By Megan Groh

Hy-Vee Dietitian

Whether you’ve got kids to feed or you’re cooking for yourself, who’s not searching for something new, something convenient and healthy?

Fully cooked meats can be a great option that can deliver convenience, flavor and a nice protein punch with a list of ingredients that won’t scare you away.

Do minimally processed meats actually exist?

Yes. But with so many options in the fully cooked meat section, the wide variety of flavors, ingredients and “healthy” claims, deciding what to choose can be overwhelming.

If you’re willing to read the labels, you can find “clean” and flavorful, convenient, ready-to-eat meats. When it comes to fully cooked poultry, look for items without mechanically separated poultry or rib meat — which is usually the fattier and less expensive cut of chicken than full, boneless chicken breasts. Also seek meats that are free of added MSG and fillers (such as corn starch, rice bran, etc.). This month at Hy-Vee stores, a new product from Johnsonville — yes, the company most known for its sausage — is our Dietitian Pick of the Month.

This fully cooked chicken product is made with no artificial colors, preservatives or flavors, fillers or MSG, packs great flavor and 18 grams of protein in one portion. It can be microwaved and ready to eat in under 60 seconds.

Storing and serving fully cooked meats

Before you purchase any fresh or fully cooked meat product, be sure to observe the “best by” or “serve by” date stamped on the package. This is important not only to make sure you’re not buying an expired product but also to make sure you’ll have time to enjoy the product at its optimal flavor.

If you find a fully cooked meat product in your refrigerator a week past the “best by” date, it’s usually fine to consume as long as there wasn’t some major temperature abuse that occurred, but the flavor may not be at its optimum.

Johnsonville Flame Grilled Southwestern Chicken Soup

Serves: 5 to 7

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

All you need

•1 package (9 oz) Johnsonville Flame Grilled Southwestern Seasoned or Johnsonville Flame Grilled Black Pepper and Sea Salt Chicken Breasts, diced

•2 cans (14-1/2 oz each) chicken broth

•1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chiles

•¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped

•2 packages (14 oz each) frozen Southwest blend vegetable mix (corn, black beans, poblano peppers, red peppers and onions)

•1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce

•1 envelope (1-1/4 oz) taco seasoning

•Wonton strips, optional

•Shredded cheddar cheese, optional

•Sour cream, optional

All you do

1. In a saucepan, combine the chicken, chicken broth, tomatoes, cilantro, Southwest blend vegetable mix, tomato sauce and taco seasoning.

2. Bring to a boil over medium heat.

3. Reduce heat to low; simmer for 5 minutes or until heated through.

4. Serve with wonton strips, cheese and sour cream, if desired.
The information is not intended as medical advice. Please consult a medical professional