Be sure and check out
Hubby Favorites #2
and
Hubby Favorites #3
as well 🙂
Hi everyone — I’m Derek, the lucky taste-tester behind many of the recipes on Chef in Training. I’m taking over this post to share the recipes my family and I keep coming back to. I’m the official food tester, the guy who devours the creations, and the coworker who brings leftovers to the office. My wife experiments in the kitchen and I get to enjoy the results — a job I gladly accept.
We cook something new most nights, so favorites change frequently. Still, there are a handful of recipes that always make me ask for seconds, that my kids fight over, and that friends request for potlucks. After much debating (and many bites), here are the top 13 dishes I recommend from Chef in Training — recipes that consistently please and are perfect for family meals, game day, or impressing guests.
Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta… Restaurant-quality comfort food that’s elegant enough for guests and easy enough for a weeknight.
Pineapple Cheeseball… A party favorite I always beg my wife to bring along — sweet, creamy, and addictively good.
Easy and Delicious Stuffed Mushrooms… A savory appetizer that disappears fast — bold flavors that please everyone at the table.
Chocolate Chip Pudding Cookies… Soft, chewy, and dangerously good — my wife’s go-to when she wants to win me over.
Buttermilk Pancakes with AMAZING Buttermilk Syrup… Fluffy pancakes and an unforgettable syrup — breakfast that feels special any day of the week.
Smothered Chile Colorado Burritos… Rich, comforting Mexican flavors that make any dinner feel like a celebration.
Wingers Sticky Fingers… A faithful homemade version of the restaurant classic — perfect for game night or casual dinners.
Buffalo Chicken Dip… A must-have for parties and tailgates — creamy, spicy, and irresistible.
Baked Chicken Taquitos… Crispy, creamy, and satisfying — a great option for sharing while watching the game.
Hawaiian Haystacks… A bright, flavorful dish that brings island-inspired toppings and textures to the dinner table.
The recipes above are some of my favorites in no particular order. Now for my personal top three — the dishes I crave again and again.
#3. Homemade Oreos… Irresistible cookies with a perfect balance of crisp edges and creamy filling — hard to share, easy to love.
#2. Creamy Broccoli Chicken Casserole… Comfort food at its best — rich, cheesy, and packed with tender chicken and broccoli. A true crowd-pleaser.
#1. Chicken Pillows… The ultimate comfort food in our house. This recipe has been a family favorite for years and remains my top pick — tender, flavorful, and unforgettable.
I hope you try some of these recipes and enjoy them as much as my family does. I’m glad Nikki let me share this list and I’m proud to announce a new “Hubby Favorite” stamp that will appear on recipes I especially love. Keep an eye out for it and happy cooking!
— Derek