Mediterranean Lemon Chicken and Potatoes recipe

From soup to strata and everything in between, creative cooking with your kids just got easier!  The United States Potato Board (USPB) and The Kids Cook Monday (TKCM) just released 52 Mondays, a potato recipe cookbook for families. Available as an e-cookbook on potatogoodness.com, it features meal suggestions for every Monday of the year.

TKCM and USPB put their heads together last fall to identify the most delicious and nutritious, family-oriented potato recipes families can enjoy cooking and eating together at home, even on a busy weeknight. 52 Mondays features clear recipe categories and signature "Kid/Adult/Together" preparation guides to help turn any kiddo into a capable cook. With recipes for every age and all taste preferences, kids will have a special sense of accomplishment knowing they helped put dinner on the family table. 

"We are so proud to partner with The Kids Cook Monday," said Meredith Myers, USPB Global Consumer Marketing Manager. "Research shows when children are exposed to cooking fresh foods from a young age, they are more likely to make healthy dietary choices later in life. So, why not learn to cook their favorite vegetable early?"

Exposure to scratch cooking also helps kids develop a mature palate and a taste for fresh, wholesome ingredients. The earlier kids become accustomed to nutritious foods (like potatoes), the less likely they will acquire a taste for processed foods.

Potatoes are a natural, fresh and nutrition-packed vegetable. One medium size, skin-on potato has just 110 calories per serving, more potassium than a banana and provides almost half the daily value of vitamin C with no fat, sodium or cholesterol. With so many recipes and potato types to choose from (Russets, reds, yellows, whites, purples/blues, fingerlings and petites), kids and parents can work together to keep dinner exciting, 52 weeks a year!

Ready to get cooking? Try the following recipe for Mediterranean Lemon Chicken and Potato Packets, a perfect quick dinner for the grill. For more recipes or to download the cookbook, visit www.PotatoGoodness.com.

Mediterranean Lemon Chicken and Potatoes

Prep time: 5 minutes  Cook Time:  30 minutes

1 1/2 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 lb. Yukon Gold potatoes, cut into 3/4-inch cubes
1 medium onion, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup reduced-fat Greek or olive oil vinaigrette
1/3 cup quartered Kalamata olives (optional)
1/4 cup lemon juice 
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1/2 cup chopped tomato

Family Directions:

Kids:  Mix all ingredients except tomatoes in a large bowl. 
Kids:  Place equal amounts onto 4 large squares of heavy-duty foil.
Together:  Fold in top and sides of each to enclose filling, leaving room for air to circulate. 
Adult:  Grill over medium heat for about 25 to 30 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and potatoes are soft. 
Together:  Carefully open packets and sprinkle equal amounts of tomato over each.

This dish is delicious topped with crumbled feta cheese just before serving.

Makes 4 servings.

Note: Packets may also be baked at 400 degrees F for 30 minutes instead of grilling.

Nutritional analysis per serving:

Per serving: Calories 349, Fat: 8 g, Cholesterol: 126 mg, Sodium: 1176 mg, Carbohydrates: 27 g, Fiber: 3 g, Potassium: 707 mg, Protein: 41 g, Vitamin C: 38%