Grilled Garlic Herb Chicken... with a little help from a package

It's been one of those weeks... you know, the one where you start the week thinking you have it all together - the menus planned out, ingredients purchased, schedules set and manageable, and everything looks so darn organized.  How does it all fall apart so quickly?

First of all, the more than 178 miles I put on the car in six days without really leaving my little town of Carlsbad has me cringing when I need to head back out on the road.  $80 took care of the empty tank, but I've watched the gas meter drop ever so quickly.  Between the kids contradicting school schedules, trips to drop and pick up my son at the gym, Liv's regular and extra dance rehearsals, visiting my mom who is recovering from hip surgery, the store for regular groceries and then the last minute shopping for the big dance show tomorrow, I'm exhausted.

Add in Liv's last minute costume arrivals for the dance season (she dances competitively for a local studio) and you have me sewing in my "spare" time (I don't know how to sew... you can imagine my "pretty" stitches), applying rhinestones to any bare spots on the fabric (I have a new appreciation for sparkle) and much to my son's amusement he found me on my knees out in the back yard rubbing an old pair of his jeans on the concrete for a "well-worn" look and holes in the knees for the small group tap number that has them dressed like farmers.  I still have elastic to sew onto the hats, a crown to rhinestone and socks to trim.  The show is tomorrow at 9:30.  I think I'll make it.

With my head swirling with altered schedules, the menus somehow got lost in the fog and as dinnertime would approach 6 human, 4 canine and 2 feline hungry eyes would begin looking my crazed direction wondering when dinner would arrive.  Realizing it was 6 PM and I had thawed the chicken but never done anything with it I gave in.  I'm not really a package girl, I like to prepare our meals fresh without the unknown ingredients that sometimes come along with things in a box or bag.  I do organic, fresh and local when I can, but sometimes a girl just needs a little help.  I turned to the beloved package.

A few years ago my friend Becky (of Becky's Football Stromboli) had us over for dinner and served the most wonderful Peppered Chicken.  Fresh from the grill it was tender, flavorful and one of the best meals I'd had in a while.  Frequently we share recipes and I immediately asked for this one.  She casually comment she'd show me later.  As we cleaned up the kitchen she tossed a McCormick Grill Mates Package labeled "Peppercorn & Garlic Marinade" my direction.  My jaw dropped... this awesome chicken I had just raved about was from a package???  Yep.  It was indeed.

Since then I have stocked up on the Grill Mates for just the occasions that this week provided.  (Note: Neither McCormick nor Grill Mates knows that I'm writing this post, I have received nothing from them in any way... but would happily test anything if they offered!!).  Requiring meat (chicken, beef, pork), oil, water, sometimes vinegar and the packet, dinner is on the table in about 36 minutes from start to finish (assuming you have thawed the meat which on occasion I've been known to forget to do).  Our favorite is still the Peppercorn & Garlic that Becky made for us, but the Chipotle Pepper and Garlic Herb and Wine versions are also very high on our list.  I have yet to find one that the entire family is not pleased with and never have a complaint when I serve the freshly grilled, tender and tasty chicken.

A 15 min bath in the marinade and another 15 minutes on the grill has the meat part of the meal complete.  Frequently I toss oiled onions and peppers onto the grill along side the meat, add a simple tossed or bean salad to the serving plate and you have all those eyes staring at you now smiling with pleasure (well.... except for the cat who gets the same can every day - her choice).  Then before the fog clears you are back to rhinestoning gloves and costumes and remembering that you forgot to pick up the tan fishnet stockings at the dance store...

Grill Mates Pepper Corn and Garlic Dinner

1 Packet Grill Mates Marinade

4 chicken breasts, boneless, skinless

oil for the veggies (I use an herb dipping oil)

sliced onions

sliced red peppers

asparagus

Bean Salad (leftover from yesterday)

someone to do the dishes (anyone??  anyone??)


Proud Mama moment here...I can't help sharing my girl with you all.  Here's the video from Nationals in Vegas last year where she scored 6th place overall in her solo!  We'll have a new video in a few weeks from this year's season.