Chicken and Toasted Sesame Skillet Sauce

I refer to this time of year as my “crazy time.” Not only is it back-to-school, but it’s also harvest season or “crush” as we say in the winemaking world. It means as the family unit is adjusting to new schedules, routines and homework, the vineyard requires meticulous attention and wines in the cellar are headed to the bottling line, as we make space for a new vintage.

Truly, it’s all amazing, I can’t complain one bit (and I try not to). I love watching my kids grow into well-adjusted teenagers, while I follow my own dreams of making wine, growing grapes, writing about food and developing recipes. I love what I do every day, however, with so many “balls in the air,” I don’t always have time to make elaborate meals for dinner.

The fall season for my family, weeknight and weekend, is synonymous with long days. Between a myriad of school activities and personal responsibilities, we have an agricultural crop to bring in. When it’s ready, it’s ready and there is no delaying it. Working very long hours until every grape is brought into the winery is a necessity. And with all the disruption, the pizza delivery man is called upon a little more than I would prefer.

Having options when it comes to quick and easy meals gives me piece of mind. Knowing I have these choices waiting in my pantry keeps my stress levels down and lets me concentrate on my family and our family business during this stressful time.

Campbell’s Skillet Sauces incorporate ingredients I already have on hand, so there is minimal planning and no need to run to the store or spend extra time looking for ingredients. It’s a win-win, as it’s just not possible for me to get a warm, hearty meal on the table every single night… without a little help. As a result, I am able to focus on my real life, while I get a real dinner on the table.

Using chicken tenderloin helps save time in the kitchen. I don’t have to slice the chicken into smaller strips and they can go straight from the package into the frying pan, which also means less clean up.

Once the chicken is golden brown, just open your Skillet Sauce packet and pour it right into the frying pan.

A gentle warming and in minutes you have a beautiful dinner to serve to your family.

Udon noodles, often found in Japanese soups, are a type of thick, wheat flour noodle. I love using them in quick-cooking meals as opposed to spaghetti noodles. They take only four minutes to boil, a real bonus when you’re short on time. Udon noodles are widely available in the Asian section of your grocery store.

Tossing sesame oil with your Udon noodles adds another layer of sesame flavor to this already delicious meal.

I serve this dish with my 5-Minute Spicy Lemon Broccoli. The chicken, noodles and broccoli all come-together at the same time, making it possible to have a hot-cooked, flavorful meal on the table in 20 minutes or less. This is going to be my lifesaver this season.

An easier meal also means I have more energy to help the kids with their homework in the evening or watch one of our favorite TV shows together. The day-to-day moments of my life are far from glamorous, but family time remains a key ingredient. With Campbell’s Skillet Sauces, I can put a real meal on the table without sacrificing any of these moments.

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