If fall had a flavor, this would be it. 🍂 Imagine the comforting warmth of pumpkin spice, the soft chew of a perfectly baked cookie, and gooey chocolate chips in every bite—that’s what you get with these Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies. Whether you're baking for a cozy night in, a fall bake sale, or just because you're craving something sweet and seasonal, this recipe is a must-try.

I read somewhere that the hardest part of being an adult is figuring out what to cook for dinner every single night for the rest of your life. Though I disagree that planning dinners is the hardest thing adulting has to offer, I sympathize with the stress behind the constant meal planning. The weeks that I've planned, grocery shopped, and prepped in advance of the craziness are the smoothest meal times (and make me feel accomplished as a wife and mom).

Here are 5 chicken recipes you can make with the same core ingredients and a single package of chicken breasts or thighs or even a cooked rotisserie chicken.

1. Chicken Enchilada Lasagna (Pampered Chef)

2. Crockpot "Roast" Chicken

3. King Ranch Chicken casserole

4. Chicken Pot Pie

5. Chicken chilaquiles

You can make these in almost any order, but you will need to have made the Crockpot "Roast" Chicken before the pot pie, because your leftovers become the pot pie filling with just a few tweaks!

Click into each recipe above for full details, and here is a cursory grocery list that assumes you have some pantry staples and seasonings. 

Shopping List:

• 1 rotisserie chicken or package of chicken thighs or breasts
• Monterrey jack cheese
• 1 can of green chili peppers
• 1 lb carrots
• 2 lbs baby red or golden potatoes
• 2-3 onions
• corn tortillas
• 1 bag frozen peas
• 1 can red enchilada sauce
• green tomatillo sauce
• chicken broth (also something you could make yourself by boiling the bones from your rotisserie chicken)
• pie crust (or follow this recipe for the best pie crust you will ever eat!)

This isn't a one-dish wonder recipe, but all the "prep steps" are easily accomplished while you're waiting for another element to heat or cook, so it all comes together at the right time to go into the oven and come out as a delicous filling main dish with very little "math-ing" or planning!

This is my cheat on a typical Sunday roast: roasted chicken and well-seasoned veggies are always a good comfort food. You can eat this as a stew or make a great chicken pot pie filling. There’s something timeless and comforting about a classic Sunday roast—but let’s be honest, not everyone has hours to spend in the kitchen basting and babysitting the oven. That’s where this Crockpot “Roast” Chicken with Carrots & Potatoes comes in. It delivers all the cozy, home-cooked flavors of a traditional roast dinner without the stress of roasting an entire chicken in your oven. 

If your sister or best friend is expecting this year, snacks are the way to her heart! These are my favorite store-bought snacks, which offer a variety of sweet, sour, and salty options without requiring you to set foot in the kitchen and are still nutritious and gut-friendly to support pregnancy and postpartum recovery.

Fermented and Sour

Fermented snacks are a delicious and natural way to boost digestion, balance hormones, and strengthen immunity—all essential during and after pregnancy. From probiotic-rich yogurt to tangy sauerkraut, these fermented foods can help nourish your body and benefit both mom and baby. In this list, you’ll find the best fermented snacks for pregnant and postpartum moms that are safe, satisfying, and easy for her to incorporate into her daily routine.

Wickle's Wicked Okra 
Yes, I did send my husband on a stereotypical pregnancy-craving-induced treasure hunt late at night to find my something picked and spicy.

Greek yogurt, like this Black Cherry and Honey flavored It's easy to top a tangy greek yogurt with granola and fresh berries for a calcium-rich snack

Spicy

Craving something with a little kick? If you're pregnant or navigating the postpartum days, spicy snacks can totally hit the spot—and yes, they can be safe and even beneficial in moderation! Whether you’re battling weird pregnancy cravings or just need a flavorful pick-me-up during those long newborn nights, this list of spicy snacks for pregnant and postpartum moms has you covered. From spicy hummus to chili-lime popcorn, these options bring the heat without the worry.

Ocean's Halo Thai Seaweed
These also tick the crunch box, and are healthier than spicy potato chips. Seaweed is one of the best natural sources of iodine, a mineral essential for thyroid function and your baby’s brain development.

Chili Roasted Pistachios
Since these are individually wrapped snack size containers, they're easy to throw in a diaper bag or purse. It's best to avoid too much sodium, so don't binge on these! Pistachios are a plannt-based protein with healthy fats, fiber, vitamin B, magnesium, and iron which all combine to help support your postpartum recovery and appetite.

Sweet

These mini protein muffins are so good, you’ll forget they’re healthy! Mom-approved and kid-devoured: these protein muffins are a pre-breakfast and snacktime game-changer. Looking for a snack that satisfies your child's sweet tooth while sneaking in some nutrition? These mini chocolate chocolate chip protein muffins are a game-changer for busy moms aiming to provide healthier treats without the fuss.