I drove through my old neighborhood today. By old, I mean the house I lived in from birth to 12 years old. It felt so strange. With every turn, I was flooded with memories and names. It seemed as though each house had a special meaning to me. I either knew some one who had lived there or I simply remember riding my bike or playing with friends along those streets.
The house I grew up in has changed quite a bit on the outside. When we lived there it was yellow, then red. Now it’s a neutral shade with a wooden door. Only the chain link fence remains the same. The house and yard seemed so small. How did we all fit? The funny thing, as a kid, the house seemed enormous! There was always plenty of room in the living room for me to practice dance routines and cartwheels. The closets were spacious enough for me to hide in when I was feeling blue or got in trouble. Our family of five always seemed to be able to eat in the kitchen together. Our basement was large enough for an extra bedroom, living room, kitchen and storage. The yard was equally as giving. Our backyard felt like it would stretch for acres! So much room to jump rope, swing and play tag with friends!!!
It was nice reflecting upon a simpler time in my life. It was a time when all that mattered to me was summer break and birthdays. The house of my childhood may have been small, but it was cozy. It was home and it was comforting. It was a good place to grow up. I hope my kids feel the same way when they look back upon this house and this time.
I made this baked chicken today. I was in the mood for comfort food, especially after my trip through memory lane. I was inspired by a post from Ali from Jam Hands. I changed it up a bit and used what I had on hand. It was delicious! Warm chicken with creamy cheese and crispy bacon. I served this chicken over pasta. It was the ultimate comfort food!
You might enjoy these too:
Chicken Souvlakia (Greek Chicken Kabobs)
Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry over Peanut Butter Noodles
Mexican Mac and Cheese
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Ingredients
- 4 boneless chicken breast
- 4 slices of bacon
- 8 oz baby Bella mushrooms, sliced
- ½ cup diced onion
- 3 tablespoon butter
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 1 140z can chicken broth
- 1 4.6 oz container garlic and herb spread (Alouette)
- 2 large Roma tomatoes chopped
- Spaghetti
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350.
- Cook bacon in a large pan until crisp. Remove and set aside. Wipe all but 2 tablespoon of bacon grease from pan. Season chicken with salt and pepper and cook in bacon grease until browned. Remove and place chicken in casserole dish.
- Add butter to pan, when melted stir in flour. Add in diced onions and mushrooms. Whisk and cook about 1 minute.
- Stir in broth and cheese spread. Continue to stir until smooth. Pour over chicken. Sprinkle with tomatoes and crumbled bacon.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes.
- Prepare pasta according to package directions. Serve chicken over pasta.
I’ll be sharing this recipe at these fabulous sites as well as to: Jam Hands. The DIY Dreamer and
What a nice story! It made me take a trip down memory lane also! I have those same feelings about the house I grew up in! I loved it! And the recipe looks so delicious! I love creamy chicken and pasta dishes! Thanks for sharing your story and your recipe!
Thanks Lillian for readying my post. I got very nostalgic. Its fun to go back sometimes! Oh the chicken was sooo good!
This looks like an amazing meal! Totally pinned.
I feel that way every time I go to my parents house – it’s the one I lived in from 5 on. The only changes are that they’ve added more stuff (kind of like hoarders…lol).
Ha ha, they like hoarders? Wonder if my kids will say that about me?
Loved your little trip down memory lane. This does look like one comfort meal. I need some comfort–I’ll give it a try.
Thanks Cindy!
Yummy! This looks really good. I too enjoy seeing homes I lived in! It is hard to believe…
It is hard to believe isn’t it? Thanks Shiloh!
Yum, I want this for dinner! It looks so good.
Thanks Nicole!
I just pinned another recipe with chicken and bacon…I think it’s a sign that I need to make this soon! Looks delish.
Ha ha, Kim, I find I gravitate towards bacon too! Hope you try it!
Looks delicious! This is exactly the kind of dish I love. Can’t wait to try it!
I was so pleased with this dish! Thanks Steph!
Stopping by from Back for Seconds. This is my kind of dish. Creamy, bacon, mushrooms, cheese…gosh…you hit it all!
Man, it was our kind of dish too!
It would appear Thomas Wolfe had it all wrong. You can go home again.
I’m certainly glad you did. This recipe sounds delicious, especially being served over pasta. I wonder how a trip back to your grammar school might inspire you? 
I think a trip back to elementary school will remind me of the pickled green tomatoes and salami sandwich my mom packed me every day!!! Maybe I could come up with a tater tot casserole!
Yumm-o! Sounds easy enough! Thanks for sharing these on Two Cup Tuesday! I look forward to seeing you there on Monday Night!
Thanks for hosting!
This sounds great! Thank you for sharing at last week’s week’s All My Bloggy Friends
Thank you for hosting!
The garlic & herb spread totally makes it for me. I can just imagine how good the sauce is. Thanks for sharing on Thursdays Treasures.
The sauce was pretty darn good actually! Thanks Christie!
Oh my gosh, that chicken looks amazing! I don’t usually love baked chicken, but that is just perfectly creamy! Yum!
Thanks for linking up to What’s Cookin’ Wednesday!
Thanks Karly!
I don’t get to drive by the house I grew up in very often {8 hr drive from me}, but when I do it is very strange. Some new features, some old are still there, like the brick work my uncle did in the front, and some things my dad did, too. I can see why you needed the comfort food! It looks fabulous! And I’ll bet it tastes just as good!
It did taste good! Nostalgia is hard to get over sometimes. I guess it’s easier when you live 8 hours away!
OMG this looks so good I can’t wait to try it!
Thank you Kelley!