Its a Hero

Instant Pot Butter Chicken Recipe

by 9 Comments

Before meeting my now husband, I had never had Indian food before. Which is kind of strange, because I had tried most other types of foods. But he quickly insisted that we try out a pretty popular local Indian restaurant. At his suggestion, I ordered the butter chicken. And? I loved it! I was hooked! It feels only fitting that on our 9th anniversary I celebrate by making Instant Pot Butter Chicken Recipe.

Instant Pot Butter Chicken

What you’ll need to make Instant Pot Butter Chicken

Butter Chicken is super easy to make — especially when using an electric pressure cooker! The sauté function and pressure cooking finish make this truly a one-pot meal!

Instant Pot Butter Chicken

Here are the ingredients you’ll need:

  • 2-3 chicken breast cut into 2” bites
  • 1/2 onion, diced
  • 1 stick of butter
  • 5 tablespoons of minced garlic
  • 1 15oz can of tomato sauce
  • 2 tablespoons of tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon of paprika 
  • 1 tablespoon of chili powder
  • 3 tablespoons of curry powder 
  • 1 teaspoon of cumin
  • 1 teaspoon of salt
  • 1/4 cup of chopped cilantro 
  • 1 cup of heavy whipping cream

Other recommended items:

This dish is definitely enjoyed best when served with warm basmati rice and garlic naan bread. If you’re looking for a good naan recipe, head here.

Instant Pot Butter Chicken

The Full Recipe Details

Instant Pot Butter Chicken

Instant Pot Butter Chicken
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2-3 chicken breast cut into 2” bites
  • 1/2 onion, diced
  • 1 stick of butter
  • 5 tablespoons of minced garlic
  • 1 15oz can of tomato sauce
  • 2 tablespoons of tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon of paprika 
  • 1 tablespoon of chili powder
  • 3 tablespoons of curry powder 
  • 1 teaspoon of cumin
  • 1 teaspoon of salt
  • 1/4 cup of chopped cilantro 
  • 1 cup of heavy whipping cream

Instructions

INGREDIENTS -

STEP 1 -

Set the instant pot to sauté mode and melt the butter. Add the onion and sauté until onion is golden.

STEP 2 -

Toss in the garlic and sauté for 2 minutes.

STEP 3 -

Add the chicken and brown the outside. Once chicken is browned, add the spices, tomato sauce, tomato paste, and cilantro. Sauté for 1 minute.

STEP 4 -

Seal the lid and pressure valve and cook on high pressure for 10 minutes. Let the instant pot release pressure naturally when done.

STEP 5 -

Remove the lid and stir in the cream for 4 minutes.

STEP 6 -

Enjoy best with basmati rice and fresh garlic naan.

© Rachel

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Ham and Cheese Sliders with Aioli Recipe

by 11 Comments

I know so many friends are tired of the day in and day out of cooking meals. It’s basically been over a year since our lives all changed. We’ve all been at home with our families 24/7. And it’s been demanding to keep providing new recipes to keep my family satisfied! This ham and cheese sliders with aioli recipe is perfect for feeding the family in a hurry. And? It’s delicious!

Ham and Cheese Sliders with Aioli

What you’ll need for this recipe

There are only a few ingredients required. But I do use an air fryer. Why do I use an air fryer? Because it crisps up quickly and evenly. Honestly, I’ll never go back to traditional baking and frying again!

Ham and Cheese Sliders with Aioli

If you’re in the market for an air fryer, I highly recommend this Ninja Foodi. It has two baskets so you can cook multiple items simultaneously, at different temperatures!

For this particular recipe only requires the following items:

  • 8 Hawaiian rolls
  • 16 slices of deli ham
  • 8 oz of Swiss cheese, sliced
  • 1/4 cup of mayonnaise 
  • 1/2 teaspoon of paprika 
  • 1 teaspoon of dill
  • 1 teaspoon of onion powder

That’s it! The prep time is honestly miniscule. The aioli takes the longest, with that being only a minute or two. Otherwise it’s cut, prep, air fry, and serve! Easy peasy!

Ham and Cheese Sliders with Aioli

How to make Ham and Cheese Sliders with Aioli

Ham and Cheese Sliders with Aioli

Ham and Cheese Sliders with Aioli
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes

Ingredients

  • 8 Hawaiian rolls
  • 16 slices of deli ham
  • 8 oz of Swiss cheese, sliced
  • 1/4 cup of mayonnaise 
  • 1/2 teaspoon of paprika 
  • 1 teaspoon of dill
  • 1 teaspoon of onion powder

Instructions

INGREDIENTS -

STEP 1 -

Cut rolls in half and place 2 slices of ham folded to fit and 1 oz of cheese

STEP 2 -

In a bowl, mix the mayonnaise and spices to make the aioli. Apply 1/2 tablespoon of aioli to the top of each bun and place on the cheese.

STEP 3 -

Place sliders in the air fryer basket and air fry on 350 for 5 minutes.

STEP 4 -

ENJOY!

© Rachel

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Air Fryer Cheez-Its Recipe

by 12 Comments

If your kids are anything like mine, they live off of snacks. In fact, I’m so grateful that we have stores that offer drive-up services, because I swear I’m making at least a twice-weekly trip for more snacks. Where do they even put all of this food?! I decided to try making Cheez-its (a staple in our house) on my own. This way we’re saving money; but I also know exactly what’s in their food. And this Air Fryer Cheez-Its recipe is a spot-on copycat.

Air Fryer Cheez-Its Recipe

What you’ll need

The ingredients are super simple. In fact, much more simple than you would find on the nutritional label of the box. Yes, you’ll need an air fryer. You can bake them; but, truthfully, they puff up much better in an air fryer. If you haven’t purchased one yet, I highly recommend this one.

Air Fryer Cheez-Its Recipe

Here’s exactly what you’ll need for this copycat recipe:

  • 8 ounces of shredded cheddar cheese 
  • 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder 
  • 2 cups of flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon of onion powder 
  • 5 tablespoons of butter
  • 1/2 teaspoon of salt
  • 2-3 tablespoons of water
Air Fryer Cheez-Its Recipe

How to make the Air Fryer Cheez-its Recipe

Air Fryer Cheez-Its

Air Fryer Cheez-Its Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Additional Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 10 minutes

Ingredients

  • 8 oz of shredded cheddar cheese 
  • 2 cups of flour
  • 5 tablespoons of butter
  • 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder 
  • 1/2 teaspoon of onion powder 
  • 1/2 teaspoon of salt
  • 2-3 tablespoons of water

Instructions

INGREDIENTS -

STEP 1 -

In a food processor, pulse-chop the cheese, butter and spices together.

STEP 2 -

Add the flour and blend slowly. Add water 1 tablespoon at a time until dough forms.

STEP 3 -

Cut the dough into 3 dough balls. Cover and place into fridge for 1-2 hours.

STEP 4 -

Remove and flatten each dough ball on a floured surface. Cut the edges to form a square and cut out 1/2 to 1” squares. Salt and place in air fryer basket. Using a toothpick, punch a hole in center of each cracker to avoid puffing up.

STEP 5 -

Air Fry on 370 for 6 minutes. Remove and let cool and dry.

STEP 6 -

ENJOY!

Notes

Store in an airtight container for up to one week.

© Rachel

If you’re looking for some other copycat recipes, try this one or this other recipe!

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Copycat Taco Bell Crunchwrap Supreme

by 11 Comments

Confession: I never really had fast food growing up. And, because of that, it took me a while (read: 30 + years) to figure out what I liked and what I didn’t like. I was not the typical “Taco Bell at college” type of girl. But the truth is, I’ve developed quite a taste for a few Taco Bell items (like the bean burrito, sans onions). But I also love the crunchwrap. So I decided to perfect a Copycat Taco Bell Crunchwrap Supreme recipe.

Copycat Taco Bell Crunchwrap Supreme

What you’ll need

I highly recommend using an air fryer for this recipe. Sure, you can grill and press this, but it is far more delicious in an air fryer. As far as ingredients, you should have most on hand.

Copycat Taco Bell Crunchwrap Supreme
  • 1/2 pound of taco meat
  • 1/2 cup of nacho sauce
  • 1/4 cup of diced tomatoes
  • 1/4 cup of sour cream
  • 1 cup of shredded lettuce
  • 3 burrito size tortillas
  • 3 tostada shells

If you’re looking for other easy recipes, be sure to check out these.

Copycat Taco Bell Crunchwrap Supreme

Honestly, if you’re a fan of the Crunchwrap, you are going to LOVE this! And, despite Taco Bell’s already low prices, these are extra cost effective!

Copycat Taco Bell Crunchwrap Supreme recipe

Yield: 3 wraps

Copycat Taco Bell Crunchwrap Supreme

Copycat Taco Bell Crunchwrap Supreme
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1/2 pound of taco meat
  • 1/2 cup of nacho sauce
  • 1/4 cup of diced tomatoes
  • 1/4 cup of sour cream
  • 1 cup of shredded lettuce
  • 3 burrito size tortillas
  • 3 tostada shells

Instructions

INGREDIENTS -

STEP 1 -

Add 2 tablespoons of nacho sauce to the center of the burrito size tortilla. Top nacho sauce with taco meat.

STEP 2 -

Cover tostada with sour cream and place on top of taco meat, sour cream side up.

STEP 3 -

Top sour cream with lettuce, cheese and then tomatoes.

STEP 4 -

Fold in tortilla layering each edge over the other until the burrito shell is closed.

STEP 5 -

Spray air fryer basket with oil and place crunch wrap in the basket folded side down. Spray top with oil and cook on 350 for 7 minutes.

STEP 6 -

Flip and cook on 350 for 3 minutes.

STEP 7 -

ENJOY!

© Rachel

PIN FOR LATER

Copycat Panda Express Orange Chicken

by 7 Comments

We have had an air fryer built into both our oven and toaster oven for the last 3+ years. But it took until getting our Ninja Foodi for me to really get hooked on the air fryer. We literally cook everything in it. We started with little things like chicken fingers and french fries. But now we’re using it for other things — like frying fresh cod and making our own Copycat Panda Express Orange Chicken!

Copycat Panda Express Orange Chicken

You’ll need an air fryer and this

The recipe is super easy. And it calls for one of my husbands favorite ingredients — orange zest! Honestly, the first time I used orange zest in any recipe, my husband freaked out (in a good way)! And I’ve been hooked on zest ever since!

Copycat Panda Express Orange Chicken

Here’s what else you’ll need:

  • 1 chicken breast, cubed
  • flour
  • cornstarch
  • paprika
  • cayenne
  • Natures Seasoning
  • 2 eggs
  • an orange
  • soy sauce
  • white vinegar
  • brown sugar
  • minced garlic
  • cornstarch mixed with water
Copycat Panda Express Orange Chicken

That’s it! Just make a side of rice (I use my Instant Pot for rice) and serve your Copycat Panda Express Orange Chicken over it! If you’ve never made rice in the Instant Pot before, here’s what you need to know:

I highly recommend using jasmine rice. Measure a cup of jasmine rice. Rinse in water and then put the cup of jasmine rice in your Instant Pot. Add 1 and 1/4 cup of water to the Instant Pot. Lock and seal the Instant Pot. Set your Instant Pot to manual for 4 minutes. Once the Instant Pot timer goes off, let the IP natural release for 10 minutes. Then release the rest of pressure.

The recipe

Copycat Panda Express Orange Chicken

Copycat Panda Express Orange Chicken
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 chicken breast, cubed
  • 1 cup of flour
  • 1/3 cup of cornstarch
  • 1/2 teaspoon of paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne
  • 1/2 Tablespoon of Natures Seasoning
  • 2 eggs

Sauce

  • 1 orange, juiced + reserve a 1/2 Tablespoon of zest from peel
  • 2 Tablespoons soy sauce
  • ¼ cup of white vinegar
  • ½ cup of brown sugar, packed
  • 1 tablespoon of minced garlic
  • 1 Tablespoon of cornstarch, mixed with 1 tbsp water

Instructions

INGREDIENTS -

STEP 1 -

In a saucepan over medium heat, add all of the sauce ingredients and bring to a slow boil. Once slow boiling reduce heat to low and let simmer for 10 minutes.

Stir every couple of minutes to prevent sauce sticking. Let sit on warm while the chicken cooks

STEP 2-

In a mixing bowl, mix spices, flour and cornstarch.

STEP 3 -

In a separate bowl whisk egg.

STEP 4 -

Coat the chicken in the flour, and then dredge in egg.

STEP 5 -

Return chicken back to flour and fully coat.

STEP 6 -

Place breaded chicken in oil sprayed air fryer basket. Spray chicken with oil.

STEP 7 -

Cook on 380 for 10 minutes.

STEP 8 -

Once all chicken is cooked, increase sauce heat to low medium and add fried chicken. Stir until chicken is completely coated.

STEP 9 -

ENJOY over rice!

© Rachel

PIN FOR LATER

Copycat Reese’s Eggs Recipe

by 11 Comments

Truth time: Last week when I posted my Marshmallow Peeps recipe, I thought that this weekend was Easter. Let’s just say that my brain is totally fried these days. Because Easter is definitely not until next week. But, truth be told, I can use all of the time I get to prep. And, in true foodie fashion, my prep includes duplicating those to-die-for eggs. Yep. And this Copycat Reese’s Eggs recipe is everything you need this Easter — and all year!

Copycat Reese's Eggs Recipe

What you’ll need to make this Copycat Reese’s Eggs recipe

I used my Instant Pot for this recipe, because I love it. But it’s totally not necessary. At the very least, you’ll need a double-boiler. But otherwise, here’s what you’ll need:

  • 1 1/2 cups of peanut butter
  • 6 Tablespoons of brown sugar
  • 2 – 12 ounce bags of chocolate melts
  • 2 cups of powdered sugar
  • 2/3 teaspoon of salt
  • 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
  • 6 Tablespoons of butter
Copycat Reese's Eggs Recipe

THE RECIPE

Copycat Reese's Eggs

Copycat Reese's Eggs Recipe
Prep Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 35 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups of peanut butter
  • 6 Tablespoons of brown sugar
  • 2 - 12 ounce bags of chocolate melts
  • 2 cups of powdered sugar
  • 2/3 teaspoon of salt
  • 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
  • 6 Tablespoons of butter

Instructions

INGREDIENTS -

STEP 1 -

In a saucepan over medium heat, combine butter, vanilla, brown sugar, salt and peanut butter. Stir until melted together.

STEP 2 -

Stir in powdered sugar a few tablespoons at a time until combined completely.

STEP 3 -

Using a small baking scoop, scoop out a ball of peanut butter mixture. Form into an egg shape and place on parchment paper.

STEP 4 -

Once eggs are formed place in freezer for 2 hours.

STEP 5 -

Place your mixing bowl on the tall instant pot trivet and one cup of water in the instant pot liner. Set instant pot to sauté and stir the chocolate melts until fully melted. Add oil if chocolate needs to be thinned out.

STEP 6 -

Remove eggs from freezer and dip using a fork in the melted chocolate. Completely cover eggs and place back on parchment.

STEP 7 -

Allow the eggs to sit and shell to harden.

STEP 8 -

ENJOY!

© Rachel

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