Taco Night - 3 ways!

So this isn't a recipe, per say - but it's what was put together one weeknight a few weeks ago and was too good not to share what I did with you guys. :)  This was so completely random; we were all in the mood for tacos but I decided to switch it up a bit.  Here's what I did:

{Of course I started off with the Lexy Medley - diced red pepper, diced green pepper and diced onion.  I used about 1/3 cup each.}

{I sauteed them in a bit of olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet, until they got soft and started to brown.}

{I decided to use ground chicken breast this time around and let me tell you. SO GOOD! I mean, so much better and has much more flavor than ground turkey. I will be using ground chicken for everything now.}

{I added the ground chicken to the pan of onions and peppers, drizzled a little more oil and let it begin to brown.  It needed to be crumbled quite a bit.}

{I then lowered the heat and added a packet of taco seasoning.  I sprinkled in a bit of cayenne pepper too, we like things extra spicy. ;)  Add about a tablespoon of water to the pan too, the chicken is really lean and can be dry.}

{Have you seen this brand of rice in your grocery store?  It's over with the other delicious Spanish items.  It's so flavorful and delicious! And easy!  While the chicken was simmering, I put the rice on.}

{Here's what the chicken looked like - so nice and flavorful!  I checked here for seasoning, didn't need any salt but I did add a bit more cayenne.}

{Ok, now here's where it got really good.  I know, I know - having queso cheese in a dish for a weeknight dinner isn't the healthiest, but it was a DELICIOUS addition. I swear I could eat this stuff with just about anything. LOL!}

{I also pulled out a can of corn and chopped green chiles.  Being honest, I NEVER use canned veggies, I like frozen best - but we didn't have frozen corn in the fridge, so canned it was.}

{I poured the queso cheese into a small pot and let it warm over low heat.}

{I also mixed the corn and green chiles in a small pot and let them simmer together. yum!}

{So now it was time to put this all together.  first idea: Nachos! These multi grain tortilla chips are pretty much amazing.  They are the only ones I ever buy.  The texture is perfection and they are a bit sweeter than the regular corn tortilla chips. We love them.}

{Second idea: lettuce wraps! Yup, using good ole iceberg lettuce leaves. Extra cold and crispy, was perfect.}

{Meanwhile, as per the cooking timer, the rice was done! Didn't take long to cook at all.  And it always comes out nice and fluffy.  It's my favorite for sure.}

{Third idea: soft tacos!  Can't go wrong with soft tacos.}

{To a warm tortilla shell, I added the chicken mixture, a drizzle of the warm queso cheese, some of the rice and topped it with the corn and chili mix.  Was absolutely divine!}

{For the nachos, I simply drizzled the queso sauce over a layer of the tortilla chips.  I topped it off with the spicy chicken mixture and was done!  They were served with a side of rice and corn.}

{Lastly, the lettuce wraps came together well too!  To an icy cold iceberg lettuce leaf, I started with the chicken and then topped it with rice and cheese. The contrast in texture and temperature was so perfect.}

We all had a little bit of everything, it was a taco feast indeed and was loved by all.  I think the lettuce wraps may have been my fave. :)

So, how do you do taco night?

xoxo, thanks for reading! ♥