Cider Glazed Chicken Bites with Sweet Potato Applesauce Mash and Bacon Roasted Brussels

After I made this meal, I was reminded of another meal prep and healthy lifestyle hack I thought I'd share. Make meals you absolutely look forward to eating!!! Eating healthy does not have to be boring or feel restrictive. This meal was the bomb and is perfect to make this fall! Also, if you've never gone apple picking and made your own applesauce, go do it! My boyfriend's mom makes amazing homemade applesauce with nothing but apples, which is what I used to make the mash. I also roasted some shredded Brussels sprouts with bacon and you can find that recipe here. I seriously cannot wait to eat this meal for lunch this week! 
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Cider Glazed Chicken Bites
Ingredients:

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into cubes
• 1 tablespoon lard or bacon fat
• salt and freshly-ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh rosemary
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh sage
• 1 cup apple cider
• 1 tablespoon honey

Directions:

1. Place the cubed chicken in a large bowl and sprinkle liberally with salt and pepper. Add the rosemary and sage and toss until all the chicken pieces are coated.
2. Heat the lard or bacon fat in a heavy skillet over high heat. Add the seasoned chicken to the pan and cook, turning occasionally, until the chicken is well browned on the outside but still slightly pink in the center. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
3. Pour the cider into the hot skillet and bring to a boil. Continue cooking, stirring frequently, until the cider is reduced to about 1/4 cup. Stir in the honey.
4. Reduce the heat to medium and return the chicken to the skillet, along with any juices that accumulated. Continue cooking, stirring frequently, until the chicken is glazed and cooked through, about 5 minutes.
5. Serve immediately.

​Original recipe found here

Sweet Potato Applesauce Mash 
Ingredients:

• 2 pounds (1000 grams) sweet potato
• ½ pound (225 grams) apples or 1 cup unsweetened store-bought applesauce
• Generous pinch of sea salt
• 1 tbsp (15 mL) ghee, optional (I did not include) 

Directions: 

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
2. Roast the sweet potatoes for about an hour. Let them cool.
3. If you’re making the applesauce from scratch, do this while the sweet potatoes are roasting. Peel and dice the apples. Put into a small pot with a 2–3 tablespoons of water and cover with a lid. Cook over medium-low heat until the apples are very soft. Remove the lid and cook until most of the water has evaporated.
4. Peel the skins off the sweet potatoes. Combine with the applesauce in a large bowl and mash with a hand masher until it’s to your desired consistency, or use a food processor.

​Original recipe found here