Elle's Stovetop Mexican Chicken

This chicken dish is as easy as it gets, yet it never fails to impress. Just toss the spices together, pour them over the chicken, let it cook, add a little broth, and shred—it’s that simple. The result is tender, flavorful chicken that’s incredibly versatile. Serve it tucked into warm tortillas, scattered over a fresh salad, or as a star player in a Mexican Buddha Bowl. I often leave it simmering on the stove, and it practically serves itself while everyone happily digs in.

Elle's Stovetop Mexican Chicken

Ingredients

2 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
2 pounds chicken breasts or thighs
1 cup chicken broth


Steps
Combine all of the dry ingredients to make the seasoning
Coat the chicken on both sides with the seasoning
Drizzle the olive oil and heat in a large skillet over medium heat
Add the chicken and let it cook for about 2-3 minutes on each side. Pour in the chicken stock. Cover the skillet and let the chicken cook in the broth for about 15-20 minutes, until the chicken registers 165 degrees internally and is cooked through
In the skillet, shred using a fork. Stir to mix the chicken with the sauce in the skillet. Let sit and keep warm on low heat for about 3-5 minutes, to get good flavor throughout the chicken

Mexican Buddha Bowls

Have you heard of “Build Your Own Buddha Bowls”? This is the Mexican-inspired twist, and trust me—it’s a crowd-pleaser. The beauty of this setup is in the freedom: line up all the fresh, colorful ingredients, and let everyone build their perfect plate. Some will pile them high into a crunchy hard taco, others will go for a soft tortilla wrap, and the salad lovers can toss everything together into a vibrant bowl. However they choose, it’s always flavorful, always fun, and—if my table is any indication—always worthy of seconds.

Mexican Buddha Bowls

Ingredients

Shredded Chicken - I use this recipe for Mexican Chicken
 
Lettuce (for tacos or salad)
Tacos (soft and/or hard)
Mexican Rice - I use this recipe for Mexican Rice
Avocado
Onions
Corn
Black Beans
Cilantro
Chopped tomatoes
Cheese
Taco Sauce

Steps

Have everything on plates or bowls, smorgasboard style
Have people build their own buddha bowls!

Pro tip: serve everything in containers that have lids and it makes putting away the leftovers so easy

Elle's Mexican Rice

Rice might seem simple, but with just a few pantry staples it can turn into something downright irresistible. This Mexican rice is fluffy, flavorful, and the perfect side to round out any meal. You can make it on the stovetop, but I love using the Instant Pot—it’s completely hands-off and comes out perfect every time. Whenever I serve it, the compliments start rolling in! It pairs beautifully with Elle’s Chicken and makes a delicious base for Mexican Buddha Bowls.

Elle's Mexican Rice

Ingredients

oil
2 C chicken broth
1 C pace or salsa
2 to 3 garlic minced
1/4 C onion
1 1/2 C long grain white rice

Steps

On saute in instant pot, heat oil over medium.
Add onion to soften.
Add rice stirring.
Add garlic, broth & salsa and bring to a boil
Turn off heat and put on rice setting and cook.
Put in a serving dish and top with green onions

DIY Dishwasher Tablets: Easy, Safe, and Sparkling Clean!

Tired of chemical residues on your dishes? I was too—so I made my own dishwasher tablets, and wow, the results blew me away!

Tired of chemical residues on your dishes? I was too—so I made my own dishwasher tablets, and wow, the results blew me away!

These tablets are quick, easy (just four ingredients!), and fun to make—the fizz from the lemon juice is oddly satisfying. And they CLEAN. Even better than my store-bought detergent! My silverware sparkled, glasses were streak-free, and my plates finally felt truly clean.

No more mystery film. No more powders spilling everywhere. Just safe, effective, and convenient tablets that I’ll keep making forever.

Pro tip: Double the recipe if your household goes through a lot—they store beautifully and work like a charm!

1/2 cup washing soda
1/2 cup baking soda
1/2 cup kosher/coarse salt
1/3 cup lemon juice
Pack into trays-1 tbsp per hole (I tamped each with a square garlic press that fit 
perfectly into the ice cube trays)
Place in airtight jar after drying
Use 1 tablet per dishwasher load 
Add vinegar to rinse aid

Review: The Woof Treat Ball – A Game Changer for My Golden Retriever

I recently bought our Golden Retriever a Woof treat ball (in large), and it’s honestly one of the best purchases I’ve ever made for her. I love the peace of mind that comes with making her treats myself, using nothing but whole, healthy foods. She absolutely LOVES them, and it takes her at least 20 minutes to get through one—meaning she gets great mental stimulation, and I get a more relaxed, content pup afterward.

Another bonus? I don’t have to worry about excessive calories. Each treat only uses about two tablespoons of yogurt or another base ingredient, so it’s actually less caloric than many store-bought treats.

Since we feed her a raw diet, I often use raw meats in the recipes below, but you could easily cook them if you prefer. The Woof treat ball is dishwasher safe, which makes clean-up a breeze.

The concept is simple: choose a liquidy base that freezes well, mix in dog-friendly fruits, veggies, or even crushed biscuits, then pop it in the freezer. Once frozen, it becomes an irresistible, time-consuming treat for your pup.

Here are some combinations to inspire you:

• Yogurt + fruit or veggies (blueberries are her favorite)
  
  
• Cottage cheese + fruit or veggies (again—blueberries win!)
  
  
• Pumpkin puree + fruit, veggies, chicken, or turkey
  
  
• Mashed bananas + crushed dog biscuits (we like Trader Joe’s salmon treats)
  
  
• Cheese + yogurt + crushed dog biscuits
  
  
• Dog-friendly broth + crushed biscuits (look for low/no salt, no additives)
  
  
• Watermelon, strawberries, and blueberries slightly crushed with yogurt
  
  
• Ground beef, turkey, or other safe meats mixed with dog-friendly broth

The best part is that the possibilities are endless. You can tailor each treat to your dog’s taste and dietary needs while keeping it healthy and fun.

If your pup loves treats and you’re looking for a way to keep them busy, mentally engaged, and happily tired, I can’t recommend the Woof treat ball enough. It’s a win-win for both of you.