I'm late to add to the list but I always tell people who want quick and easy to go to
kraftfoods.com
Hubby & I have been using a lot of their recipes lately. Recently we tried
cheesy chicken roll ups that would fit your need for chicken but they have other easy ones as well. To save time on the roll-ups, we used salsa instead of tomatoes & peppers which we enjoyed immensely. We also used a pre cooked rotisserie chicken (which your younger sibs could be recruited to tear up) which yielded at least three meals for two.
I haven't tried
these, but they look good. For french fries/potatoes, I will cut them up in chunks or fries, and put them in a zip lock bag with a little oil, salt & pepper; oil, cayenne (maybe a bit spicy for little ones); oil, parmesan, onion or garlic (or both) powder; or any other spice w/ oil and place in a pre-heated 375 degree oven. OOPs...sure you understood what I meant but you toss the taters and spices in the bag then EMPTY the bag onto a baking sheet and cook.....I'm just clarifying 'cause I know a 21 year old who would actually stick the ziploc in the oven too....
If you like crock pot recipes, there's some great ones at
recipetips.com.
This is one of my favs.
Campbell's also has quick recipes with
this one being a classic.
Just remember, with both kraft and campbell's don't feel like you have to use the "brand" name. I almost never do (i only eat campbell or progresso soups unless home made though) substituting my favorite brand of the same or similar product. If a recipe calls for cream cheese, use a flavored cream cheese that might taste right. for instance, with chicken, a dill or onion flavored sour cream would just add to the flavor of the dish.
Also, start recruiting the youngers to help you. I've always helped cook. An older toddler can set the table, wash veggies, an older school age kid can measure and follow a recipe. an older teen, can help with the chopping and stove/oven work.
kudos for you doing that. I'm sure you probably do complain at times, but it seems like for the most part, your take pride in helping your family out and may even enjoy cooking!
Oh man, you got me on a search! Here are some more sites you really should check out:
Betty Crocker which sells Bisquick which should be a staple in any home (i'm not big on many prepared items but this is one I do like to keep on hand) and makes some mighty quick and tasty meals with
this being one of my favs. You can easily up the nutrition by adding chopped carrots/peppers/frozen veggies, etc if your sibs will eat it. to the crust, you can add spices suck as dill, chili powder, cayenne, or other herbs/spices your sibs would eat.
Kellogg's, and
general mills, which i believe owns betty crocker, have recipes also. ooo...I'm gonna have fun with some of these recipes.