CookSimple: Can Gluten Free Chili really be easy and delicious?

I recently received some samples from CookSimple when they discovered we had entered the gluten free world, thanks to babies A and B! I was delighted at the prospect of an easy, healthy weeknight meal. 

Being new to gluten free, I feel I have been doing pretty well in our dinner combinations, without straying too far from our usual menu. For example, one night a week we always had pasta as an easy dinner, and now we just substitute gluten free pasta. Most nights though, we stick to our usual: some kind of meat and a vegetable. Occasionally, we include a starch- so we're not really missing out on too much. 

But the cooksimple products I received all have only one or two ingredients you need to add, and each contain all actual, readable ingredients: spices, beans, etc. I was pleased from the start. 

So last night I made the white bean chili . The box called for me to add shredded chicken, or any meat of my choice. The recommendation was a rotisserie chicken for the easiest option since it is precooked. I chose to use the boneless chicken thighs I had in the freezer. 

via Instagram @mymackey

So yesterday morning, while I waited for the coffee to brew, I threw the thighs in my crockpot with a chopped onion, about 1/2 c of barbecue sauce, and a splash of raw apple cider vinegar. By the time I was ready to make dinner, chicken was done and easily shredded with a fork. 

The box calls for you to boil the packet with 4 cups of milk (or water)- I chose milk. 

 
Then add your meat and simmer for about 20 minutes. 


No, for real.... like, that's it! :) 

this is what you see when you open the box

 
I was a bit skeptical about the amount in the box. We had 5 of the 6 of us home, so I was unsure that the seemingly tiny box would feed our whole family. Again, a pleasant surprise, was that it fed us last night AND tonight! WOOT WOOT! Any busy mom LOVES leftovers! 

Both nights I served the chili with a simple arugula salad, which I got from a dinner I had with Michelle Collins from the Economical Eater, and my new favorite Ken's Chefs Reserve Creamy Balsamic with Honey salad dressing! YUM! 

I found the chili ended up super creamy, just spicy enough (if you want SUPER spicy- you'll need to add some crushed red pepper, or what we opted for: Hot salsa!), no bizarre "boxed food" aftertaste, and something that I can't wait to make again to put over nachos! There has GOT to be gluten free nachos right???? ;) 

To give you an idea of how it turned out as a family meal: 

Sissy (age 16 and picky ;)) ate it in a tortilla (she is NOT GF) and ate 3 of them! ;) 

Hubby ate 2 bowls... last night AND tonight!

Baby A (age 2 and 1/2) ate hers topped with sour cream and had a second bowl today with lunch with some cubes of cheddar cheese. No weird faces or complaints ;)

Baby B (age 10 months) ate mostly the chicken. squished around the beans. I would say that's pretty age appropriate ;) 

So in conclusion: a wonderful success! This weekend: Tamale Pie  and I can't wait! Stay tuned, because one more review and there will be a GIVEAWAY for you to try your own cooksimple meal! 

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You can also get many of the items mentioned here at the NurtureMe Store

Have you tried cooksimple meals? Which is your favorite?