Cornbread Mexican Casserole: New Year's Eve Recipe

7 Easy Recipes for New Year's Eve

Looking for an easy recipe for new year's eve? Whether you are cooking for a crowd or an informal family get together, this Cornbread Mexican Casserole is sure to please! For more easy New Year's Eve recipes, scroll to the bottom of this post. Enjoy!

Cornbread Mexican Casserole: New Year's Eve Recipe

Baked Parmesan Chicken Recipe from Scratch

Chicken Parmesan from Scratch

Do you love homemade Chicken Parmesan? Frozen chicken parmesan is fast for an easy, weeknight dinner, but it doesn't taste that great. You can make baked chicken parmesan from scratch at home with this recipe. Enjoy!

This post contains affiliate links for your convenience.*

Make Baked Chicken Parmesan from scratch.

How to Make Homemade Baked Chicken Parmesan

Gather the chicken parm ingredients below. You can substitute fresh for a more gourmet feel, but canned and dried are just as good- especially for busy weeknights.

Ingredients:

1 garlic clove

1 T. olive oil

1 15 oz. can crushed tomatoes*

1 8 oz. can tomato sauce

1 t. dried basil

1/2 t. dried oregano

1/2 t. sugar

1/2 t. salt

1/4 t. pepper

1 lb. boneless chicken breasts

approx. 1/4 c. milk

approx. 1/2 c. Italian seasoned bread crumbs

olive oil for pan frying

4-6 oz. sliced Mozzarella cheese

1/4 c. grated Parmesan cheese

Fettuccine noodles

Directions:

1. Make the sauce:  In a large saucepan, heat 1 T. olive oil. Mince the garlic clove and add it to the hot oil. When the garlic begins to sizzle, add tomatoes, tomato sauce, basil, oregano, sugar, salt, and pepper. Simmer until the sauce reaches the desired thickness.  

2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

3. Prepare the chicken:  

a. Put chicken pieces between two pieces of plastic wrap. Pound the chicken until approx. 1/4-in. thick.  

b. Put milk in one shallow dish and bread crumbs in a second dish.  Start with a small amount of dry bread crumbs. Add to it as needed.

c. Dip each chicken breast in the milk, followed by the bread crumbs. Be sure to coat each side.

d. Heat the remaining oil in a large skillet. Add the chicken breasts. Saute until golden brown, turning once.

4. Put a small amount of sauce in the bottom of a 13X9-in. casserole dish*. Place chicken breasts in a single layer in the casserole dish. Cover with sauce. Place a layer of mozzarella cheese slices over chicken and top with parmesan cheese.

5. Bake in preheated oven until cheese is golden, approx. 15 min.

6. Prepare the pasta according to package directions. Serve with the chicken.

Baked Chicken Parmesan Recipe.

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Chicken parmesan seasoning*

Homemade Chicken Tenders

ADS DISCLOSURE: We've partnered with some wonderful advertisers who may sponsor blog posts or send us samples to test. Some companies pay us to review their products. *We also use affiliate links, if you make a purchase we get a tiny commission. Kids Creative Chaos participates in the Amazon LLC Associates Program*, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a mean for blogs to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon properties, including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com. We also offer Tapinfluence, Google Adsense, SoFab, and Izea ads here. Thanks so much for helping us keep the lights on! :)

Valentine's Day Party Ideas for Tweens Tutorial

Tween Valentine Party Activities Tutorial

Wondering what to do for a Tween Valentine Party? These Valentine's party ideas for tweens will keep kids busy afterschool. Invite their friends over for a fun filled Valentine's Day party with craftivities galore. Girls and boys alike will have fun making their own one of a kind snowflake hearts and Duct Tape Valentine Snack Treat Box to use while watching their favorite movie. Enjoy!

Heart Craftivities for a Valentine's Day Party for Tweens.

Your tweens may not enjoy exchanging classroom valentines or making valentine's mailboxes for school, but they probably enjoy eating fun food and having a party. You can make this as a surprise valentine treat for kids or you can have them help make the Valentine crafts as an afterschool activity.

Tween Valentine Party Activities Tutorial.

To decorate for our Valentine's Day party, we made a few heart crafts that are fun for kids of all ages.

First, we made paper snowflake hearts. Want the full tutorial? Click the link:  How to Make Paper Snowflake Hearts.

Once the snowflake hearts are cut out, glue them to a colorful background paper and cut them out. Use these lacy hearts as decorations hanging from the ceiling, placemats, or write fun sayings on them and hand them out as Valentine classroom exchange cards.

Make paper snowflake hearts to decorate for a Valentine's Day party.

Using colorful cardstock, make heart sculptures. Cut out two hearts and then cut halfway up the bottom of one, and half way up the top of the other. Slide the hearts together (upside down) to form a 3D base for balloons. Punch a whole in the top of them, and slip a ribbon through to attach a balloon bouquet. They make fun, whimsical table decorations too- no balloons required.

3D heart sculpture table decorations.

Next, make heart garland to hang vertically in the window. These are a good scissor skill activity for younger kids. They also work fine motor skills. Fold paper in half, draw half a heart at the crease line of the paper. 

After the heart is cut out, keep it folded and cut two- 1" slits 1-2" apart. Open the heart and weave ribbon or string through the slits.

Using a glue stick (it works just fine) or hot glue gun, attach a pom pom to the end of the garland to give it a whimsical finishing touch.

How to make heart garland for Valentine's Day party decorations.

Surprise the kids with snack treat boxes made from recycled cereal boxes. Make these ahead of time or let the kids choose their own patterns and make their own. 

At the Dollar Tree, we purchased duct tape in various colors. Not only does this decorate the box, it also makes the box sturdier giving it protection against spills or greasy food. 

While shopping, we found little red cups that make perfect Valentine treat holders. Fill them with dip for veggies or yummy candy treats. Ours are filled with Valentine candy conversation hearts.

Valentine snack treat boxes for movie time or after school snacks.

Start with a cereal box. They are the perfect size for sitting on your lap. Cut out a large flap for the main course and then cut out two smaller wholes for the mini snack cup and a juice pack or drink holder. Trace the bottom of the cup and juice box to insure you cut out the perfect fit.

Things to do with a recycled cereal box.

Carefully wrap the box in designer duct tape. When going around round the cut-outs, score the tape (cut a slit in the tape before folding it over), this allows for a cleaner, more attractive edge.

Snack box decorated with duct tape.

Once your box is covered in tape, attach a heart on the inside of the flap. Personalize it with your child's name or candy heart sayings like, 'Be Mine', 'Your the Bomb', 'Hers', or even 'Happy Valentine's Day'.

Treat box for Valentine's day or movie time snack.

Place colorful plastic wrap or tissue paper inside the food flap. Then, fold four flaps over on a paper plate to form a square, paper bowl. Fill your food section with popcorn or a mini heart shaped pizza. Click the link for the full pizza recipe tutorial.

Mini heart shaped pizza for Valentine's Day.

These cute Valentine glasses were a steal at the Dollar Tree. They have lots of fun designs. If your tweens are too grown up for juice boxes, make a special drink for Valentine's Day. Keep scrolling for our easy Valentine's Day drink recipe.

Make a special tween drink for Valentine's Day.

Ever heard of a Shirley Temple? It is a non-alcholic fun, fizzy drink. To make a simple Shirley Temple, fill a glass with lemon-lime soda and then give it a splash of Grenadine. Grenadine is sweet, so a little goes a long way. For a fun version of the Shirley Temple, just add a bit of pink cotton candy. Don't forget to put a cherry on top!

Add a layer of plastic wrap or tissue paper to protect the inside of the box.

How fun was that? Kids will love getting invited to such a fun filled Valentine's party. Once everyone has their snack box, head over to the living room and watch a fun, Valentine's theme movie. 

Peanuts is always a good choice. Charlie Brown never gets the Valentine he hopes for.

Valentine treat box complete.

Tween Valentine party ideas and activities.

These activities are so easy, if you don't have Valentine's Day plans, you can prep for this party in about 2 hours. So, go make your own fun! Hope you have a fabulous Valentine's Day!


Recommended:

Fill your treat box with Homemade Heart Shape Pretzels.

Valentine's Day Movies for Kids*





ADS DISCLOSURE: We've partnered with some wonderful advertisers who may sponsor blog posts or send us samples to test. Some companies pay us to review their products. *We also use affiliate links, if you make a purchase we get a tiny commission. Kids Creative Chaos participates in the Amazon LLC Associates Program*, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a mean for blogs to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon properties, including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com. We also offer Tapinfluence, Google Adsense, SoFab, and Izea ads here. Thanks so much for helping us keep the lights on! :)

Homemade Potato Chips Microwave Oven

Recipe for How to Make Potato Chips in the Microwave

Have you always wanted to make your own Potato Chips? Potato chips are extremely over-priced. Everyone knows that! So, how do you make potato chips in the microwave at home? This recipe for homemade potato chips is healthier, fresher, and cheaper than store bought. So, how many potato chips can you get from just one potato? Let's find out. Enjoy!

Homemade Potato Chips Microwave Oven.

If you've ever made fried potatoes, you know it is tempting to turn them into chips, but how does that work? Fried Potatoes are often greasy, slimy, and squishy. Baking potatoes dries them out, but they still aren't chips. If you want to make chips at home, the microwave is your best friend.

How to Make Potato Chips in the Microwave.

We found a recipe at AllRecipes.com, but tweaked it to make our own version of homemade potato chips.



Homemade Potato Chips Recipe Microwave

1. Slice 1 potato very thin. We use a Pampered Chef Chip Slicer on the thinnest setting.

Slice potatoes very thin.

2. Soak the potato slices in salt water for about 10 minutes.

Soak potaotes in salt water.

3. Arrange the potato slices in a single layer on a microwave safe plate.

Spray with cooking oil.

4. Coat the slices with vegetable oil spray.

5. Microwave the potato slices until golden and crispy. Our microwave requires about 7 minutes. Start with 5 minutes until you figure out what your microwave requires. Also, thicker slices will take longer.

Make microwave potato chips at home.

6. Carefully remove the plate. It will be hot. Once it has cooled slightly, you can peel off the potato chips.

7. Repeat steps 3 through 6 until all the potato slices are cooked.


We got about half of a regular sized bag of chips from one potato! Plus they are healthier since they are not fried. You can dress them up with toppings like ranch dressing, shredded cheese, barbecue sauce, sour cream dip- whatever your heart desires... maybe some chocolate dip? Ketchup works too!


Try it with a Sprial Sliced Potato.




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ADS DISCLOSURE: We've partnered with some wonderful advertisers who may sponsor blog posts or send us samples to test. Some companies pay us to review their products. *We also use affiliate links, if you make a purchase we get a tiny commission. Kids Creative Chaos participates in the Amazon LLC Associates Program*, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a mean for blogs to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon properties, including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com. We also offer Tapinfluence, Google Adsense, SoFab, and Izea ads here. Thanks so much for helping us keep the lights on! :)

TOSTITOS® Scoop Recipes for a Party

TOSTITOS®  Scoop Recipes for a Party

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias. Inc. and its advertisers. All opinions are mine alone. #GameDayGlory #CollectiveBias 

Are you having guests for the Big Game? We've got recipes that will be a touch down. These TOSTITOS® Scoops Appetizer Recipes are the perfect food for a big party. Get everything in party size so there is plenty to go around. We came up with some delicious baked appetizer recipes that use some of your favorites- SNICKERS® and TOSTITOS® Scoops. Enjoy!

Supreme Baked TOSTITOS® Scoops recipe for a big game party.

SNICKERS® Scoop Mini Pies.

Don't miss out on the Game Day Glory sweepstakes! Are you a super fan? Do you deck the table out with a Snack Stadium?

We'd love to see it on Instagram, be sure to share it with us with #gamedayglorysweepstakes and enter to win a $100 Walmart gift card or an Xbox One!

You can vote for yourself or your favorite Snack Stadium by clicking the Game Day Glory link at the bottom of this post.

Walmart is just a skip away, so we always pop in to make some purchases before a big party.

The Big Game requires lots of goodies, so we filled the cart with Pepsi™, SNICKERS®, TOSTITOS®, and Skittles® and then went home to create the awesome recipes below.

Supreme Baked TOSTITOS® Scoops Recipe

First down, you need to gather supplies.

1 Avocado

1/2 C. TOSTITOS® Chunky Salsa (Medium)

1/2 Bar Cream Cheese

1/2 C. Shredded Cheddar or Mexican Cheese

1 Bell Pepper, Chopped (Optional)

Grab your favorite Pepsi™ to drink, while you cook! 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. No need to spray pan. Then, place 24 TOSTITOS® Scoops on baking tray (we used a mini cupcake pan).

Peel avocado and remove the pit. 

No need to chop it up, place it in a bowl and mash it with a spoon.

Slice the Cream Cheese bar in half. Add to avocado mixture.

Mash avocado and cream cheese together.

Mix together. If mixing is difficult, mash together with a fork.

 Add in 1/2 C. TOSTITOS® Chunky Salsa.


Now, you have cream cheese avocado dip. Taste it, it's delicious!

With a large spoon, spoon dip into scoops- filling to the top. Then, sprinkle with shredded cheese. Try one, they're even better than the dip by itself! Mmm... so good; wash it down with a Pepsi™.

Place in preheated oven for 5 minutes or less. Depending on your oven, these only need to bake until the cheese melts. So, watch them closely. Remove from oven, sprinkle with chopped pepper, and serve immediately.

Touch Down! This is what your Game Day Scoops look like when served with peppers sprinkled on top.

Baked TOSTITOS® Scoops cheesy avocado appetizer.

Every salty savory needs a companion. So, make SNICKERS® 

Scoop Mini Pies for dessert.

Get the SNICKERS® variety pack.

To Make SNICKERS® Scoop Mini Pies Recipe

35 oz. Variety bag of SNICKERS®

1/2 Bar of Cream Cheese

24 TOSTITOS® Scoops

Whipped Topping

Skittles® (Optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

SNICKERS® Scoop Mini Pies.

Chop the SNICKERS® into 3-4 small slices.

Tear off a pinch of cream cheese, and place it into each Scoop.

Then, add 1 slice of SNICKERS® into each scoop.

Place in preheated oven for 5-8 minutes- just until melted. Remove from oven, and smash the candy and cream cheese together. Let cool slightly and then add a dollop of whipped cream. To dress them up, place 1 Skittles® on top. 

Don't forget to taste just one before serving, you deserve it!

Serve the Scoops to your party guests. Make it a rule: whenever your team gets a touch down, you get to eat a SNICKERS® Scoop Mini Pie and Skittles® . Mmm... perfect with Pepsi™.

Click for more Game Day Recipes and  Snack Stadium Ideas.

Now, it's your turn to play- what is your favorite appetizer for Game Day? Share it in the comments. Don't forget to enter the Game Day Glory Sweepstakes below.

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ADS DISCLOSURE: We've partnered with some wonderful advertisers who may sponsor blog posts or send us samples to test. Some companies pay us to review their products.

*We also use affiliate links, if you make a purchase we get a tiny commission. Kids Creative Chaos participates in the Amazon LLC Associates Program*, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a mean for blogs to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon properties, including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com. We also offer Tapinfluence, Google Adsense, SoFab, and Izea ads here. Thanks so much for helping us keep the lights on! :)

Homemade Dr Pepper® Recipes

Dr Pepper® Recipes to Make at Home

Fall has arrived, and we are thinking football and what to eat while watching the games at home. You can get ready for game day when you make these one of a kind Dr Pepper® chicken tenders and muffins at home with these simple recipe and ingredients from Kroger. Kroger is the place for Game Day Greats. Even if you don't drink Dr Pepper®, we think you will love this homemade baked, breaded chicken recipe paired with cupcake muffins. Enjoy!

Make Dr Pepper® Recipes at home.

Your guests will be impressed with your one of a kind, unique game day recipes. Best of all, the ingredients needed are at your local Kroger. Dr Pepper® and Kroger are the ultimate football partners for your next homegating or tailgating event. 

Be sure to visit the Kroger in-store sweepstakes display with Miller
Coors®/Kellogg's®/Dr Pepper® for fly away trips to Rivalry Games. See your local store for more details. Also, don't forget to register  for your chance to win the #GDGSWEEPSTAKES.

We filled the cart with lots of goodies for college game day! We provide the entree and dessert, you bring the veggies and dip, okay?

How to Make Homemade Dr Pepper® Chicken Tenders

These delicious chicken tenders are ready in just 30 minutes. Serve them up at your next football party with a side of fried zucchini, waffle fries, and a glass of Dr Pepper® or simply have them out as an appetizer. 

1/2 C. Dr Pepper®
1/4 C.  all-purpose flour
1 egg
1 tablespoon water
1 C. Panko bread crumbs
Dash of Paprika
5-6 chicken breast tenders
Salt and Pepper to Taste

1. Heat oven to 425°F. Line a cookie sheet with foil, and spray it with cooking spray. (They will stick.)

2. In shallow dish or bowl, marinade chicken tenders in 1/2 C. Dr Pepper®. Toss to coat.

3. In another shallow dish, mix flour, panko, paprika, and salt and pepper with a fork. 

4. In yet another shallow dish, beat egg and 1/4 C. Dr Pepper®.

5. Now, dip chicken into egg/Dr Pepper® mixture, then coat with flour crumb mixture. Place on cookie sheet.

Homemade Dr Pepper® Chicken Tenders ready to go into oven.

4. Bake 15 to 20 minutes, turning once toward the end, until chicken is no longer pink in center and coating is an orange golden brown. 

Cooking in oven, spoon some more Dr Pepper® over any dry bits of flour.

Homemade Dr Pepper® Chicken Tenders.

This was delicious! Make easy Dr Pepper® chicken tenders at home.

Dr Pepper® Chocolate Chip Muffins Recipe is Easy

I mustache you a question. Do you like Dr Pepper®? We love it! No college football party (think homegating) is complete without Dr Pepper®and chocolate. Every party needs some chocolate! So, after your baked, chicken tenders, splurge with some fun, mustache cupcake muffins.

Dr Pepper® Chocolate Chip Cupcake Muffin with Cream Cheese Frosting.

Cart full of Gameday Goodies.

We found this fun post on Quarterbacks with Mustaches.

How to Make Dr Pepper® Chocolate Chip Cupcake Muffins

Ingredients

• Martha White Chocolate Chip Muffin Mix
• 1/2 C. Dr Pepper®
• 1/4 C. Almond Milk

Follow Package Instructions, but replace milk with Dr Pepper® and Milk measurements listed above.

Stir until frothy.

Place Cupcake liners in pan. Fill liners to top. You will need to scoop the chips into the muffin tins. They react with the Dr Pepper® and stay in the bottom of the bowl.

Bake according to package instructions. Remove from heat. Cool pan on wire baking rack.

Once cool, add your favorite Cream Cheese frosting. Then, stick on this paper printable mustache.

Mustache Cupcakes are fun for Game Day!

Mustache Chocolate Chip and Dr Pepper® Cupcakes.

We found some more fun recipes that use Dr Pepper®:

Dr Pepper® Cake and Icing

Dr Pepper® Cheesecakes

Dr Pepper® BBQ Chickens

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Dr Pepper®. Game Day Greats brought to you by Kroger. The opinions and text are all mine.

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ADS DISCLOSURE: We've partnered with some wonderful advertisers who may sponsor blog posts or send us samples to test. Some companies pay us to review their products.

*We also use affiliate links, if you make a purchase we get a tiny commission. Kids Creative Chaos participates in the Amazon LLC Associates Program*, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a mean for blogs to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon properties, including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com. We also offer Tapinfluence, Google Adsense, SoFab, and Izea ads here. Thanks so much for helping us keep the lights on! :)