I FINALLY got around to trying some Freezer Meals with my neighbor and good friend, Jessica, from Pretty Providence. I’ve frozen meals, when I make extra, but not to where I take a few hours and make a bunch. I’ll tell you what, I will 100% do this again. I felt so good after I finished them. It went so fast and I love knowing I have some meals in my freezer that are not only quick, but GOOD!
We did it in two little sessions! One session we did Cilantro Lime Chicken w/ Corn and Black Beans, Pineapple Chicken and Creamy Beef Enchiladas!
Cilantro Lime Chicken w/ Corn and Black Beans
6-8 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts (I used 2 Costco Pouches per bag)
4 Tbs Olive Oil
2+ Limes, juiced (I like a little more lime then the recipe calls for)
2 Cups Cilantro
1 large bag of Frozen Corn (or two smaller bags)
4 minced Garlic Cloves
1 finely Chopped Red Onion
2 cans of Black Beans, drained and rinsed
2 tsp Cumin or Chipotle powder
Salt an Pepper to taste
Take ingredients and split everything into two containers.
Mix bag by shaking, seal, label and put in the freezer.
Cooking instructions: Cook in Crockpot on Low for 8 hours or High for 4 hours. Serve with hot tortillas and dress with sour cream, guacamole, and/or cheese.
2 T. Mustard
6-8 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts (I used 2 Costco pouches per bag)
2 – 16 oz. can Crushed Pineapple or Pineapple tidbits or crushed, drained (use drained juice for above)
Out of the second session we got World’s Best Chicken and Garlic Lime Chicken!
The World’s Best Chicken (Source)
6-8 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs
1 cup Dijon Mustard
½ cup Maple Syrup
2 Tablespoon Red Wine Vinegar
Salt & Pepper
Season after w/ Rosemary
Clean and trim chicken and split between two Gallon Ziplock bags. Don’t worry about getting all the fat off. They are perfect for the crock-pot because the fat melts off of them and by the time they are done they fall right off the bone. If you prefer chicken breasts, you can use them.
Mix wet ingredients and seasonings and pour over chicken. Then seal, label and freeze flat.
Garlic Lime Chicken (Source)
6-8 Bone-In Chicken Thighs
1 Cup Soy Sauce
½ Cup Lime Juice
2 Tbs Worcestershire Sauce
4 Garlic Cloves, Minced
1 tsp Dry Mustard
1 tsp Ground Pepper
2 Tbs Cornstarch
Clean and trim chicken and split between two Gallon Ziplock bags. Don’t worry about getting all the fat off. They are perfect for the crock-pot because the fat melts off of them and by the time they are done they fall right off the bone. If you prefer chicken breasts, you can use them.
Mix wet ingredients and seasonings and pour over chicken. Then seal, label and freeze flat.
So, that makes 10 Freezer Meals in about 2 hours! Pretty great, right? Plus, that means very little clean up the nights that you use them. Especially if you use Crockpot Liners like I do!
I have a bunch more recipes that I’m preparing to try out and I’ll share those when I do! I hoping to build a good resource page on freezer meals for all of you! I’d love to hear if you guys have some that you’ve tried and LOVE! Have a great week everybody!
Shene
I thought the garlic lime chicken was way too salty. Do you think I could use chicken broth instead of soy. I am not criticizing because everyone has different taste buds. I recently had a heart attach and now everything taste different or stronger flavor.
Pam Dana
Yeah totally! I think substituting Chicken Broth would totally work!!
Dani Hobbs
Question about the world’s best chicken, what would it be good served with? I’d like to make it, but am unsure what to serve it with… veggies and potatoes? Or veggies and rice? What do you serve it with, and can you give me an idea of the flavor of this entrée?
Pam Dana
I usually serve it with rice and a green vegetable like Broccoli!
June
I’m also wondering about the recipes that say 6 pounds of chicken thighs? Is this for 6 pounds or pieces, please? Also, are you cutting up any of the chicken into pieces in any of these recipes, or just leaving them in big pieces? How much is in each of the costco packs–2 whole breasts, or two breast halves–or an idea of weight of boneless skinless meat? Your answers to these questions should help me be a success with these yummy looking recipes! M Thank you!
Pam Dana
So sorry about that June! Yes, that was a typo! Yes – 6-8 breasts! Thanks so much for leaving me the comment, so I could correct it!
Clare
Hi, I’m making the worlds best chicken and as im cutting, 6-8 lb of chicken thighs is a HUGE amount. Really?? I’m considering splitting the meat al LEAST three ways or maybe 4. Am I the only one?
Heather Heilman
I have a question. On the recipes that use chicken thighs, sometimes it says 6-8 chicken thighs and sometimes it says 6-8 lbs of chicken thighs. Which is it?
Care
How are most of these dishes served? Over rice? Suggestions please :o)
Tara H
Thank you so much for this post! I’m a new mom and a full time healthcare worker, so I work some nights and weekends. I really needed some tasty recipes that I could pull out of my deep freeze in a pinch. I’ve prepped a couple bags already and cooked the French chicken. I served it over brown rice and my husband loved it! You are a life saver!
Pam Dana
I am so glad you guys are loving them! French Chicken is one of my families favorites too! Thanks so much for the sweet comment!
Britney Deal
LOVE these recipes. One question though; in the cilantro lime chicken do you add any cooking liquid?
Darcey Reczkiewicz
Pam….what size of tortillas do you use for the creamy enchiladas? Thanks!
Emily
I found this post with a google search, and these look like some of the best crockpot meals for the freezer. I can’t wait to try them! I’m trying to stockpile some meals in my freezer for baby preparations!
Pam
Hope you like them! They are for sure my favorites!
-Pam
Jen
I just made the cilantro lime chicken tonight and it was wonderful, my 4 year old, 6 year old and husband all raved over it. Served with guac, sour cream, cheese and cilantro lime rice. Thanks for the great recipe, I look forward to trying the others
kate
what should be the expiration date on these? just wondering how many I can make at a time!
Becki
Made the garlic lime chicken. A bit too salty for our family!
Emilee
Same here! Did I do something wrong? The teriyaki chicken was absolutely amazing! But the garlic lime chicken just tasted like salt with a kick. Any suggestions on how to fix this?
Paul
Use low sodium soy sauce?
trinae
Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs? Can’t wait to try them! Thanks!!
PrepNplus1
How long will these last int he freezer?
Shiloh Strawn
Quick question about the Cilantro-Lime Chicken: Do you shred the chicken, or leave them whole? I have some cilantro that I need to use up, and I was going to try the recipe before I make a few batches to freeze.
Jenna
If I wanted to bake these in the oven instead of using the crock pot, what would the directions be?
Jenn Ellis
Most chicken recipes can be put in the oven at 350* for about 40 minutes once they’re thawed. Always check with a meat thermometer or cut into one to make sure they’re no longer pink.
Amalia Alvarez
Do u have instructions for cooking these meals in the oven?
April Driggers
<3 this….thank you so much!
Mchampagne
I made the cilantro lime chicken (not frozen) and we ate them as we would taco/burritos – it was like eating a light and healthy mexican dinner. I put the left overs on a bed of lettuce the next day for lunch and over couscous pasta with spinach the next. Can’t wait to try some more
Tina Hudgens
Making the Pineapple Chicken now and concerned if this is the correct amount, it states above 2 and 1/2 cups of sugar, it seems like alot alot of sugar in compared to the other ingredients ? Can you let me know if this is the correct amount please (thanks)
overthebigmoon
Yes, that is the correct amount if you’re making two freezer meals. It is 1 1/2 c for a single recipe. The sugar melts down.
CJ
When you reheat with the disposable pans, do you keep the foil on or take it off before putting it in the oven?
overthebigmoon
I take the foil off. But you could do half and half if you wanted!
Fran
These sound great!!! I am watching my calories. Do you have nutrition info on these?
nbreeden
I’m also curious, do you thaw all of these overnight or put them in the crock pot frozen?
overthebigmoon
No – not at all! I just run the ziplock bag under a little hot water to loosen it from the sides of the bag. Then, I dump the frozen chunk into the crockpot and it defrosts it in the crockpot. It would cook faster in the crockpot, if you everything was defrosted. But, generally I don’t plan ahead to use my freezer meals. They are more of last minute idea!
TDavis
On the cilantro lime chicken are you thawing overnight before you put in crock pot or putting it all in frozen? Thanks!
overthebigmoon
You can thaw them, but I generally just run the bags under water for a few seconds to loosen it and start the recipe frozen. It will just add a little cook time is all.
bixbygrammiex10
I always put frozen chicken into the crock pot…works fine and is easy! Use my crock pot 3-4x a week.
Erica Torrez
What are you supposed to do with the pineapple after you drain the juice? Am I missing something?
Susan Bryant-Boger
Do you put the pineapple in the sauce?
overthebigmoon
Yes, you do! I’ll go revise the instructions now! Sorry about that.
Ginjin
Pretty lame recipes, AWESOME PRODUCT PLACEMENT!!!!1!!11!
Jennifer Mangelos
For the cilantro chicken, I am not seeing cilantro in the ingredient list, I am guessing just split 1 bunch and throw in bag too? Thanks I love freezer meals and even more when they are crockpot ones!
overthebigmoon
Thanks so much for letting me know! I just missed it – I added it in! 2 Cups Cilantro! Thanks Jennifer!
Juliann
How do you measure cilantro by cup??????
Kim
Do you chop up the Cilantro? If yes, do you chop before or after measuring the cup? Thanks!
Pam Dana
Yes – I chop up the cilantro! I measure after I chop it up!
Heidi
I can’t wait to try these!
I’d love for you to link up this (and any other ideas you’d
like to share) at “One Creative Weekend” on OneCreativeMommy.com. If you’re ever looking for someone to do a freezer meal swap with, I’m game!
Michelle Mecham Lane
LOVE having freezer meals on hand! All of these recipes look amazing! I like making and freezing cheesy spinach lasagna rolls, creamy chicken taquitos (an Our Best Bites recipe), wontons, sweet pork burritos, and sweet rice.