When it comes to cooking, I like a good challenge. Zatarain’s recently launched a line of frozen entrees for two and challenged the ambassador team to do something new and unique with one of their frozen meals.
This was going to be a challenge for a couple of different reasons. First of all, we have six people in our family, so a frozen entree for two normally wouldn’t go very far for the number of mouths we have to feed. Secondly, we don’t do a lot of frozen meals around here. Not because we don’t like them, but normally problem number one comes into play.
I decided to use the Zatarain’s Smothered Chicken and Rice frozen entree to see how I could make it more applicable for my family of 6. First of all, I will say all of the frozen entrees I have tried so far have been phenomenal. The flavors and freshness of each meal really comes through. I could absolutely see using them when my husband was out of town or when I needed a meal for part of us in a pinch.
I decided to go a nontraditional route with my Zatarain’s meal and made Smothered Chicken and Rice Nachos. Adding chips, cheese and some beans helped to stretch the meal out and made this two person frozen meal a quick dinner option for my family of six! The best part is, I had a hot meal on the table for my family in less than 15 minutes. As a busy mom during a busy season, you can’t beat that!
Zatarain’s has a large variety of frozen entrees available for you to try, and guess what… March is frozen food month! Try out a few and stretch yourself… see how you can make a Zatarain’s frozen meal your own, with your own special twist!
I am a paid brand Ambassador for Zatarain’s. I received a variety of frozen meals to try for my recipe development. All opinions expressed are my own!
This looks really good! I don’t go in the frozen food aisle very often (unless it’s for ice cream)! I may just have to check this out!
Same here – these meals are totally worth checking out! I was pleasantly surprised.
Looks like a quick yet comforting dinner we all can use sometimes.
Exactly – it was nice to have something super quick and tasty for a change!
The photos are beautiful and the dish… talk about creative! I am going to have to buy another bag just to make this!–i ate mine already–
thanks for the fun idea!
Your creation was so brilliant!! Can’t wait to try it.
I love Zatarains boxed rices so I dont think Ive ever seen these, then again I don’t buy frozen entrees. Do you have a recipe for how you made these? My daughter who’s in college might find these appealing since they’re quick & easy. Thanks
I had never seen them either for the same reasons. I can tell you, they are worth heading down the frozen food aisle for!
So to make this, it was super easy. You put the entire contents of the bag into a skillet and cook with the lid on over medium heat for 5 minutes. Then you remove the lid. I added 1 can of drained Bush’s black beans and cooked for an additional 5 minutes. Then, I placed some round tortilla chips on a plate, topped with the Zatarain’s mixture, and added shredded colby jack cheese to the top.
You are right in that these meals would be perfect for college students. They have a top of offerings too, so she could have quite the variety! Quick and easy and delicious!
Thanks so much! I’ll share this with my daughter when she gets in this afternoon.
What a great way to stretch a meal. I’m predicting this and an evening of netflix in my near future 🙂
This is such a creative idea! My kiddos would love this. They will eat anything with chips. I’m going to try it.
That looks delicious. My kids would snap that up.
I still have the Zat’s smothered chicken and rice in my freezer. It’s 1am. And now I’m thinking about doing this. Argh. You are not doing me any favors!
I’ll definitely have to try the Zatarain’s – haven’t seen their frozen selection before but will be on the lookout now. We’ve been so pressed for time lately and I’m a fan of this idea where you can start with a quick base of ingredients and just add some extra veggies or beans etc., to create a more complete meal. Thanks for the idea 🙂
I’ve been on a bit of a chicken kick lately. Going to have to try this one! Yum!
YUM! I may have to grab a couple of these to have on hand for a backup plan.
Very clever! I have the same problem here now that the boys are eating twice what they used to {sheesh}. Love all of Zatarian’s products so I can’t wait to see what we come with when we try one of their frozen dinners.