs stay tender instead of dense.
  • Italian Breadcrumbs: Bind the mixture together and give the meatballs structure while soaking up flavor from the seasonings.
  • Ground Chicken: The base protein—lean, mild, and perfect for carrying all those fresh Greek flavors.
  • Feta: Adds creamy, salty pops of flavor and helps keep the meatballs moist.
  • Zucchini: Grated zucchini sneaks in extra moisture (so the chicken doesn’t dry out) plus a little hidden veggie goodness.
  • Lemon: Both juice and zest brighten the flavors, balancing the richness of the chicken and feta with fresh, citrusy notes.
  • Egg: Acts as the “glue” to bind everything together so the meatballs hold their shape.
  • Garlic: Adds savory depth and that classic Mediterranean flavor.
  • Salt: Enhances all the other flavors so the meatballs don’t taste bland.
  • Fresh Mixed Herbs (dill, mint, parsley): Bring freshness and authentic Greek flavor—each herb layers in something unique.
  • Black Pepper: Adds gentle heat and balance to the savory flavors.
  • Olive Oil: Helps the meatballs get golden brown on the outside.

How to Make Greek Chicken Meatballs

  1. Soak the Breadcrumbs: Combine the milk and breadcrumbs in a bowl and let them sit for a few minutes.
  2. Combine: Add all the rest of the ingredients and stir to combine thoroughly.
  3. Form: Use a cookie scoop to form meatballs that are similar in size. Coat your hands in a little olive oil and then roll the meatballs in your hands.
  4. Bake: Cook in the air fryer preheated to 400℉ for 11 minutes or in the oven on a baking sheet (also at 400℉) for 12-15 minutes.

What to Serve with Greek Chicken Meatballs

We love to eat these meatballs

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