Ah…March.  Even though we got three inches of snow this week in Iowa, it’ll soon be gone and warmer weather should stick around (fingers crossed). 

The glimpses of spring we’ve had have made me want something different from the go-to soups and comfort foods.  The grill is calling, and I’ve been hankering for things like grilled chicken and burgers.


Spring Means New Schedules

Spring also means we come out of hibernation and start soccer and baseball.  It’s fun to get outside at last, but the busier sports schedule makes family dinners more difficult. It helps to have a few easy meals to fall back on.

One of my favorites is Korean chicken. It’s similar to teriyaki chicken, but not as sweet.  I marinate the chicken overnight, grill it and use it in several ways.  I recommend using chicken thighs rather than breasts, because they don’t dry out and have a meatier flavor.  You can get skinless boneless thighs at most stores.  My favorite to use are Coleman brand organic chicken thighs from Costco (in the refrigerated section).  


Make Dinner Easier

One way I get dinner on the table quick is to figure out the protein ahead of time.  I find once I’ve got that figured out, I can easily build a meal around it.  

And, as with all proteins, Korean chicken can be used in various tasty ways.  What do you think you would do with it?  To get creative (and gastric) juices flowing, think about…

  • Sliced chicken with veggies and rice
  • Chopped chicken for lettuce cups with rice noodles, thinly sliced veggies and a yummy sauce (below, left)  
  • Put it in fried rice or noodles
  • Make it into a chicken salad with mayo and a little chopped celery and onion (below, right)  
  • Use it in Asian-inspired Thai peanut chicken pizza 



Have Fun in the Kitchen

I know what it’s like to have to think of what to feed yourself and your family day after day for years (or decades)!  Coming up with ideas can end up feeling like a chore.  

Why not think of it as an adventure and have some fun with it?  Let your stomach be your guide.  What do you feel like eating?  And if you want more inspiration with meal planning, join my Healthy Mommas Facebook group, where we’ll share ideas on what to make for dinner! 


Korean Marinated Chicken
Great on the grill and used in rice bowls or lettuce cups. Leftovers can be made into fried rice, tossed with noodles or made into a chicken salad.
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8 chicken thighs
1/4 cup tamari or soy sauce
2 Tablespoons toasted sesame oil
3 cloves garlic, smashed & minced
1/2 Tablespoon ginger, smashed & minced
4 green onions, thinly sliced
2 teaspoons toasted sesame seeds (optional)
  1. 1. Combine marinade ingredients and pour over chicken thighs in a non-metallic pan.
  2. 2. Marinate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
  3. 3. Reserve the marinade and grill thighs until cooked through, about 5 minutes per side.
  4. 4. Place cooked thighs in a dish, cover and let rest 10 minutes.
  5. 5. Add a little water (about 1/4 cup) to the marinade and pour into a small saucepan.
  6. Bring to boil over medium high heat and boil 1 minute.
  7. 6. Strain solids from the sauce and pour over chicken.
  1. Use the sauce from the chicken to flavor your rice and cooked veggies!
The Aloha Table with Dani Lin https://danilinwellness.com/