Skinny Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Dip

Whenever I make a successful crockpot meal that we can add to our regular rotation, I consider it a win. As a fan of the slow cooker, I've come to realize that not every meal is fool-proof just because it's easy and convenient. With that said, we do enjoy an AMAZING italian beef (thanks, Mom!) in the crock pot on a regular basis and have now added this skinny crockpot buffalo chicken dip to our favorites list. 

"It's perfect because now I can have a second beer," says my husband...I suppose that's one way to look at a "skinny" recipe. It doesn't use any sour cream and there are plenty of substitutions to keep it low in calories including low fat cream cheese, Greek yogurt and reduced fat mozzarella cheese.
You will need:

4 lbs boneless chicken breasts

1 cup shredded part-skim Mozzarella cheese

         1/2 cup crumbled light blue cheese

       1 Tbsp. ranch seasoning (optional)

       2 cups Franks Red Hot Sauce (HAS to be Franks)

         4 oz. (half a block) reduced-fat (or fat-free) cream cheese, softened

        1 cup plain Greek yogurt (Go with Fage or Oiko's)

Directions (so easy!):

Add all ingredients to the bowl of the slow cooker, and stir until combined.  (You can also stir the ingredients together in a separate bowl, and then transfer that to the bowl of the slow cooker afterwards.)

Cook on high for 1.5 - 2 hours, or until the cheeses are all melted.  (Alternately, you can also cook this on low for 3-4 hours, or until the cheeses are all melted.)  Give the dip a good final stir, then transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with extra blue cheese and green onions if desired.  Serve with chips or your desired dippers.

This works as a dip with cucumbers or carrots but also serves as a great base for sandwiches on pita bread or flour tortillas with blue cheese crumbles for lunch. 

This was a huge hit at our "friendsmas" get together - I served it warm but my husband and I ate it cold the next day for lunch and it was just as delicious. I love that it works as a side or a meal depending on what you pair it with...definitely a crock pot success!
What are your favorite slow cooker recipes? Please do share, I'm always looking to expand...
Happy Friday!

Easy Dinner Idea

Some days you are just super busy! And some days you forget you need to make dinner for your family! lol 

No, but seriously, I have a few go-to meals for days that just get away from me. Here is one of my families favorites, Pizza Bagels. They are super easy to make and you can eat them healthy(ish)....well, it's better then that processed frozen stuff! ;)

Here's what you will need: 
-Whole Wheat or Gluten Free Bagels
-Organic Mozzarella Cheese
-Pizza sauce (you can make homemade!)
-Garlic powder (or fresh garlic)

 

Directions:

-Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

-Cut bagels and place on a cookie sheet. 

-Add sauce to each bagel half and top with as much cheese as you want. 

-Sprinkle with garlic powder.

-Bake in oven for 10 minutes or until cheese it to your liking. 

Here is the finished product:

Do you ever make your own pizza bagel? What are your go-to's for easy dinner ideas?